Which vintage steel road bikes are 25 lbs and under?
10-29-23, 06:03 AM
#51
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I don't know your frame size, but to me, it seems that bike could be pared down two pounds without serious effort. I think the 56cm 510 I set up as a three speed weighed about 25, and I didn't make a any real effort to keep it light.
10-29-23, 06:06 AM
#52
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I don't think of ten pounds as nothing. That's enough weight that I really don't want to be lugging it up hills unless I have to. (I.e. ten pounds of cargo as opposed to ten additional pounds of bike.) N.B. that I have done small inclines with a Burley attached with a 50 pound dog and 30 pounds of feed as passengers.
10-29-23, 06:13 AM
#53
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Yes, for many, losing 5lbs (body weight) would be the easiest/best route. I have a pretty thin build. I guess maybe because of that, I notice the difference between my usual 35lb bike (which I like) and the 25lb Trek.
In reality, the quest is a little foolish, I will admit. Once I get up to speed, the weight difference in my 35lb bike vs the 25lb Trek 520 my wife rides is close to nothing. My bike has enough miles on it, that it's polished and rides very smooth, which is what I like about it.
In reality, the quest is a little foolish, I will admit. Once I get up to speed, the weight difference in my 35lb bike vs the 25lb Trek 520 my wife rides is close to nothing. My bike has enough miles on it, that it's polished and rides very smooth, which is what I like about it.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
10-29-23, 06:33 AM
#54
feros ferio
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When I worked at Bikecology in the early 1970s, we kept a fishing scale for answering questions about bicycle weight. Even with the stock Brooks Pro saddle, the PX-10s came in around 22-24 lb, depending on frame size. Art Stump popped by with one of his custom A.D.Stump bikes, in beautiful black chrome, and it tipped the scale at 19.5 lb, which blew all of us away. Yes, he rode about a 52 cm frame, but still, pretty impressive for that day.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
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10-29-23, 07:33 AM
#55
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The 1970's were considered the bike boom era. Also the OPEC Oil Crisis era. Companies churned out bikes by the millions.
Schwinn made the Schwinn Varsity. Electroforged and slammed together with plain steel.
They also made the Schwinn Paramount which was a hand built frame, double butted, lugged.
I remember going to the Schwinn stores. The expensive bikes on the wall were out of my price range..,.
Schwinn made the Schwinn Varsity. Electroforged and slammed together with plain steel.
They also made the Schwinn Paramount which was a hand built frame, double butted, lugged.
I remember going to the Schwinn stores. The expensive bikes on the wall were out of my price range..,.
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10-29-23, 07:49 AM
#56
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When I worked at Bikecology in the early 1970s, we kept a fishing scale for answering questions about bicycle weight. Even with the stock Brooks Pro saddle, the PX-10s came in around 22-24 lb, depending on frame size. Art Stump popped by with one of his custom A.D.Stump bikes, in beautiful black chrome, and it tipped the scale at 19.5 lb, which blew all of us away. Yes, he rode about a 52 cm frame, but still, pretty impressive for that day.
https://classicrendezvous.com/countr...usa/stump-art/
this set of images show the drilled Mafac levers, Weinmann 500 calipers, note the ti bottom bracket with aluminum cups, I have a set of those cups, the pressed in races allow 1/4” ball bearings.
note the cranks, not great images of those, his were about as far as one could go and maintain use. In this configuration he is back to a 3ttt stem, and as I recall used Superleggero bars, Arnold Industries fasteners. This shows a conservative wheel set, 32? Spokes. He was great to talk to, I met him in 1973 at the first competition of the year, the Malibu 10 mi time trial. I did not do well, I had just gone to gear limit gears, 44x14 top, I was running around in an 88” gear on the flats. Took a while to adjust. A good coach could have sped up the process, there were few coaches and as I would observe, fewer that were of any use at the time.
1974 was much better.
Last edited by repechage; 10-29-23 at 08:32 AM.
10-29-23, 07:51 AM
#57
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Then as another point of reference is this mid 90s Giordana. Bare frame and fork was a little over 5 lbs so comparable to a lot of the older quality steel frames. Built up with a decent selection of Record and Super Record parts along with another set of C.F. tubulars it came in at 17 lbs 6 ozs. Could have easily gotten in in the lower 16 lb range with different wheels and few more lighter parts.
But I will also say the a lighter bike does not mean a faster or more comfortable bike. There is a balance to be found with each and every frame to yield the feel you like and want with a bike.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
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10-29-23, 08:37 AM
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I think some of the drillium craze of the 70’s could be pointed to the mods done to Eddy’s hour record bike. Some of the efforts were documented pretty well.
light was equated with Winning.
light was equated with Winning.
10-29-23, 09:36 AM
#59
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I can recall that Bicycling (?) article about light track bikes, and they had a Panasonic w/ a bunch of crazy light parts, including a headset w/ exposed balls for weight savings.
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10-29-23, 09:56 AM
#60
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777funk , If vintage for you extends into the 80s, here's a cheap example: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik...680268865.html
The long list above had two Ironmans at 21-23#, and my rough weight if mine at 22#ish (luggage scale, pretty approximate), with few changes from stock (saddle, but a leather selle anatomica, 7-speed instead of 6 fw). Including pedals and cages.
The long list above had two Ironmans at 21-23#, and my rough weight if mine at 22#ish (luggage scale, pretty approximate), with few changes from stock (saddle, but a leather selle anatomica, 7-speed instead of 6 fw). Including pedals and cages.
10-29-23, 10:44 AM
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yes, like 10.5 pounds claimed. But the three abbreviated strips of adhesive rim tape was silly.
10-29-23, 10:59 AM
#62
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No promises on the International, but it is in excellent condition and really shines in the sun!
While it rides nicely, I'd say that I like my Hetchins (made with 531C) and Raleigh Team (built with 753) better. These are both very nice and special bikes, so that's not unreasonable.
It's going to be a while before any of these slip out of my grip (fingers crossed!).
Steve in Peoria
While it rides nicely, I'd say that I like my Hetchins (made with 531C) and Raleigh Team (built with 753) better. These are both very nice and special bikes, so that's not unreasonable.
It's going to be a while before any of these slip out of my grip (fingers crossed!).
Steve in Peoria
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10-29-23, 12:28 PM
#63
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Bought Easter Sunday 1972 in Chicago, my 'out the door' stock Motobecane Grand Record weighed 23# last summer when I got it back together, ready to ride. I'd changed the brake calipers, stem & tires but otherwise it was 'as sold' over 50 years ago.
It might weigh a bit more today; I've installed a VeloOrange BB cassette & swapped out the Campy DR for a Suntour from a donor Fuji. Oh and a Stronglight 93 crankset with three rings over the original Stronglight 49's 2x. Hills around where I ride now are more fun with 36/32 'stead of the 42/28 it'd carried up until this summer.
It might weigh a bit more today; I've installed a VeloOrange BB cassette & swapped out the Campy DR for a Suntour from a donor Fuji. Oh and a Stronglight 93 crankset with three rings over the original Stronglight 49's 2x. Hills around where I ride now are more fun with 36/32 'stead of the 42/28 it'd carried up until this summer.
10-29-23, 12:35 PM
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10-29-23, 04:42 PM
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For the heck of it, I checked on the weight of some of my C&V bikes using my hanging digital scale. Lightest was my ‘73 Wes Mason, the bike I’ve used for CA Eroica and Cino (and would again). Without pedals it’s 21.5 lbs.
10-29-23, 09:16 PM
#66
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19 lbs. 6 oz. 56cm.
As raced, fully with pedals and single bottle cage, former factory pro team bike, 41 years. Columbus SL, lugged, mostly Campy Super Record w/ ICS inside (not Intel inside), Camp Record seat post, headset, Cinelli cockpit. Regina trick cogs & chain, Selle Italia Superleggera. Tubular training / race wheelset 36 spoke (not the climbing wheelset). No drillium or mods.
As raced, fully with pedals and single bottle cage, former factory pro team bike, 41 years. Columbus SL, lugged, mostly Campy Super Record w/ ICS inside (not Intel inside), Camp Record seat post, headset, Cinelli cockpit. Regina trick cogs & chain, Selle Italia Superleggera. Tubular training / race wheelset 36 spoke (not the climbing wheelset). No drillium or mods.
