I recall reading a post a few years ago stating that some components(pedals?) were removed from bikes for the catalog weights. Can someone tell me if that is all that was removed and did companies generally weigh the smallest bike available?

I'm a bit curious because I recently rebuilt a bike with new wheels and pedals that feel lighter than the originals, yet the bike weighs 0.2 lbs more than the catalog weight. I'm happy with the 20.8 lbs, including pedals, but a bit curious too.

I believe there is/was no standardization for how a manufacturers measure the weight of their bikes.

Some mfgrs weighed their bikes with pedals, some did not. Some measured a 54cm frame and used that size as their overall official weight. Others I am sure just guessed and I am sure that many just lied.

YMMV.

0.2 lbs is akin to using thicker housing than the original, rim strips, and bar tape.

Viscount listed the 1974 Aerospace at 24 lbs and when I finished building my sons a couple weeks ago I weighed it and guess what?

It weighs 24 lbs.

I'm never, ever going to be concerned enough about weight to fuss about fractions of a pound (not that you were fussing).

Unless, of course, you believe, as I do, that every manufacturer tended to suggest a lower actual weight, than my digital scale suggests.

Funny thing, now that I think of it, so do most owners;-)

in the 80s when I worked at a shop we noticed that a lot of the wieghts for some companys were right on. They would measure a 21 inch frame but at least it was fairly accurate. Some other brands were not even close and you would have to strip it down to meet their advertised weight..it all depended on the brand.

I have never had one of my bikes meet the catalog weight listing...but then again I ride 64cm frames

Aaron

Yes, I am by no means a weight weenie. My favorite bike is my 30lb Special Road Racer, but this one had me a little puzzled. I was just trying to get it down as low as possible, without going overboard on price.

2009 Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheelset
Ultegra Cassette
Dura Ace Downtube shifters

The period between the 70's and 80's were a virtual weight battleground between most of the big manufacturers.
Their brochures and catalogues typically listed weights for most of their sport, race and touring bikes and it did affect sales as weight weenie fever was very contagious back then. But as noted, the weights listed were inconsistent with actual weights of the bike when you weigh them yourself. Some manufacturers seem to have manupilated their wieghing process to their advantage and did not weigh complete bikes (No pedals, reflectors, smallest size frame, no bottle cage....etc.) So it was not surprising to find out when you wiegh something like a Peugeot PSV back then and come up with a weight up to 2 pounds over what is in their catalogues.
I do remember seeing some catalogues evetually adding the word "Approx." in front of their wieght numbers which must have give them a bit of tolerance with the buying public for their innacuracies.

Chombi