SurlyLaika

ah, nice. I considered that frame but couldn't afford to build a bike. Personally, I like the looks of the beige one better.

SurlyLaika

I believe the weight loss industry is a joke. They run on offering instant solutions and miracle diets over real sustainable habit and life style changes over time. If they actually helped people lose weight, they wouldn't have return business. As for cycling, it really isn't all that mainstream. Most people, not here, but most people would never think of riding a bike farther than a mile. It's just a pastime toy for Sunday afternoons at the park. Bike forum members are in the minority and actually care a great deal about their bikes but still a minority. I believe that is why the weight loss industry makes so much money in contrast to the cycling industry. I think weight loss is possible at almost any age. Certainly 40 is not too old as Terry66 proved. All it takes is hard work and dedication, something a lot of people would rather pay big bucks for an instant solution.

Seattle Forrest

It's the reason Gitzo is able to charge $800 for most of a tripod - so long as it's carbon fiber. With a telephoto lens, any vibration (aka rattling) is going to make almost any photo blurry. Carbon fiber tripods make for sharper photos with tele lenses. And the same thing means a smoother ride in bikes.

Booger1

Your in tip top shape,got the kit and carbon bike,the glittery shoes,$100 sunglasses......"stylin".........damn red lights.......

Doesn't matter,your commuting......

mikepwagner

I ride a 37 lb bike, according to my scale.

I have lost a little over 42 kilos (93 lbs) since last October, according to my doctor (as of today).

Going up hills on the same bike at 150 lbs is a definitely a lot easier than than going up them at 243 lbs.

There are some pretty inspirational stories in the Clydesdale/Athena forum. The make my weight loss look puny. There are some people doing some serious work over there.

One benefit - when you were as heavy as I was - is that the benefits of body weight loss are with me whether I am on the bike or not. All those numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc) that had my doctor looking thoughtful - as in "Maybe we should consider medication?" - are now "picture perfect" according to him.

I know this is a little off topic, but I just got back from the doctor's office, and I am pretty excited.

SurlyLaika

Physical activity is definitely more appealing when you're in shape. When I weighed 190, I felt pretty lethargic and unethused to put out much effort. I smoked and I drank too much. Then I lost 40 lbs through the gym, not drinking but one or two beers at a time, and careful diet. At 150 I felt great, tons of energy. I've gone back up to 174, more or less half way...and I can tell my body doesn't feel as good as it before. Not fat, but not fit, either. I still have a good diet, I just eat more. =]

Congrats on losing weight. Maybe I'll go over to the Clydesdale sub forum and check out how they stay motivated. Burning calories through biking isn't enough when your calorie intake increases as proportionally.

mikepwagner

Some of the stories in the Clydesdale forum are nothing short of awesome.

With regard to burning calories, you are 100% correct. I lost the first 70 lbs through changing my relationship with food and yoga - very little of that due to burning more calories. Then I got on a bike and started having fun.

boatrider

I like when commuters talk about grams, it makes me really appreciate the internet, and confirms all of its associated silliness. Bless anyone concerned about any weight when concerned about riding their bikes to work.

mechBgon

I have to carry mine up and down staircases at both ends of the commute, and the added weight of my new Surly Troll makes it significantly tougher to carry than its predecessor. It's a valid point of discussion.

idc

I broke my arm in August and it's still not quite 100%, so even lifting my 30 lb MTB onto my car rack and over the rack at work to lock it is a bit challenging.

It's also relevant if you have a lot of hills. I think my full commute is about 800 ft each way.

dalesclyde

at your height and weight, you don't stand a chance at losing 20lbs and still maintaining your strength. Losing 20lbs would probably make you a worse cyclist. fortunately, you are already height weight appropriate so you just need to train more and maybe lose a few lbs but nothing substantial. If your deadset on losing weight off your bike, losing weight off the wheels is where it's at but that can affect durability. IF you commute on clean, pothole free roads and don't lug heavy stuff in panniers than you can go with a lighter wheelset.

The Chemist

Honestly, I think reducing weight is overrated. I don't see much difference in the performance/speed of my bike whether I'm on a short (>50km) ride with almost no gear, commuting with about 6kg of gear in a trunk box, or touring/long distance riding with over 10kg of gear in panniers.

Regardless, I've lost over 10kg since I started riding seriously in April even without changing my diet (which isn't great, given the fact that I really like sugary snacks and drinks). But even with that loss of weight, I don't find it particularly any easier to ride. I get the feeling that a lot of this weight-weenyism that is around is more to do with marketing, since very few cyclists (mainly racers) can actually take advantage of the little bit of extra speed that lower weight might give.

mikepwagner

What does your Troll weigh, compared to its predecessor?

mechBgon

The frame alone is 6.2 pounds in a 22", compared to 3.7 pounds for its predecessor (a Gary Fisher Ziggurat aluminum frame). Most of the other parts were transplanted directly over, but it did gain about four more pounds in the form of a dynohub and dyno headlight, front lowrider racks, and a new heavier crankset. I also leave the panniers mounted all the time, since they're not easy to install/remove, which adds another four pounds.

So most days it's going out the door about 10-12 pounds heavier than the Zig did with a rear rack only. Bulletproof yes, but not fun to carry up a stairway.

thebrassnuckles

I lost 16lbs in 4 weeks.
I went on a Paleo diet. The first 2 weeks weren't too great, but now I have more energy than I ever have. No crash in the afternoon or anything.

I also did absolutely no exercise this whole time. I guess maybe 4 days of lifting.... but that is it. Weight just fell off. fantastic.

I haven't weighed 170 since before my first daughter was born.

i was at 186 lbs (6ft)
i'm now at 170.

Drop the sugar, grains, bread. eat veggies and meat. no moderation. I eat like a beast, and I still dropped weight.

I'm about to start cycling to work, to augment the weight loss.

robberry

Lose 10lbs, and then think if you still need to drop weight off your bike.

Seattle Forrest

I've never understood why going to or from work should mean being downtrodden and bedraggled?

Let me ask this: how many people commute by bike because they enjoy cycling, and how many because they don't have a car, or the court took their license? If I were being forced to bike in, I guess I wouldn't care very much about enjoying myself for the trip, either...

Booger1

It's not a race,you don't have to have the latest and greatest to enjoy bicycle riding.....SEE!

BridgeNotTunnel

I certainly hope so.

As soon as I came off my diet my weight loss stopped and I still have plenty of weight to lose....

But, my physique looked and felt a if it was continuing to improve.

I'm sort of hoping that by the time I get to 225 lbs, my body will be so accustomed to pushing 260lbs, that I will have extra strong legs in comparison to my size.

If I could control my appetite better I would likely be near or at my ideal weight by now.

But I do love to eat, and living in nyc, great food is everywhere.... : (

tjspiel

Of course not, but what makes cycling more enjoyable for you isn't necessarily the same as it is for me. Further, I don't use my bike just for commuting and speed sometimes does matter, even when I'm commuting. I'll give an example.

There's one light on my route that's a particularly long wait for those heading North-South. And when it does change to green, it often only let's a few cars through before changing back to red. Once in a while it'll turn green just as I round the corner and comes into view. On my "slow" bike, I'll just moan and meander on up to the light because I know I won't make it. But on my fast bike, I at least have a shot. It's also a place where from time to time folks with questionable motives will be just be hanging around at night. Though it's generally not a problem and it's not something I worry much about, I'd prefer not linger.

I also hang my bike up in the garage every day when I get home. A light bike makes that easier. Now a few grams one way or another doesn't make any real difference. However, if you're replacing components or adding accessories and you don't take weight into consideration, collectively it can add up over time.

Steely Dan

me too. and that's really all the justification i need to give myself for why i ride an unladen lightweight road bike to work everyday (weather permitting) with a backpack containing only the bare essentials. other folks don't care as much about speed and therefore are willing to make weight concessions in order carry all manner of bike add-ons and doo-dads to make their ride more enjoyable/fun/comfortable for them. we're all different. for me, i'm still too young and energetic to ride a slow bike, but i'm sure i'll get there someday