SurlyLaika

Hey, so I decided to remove the Surly Nice Rack rear from my Cross Check because I just haven't been using it as much as I thought I would here in Korea where I don't commute much anymore since the school I work at is only 2 blocks away and everything really is just very close and convenient. Seriously, I live above a convenience store. No more long hauls loaded down with crap in my panniers. These days, I mostly just do recreational rides and sometimes I'll take it to go the bar, department store or bank...

Anyway, I just figured it was a useless dead weight penalty and thought I'd see how it handles without the 3 lb (1.3kg) rack. I'm actually kind of surprised that the difference is very noticeable, at least in my mind. Maybe it's a placebo effect but I really think that the bike accelerates faster, is more responsive to my hip steering (as opposed to handlebar steering), and is just a lot easier to haul up the stairs. I'm now only using my Wingnut backpack. Thoughts? Could removing 3lbs really make that much of a difference?


This got me thinking about the other weighty items on my bike. I don't think the stock wheels are the lightest, but that's okay with me for now. I think they're pretty strong. I also got the 420g MKS King Grip or Lambda pedals and a 860g sprung Brooks Flyer. I'm not willing to part with either of those for weight's sake but I might upgrade the wheels some day. So what's the heaviest component on your bikes? Is it worth it to you?

benda18

N+1. If your bike is too heavy it's time to get a lighter bike.

SurlyLaika

I thinkk it was topping out at 30lbs, but now it's 3lbs lighter and feels so good and zippy!

linus

Me. And next to that is my Kryptonite Evo 5. It's definitely not coming off my bike tho.

tarwheel 

The weight of a single component usually doesn't make much difference, but it all starts to add up pretty quickly. My touring bike weighed only about 22 lbs when built up with no fenders, rear rack, seat bags, etc. However, it weighs closer to 30 lbs when fenders, front and rear racks and other parts -- not even including panniers, water bottles, etc. I also took the rear rack off my touring bike when I was using it for commuting. Not only did it add more weight, but I found that it made the frame ride a lot stiffer. I'm using that bike for actual touring now, however, so I have reinstalled the rear rack, added a front rack, Brooks saddle, frame pump, etc. and it feels like it weighs a ton.

SurlyLaika

haha, yea I know what you mean. I'm not overweight but I'm definitely not in optimal condition either. Just checked the weight on that Evo 5, 2.3 lbs compared to the Faghettaboutit's 4.5lbs. holy cow, right? I'm having seconds thoughts about buying the Faghettaboutit now. How much do you weigh?

FrenchFit 

The Surly Nice was a monster, I eBayed mine last year. I've been lightened my tourer, including my beloved double kickstand - probably another 1.5 lbs right there. My hold-out on that bike so far is the Jandd rear rack, it's simply too practicable to lose. But I'm eyeing the saddle and seatpost, wheelset, probably another couple of pounds to pick up there.

I just like how much livelier the bike feels on a diet. Yes, I could lose the same lbs, but a lighter bike is a lighter bike.

SurlyLaika

I'm not a gram counter, by any means...but I'd rather put my grams in where they're most useful like my pedals and saddle.

SurlyLaika

I was thinking about saving my beastly Surly Nice Rack for my touring bike when I get one and getting a lighter, more practical rack for my uh commuter. I forget if it was a Jandd but I heard about one a while ago that was quite light and had a good cargo weight capacity.

Also, Frenchfit, I've been running 6 out of 7 days the last 2 weeks...only 1.5 miles every day but at least it's consistent. I feel good, in a different way than I do when I bike. I mean, I just feel a little more springy, lively, etc. Try it out, even if it isn't far. Any plans to lose a few lbs? I'd like to get down 15lbs, not much but damn it's hard when you're not actually fat. Just little motivation.

linus

I also have the Faghettaboutit and NY Standard. Awesome but I need to see a chiropractor after carrying them around.

I'm 190lbs now.

LeeG

Surlylaika, if you're thinking of putting a rack back on for carrying panniers consider one of the narrow ones like the Axiom StreamlinerDLX or Tubus Airy. I had various wide platform rear racks on my Cross-Check and noticed the handling was noticably better with a narrow rack like the Axiom Streamliner DLX.

groovestew

I certainly like a nice, light bike, but I don't mind riding a heavy bike for commuting. When I do really long rides on the weekend (300+km) when I need extra room for carrying layers, food, etc., I will sometimes put a seatpost rack with a trunk bag (about 10lbs) on my bike, and I absolutely hate how it makes the bike handle. It's not really noticeable 98% of the time, which is why I tolerate it, but that other 2% (climbing, accelerating) is really annoying.

For commuting, I keep my light bike light, and use a backpack to maintain good handling characteristics. My all-weather commuter is heavy, so I just don't expect as much from it.

newkie

I have a fully built up commuter with IGH, fenders, 2 stands, ring lock, u-lock. Depending on my route, I have to lift the bike over a chest-high wall. I always notice how heavy the rear is on this monster. With the front so light and the rear so ladden when I first got it I really noticed the handling was different and a bit squirrely. I've since gotten used to it and when I take my beater to the pub, the beater is the one that feels strange. It makes a difference yes, but your physical and mental memory can learn anything.

acidfast7

2.95kg is more like 6.5 lbs.

you're removing 3 1L milk tetra-paks from over the back wheel ... of course it will make a difference.

HardyWeinberg

I can't think of a single chunkier piece of anything to hang on a bike than a surly nice rack. Other than that they fit pugsley wheels and cost less than OMM racks that do the same, I honestly can't figure out how they sell those at all.


I do have one on my pugsley though, which itself is a giant chunky piece of a lot of stuff.

fietsbob

Surly's racks are rather excessively heavy.. Front one definitely.
Tubus are a bit more reasonable, of the steel tube racks.

ThermionicScott 

Who makes a really light, dare I say it, "flimsy" rear rack? I'm looking to get rid of the backpack, but won't need more than 10lbs of capacity.

flipped4bikes

Not sure where the OP got 2.95 kg. Surly lists the Nice rear rack at 1260g = 2.78 lbs.

It took me a second to figure out why they named it Nice. Too funny.

HardyWeinberg

A bit more reasonable in the sense of 30% of the weight but 90% of the capacity... (and ~80% of the cost)

flipped4bikes

I own a OMM Sherpa, and the Surly Nice is rated to carry TWICE the weight of the Sherpa. So here's my question: say you even load up a Nice to 80 lbs, something's got to give, right? Can you break off a bolt/screw with that kind of load?

FrenchFit 

I am a fairly regular runner, 30-40 minutes 2 or 3 times a week. Love it, probably as much as cycling. But my knees won't take the concrete, I'm confined to treadmills or the soft track at the local HS. Great for climbing stamina.

Onions

For my commuter, I got the lightest one I could afford on Amazon with decent reviews. It's a tad small, but big enough to hold my panniers, and, properly installed, is pretty sturdy. I've carried both panniers and two crates full of groceries bungeed on a few times, and it didn't even try to give way. I've been pretty impressed. replace the crappy aluminum bolts that come with it, though. they're awful.

https://www.amazon.com/Avenir-Rear-AT...dp/B0014URFPS/

flipped4bikes

And to answer your question, the heaviest component other than my Sherpa rack is my Brooks Imperial saddle. 530g (1.16 lbs) and worth it. I use do to be a weight weenie, thinking that saddles that weight 200g were the shiznit. Until certain things went numb.

SurlyLaika

sorry, that was a type I met 2.95lbs or 1.3kg. Not 6.5lbs haha, but yea...it feels like a new bike to me. I don't think I've ever not had the rack on there and now I'm able to just use my backpack for just about everything.

SurlyLaika

I've only ever had Brooks. I rode the stock WTB SST saddle for a while but it was a pain in the ass. If I were to ever try a synthetic saddle, it might be Fizik's saddles.