How much does your gravel bike REALLY weigh?
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ignominious poltroon
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How much does your gravel bike REALLY weigh?
I just weighed my bike with two full water bottles, tool kit, and everything else that I would put on it for a typical ride. It has a nominal weight of 21 lbs without the pedals, bar tape, bottle cages etc. The actual weight for the bike I am about to ride, with everything on it apart from me, is nearly 30 lbs.
It is a steel bike with a Brooks saddle, but even then, that seems a bit hefty. Thank the imaginary deity for carbon wheels.
It is a steel bike with a Brooks saddle, but even then, that seems a bit hefty. Thank the imaginary deity for carbon wheels.
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19.6lbs, last time I checked - CF frame, 1x drivetrain, light aluminum wheels, 35mm tires, with pedals, but no bottles or seatbag/toolkit. Sometimes I use big bottles, sometimes small. Sometimes I stick the toolkit in my center jersey pocket.
EDIT: See post 24 for a better response.
EDIT: See post 24 for a better response.
Last edited by Eric F; 05-12-23 at 05:58 PM.
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ignominious poltroon
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Water weighs a lot. Tools even more so.
I just weighed my two full water bottles, which comes out to a bit more than 3.5 lbs, i.e., over 10% of the loaded bike. (For the record, I cannot detect the slightest difference when riding with two full vs. empty water bottles.) But this is kind of eye-opening.
I just weighed my two full water bottles, which comes out to a bit more than 3.5 lbs, i.e., over 10% of the loaded bike. (For the record, I cannot detect the slightest difference when riding with two full vs. empty water bottles.) But this is kind of eye-opening.
Last edited by Polaris OBark; 05-11-23 at 05:35 PM.
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Bike + Tool Kit + Water + Me + Condiments... 284 pounds. That is why I laugh at people who brag about shaving a few grams off of their wheel set...
But... To each his own... I appreciate a sound, tuned, good looking bike, no matter what the weight is...
But... To each his own... I appreciate a sound, tuned, good looking bike, no matter what the weight is...
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My gravel bike weighs exactly as much as it needs to. It's a custom-built frame, and I specified every single bit and piece on it -- right down to the nipples on the custom-built wheels. When choosing everything, weight was pretty far down on the priority list.
When I roll out on Saturday for a 150 mile race, I imagine the whole bike - complete with saddle pack (repair bits) and top tube bag (food and etc) and three 750ml water bottles -- will probably weigh close to 30 lbs. That will hardly be my limiting factor.
When I roll out on Saturday for a 150 mile race, I imagine the whole bike - complete with saddle pack (repair bits) and top tube bag (food and etc) and three 750ml water bottles -- will probably weigh close to 30 lbs. That will hardly be my limiting factor.
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ignominious poltroon
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I just realized I forgot to weigh with my wallet, phone and keys.
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Trek Checkpoint SL5 - 9.95kg (just shy of 22lbs).
That weight is inclusive of two bottle cages, pedals, Garmin mount, but not the internal tool roll.
That weight is inclusive of two bottle cages, pedals, Garmin mount, but not the internal tool roll.

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probably close to 29.9 lbs after all is said and done. I am so glad I have 1000g frame though because I was too close to weighing like a full sus mtb at 30+ lbs.
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In other words, everything but the rider (but include what might be in your jersey pockets.)
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I wouldn't weigh a bike without bar tape especially, but also pedals and consider the weight to be a real measurement. My gravel bike, ready to ride out the door is right about 28lbs but can't say I've ever measured it with full water bottles. Ready for a gravel tour was 47lbs but that included being loaded down with tent, sleeping bag, cooking equipment and clothing.
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20.8 lbs for my ~'09 Specialized Tricross[formerly] triple with yuuuge 48s, a bunch of Dura-Ace, three bottle cages and pedals. My weighing takes into account a fully functional, comfortable, and aesthetically complete bike. Ready to ride, ready to put water bottles into cages, saddle bag on, tire pump, and me on it, ready to clip in and pedal. A light bike is nice to have, light wheels a difference maker over heavy ones, and light/supple tires over Ultra X90000 GatorThons Glass Crusherz tires. Two full water bottles is definitely felt when trying to accelerate spiritedly, three even more so. I don't weigh my bikes fully-outfitted sans myself. I could, but that's not helpful information at this juncture--I want the propaganda (dry) weight and nothing else!

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I have a few real weights.
Ritchey Swiss Cross Disc V1 with pedals (M, 38mm tires)


Trek 750 (21", 38mm tires)


Stock Diverge E5 w/ pedals (52?):


Ritchey Swiss Cross Disc V2 without pedals (M, 30mm?):

Ritchey Swiss Cross Disc V1 with pedals (M, 38mm tires)


Trek 750 (21", 38mm tires)


Stock Diverge E5 w/ pedals (52?):


Ritchey Swiss Cross Disc V2 without pedals (M, 30mm?):


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Water weighs a lot. Tools even more so.
I just weighed my two full water bottles, which comes out to a bit more than 3.5 lbs, i.e., over 10% of the loaded bike. (For the record, I cannot detect the slightest difference when riding with two full vs. empty water bottles.) But this is kind of eye-opening.
I just weighed my two full water bottles, which comes out to a bit more than 3.5 lbs, i.e., over 10% of the loaded bike. (For the record, I cannot detect the slightest difference when riding with two full vs. empty water bottles.) But this is kind of eye-opening.

FWIW, I like the idea of weighing a bike ready to ride, though it seems most of the respondents weigh their bikes ready to load up. For some reason I rarely ride with no water, no way to fix a flat, no GPS, etc., and that's usually just to the end of my street and back to make sure all the repairs are good to ride.
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Does that mean you can stop for ice cream on the way home from your next ride? 
FWIW, I like the idea of weighing a bike ready to ride, though it seems most of the respondents weigh their bikes ready to load up. For some reason I rarely ride with no water, no way to fix a flat, no GPS, etc., and that's usually just to the end of my street and back to make sure all the repairs are good to ride.

FWIW, I like the idea of weighing a bike ready to ride, though it seems most of the respondents weigh their bikes ready to load up. For some reason I rarely ride with no water, no way to fix a flat, no GPS, etc., and that's usually just to the end of my street and back to make sure all the repairs are good to ride.
Obviously if you start out with something really light, and you like to dehydrate yourself, you can have a lighter loaded weight, but I was just curious how much of an outlier my custom steel bike loaded for a long ride (which I wound up not doing, don't ask) was, as it was pushing 30 lbs (even with my lighter wheel-set).
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I know I have a reputation for reasonably light modern steel bikes. But my Bessie is North of 30 before the rack and fenders are installed, water bottles etc...My Ritchey Ascent is 29.9.
Cadillac comfort, broader gearing, airline suitcase travel, & off-grid sustainability were the priorities for those builds. On my Bessie, I purposefully spec'd heavier grade 853 equivalent tubing usually reserved for tandems.
Dynamo's & internal gear hubs on high spoke count aluminum rims, shock absorbing stems, racks, fenders...it all adds up. Sure, I could save 5 pounds by switching wheels & swapping in some parts on hand. But, why? It's not like any of that weight is holding me back at all and that extra weight is because of features that make the bike that much more capable. I don't want a mud streak up my backside like some people, apparently.
If I thought weight really was a big deal that affected my gravel experience, I *could* swap tires, a derailleur and a cassette onto Weinerbike (SL), pick up ~2 pounds and still have a sub 19lb steel gravel build. But why would I want to oil-can a tube the first time I crash?
I'm not saying bike weight doesn't matter. I am saying that weight is the by-product of all the design tradeoffs. And that's ok.
You're doin' better than me with your 30lb loaded weight. Good. I have no doubt that loaded, I'm probably pushing 40, maybe more.
Cadillac comfort, broader gearing, airline suitcase travel, & off-grid sustainability were the priorities for those builds. On my Bessie, I purposefully spec'd heavier grade 853 equivalent tubing usually reserved for tandems.
Dynamo's & internal gear hubs on high spoke count aluminum rims, shock absorbing stems, racks, fenders...it all adds up. Sure, I could save 5 pounds by switching wheels & swapping in some parts on hand. But, why? It's not like any of that weight is holding me back at all and that extra weight is because of features that make the bike that much more capable. I don't want a mud streak up my backside like some people, apparently.
If I thought weight really was a big deal that affected my gravel experience, I *could* swap tires, a derailleur and a cassette onto Weinerbike (SL), pick up ~2 pounds and still have a sub 19lb steel gravel build. But why would I want to oil-can a tube the first time I crash?
I'm not saying bike weight doesn't matter. I am saying that weight is the by-product of all the design tradeoffs. And that's ok.
You're doin' better than me with your 30lb loaded weight. Good. I have no doubt that loaded, I'm probably pushing 40, maybe more.
Last edited by base2; 05-13-23 at 06:46 PM.
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#21
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Fairlight Secan 853 steel frame with carbon fork in 58T size(effectively like a 64cm).
Aluminum tubeless wheels with 43mm tires.
2x11 drivetrain with hydraulic disc brakes
Brooks c17 saddle and only carbon on the bike is a seatpost.
bike weight with pedals and cages- 23.4#
bike weight with speedsleev wedge bag, small bar bag, water, pump, garmin- 28.7#
Aluminum tubeless wheels with 43mm tires.
2x11 drivetrain with hydraulic disc brakes
Brooks c17 saddle and only carbon on the bike is a seatpost.
bike weight with pedals and cages- 23.4#
bike weight with speedsleev wedge bag, small bar bag, water, pump, garmin- 28.7#
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I had my Swiss Cross V2 at around 21, am r just a shade under. Every time I “upgrade” I gain weight on it.
I swapped the mechanical SRAM Rival for an Archer D1x wireless system. I don’t know how much it added but that little shifter box thing is kinda heavy. I think the required TRP brakes and levers might be heavier than stock Sram too, but at least they work better. I also have a redshift suspension stem which is definitely heavier than a standard alloy stem. The 13speed Campy Ekar cassette is kinda heavy too.
Ditched my featherweight Maxxis Ramblers for some more durable and prettier Gravelkings. Next time around they’ll be fatter and heavier too.
I haven’t weighed it in a while. I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m up to 22 or 22.5 by now.
I did have a 100mm dropper on it for a minute but overall disliked it, so went back to the carbon post. Not a weight decision but it just dug into my hand and I never needed it anyway.
Bottles weigh a few pounds and my seat bag is probably a pound and a half.
I bet I’m at 30, most days.
I swapped the mechanical SRAM Rival for an Archer D1x wireless system. I don’t know how much it added but that little shifter box thing is kinda heavy. I think the required TRP brakes and levers might be heavier than stock Sram too, but at least they work better. I also have a redshift suspension stem which is definitely heavier than a standard alloy stem. The 13speed Campy Ekar cassette is kinda heavy too.
Ditched my featherweight Maxxis Ramblers for some more durable and prettier Gravelkings. Next time around they’ll be fatter and heavier too.
I haven’t weighed it in a while. I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m up to 22 or 22.5 by now.
I did have a 100mm dropper on it for a minute but overall disliked it, so went back to the carbon post. Not a weight decision but it just dug into my hand and I never needed it anyway.
Bottles weigh a few pounds and my seat bag is probably a pound and a half.
I bet I’m at 30, most days.
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Ready-to-ride condition - Saddle bag, 2 full bottles, and computer….


This is typical for my local weekend rides. A long event like BWR adds a hydration pack and a bunch of snacks to my body
weight.


This is typical for my local weekend rides. A long event like BWR adds a hydration pack and a bunch of snacks to my body
weight.
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Is that an SQlabs saddle?