RockiesDad

I have an old Specialized Crossroads hybrid bike from the '90s that I'm thinking of rebuilding/upgrading for weekend fitness rides. Currently the bathroom scale weight is about 35lbs. Its a steel Cr-Moly frame and still in pretty good condition for its age. Anyway, I'm planning on cleaning it up and would like to lighten it by about 5lbs or maybe more.

My question is what would be the best bang for my buck (<$200 budget total for the whole bike) items that would help me achieve my weight saving goal. My guess would be wheels and tires which is doable for $200. But then that would be my whole budget. Maybe tires only and what else?

I'm pretty much a newbie but could find some help if i diy this rebuild. I think it would be fun and wouldn't have to spend $800 on the bike I really want and I'm okay with that..

TIA

ThermionicScott 

I think you're on the right track -- if your current wheels and tires are heavy, nicer ones will add to your enjoyment. In fact, better tires may make a much bigger difference than 5 lbs of scale weight, if you can believe that. Tell us more about what's on your bike.

Doctor Morbius

Do you have the tools for bottom bracket removal & cassette removal? Have you measured the chain to see if it's time to replace it or not? Are you reasonably mechanically minded?

Even though I've done it, overhauling an old bike with new bits can be a fool's errand and you can very easily be upside down on its worth. It may be better to sell your current bike for $100 on Craig's List and add that to the $200 you're willing to spend and just buy a newer lighter bike. Something to keep in mind.

exmechanic89

Wouldnt a 'fitness ride' be better on a heavier bike?

OnyxTiger

+1 on selling that boat. If you're looking for speed $200 is burning dollars away on an already big-boned heifer. Sure there's a joke there somewhere.

bobbyl1966

I have one old mountain bike trek 830 antelope. Is weight no remember good buy maybe is 32 pounds or 35 pounds. is was 7 speeds freewheel i think i do 9 speeds cassette. but maybe not worth that is so heavy bike? i have five bikes like that one TT the others road bikes but only one is 1987 is ready to ride, the others need some work. and all bikes is bigger sizes than the size is okay for me. Is worth i sale all my bikes and i buy one newer bike? and what is your opinions carbon fiber aluminum or steel?

Fastfingaz

I have to agree,either keep it and just buy what you want , or sell it and buy what you want ,pass on rebuild head ache,,,

hueyhoolihan

tires. they wear out anyway, so when in need buy some lighter ones. it puts the lack of weight where it does the most good.

canklecat

This. Try it before anything else.

Years ago when I wanted to lighten and speed up my Motobecane Mirage for the occasional criterion and time trial I tried stripping off every non-essential: guards around the chainwheel and rear hub; extension arms on the touristy brakes; lighter pedals for my cleats. Might have saved a few ounces. Made no discernible difference.

What really made the bike feel faster was switching to the highest pressure Continental clinchers my rims could handle, the kind with a raised center tread about 1/4" wide, which felt faster on straights (no help on turns), and added a bit of puncture resistance. Only downside was the occasional flat repair - those Continentals were a bear to get on and off the rims. Took three levers, both thumbs and a lotta cussing.

But the tires made enough difference that I re-added the bottle rack and Zefal frame pump for daily commutes and leisurely long distance club rides.

bakes1

Huh?
You want to spend $200 to end up at 30lbs?
Thats just plain silly

Maelochs

If the bikes don't fit, I'd sell them and buy one that really suited you. Oversized bikes will lead to discomfort and probably less riding (riding in pain is no fun.)

Also, as Doctor Morbius notes, upgrading old bikes can cost more for less return than buying a good used bike that already has the good stuff. By the time you fixed up all your old bikes, you'd have spent a lot of money and would be stuck with a bunch of old, heavy bikes that didn't fit you.

Sell whatever you don't ride and buy something you will ride.

Cyril 

Best bang per buck?
Lighten and tune the engine.

night mission

But than why come to a bike forum for advice. Better to go to an exercise forum.

jfowler85

Yep.

fietsbob

Nothing Weighs less than a Part not Installed..

Drew Eckhardt 

Better tires offer a smoother ride and can save 20W at 20 MPH. Continental GP4000SII in 700C 28, Grand Prix in 26 x 1 1/8" for very good rolling resistance while still having decent life and flat protection. Should be about $80 a pair plus shipping imported from your favorite UK source.

Saving weight isn't going to help on flat ground - 5 pounds at 20 MPH is just 0.8W.

Up-hill the performance improvement is at best proportional to total weight. As a 135 pound climber, dropping from a 35 to 30 pound bike is going to make you just 3% faster. At 200 pounds you'll gain just 2%.

Maelochs

Basically, no amount of weight savings is going to make a 35-lb bike feel fast. Even getting it to 30 lbs (which could be pretty expensive) won't make much difference. For a few hundred dollars you can hit local used bike classified sites and get a great bargain on something 10 pounds lighter at least, and you will get all the excitement of learning a new bike.

Wheels and tires might save you a couple pounds, and it will be rotating mass, so that will make the biggest difference in how the bike feels--it will feel marginally quicker as you accelerate. However, you will still be hauling a 32-lb beast, and every time you accelerate it will wear you down more--and every hill will hurt about as much. And, it will cost you $200.

I have seen excellent 22-lb road bikes for $300 on local bike classified sites. Old technology, but nothing outmoded. Some people bought great bikes 10-20 years ago and never rode them and want to get rid of them. Grab one of those and work on the old Specialized over time as a hobby.

Nachoman

Assuming you can get the right bike, for the right price, that's a good call.

SpeshulEd 

I'd say new tires and even wheels in the $200 range would be equivalent of putting lipstick on a pig. If you really want something lighter, save your money and buy something lighter.

SloButWide 

Others have pointed out that you're tossing good money after bad. That said, if you want to learn to work on bikes, see if there's a bike cooperative in your town. They offer access to specialized tools, workspace, and mentoring to members. Membership usually entails volunteering a few hours a year or possibly a small fee. It's great to have someone knowledgeable look over your shoulder.

ThermionicScott 

Why wait until it's needed? The OP can always save the old tires for spares.

RockiesDad

Wow, lots of opinions here but it seems to be all leading in the direction of getting something newer instead of fixing what I got. I hate it when something is in a stage where it's not quite bad enough to get rid of but not quite ready for prime time.

Looking more closely at my current bike, I would need to spend a few bucks just to bring it up to speed and being safe. Need a new front derailer, chain, new brake cables, tighten and true my rear wheel due to loose spokes. Maybe <$100?

I would then ride that around about a year or so to get back in condition and see if I want to continue with this hobby. At that time, I can decide to sell this bike and upgrade then. I think I will feel better about not having to sell an un-safe bike or adding to our land fill now.

Yea, that's the ticket... Let it be written, let it be done... Thanks for all your replies!

Doctor Morbius

This describes my very existence. Way past my prime, but just a bit too young to die.

Fastfingaz

,,,,, OK,,,, someone said that ,one asks for advise when one already knows what the answer is ,,, anyway if ur a newbie as stated ,, are you willing to take on the work , the tools and more important the time?? what you have is a project bike, once you start ,if you change one part then the next just isn't good enough for it anymore so now you have to change that one too , soon you realize, you have to change more parts than expected so it will all match,, meaning awhole new bike ,, but you already knew what you were gonna do ,, so good luck and come back with a report and pictures because We do want to see,,,, how you make out , now go start tearing it down!!!!

Maelochs

OP is way too practical and sensible to be a Real cyclist.

N+1, dude---n+1.