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How to weigh a bike?

Old 05-26-20, 10:33 AM
  #1  
ivangohome
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How to weigh a bike?

What's the best makeshift scale for weighing a bike? Kg or lbs, doesn't matter.

I ask as I have recently acquired a good-condition Supercycle Hooligan Downhill MTB, and I suspect it's in good-condition because no one can ride it due to the weight.
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Old 05-26-20, 10:36 AM
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You`re from B.C....you must have access to a fish scale that the bike can hang from.
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Old 05-26-20, 10:37 AM
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Your reasoning for its condition left me confused.

The best way to weigh a bike is to not have it be a makeshift scale and instead use a real scale. Buy a hanging scale, hang the bike from any number of locations, and read what it says.
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Old 05-26-20, 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Speedway2 View Post
...a fish scale that the bike can hang from.
Hehe, I don't live very far from Fraser river either! This year the snowpack in the mountains is like 50% more than it should be, so there are high expectations for flooding . The low farm lands really don't need another 1948, that would devastate our economy!
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Old 05-26-20, 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by mstateglfr View Post
The best way to weigh a bike is to not have it be a makeshift scale and instead use a real scale.
I can't disagree! But I have these odds and ends here that I'd rather put to work for the money.
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Old 05-26-20, 10:57 AM
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Weight yourself, pick up pick up bike, weigh yourself and bike, do the math.
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Old 05-26-20, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by phughes View Post
Weight yourself, pick up pick up bike, weigh yourself and bike, do the math.
Brilliant! Thank you very much for your insight!
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Old 05-26-20, 11:02 AM
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depends on accuracy you need, right?
within a pound or so, bathroom scale while holding bike vs scale with no bike.
fairly close w road bike, fish scale
fairly close with big honkin' steel bike, luggage scale
crazy close: disassemble and weight parts discretely on electronic cooking scale.
or just crazy: say 40 lbs and if someone challenges, make them weigh it.
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Old 05-26-20, 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by ivangohome View Post
I can't disagree! But I have these odds and ends here that I'd rather put to work for the money.
A digital hanging scale costs $5-15 online and will be simpler and easier than weighing yourself with the bike or balancing it or whatever.

But cats get skinned in many different ways.
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Old 05-26-20, 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by mstateglfr View Post
A digital hanging scale costs $5-15 online and will be simpler and easier than weighing yourself with the bike or balancing it or whatever.

But cats get skinned in many different ways.
Is it really difficult to stand on a scale and lift the bike? I never found it to be a problem.

Now, for getting the weight into pound and ounces, a separate scale is necessary.
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Old 05-26-20, 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by phughes View Post
Is it really difficult to stand on a scale and lift the bike? I never found it to be a problem.

Now, for getting the weight into pound and ounces, a separate scale is necessary.
I mean simpler and easier as it pertains to fitting an accurate and repeated weight.
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Old 05-26-20, 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by phughes View Post
​​​...Now for getting the weight into pound and ounces, a separate scale is necessary.
Really?
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Old 05-26-20, 01:52 PM
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Get your digital kitchen scales and a book/spacer the same height. Put the front wheel on one and the back on the other, swap round and add the two values.

If you want it super accurate be careful how you hold the bike vertical. I just push it to vertical with my finger and take the reading just as it starts to topple.

If your scales go high enough to measure in one go, put them on the end of an ironing board and put the top tube on the scales.
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Old 05-26-20, 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by mstateglfr View Post
A digital hanging scale costs $5-15 online and will be simpler and easier than weighing yourself with the bike or balancing it or whatever.

But cats get skinned in many different ways.
^This...
FYI - Google or search Amazon for "Luggage Scale" for the $5-$15 versions.
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Old 05-26-20, 03:01 PM
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Park digital scale
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Old 05-26-20, 03:03 PM
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Originally Posted by bruce19 View Post
Park digital scale
Yes
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Old 05-26-20, 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by phughes View Post
Is it really difficult to stand on a scale and lift the bike? I never found it to be a problem.
Isn't the hard part getting your bike into the bathroom?!
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Old 05-26-20, 03:07 PM
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Plenty of hanging scales in the weight range you are looking for online for under $20. Mine is 60 lbs max.

Bathroom scale (you+bike minus just you) will get you within about 1 lb.
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Old 05-26-20, 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by msu2001la View Post
Isn't the hard part getting your bike into the bathroom?!
I just leave it in there.
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Old 05-26-20, 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by GlennR View Post
Yes
I suppose a $70 scale seems like a bargain compared to a 14lb bike.

That looks like a pretty serious stand you've got there too.
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Old 05-26-20, 03:12 PM
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Serious response for the OP: You can probably just wheel it into an LBS and ask them to weigh it. Most have fancy digital hanging scales.
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Old 05-26-20, 03:45 PM
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Just make up your own weight. I suspect cyclist are as big of liars as fishermen
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Old 05-26-20, 04:12 PM
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I wanted a bit more accuracy than a bathroom scale, but my kitchen scale only reads to 12lb.
So I weigh the front wheel, then the back wheel and add the two.

Barry
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Old 05-26-20, 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by msu2001la View Post
I suppose a $70 scale seems like a bargain compared to a 14lb bike.

That looks like a pretty serious stand you've got there too.
Actually I used the scale at the LBS when i built it.

You spend that much $$$ and they let you use their tools
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Old 05-26-20, 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by GlennR View Post
Yes
I'm glad that turned out not to be a picture of your garage...
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