Upgrading my old steel bike
 

I been using my steel bike for a while now, i was using alumunium frame before too, but i like the way it feels with this steel bike. however, i want to upgrade my bike to make it lighter. so please, in your opinion, go for alumunium frame or lighter wheelset?

my steel frame is about 8.6 lbs (frame and fork)
and the the wheelset is about the same too (3.5lbs front wheel + 4,8lbs rear wheel , 105 hub with araya alumunium rim, 36 spokes, including the tire, and cassette)

and i figure, if i upgrade either 1 of those, it would save me about 3.3 to 4.4 lbs

ps : complete bike setup now is about 23.5 lbs. using ultegra 6600 groupset

Thank you very much

8.6 pounds is a lot for a steel frame and fork. Maybe you're including a heavier headset/bearing combination, too? A good frame and fork can be had for a little over 6 lbs pretty easily. Lower weight, finer frames are available, too.

How much money are you willing to spend to accomplish this?

A Cannondale “2.8” frame is literally that, 2.8 lbs, so there’s your weight saving right there.

Seriously, though, what is this steel bike you’re looking to upgrade? Depending on frame size and material, there may only be so much weight you can save with components alone.

I have found, though, that going from a vintage style 33/36-h box-section wheel, to a modern semi-aero (20-30mm) 20/24-h wheel and a good-rolling tire like a GPx or UltraSport makes the bike feel ‘lively’ and more responsive to acceleration and handling. It may not save any real weight, but it makes a difference you can feel.

yes, i feel so too, it is quite heavy frame, but this is custom made frame that fits nicely, as i mention before, i like how it feels to ride this steel frame.
i still don't know how much money to spend, not a lot i guess.

but, assuming both upgrade would cost me the same, which one is better. lighter wheelset or lighter frame?

if you take all the parts off, and put them on a new frame, is it still the same bike anymore?

I would get a new wheel set first. Also 36/36 is probably overkill unless you’re touring or are a very heavy person. Lighter wheel set with few spokes for better aerodynamics will make a noticeable difference.

probably not, thats why i asked for opinion.
upgrading the frame means different riding feels, but everything else cpuld be upgraded too (like lighter seatpost, lighter headset, lighter stem and dropbars).

While upgrading the wheelset just pobably make it lighter and/or stiffer

I just ride about 600-800 miles a month, never in a race, so i don't need it to be super light, just a little bit lighter is fine

You never said what kind of frame you had other than it was a custom. What kind of geometry (road, hybrid, comfort/cruiser, etc..) are we talking about? I will assume it's a road bike.....having said that, if you like the way the frame feels and like the custom fit, then just upgrade your components. I would start with a good set of tubeless ready wheels. If you like the way the steel frame feels now, it will feel even better on tubeless tires. Next I would upgrade the drivetrain with your group of choice.

Ah! The Paradox of the Ship of Theseus - if the ship has been in continuous existence all this time, but every single part of it has been replaced so that no part of it is original, is it still the same ship?

it was a roadbike. really? I never tought of that, i never ride tubeless before.perhaps i'll give it a try.

Wheels first. Rotating weight is far more important than static weight.

if you have steel forks and a quill stem you can change to a carbon fork with threadless stem plus carbon handlebars. That would save over 1lb and be more comfortable riding.

Unfortunately your bike doesn’t exist. You can’t have 17lbs of frame, fork, and wheels and end up with a 23.5 lb bike.

John

Another vote for wheelset... thank you

As for a carbon fork, is there any new carbon fork with 25.4mm insert? I found a lot of used, all the new one comes from unbranded chinesse manufacturer which i'm afraid is not gonna last

8 pound steel road bike frame? is it made out of rebar?
this question lacks essential details. be more specific and post some photos of it so we know what you're dealing with here.
most likely, some modern wheels with 28 spokes and some folding-bead road tires will reduce the weight by a LOT.

I need help building a 3.5lb (approx1600gr) front wheel.

I have an Araya aluminum rim - 500gr
105 (5501) hub - 150gr
skewer - 80gr
36 14ga spokes - 315gr
36 brass nipples -25gr
Velox rim tape - 15gr

That’s about 1100gr..

Can you recommend a decent 500gr road tire to help me get there?

John

Bon Jon pass tires in 35 are only 330 grams for normal and 303 for extra lights

Like the axe head and handle?

Exactly.

8.6# is crazy for a frame and fork. Thats 3900g.
Based on you mentioning 105 components on it, you have a road bike. Even in the largest of sizes, a custom road frame will weigh 2000g and the fork will weigh 800g. A production large frame will weigh up to 2500g and a production fork will weigh up to 1200g.
2700g gives you a seriously strong generic steel frameset in the largest of sizes(fitting someone 6'5 or even taller) and it is as heavy as steel road frames get.

You are saying yours weighs another 1200g/2.6# on top of this?

Get yourself a new frameset. It'll totally change your ride.

Buy a modern steel bike.

Everything you're suggesting here is insanely heavy. Heck you could probably buy a vintage steel bike for the price of all the stuff you're trying to put on it and end up with a lighter bike.

I ride vintage road bikes , most of them are Reynolds or Columbus tubing and I am running Campagnolo components . Honestly, with my large frame bikes 21lbs is very light for a complete bike , 23 lbs isn’t bad depending on frame size.