CNY James

i was doing a little research on the Felt F95 (google) and came across a forum thread that had people referring to getting the weight of their bike down by a couple (2-3) lbs by upgrading components. Aside from the obvious upgrading posts, stems, bars to carbon fiber, can anybody explain here? Generally speaking, I wouldnt think that component upgrades would yield that much savings.

DX-MAN

Not an absolute rule, but here it is, in order of effect:

1. tires.
2. wheels.
3. bar/stem.
4. saddle.

Anything else will be a trifling amount of savings for the dollar.

CNY James

I'm thinking about upgrading my fork from AL to CF but still not sure that the weight savings will justify the expense. I dont really think my bike is all that heavy (it's about 21lbs) but comparitively speaking, a 17-18 lb bike is almost a 5 lb difference. I dont know if it's even possible (or worth it) to save that much weight on my bike.

Robert Foster

Yes, Wheels can cut weight quite a bit. Sram Cranks or Shimano Dura Ace and BB are going to be a lot lighter than a standard. My Old stock Crank, Chainring and BB were close to a pound heavier than My Ultegra Crank, Chainring and Dura Ace BB. You notice the weight when climbing and accelerating more than anything else. Once you get to about 17 or 18 pounds everything else is diminishing returns and increased cost. You can easily cut 500 to 700 grams by going from stock wheels coming in at about 2200 grams a pair to light weight wheels like American Classics at about 1400 or 1500 grams. 700 Grams = 1.5 pounds. You can rid yourself of 350 grams with a light saddle and seat post. That is ¾ pounds. You can dump maybe 50 to 100 grams by going to a CF bar and Stem. But after that you are looking at a few grams difference between SRAM Red and Force or Dura Ace and Ultegra. Cost wise it is often easier to buy a new bike with the parts you wanted in the first place.

CNY James

what groupset were you running before you upgraded to ultegra?

Robert Foster

Shimano Sora, FSA Compact Crank, Sealed Spindal, The heavy part. Stock wheels at 21-2200 grams. Aluminum Bar and 250 gram Aluminum Seat post. That was the parts I had for my first build from frame up.

My new wheels are about 400 or 500 grams lighter, SRAM Force Shifters, Derailluers and cassette, CF seat post and bars and the Shimano Ultegra crank and Dura ace bearings and BB.

I have used all of the old parts to build a backup bike and around town cruiser. Always looking for more parts.

Pat

Well, shaving 5 lbs from a bike might be a bit counterproductive. Bikes are made for a certain suite of components. Does it make sense to run really light and expensive components like ultra high end wheels and tires and have dirt cheap, clunky brakes? Why stick $1000 of wheels on a $600 bike?

I think if you want to go for a light ride, just go and get a whole new bike. Use your old ride for a back up and a beater (rain, bad roads, nasty conditions).

sakonnetclip

Agree.

When you look at most light bikes, it's not just the frame but the net of all the parts that give you the light weight. I think you'd go mad trying to shave weight part by part, and in the end just waste a lot of money.

Wheels are probably the exception, but here there are potential benefits other than just weight.

-spence

CNY James

I would never spend $1000 on wheels

I'm not too worried about weight, like I said before, I don't really think my bike is all that heavy. I was just surprised when I found something where somebody saved 2-3 lbs by upgrading components. I'm not looking to spend much if anything on my current bike but still having the debate that I could sell my bike & buy a new one with that money + another 4-500 or I could take that 4-500 and upgrade a few things on my current bike & be plenty happy with the total package.

On my list:
CF Fork (more to absorb some road vibrations than weight savings)
Compact double crank (I'm currently running SORA so if I stay with that, I could get a FD for $30, a shifter for $50, & crank for another $50)

There really isnt much else that I want to change on my bike but if I can upgrade the parts that I want & save little bit of weight, why not?

MichaelW

If you are going to start on a weight weenie diet, make best use of your resources. Work out the cost of weight saving for various components. Is it cheaper to shed 100g from a crankset or seatpost or bars?
$ per gram saved is the unit of measurement.

$ick3nin.vend3t

Upgrade your bodies.

wunderkind

Took over 10 posts before the obvious answer....

Robert Foster

While we all know that has some truth in it that wasn't the question the OP asked? Some could have said, don't bother. But if a person wants to upgrade for whatever reason there are some benefits.

CNY James

you say that but I'd bet dollar to dime that you dont ride a 21lb bike with Sora components.