velio

I was restoring a bike and wanted to sell it for a modest price ,so i can stack my money and buy a second new bike ,but i encountered an issue.Turns out that the bike frame isn't that heavy.When i measured it ,turned out that the frame was arround 3kg only(yet the whole bike was 14) .For an old steel frame bike that is really not much weight .The issue is that we are a mountain country and we have allot of hills and basically stuff to climb. If i put very light and thin tires and strip it i could make a resonably lighter bike than the ones i was about to buy. I already have one criuser bike at 15.6kg ,but it is impossible to climb hills with it on the higher gears,yet this one doesn't have much low gears and even with the old tires i climbed the hills(thought it was still tiring). So is it worth making it light weight ?Will it climb easier ?

clarkbre

There is no substitute for a good engine.

If the engine is weak, regear the bike with lower gears.

Reduction in overall weight will have minimal impact.

fietsbob

one way to make a bike light, is not put much parts on it.. single speed freewheel. 1 chainring and Brakes..

Retro Grouch 

You have to drop a LOT of weight to make a noticeable difference in climbing ease. Buying that many lighter weight components is going to cost a lot of money. And the lighter some bike part is, the more money it costs. It's not worth it to me to replace components just for weight reduction.

fietsbob

New super Light Carbon fiber pro level bikes can cost about $300 a pound ..

StephenH

Are you saying you want to make it lighter and then sell it? Or then use it? The first option probably isn't worthwhile- let the buyer refit it if they care to.

Looigi

14 kg is pretty heavy by today's standards. Mid-range road bikes nowadays are around 9 kg. High end bikes come in around 7 kg, or less. Losing 5 kg off the weight of the bike will be significant. If you're overweight, losing the same amount off your body will have a bigger effect.

ThermionicScott 

I think you're in for a rude surprise if you think dumping a lot of money and effort into an old bike to resell it will make you rich enough to buy a new bike.

velio

If i make it lighter i won't sell it .It will be nice because i will have two - one lighter and one heavier.The idea is that there is no point in buying a new bike that is quite the same weight as the one i already have,so i can try to make the second one different and have two different bikes.
I know that its me that is the main force driving the thing ,but i am just 60kg and a tall guy for my weight.So a fat guy might not benefit from less weight ,but what if you are skinny guy?.
The only way that i might lighten it is to simply put thiner and lighter weels and take everything else out.Seems to me that the weels that i have are quite heavy.That way you have a sleek simple road bike.
I am still wondering do.Why are people making bikes weight less if there is no point.Sure there must be something that counts and interacts with the rider .

cyclist2000

Every single response to the OP is that it isn't worth the money. And I am sure that all the responses will be the same. But as J.G. Wentworth says "Its your money, spend it your way". What ever your reasoning the answer is don't waste the money, it will never be a light bike until you put a light frame on the components.

sreten

Hi,

At 60Kg the bike weight will make more difference that someone who is 90kg.

However by the time you have spend the money on parts to drop the 5Kg,
you will have spent more money than a complete new bike and have a pile
of useless parts begging for a frame to to be able to use them.

Clean the bike up and sell it for what it is.

The best entry level road bike in the UK is :

https://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/tech/...#reviewVerdict

Even with a 1.9Kg frame it weights 10.5Kg depending on the detailed specification.
Even so at least you get a set of well matched working parts and a complete nice bike.

rgds, sreten.

https://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/tech/...u-pay-for.html

DX-MAN

The biggest weight difference you can do is in rotating weight -- wheels and tires. If you can do so economically, do it. If not, don't.

Lighter wheels and tires not only have SOME weight savings, the bike will FEEL faster; but only you can decide if the dollars are worth it.

Phil_gretz

Velio,

(1) Make it fit. If it doesn't fit you properly, then you'll be inefficient and uncomfortable. Not conducive to riding more and becoming stronger and more conditioned. Less fun, too. Have someone knowledgeable help you.

(2) Reduce friction. If there are parts that rub, grind, or otherwise call attention to themselves, fix them. Learn how to adjust bearings, lubricate the drivetrain, true rims, and keep brakes operating optimally. Replace cables if any of the mechanicals are binding or return springs are ineffective.

(3) Ride. You don't need a lighter bike. You need a stronger engine. Learn about cadence. Practice accelerations. Climb hills repeatedly. Ride for distance. Find variation in your routine. Ride.

(4) Upgrade. When you've accomplished all else ^, then think about a new bike. In the interim, save you money in a jar, with a goal of about $750USD. Then start shopping for what you want next and can afford.

You're welcome.

PG

cehowardGS

How come no pictures of the bike that the OP wants to make lighter**********?

Restoring hints that is an older bike, maybe C&V.

velio

Bikes that are light here are expensive ,BUT i found something !
I bought another bike for 50 $. It is a race bike ! Very thin tubular tires on double wall thin rims,thin wall steel frame and everything else is alluminium ,but its from 1980-s. The total mass is 7.5 kg catalogued and the owner put steel rims on it and even then it was 10kg ,but he kept the original ones.
The bad part is that it was neglected.Rust started to invade from within ,but thankfully it was only surface and on some places. I checked every one of them with a sharp hammer yet nothing moved . Some phosphotic acid and all fell off. Now i have bought the needed new components and it all sums at arround 200$ when i add the powdercoating and count the bike's price.I was just taking the paint off ,but i don't know if i will paint it now ,or will it be next month since i will be going on a vacantion .Most everything works ,but i wanted new wheels and more speeds and that added more cash .When i make it i might put on a photo.
.
Though....WHAT colour should i paint the thing?!
Here is what i liked doing first :https://www.instructables.com/id/Rest...o-a-Sleek-Fix/
But my wheels won't have those fancy stuff on them so i think on making it darker deep yellow and red wheels plus red brakes and details.The handles-black .I am still wondering do ...make it matt ,or glossy ,or something else would do better ??
Mine also have very exagerated details on the frame and are very beautifull.

(PS: I am open to some sugestions about the "make it fit" thing!I have already made the seat post high enough to make my feet strech(i dislike riding lower bikes).I can also tune up and put together the things on the bike.)

Machka 

If by "make my feet stretch" you mean you have to point your toes down to reach the bottom of the pedal stroke, then you're asking for Achilles tendon issues.

velio

Nah ..i corrected that.I experimented with the saddle somewhat.I mean that my foot is almost straight when i get to the low position .I don't feel comfortable when my foot isn't that way .It seems harder to move when i am too bent.

Retro Grouch 

Just do it.

You obviously have a lot of enthusiasm. That's a good thing because it can carry you through when you lack skill or knowledge. Just keep chipping away at it. Post back when you run into road blocks and somebody will help you over them. If you make some costly mistakes, that's OK. Consider them tuition in gaining the skill and knowledge that you lack today. None of the experience that you're gaining with this project will be wasted.