weight: a rant.
08-23-12, 06:13 PM
#26
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I live I guess in an area where there are many affluent people - all with credit cards with unlimited power. So many of these people are now getting into mountain biking. Its amazing. I have ridden for about 30 years and up until about 3 years ago had many trails to myself. Now most are crowded. The point I am badly making is at one time, people in the sport knew something about bikes or riding. Now if you have a credit card, you are an "expert". I recently sold an extremely nice (and yes very lightweight) bike. The gentleman that bought it knew nothing of the great setup on the bike; the components, geometry etc. His first question was "is it lightweight? How much does it weigh?" I assured him it was light asuming he was going to use the bike to race. I took him on a test ride and the guy could barely negotiate an easy flat trail. Weight was the last thing he needed to worry about.
Sort of going the other way... I see all these noobie kids buying big hit, huge fork bikes 'cause I guess they think somedy they are going to do a Red Bull Freeride challenge but they can barely go down a local urban trail and no one is able to ride up a hill. This fat old lady cruises by all these kids walking those big rigs up hill.
OK sorry for my rant... I am happy people are discovering the sport.... I just wish people realized there is a learning curve and just because a bike is lightweight and fast or has a great bike fork, doesn't mean you are a good rider or anywhere close!
Sort of going the other way... I see all these noobie kids buying big hit, huge fork bikes 'cause I guess they think somedy they are going to do a Red Bull Freeride challenge but they can barely go down a local urban trail and no one is able to ride up a hill. This fat old lady cruises by all these kids walking those big rigs up hill.
OK sorry for my rant... I am happy people are discovering the sport.... I just wish people realized there is a learning curve and just because a bike is lightweight and fast or has a great bike fork, doesn't mean you are a good rider or anywhere close!
I have always figured that I can save myself $5,000 on an ultralight bike by loosing 10 pounds of ugly fat. Should compute to a 18 pound Squish-a-matic.
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I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
Last edited by Daspydyr; 08-23-12 at 06:18 PM.
08-23-12, 06:17 PM
#27
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You made me laugh!
I don't get that STRAVA thing but I have a friend that does the same thing.... he rides weird trails no one knows about and then brags he has the best time. One day I asked what the next best time was and he said... "uh just mine.... no one else ever does this tail..." o kayyyy
I don't get that STRAVA thing but I have a friend that does the same thing.... he rides weird trails no one knows about and then brags he has the best time. One day I asked what the next best time was and he said... "uh just mine.... no one else ever does this tail..." o kayyyy
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I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
08-23-12, 08:11 PM
#28
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Tards have been weight weiners for decades. It's not something new.
You might want to follow your own advice and lighten up your attitude.
Why do you care so much about what other riders think? Why do you let what other folks think affect you so much?
You might want to follow your own advice and lighten up your attitude.
Why do you care so much about what other riders think? Why do you let what other folks think affect you so much?
08-23-12, 08:32 PM
#29
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I built my MTB last month with the stuff I wanted, paying no specific focus on weight. It turns out to weigh 24.5 pounds, which is pretty slick for an aluminum full suspension bike. I can actually feel the difference between it and my 26.8 pound CX bike. My road bike is a paltry 18.0 pounds. You can really feel it.
But what's funny is that I have actual data of my rides, and in the city where I can't sustain high speed due to intersections and traffic lights, I'm 1.0 to 1.5 mph faster on the road bike. That's with 8.8 more pounds and 34mm CX knobbies, compared to 25mm slicks. In a road race or a sustained climb, the difference would be more. But many weight weenies don't race.
I weigh 167 pounds after a little work and discipline this year. I could be lighter and fitter, but on February 1 when I decided winter was over, I weighed 184. I'm ok with that.
We don't have a lot of climbing here, in fact very little. But we have a lot of wind, and I don't cancel rides for 30-40mph gusts. It's like a hill.
But what's funny is that I have actual data of my rides, and in the city where I can't sustain high speed due to intersections and traffic lights, I'm 1.0 to 1.5 mph faster on the road bike. That's with 8.8 more pounds and 34mm CX knobbies, compared to 25mm slicks. In a road race or a sustained climb, the difference would be more. But many weight weenies don't race.
I weigh 167 pounds after a little work and discipline this year. I could be lighter and fitter, but on February 1 when I decided winter was over, I weighed 184. I'm ok with that.
We don't have a lot of climbing here, in fact very little. But we have a lot of wind, and I don't cancel rides for 30-40mph gusts. It's like a hill.
08-23-12, 09:00 PM
#30
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I notice a huge difference when pedaling the Krapper vs. my Komodo vs. the Porker.
Krapper - 26lbs
Komodo - 29.8lbs
Porker - 34.25lbs
When you have the extra 5lbs on your back or belly, when you stand to pedal up a hill...the weight of your body is mashing down on the pedals and helping in a way. Granted...it'd work better if that weight was gone, but losing weight on the bike is more noticeable than the same amount on yourself. But that's my style...I stand and honk a mean gear to get up the hill.
I do agree though that the majority of the people asking about bike weight should lose an equal amount of belly weight. I'd still like my trail bike to lose about 5lbs
. Mainly in rotating weight since I switched to UST. They are freakin' heavy as crap, but like pablo said...I won't give up UST. Very reliable meats.
Krapper - 26lbs
Komodo - 29.8lbs
Porker - 34.25lbs
When you have the extra 5lbs on your back or belly, when you stand to pedal up a hill...the weight of your body is mashing down on the pedals and helping in a way. Granted...it'd work better if that weight was gone, but losing weight on the bike is more noticeable than the same amount on yourself. But that's my style...I stand and honk a mean gear to get up the hill.
I do agree though that the majority of the people asking about bike weight should lose an equal amount of belly weight. I'd still like my trail bike to lose about 5lbs
. Mainly in rotating weight since I switched to UST. They are freakin' heavy as crap, but like pablo said...I won't give up UST. Very reliable meats.
08-23-12, 09:55 PM
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Weight conscious all of a sudden? I don't think so...people have been forever and the bike industry is built around it...higher end bikes and parts cost more and are usually a fair bit lighter. So most cyclists are programmed to think that when you want something better, you're getting something lighter.
I'm 6'5" and 220...my road bike weighs a little less than 7kgs (15 pounds if I've converted correctly). I'm about to upgrade my MTB (don't know whether to go for a HT or FS) and weight is a big factor in my leaning towards a carbon HT.
Right or wrong thats the world we're playing in.
08-23-12, 11:43 PM
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my bike plus gear is around 45 to 50 pounds so when I fluxuate from 103 to 115 that is almost 50npercent added to my ride and I can do ok climbing hills so I am not sold on bike weight meahing much. I should try a super light road bike with no gear to see the diff....hmmm
08-24-12, 04:25 AM
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weight: a rant.
Light weight means a lot to me when going up the hill. Meaty tires and a solid frame mean a lot going down the other side. Somewhere on between I try to find a balance.
08-24-12, 09:04 AM
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I don't pump my tires up past 20 lbs.
Going any higher just means extra weight, and that rotational stuff adds up quick.
I don't understand how you roadies, with your 100+psi can do it.
Going any higher just means extra weight, and that rotational stuff adds up quick.
I don't understand how you roadies, with your 100+psi can do it.
08-24-12, 09:27 AM
#35
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^^^^Wait a minute, wait a minute, what? Oh now I get it.......
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I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
08-24-12, 09:58 AM
#36
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Me neither. Air has mass; and more psi means more air inside the tires, which make them heavier. I want as little air in them as will do the job.
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08-24-12, 10:27 AM
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To save weight I removed my tires. So no air weight or tire weight. I ride on my rims. In fact to save a bit more I think I'm gonna remove some of my spokes too. I figured 10 from each wheel should do the trick.
08-24-12, 10:31 AM
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To save weight, I just grab onto the flatbars, which I've removed from the bike, and run through the woods up and down the trails. I never lose a chain or have flats this way.
Awesome.
Awesome.
08-24-12, 10:40 AM
#39
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You could drop some pesky more weight by just having CF grips and no bars!
Last edited by RaleighSport; 08-24-12 at 10:43 AM.
08-24-12, 10:43 AM
#40
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The time I found weight to be the most crucial was for this ride:
When I picked up my bike and carried it up the steps haha. In fact, partway up, I was wishing it was even lighter!
Not my picture...Google Image search
When I picked up my bike and carried it up the steps haha. In fact, partway up, I was wishing it was even lighter!
Not my picture...Google Image search
08-24-12, 11:39 AM
#41
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ED, the wisdom here demands another stickie! I'm posting this on FB right away-the world needs to know.
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I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
08-24-12, 11:52 AM
#42
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Of course there's one sure way to go bullet-proof AND at least halve the weight in the process . . .
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08-24-12, 12:07 PM
#43
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^^^Can you get that with a dropper post?
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I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
08-24-12, 12:16 PM
#44
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08-24-12, 12:40 PM
#45
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Offroad unicycling is the cheapest full-suspension you can get. You have your legs, your crotch and your spine as the suspension. That middle component doesn't do too well when you bottom-out, though. 
08-24-12, 12:44 PM
#46
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^^ I used to do 5+ mile trips on mine when I was a kid (not off-road) . . . and ya, there was a bit of a burn afterward.
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08-24-12, 12:50 PM
#47
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Kinda like toooo many Jalapeno Poppers?
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I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
08-24-12, 03:04 PM
#48
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HOT DOG! What area in CA do you post for Craigs List. There is sure to be a buyers market in a couple years. YIPPEEEE!
I have always figured that I can save myself $5,000 on an ultralight bike by loosing 10 pounds of ugly fat. Should compute to a 18 pound Squish-a-matic.
I have always figured that I can save myself $5,000 on an ultralight bike by loosing 10 pounds of ugly fat. Should compute to a 18 pound Squish-a-matic.
Someone once asked me how much my hardtail weighed - I pointed to myself and say "so you think I care???" making fun of the fact I am old and porky... I love it when a Clyde or Athena starts to talk about weight... really**********
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Private docent led mountain bike rides through Limestone Canyon. Go to letsgooutside.org and register today! Also available: hikes, equestrian rides and family events as well as trail maintenance and science study.
Private docent led mountain bike rides through Limestone Canyon. Go to letsgooutside.org and register today! Also available: hikes, equestrian rides and family events as well as trail maintenance and science study.
08-24-12, 05:27 PM
#49
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I was at IHOP one night having an omelet. A very portly couple were there to enjoy the endless pancake special. Then the man began to berate the waitress for bringing him a regular Pepsi-i'm drinking diet pepsi he shouted. Dousing them pancakes with regular Maple syrup, but demanding diet pepsi. WOW!
__________________
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
08-24-12, 07:28 PM
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