AlmostTrick

Would you get dropped on your spirited group rides?

What if it were 2 or 3, or OMG(!) 5 pounds more?

TrojanHorse

****

mpath

I get dropped anyways even if my bike weighed 1 lb less.

pacificaslim

Yes, yes I would (still).

Doohickie

It is heavier. I mean, it's a 1983 Raleigh Super Course for Pete's sake.

12strings

I did the opposite last summer (went down 5lbs). I began riding with a group of road cyclists for the first time in April 2015. I rode for May, June, July, August on a weekly group ride on a Wal-Mart schwinn varsity 1200 flat bar road bike that weighed 28lbs with no accessories. In September I purchased a Jamis Quest Comp that weighs about 23lbs. The ride was 2 hours, average speed 15-16 mph with 2 significant climbs, usually holding 20-21 mph on the flats.

28lbs, flat bars: As the season progressed, I moved from being the definite slowest person to being near the middle of the slower group (an "A" group usually split off the front pretty early and would hold 25-28 mph on the flats). Even with the weight, on long climbs it became clear that I was becoming faster than several of the older, or slightly overweight regulars, especially one big guy who could absolutely kill it on the flats. Also, my " training hill" near my house (.3 miles of 12-15% grade) was possible, but nearly killled me.

23 lbs proper road bike: Immediate gain of probably 2mph on flats...probably due more to higher quality everything and a more aero position. Climbing felt somewhat nimble for the first time, and I am now able to be near the front of that "B" group, and occasionally push myself to stay with the A group for a while before dropping back to the B group. My training hill is still hard, but I did it yesterday and didnt feel like quitting, so that's something.

I still likely have the least expensive and heaviest bike in our group rides (most people have Ultegra level bikes, with a few 105 and one Sram red thrown in...my bike is a steel framed Sora level bike)...but it doesn't put me at the back on either flats or climbs. (I also realize that the ride I have describe is not at all "spirited" compares to the speeds some of you ride). :-)

DGlenday

Might depend on whether your group has the gonads to do a lot of hills on their ride ... and how long and steep those hills are, and how fast they climb them.

HTupolev

It would take me around a second longer to climb a reasonably steep (aero not dominant, but gearing not bottomed out either) 50m hill at 200W.

kbarch

I'm going to say no because 1 lb is the difference between one or two full water bottles. Since, in the context of getting dropped or not from group rides, there's no control for how much water anyone is carrying (easily two full pounds, or none, at any point in time) it's like we're working within a certain margin allowed for error. Also, when I get dropped, it's on descents and extended flats, and that's where group rides are most "spirited." I can break away on the climbs with my 20 lb. bike more easily than I can with my 17 lb. bike, but that's because of gearing.

RJM

My bike does weigh 5 lbs more than most of my riding buddies.

bakes1

Silly question.
Of course you would.
The manufacturers wouldnt spend hundreds of millions on marketing otherwise.
I bet you would get dropped before you left the parking lot. Especially if it had even a .00001% grade

OldsCOOL

Just grab a Schwinn Varsity from the thrift shop. You might be the fastest rider at your next group ride.

lupy

tmac100

After bicycling across Australia self-sustained with a 40 lb touring bike and about 30+ kg of gear and water, and seeing this thread and several (apparently serious) responses, I can only say:

Folks dealing with such foolishness are NOT spending enough time on their bicycle and ARE spending too much time pontificating with their computers.

YMMV,so ..... Pedal on

rpenmanparker 

I get your point, but I don't see what it has to do with OP's question. I doubt you are suggesting that equipped as you were you would be competitive on one of the silly, dog-eat-dog group rides that are so popular with our forum brethren. As dumb as it is, that is the question under discussion.

PepeM

My bike is fendered right now and I am not getting dropped, so no.

andr0id

No, but they would be able to catch me when I break away.

rms13

Most of the groups I ride with have a lot of climbing. Most are also non drop. I've done them on my steel bike which is 5 lbs heavier. I'm usually in the middle of the group on climbs on the 15 lb bike. On the 20 lb maybe I drop a couple of spots but I'm also more tired getting to each regroup at the top of the climb and I usually have less time to recover before the last person gets to the top.

exmechanic89

^Yes, this is very true..

Seattle Forrest

I'd get tired of carrying it up the half-circle staircase in front of my apartment building with one hand while I open the doors with the other, and sell it for a lighter bike.

WalksOn2Wheels

I think most of the misunderstandings on these forums could be avoided if only we could focus on the correct stupid thing.

corrado33

I don't think you can use "fender" as a verb. When you do it sounds... wrong.

corrado33

You realize how much your weight fluctuates every day... right?

I mean you can test this theory, it's not hard to drink a pound of water before you ride (or eat a pound of food.)

datlas 

I was going to say it may also depend on whether they regroup after long climbs. If so, then it's a non issue.

If on the other hand, your group does NOT regroup after climbs and you are practically falling off the back at the top of climbs, then (and only then) could a few pounds make a difference. Otherwise the answer is NO.

PepeM

I thought we were in the land of the free.