Is a bike weighing less than 16lbs really necessary?
10-25-09, 11:30 PM
#1
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Is a bike weighing less than 16lbs really necessary?
Even at a semi competitive level?
10-25-09, 11:40 PM
#2
markyore
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Yes, to stimulate the economy!
Seriously though, probably not, at 16 lbs you have a pretty light bike. Going too low you need to be careful your not comprimising stiffness/performance for weight loss!
This is coming from a guy who has a sub 14lb bike.........reformed weight weenie
Seriously though, probably not, at 16 lbs you have a pretty light bike. Going too low you need to be careful your not comprimising stiffness/performance for weight loss!
This is coming from a guy who has a sub 14lb bike.........reformed weight weenie
10-25-09, 11:53 PM
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10-26-09, 12:05 AM
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I'm waiting for the day when someone invents a hub made out of parts machined from solid blocks of carbon fiber. After every race, you strip out the pawls and replace the cassette with new carbon fiber parts.
PS Hi undisputed! The forum ate your PM from earlier. I rode up your way to the CX races at Pineland Farms today....
PS Hi undisputed! The forum ate your PM from earlier. I rode up your way to the CX races at Pineland Farms today....
10-26-09, 12:12 AM
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Though it's been said before I believe they're getting close to that point, the point at which the laws of physics on this planet will only allow so much.
10-26-09, 12:51 AM
#8
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The problem is, once you ride a LIGHT BIKE(not your own)...you suddenly become obsessed about making your own bike just as light.
While testing out bikes, I rode many sub-16lb bikes but rationalized I don't race, and therefore has no real reason to be NEEDING a ProTour level bike. Sure, the thought of owning one is certainly nice...but settled for a 16.7lb CAAD 9 instead. However, if the economy improves or if I see even a slight windfall financially...YOU KNOW I'm gonna spring for a set of Zipps!
While testing out bikes, I rode many sub-16lb bikes but rationalized I don't race, and therefore has no real reason to be NEEDING a ProTour level bike. Sure, the thought of owning one is certainly nice...but settled for a 16.7lb CAAD 9 instead. However, if the economy improves or if I see even a slight windfall financially...YOU KNOW I'm gonna spring for a set of Zipps!
10-26-09, 01:56 AM
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Mrs. umd
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Is riding any bike really necessary? Really, what kind of answer are you expecting?
10-26-09, 03:44 AM
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Depends on what you consider a competitive level and where you live... if you live in an area that is very flat (most of Florida for example), then it's very likely that there's no difference between 18lbs or 15lbs bike as long as it fits you. Go to some races in Colorado, and those couple of lbs. might make a big difference... Same thing goes for you build... a heavier rider will have the bike account for less of the total weight (ride+bike) in % compared to a lightly built person.
If competitive to you means, finish the race, then I would be hard pressed to think of any situation where a few lbs. would make a difference... if competitive means to win each and every race, then maybe it would matter.. only up to you, your goals and your wallet.
If competitive to you means, finish the race, then I would be hard pressed to think of any situation where a few lbs. would make a difference... if competitive means to win each and every race, then maybe it would matter.. only up to you, your goals and your wallet.
10-26-09, 04:13 AM
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Peloton Shelter Dog
10-26-09, 05:19 AM
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Somewhere around the sub 20lb mark lies the point of diminishing returns.
Remember its the carriage not the pony.
Remember its the carriage not the pony.
10-26-09, 05:25 AM
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don't ask don't tell.
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coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
10-26-09, 06:00 AM
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Yes. I have a lite bike and once you add enough water for a long ride, food for that ride, tube, pump or co2, cell phone it ain't lite any more! Now if I can only get a support car one day.......
10-26-09, 07:02 AM
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I feel quicker up the hills after shedding the 4 pounds. This is also a completely different bike. The steel is a museum piece, shimano 600/exage, downtube shifters, the new bike is rival and all new stuff. I weight 145 lbs. Is the quicker-up-the-hills feeling all in my head? maybe? But it makes a difference, the new bike just feels better.
Picking up my bike is also the first step to getting me out on the road. There is a huge difference in feel between lifting a 21 lb steel bike and a 17lb aluminum bike. I like the light feeling, it makes me want to ride. 17 lbs is the sweet spot for me at the moment.
Finally, my 17lb bike looks really cool. It is positioned in my basement so that when I take my eye off whatever I'm watching on the big screen, I am looking right at it leaning on the Park stand. Makes me want to ride.
10-26-09, 07:04 AM
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Necessary - no. I had no intention of building a really light bike.....until I purchased an off the shelf 2008 Madone 5.2 in 54cm. I didn't really care about shaving off a few extra grams, but the shop had thrown in a pair of XXX-Lite bottle cages and DA pedals to sweeten the deal. Also added a Cat Eye Enduro 8 cyclo-computer and as "Shop SOP" tossed it onto a scale before handing it over to me when I picked it up. I was amazed to see the bike weigh in at 16.2 lbs - seemed crazy light. Then I found out I could easily make this feather-weight even lighter. All I really did was swap out the wheels, and that was more of a reliability issue than anything else.
Unfortunately, that bike met an untimely end (at least that's what I think - frame goes to Trek this week) and I had no qualms ordering another Madone - this time a Series 6. Might even break 15 lbs with this one, without trying
Unfortunately, that bike met an untimely end (at least that's what I think - frame goes to Trek this week) and I had no qualms ordering another Madone - this time a Series 6. Might even break 15 lbs with this one, without trying
10-26-09, 07:10 AM
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Ask first this: what is the intended outcome? Racing to win? Or riding for fitness and recreation? That should give you an answer to the question.
10-26-09, 07:15 AM
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10-26-09, 07:27 AM
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Is a bike weighing less than 16lbs really necessary?
Is a bike weighing less than 17lbs really necessary?
Is a bike that costs more than $1500 necessary?
Is a bike made of carbon fiber really necessary?
Is a bike with 11 speeds really necessary?
None of these are necessary.
Is a bike weighing less than 17lbs really necessary?
Is a bike that costs more than $1500 necessary?
Is a bike made of carbon fiber really necessary?
Is a bike with 11 speeds really necessary?
None of these are necessary.
10-26-09, 07:32 AM
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Is a bike weighing less than 16lbs really necessary?
Is a bike weighing less than 17lbs really necessary?
Is a bike that costs more than $1500 necessary?
Is a bike made of carbon fiber really necessary?
Is a bike with 11 speeds really necessary?
None of these are necessary.
Is a bike weighing less than 17lbs really necessary?
Is a bike that costs more than $1500 necessary?
Is a bike made of carbon fiber really necessary?
Is a bike with 11 speeds really necessary?
None of these are necessary.
10-26-09, 07:34 AM
#24
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I've never even seen a variance that registers on a bathroom scale.
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
10-26-09, 07:36 AM
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Necessity has nothing to do with it.
