PaulBravey

A comment in another thread about saving a precious 50 grams (<2oz) made me wonder about the obsession with making a bike as light as possible. I weigh 65kg on average but my body weight will fluctuate by 2kg during any one day and full water bottles will add another kg or so to my ~11 kg bike. Why would I feel the difference in a bike that's 2kg lighter when I don't feel any difference in the bike depending on time of day (and therefore weight) and no difference when my water bottles are full or empty? Now if I bought a bike that was 2 kg lighter I don't doubt it would 'feel' much better but that would have far more to do with the quality of the bike and it's components, not it's weight, which is only a ~3% saving at most on the overall weight I have to move. What am I missing?

Paul
PS 1kg = ~2.2lbs

hi565

Do you race?

if not i think that is what your missing, i think if your racing every ounce counts EG lance and the whole discovery crew.

i hope i am not off topic. kind of read it quickly

boyze

I guess we all have have our obsessions. For some it a few grams. For others it's a fixie. Others the miles. Others the speed. Others not having a car. Others a vegan lifestyle. There is probably at least one per human and more. Pointless in trying to rationalize other than an obsession by its definition is not rational. So why worry

So let's have a poll: what's everyone's top obsession other than 2 wheeled transporters

redfooj

you are missing the 12319028302198312 other threads regarding the same subject

PaulBravey

I've seen a few threads discussing carbon vs steel but they always seemed to devolve to carbon cracks vs steel rusts, froth froth, rant rant. I was more interested in the physics of a bike and whether a weight saving in one area will give increased performance or if it's mostly just psychological like the flames painted on the side of a friend of mine's old ford capri.

forum*rider

as far as I know it's most important to have light wheels/cranks/pedals because they are rotating mass and the lighter they are the easier it will be to pedal.

Sooooo, as long as the weight difference isn't HUGE(i.e. should I put these lead filled handlebars on or should I use the aluminum ones) I doubt it matters

ZappCatt

ON this board(and many other forums) many people(NOT ALL) have more money than talent/skill/willpower/cojones, etc. So they have a choice, eat better/train more to get a better engine and lighter total "package" or drop big coin on the lightest/most aero components they can...

Patriot

Yes, the precious 50 grams was ME!!!

I am not all that obsessed with weight, but with the bike I am building presently, yes. It basically comes down to this. 50 grams may not mean much when dealing with just one component, but if you make the same concession on many of your other components, with the same mentallity, then all of a sudden, your bike has an extra 2-3 pounds, when it really doesn't need it.

It could have been a 16lb bike for about the same price with carefully picked components. When instead, it ended up as a 19lb bike, because you kept making the concession on each component that 50g's here 50g's there, really didn't matter.

That's pretty much it when building any bike from a bare frame.

I am 34yo, and already weigh 170# (down from 210#), and that is about as low as my doctor recommends for my height (6'2"), and I am currently working on the engine (sorta speak) with an old steel framed bike. Hopefully by next year, the body will be worthy of a really nice, and very "light" bike.

531Aussie

(here i go again....... )

What baffles me is that people go on and on about having a stiff frame,
but then they'll put flexable, comfortable wheels on their bike, like Open Pros,
or other shallow rims, just because thay are light.

After using a CXP30 (30mm deep, and HEAVY) on the back for a while, I can no longer
use my CD4s or Open Pros as rear wheels -- the stiffness of the CXP30 has spolied me.

Patriot

Not to turn this into a wheel thread, but I was planning on putting Rolf Prima Elan Aeros on my next bike, as they are known to be very stiff, very light, and perfect for climbing.
I would venture to say that not all light wheels are flexible, just because they are light. It really depends on the quality of components, and quality of build.

531Aussie

Yeah, I've been riding for a long time, and I'm still learning that there's a
bazillion factors that determine the performance and feel of wheels.

I still don't know, so I just go for deep rim, and hope for the best.



That reminds me, I might start a thread. I can get some very cheap 28 hole CXP30s, but do you
think they would feel much more flexy that a 32 hole CXP30?

sydney

Go form a 19pound bike to 16 for the same money with component picks....gimmie a break. You have to do that 50 gram trick 27 times to make 3 pounds.

Patriot

Sydney, it was just a way of explaining what I'm getting at. I know that get THAT much of a differance, you need to spend a significant differance in dollars. I was just trying to make a point.

But, just some simple examples of what I mean....

Many carbon stems weigh in the 160-180g range.
But a Syntace, Ritchey, or ITM stem can weigh from 95-135g, and for half the price.

Many good pedals weigh 300g's a pair, and well over $120.
But for only $80 or so, Keywins weigh only 198g's /pair.

A Fizik or other expensive saddles can weigh well over 200g
But a Selle SLR weighs 145g, and for alot less money. Just depends on if your rearend can handle it.

On Ebay, you can actually piece together a full Ultegra group for the price of 105 stuff in the store, and save a whole bunch of weight for about the same price. Sometimes even less.

Instead of Campy or shimano brakes, you can get Cane Creek for about the same price, and save another 80 grams or more. Or invest a little more and get Zero Gravity, which are VERY light.

etc etc etc etc ...................

If you shop around on Ebay, or other websites when sales are on, you can pick up alot of good comonents for alot less than you would pay elsewhere, and end up saving alot of weight. And those are just a few examples. So yes, I probably could come up with 27 weight saving ideas, as I basically already did that, since I know pretty much which components I want for my bike.

I knew I could depend on your OPTIMISM Sydney, you're always there to dispute me, when needed.

sorebutt

lighter components reduce the wallet weight too.. make sure to weigh it too..

Patriot

It sure can!!!

55/Rad

So, how about that new FSA K-Force MegaExo crank. 660 grams including the integrated bottom bracket for ONLY $500. Makes me want to drool.

55/Rad

BigFloppyLlama

Or the Stronglight Pulsions at 430g and one of the many ISIS BB's under 230g and you'd end up with something about the same price, and probably lighter too.

catatonic

my view on it is unless your either

a) at a very high level of fitness, where its difficult to get stronger/lighter without massive amounts of working out

b) just like having things for the "gee whiz" factor

then saving 50grams isnt worth the extra 20-100% markup on the part.

Sometimes lightweight happens...if so then great! I wouldn't obsess about it though, well unless your riding a 35-40lb roadie (if such a beast exists)..then you could possibly give it a little nip and tuck

Thylacine

Without riding the same 15lb, 5,000 dollar bike your latest idol rides, you are nothing. Please keep that in mind at all times. Thank you.

Oh look, a plasma tv.......

SoonerBent

I buy as much bike stuff as probably anyone. I really should buy stock in Nashbar, Performance and Supergo. And I know that once you have a good frame and quality components a few grams here and there arent that important.

But it's all just part of the fun! I can't help myself.


SS

ChuckM

Here's a little perspective from a low-tech newbie. I'm 230lbs, down from 265 a year ago when I began riding, so I don't think I'm up for worrying about an ounce here and there on my new Cannondale R600, but the weight of the wheel rim seems to make a noticeable difference.

After breaking 3 spokes (one at a time) at the nipple on the rim, my LBS got the manufacturer to foot the bill for a wheel upgrade. What was removed was a pair of Gipiemme T3s, and what replaced them was a pair of Shimano R450s or 540s - I don't remember, but I'm told they're the 105-level wheels. Very clever. They're lighter, have fewer spokes, and the spokes are threaded into the hub instead of the rim. This causes less weight around the rims, and that means less inertia to overcome to accelerate. I've only used them twice now, but I find I can easily get into higher gears and spin with the same effort I needed for the lower gears with the Gipiemmes. My usual hour and forty-five minute ride was cut by fifteen minutes. I guess time will tell whether it was really the wheels, or whether I'm just psyched about them.

shokhead

I think thats different then already having a bike,seeing a new saddle thats 20g lighter and 200 bucks latter its on your bike even if you didnt need a new saddle. Do i want a wheelset thats 200g lighter,truing them once aweek,no but thats me.

sydney

NO CRAPOLA! A year ago a lady acquaintance told me about the new Litespeed Ti rides she and hubby had. This year at the same gala social event,she couldn't wait to tell me about the new Waterford 16 pound steel ride she had. WOW!! Funny thing is she lives just around the corner,and I have never seen her on a bike. I sometimes see hubby doing a short ride around the subdivision. This stuff must be expensive garage ornaments to just brag about. A 25 pound POS that actually gets ridden has to be better. There is an old guy in his 80s that see on a regular basis. He rides an vintage Mondial that he bought new something like 35 years ago and rides it every other day weather premitting. No upgrades either!....Yeah folks, it is about actually riding the bike.

55/Rad

No Sydney, it's about a hobby and a passion that goes beyond just "riding the bike." Although a part of me envies the guy who rides 6 days a week on a 20 year old beater because (to him) it's ONLY about getting on and riding. This guy also drives a Toyota Corolla because it's reliable and will get him from point A to point B and back.

But I am not that guy. Personally, I use my interest in everything that is cycling - which includes the gear and techie stuff - to fuel my desire to ride. Not to supersede it - riding is the most important part - but to add to it's overall enjoyment.

55/Rad

Patriot

Sydney, I do agree, but building up a really nice bike for most of us is done for one reason only.... It's FUN!!! That's pretty much it.

I could care a less if you ride once a week, or are a professional racer. Buy what you want, that is your choice, and enjoy it as often as YOU see fit, not someone else.

The fact is, if all you want to do is ride a bike for fitness, then ride a 40lb beast, and tote the kids behind in a double trailer, and go mash out some insane hills. Then you will get some serious excersise.

But if you just love bikes, whether light, heavy, old or new, then build up and ride what you want. Expand your collection. Not because you "NEED" 5 differant road bikes (eh 55/RAD?), but because you love bikes.

By all rights, I have an old Centurion, that runs just fine, but I am building up a newer nicer, and lighter bike (carbon). Not because I plan on racing, or trying to beat some record, but because I enjoy it the way "I" want to. Not the way Sydney, or chuckM, or catatonic, or anyone else thinks I need to.

One thing that is the biggest irritant, is when we live in a free capitalist society, and get nothing but snickers from people who don't like the way we spend our own money on things we enjoy.

I build RC airplanes too. I have had many airplanes throughout the years, but according to some peoples mentallity, we should only have one. To hell with that, I want them ALL!!!!!!!!! And I don't care if they cost $5000 to build, and they only fly once, then end up hanging from my living room ceiling!!!!! It is mine, I built it, and it belongs to ME!!!!

If the lady wants to buy a new Litespeed, and only ride it once a week, or once a month, that's her business.

Fact is, if people like her didn't buy bikes like that, then alot of those smaller companies may not even be in business, because they could only sell their bikes to people who are professionals, which are few and far between. So there you go.

Be happy that lots of people buy bikes, reguardless of whether or not they ride them as much as "YOU" think they should. They are keeping the companies in business, so guys like us can actually get one of those nice bikes, and actually use them, when "WE" want to.

"Oh look, A Henlsy Wolf home-built kitplane. I could build that in my garage for only $120,000.00....."