Gjc985

Looking to upgrade my stem/handlebars and seatpost to help drop some weight from my bike. Right now im using the lowest model easton stuff EA70. Im thinking about the Ritchey WCS Classic bars and WCS CARBON MATRIX 4-AXIS stem. Im trying to avoid Carbon Bars because i'm heavier so i'm worried about the stress I will put on the bars when out of the saddle. Does anyone have the WCS classics bars and WCS CARBON MATRIX 4-AXIS stem and have any reviews?

I am open to other suggestions as well. I have no clue on a seatpost.. not sure if I should stay away from carbon there. so any input would be great


As for the fork I would like to go all carbon as my current fork stock fork with my Wilier weighs 490gs. Im think about the WCS UD Carbon road/ Ritchey Design Pro carbon fork or Enve Composite 2.0 fork.

Does anyone have any input on these forks or other ideas? Also would adding a black fork onto a white frame look stupid?


Thanks for your help

bianchi10

I have ritchey WCS 1 bolt UD carbon seatpost, superlogic UD carbon bars and C260 Alum stem. The C260 stem is lighter than the 4 axis. C260 comes in at 103g (100mm). I am 180'ish and have had NO problems using carbon bars. Superlogic bars are super light at 190g. Seatpost is light but not lighter than the thomson masterpiece. I just cut off 4 inches of my seatpost though and it came in at 153g.

I have seen lots of white bikes with black forks. To me it depends on finish i.e. if your bike has a glossy clear coat finish, I wouldn't like a matte finish enve fork. IF you go carbon, I would recommend keeping the weave all the same. I personally dislike when bikes have reg carbon weave with UD weave. Also, if you go with a black fork, there has to be a black stem, bar and seatpost to help balance out the color in MOST cases.

PS...I have a nearly new condition ritchey carbon evo pro bar I'm trying to get rid of. hit me up or PM if you want picts. I'll sell it cheap.

merlinextraligh

merlinextraligh

Your EA 70 stem weighs 145 grams, the Ritchey 135. Your handlebars weigh 251 grams, the Ritchey 235. So you could spend the better part of $200 to save less than 1 ounce, with Zero performance improvement.

As for the Seatpost, the EA 70 lists at a rather heavy 285 grams, but that's for a 400 mm post. You likely can save some free weight there by cutting off any excess (leaving enough for the minimum insertion plus some room for future adjustment)

Going to an all carbon fork could save you 150-180 grams, and is starting to make some actual difference, but you're talking significant money. Also, you need to match the rake, and crown height, and you've got an aesthetic issue.

Personally, I'd ride it like it is.

Gjc985

the fork is the big thing for me. It hard enough climbing with my weight so im hoping making the bike lighter will help

merlinextraligh

You're talking less than half a pound here. Go run the numbers in Kruezotter, or Analyticcycling.com and I think you'll be disappointed with how little difference it makes.

If you really are determined to spend money to climb better, the best answer is a power meter.

Next, I'd look at your wheels. If you have moderately heavy wheels, getting lighter, more aero, wheels will make a small difference.

However, new light wheels have a couple of advantages over changing things like stems and seatposts; the reduction in rotating weight makes the bike feel faster to accelerate, and there's not the dead weight cost because there's value in having a second set of wheels.

Muffin Man

Wheels, and Thomson cockpit.

slims_s

breaking news: these really small weight savings won't make you any faster. Specially if you're a big guy, the percentage of weight savings would be even smaller

merlinextraligh

There is another consideration with the Fork . Wilier did a recall of certain forks on the XP Izoard.

Have you checked to see if you're in the recall?

Adrianinkc

If you don't race don't worry about the weight of your bike unless you have money to burn. If you are heavier, don't sacrifice durability with light weight parts that will break.

Gjc985

I am going to start racing this year. I Already have boy Vitesse so I wont be upgrading my wheels. And the fork was recalled and replaced.

MegaTom

Good for you. A power meter and/or time with a coach will give you the most MPH for your $$$.

bianchi10

I disagree, having an extra light bike makes you REALLY cool at coffee shops!!! lol

Making my bike light has become a hobby of mine. I love it. It can expensive but you learn to do it in stages if you have self control (Something I lack most days). Even if you aren't planning on racing, having a lighter bike has its advantages. Will it help you be the first to the top every time you ride?? No, but it sure makes riding what you have put your time, effort, research and money into a lot more fun.

robbyville

I agree, I don't race and if I do start this year it will be for fun, but I do love a great bike, and enjoy doing the research to find light parts and will do so in stages. Even my father used to say "No use being the richest person in the cemetery" (and he wasn't). Joke, but still nothing wrong with having a vice especially a healthy one if it makes you happy!

bianchi10

I raced for one season but will never again for a couple reasons.

-I cant control the disasters that happen from other riders. people get tangled up and take others out especially in cat 5/4.
-I cannot afford to fix my bike if I do crash and I would be devistated if something happened to my bike especially if it was caused by someone else's mistake.
-I do not have enough time to train enough to be a top competitor, therefor it would leave me feeling defeated and frustrated. I am to competitive to not be a top finisher.

So I will continue to do what i can afford to have the best/lightest bike I can and ride with my group of friends. We are all competitive enough to compete with each other.

merlinextraligh

I'm obviously not against spending money on bikes. However, replacing a perfectly good stem to save a claimed 10 grams, is where it gets rather silly.

It will in no way affect the performance of the bike. It's really about how the bike looks at the coffee shop, which is fine if that's how you want to spend your money.

seymour1910

Most accurate sentence ever IMHO.
There is a lot I would do if I were racing, and this was my way of life. The fact is, most of us here have a day job and we are not getting any money from cycling, we are putting a lot of money into it. I will admit some of the bling looks very nice but in my case the engine needs A LOT more work than the bike does and I'm sure I am not alone on that.

zatopek

I like:
Thomson Masterpiece Al seat posts
3T Ergosum Pro Al handlebars
3T ARX Pro Al stems
Columbus Muscle CF forks

bianchi10

I have noticed since I became a weight Winnie that people simply don't understand the weight Winnie frame of mind until they do. Saving 10g on a stem will not effect performance in any way shape or form, you are correct. BUT 10g from a new stem, 40g from n expanded plug, 8g from a new top cap, 108g from new brakes, 38g from veloplugs, 28g from cutting seat post.... Etc etc etc..... It all adds up to mame a considerable difference.

Here is how I mentally justify my spending...

Want to buy a new stem that is $100 which will save me 32g. Buy it and install it, sell old stem that is in great shape for $45-$60. That new stem just went from $100 to $50'ish. This is why I buy when I have the money to do so and I have to prioritise which pieces I feel will be most beneficial for the buck. Its a hobby in itself aside from cycling. The thing that I will admit before anyone else can even tell me is, I know it won't make me any faster or better of a rider. I do it because it is fun to do. Its a goal to stride towards. Research is fun and it keeps me up to date with new products coming on the market which in turn helps me share that I found with others here that are looking for input on those items.

merlinextraligh

This. At least you understand your addiction.

Hiro11

In my opinions, anything less than about five pounds of total bike/rider/bottle/gear weight makes no measureable difference in performance. It might count for a few seconds over an entire Tour climbing stage, but even this is going to be hard to quantify. A couple pounds of bike weight shouldn't be a concern of anyone on this board, again speaking from a strictly logical perspective. Having said that, if weight weenie-ism is your thing that's cool, I get it and approve.

Also, extreme weight weenie-ism, where you start getting into compromising durability and even safety, is just plain silly.

bianchi10

I agree. I am a weight weenie but have not compromised anything on y bike for performance.

Gjc985

Ended up buying ritchey wcs logic ll bars, ritchey wcs c260 stem, and thomson masterpiece post. Decided to wait on the fork till my birthday in the summer. Im selling all of my old stuff plus returning a set of mavic aksiums so it will basically be a wash

AndyK 

"Weight-weenie-ism" - ha! Great term.

MegaTom

As long as it makes you feel​ faster...