A 4-kg (9-lb) road bike
#1
aka Tom Reingold
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,548
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7370 Post(s)
Liked 2,514 Times
in
1,461 Posts
A 4-kg (9-lb) road bike
Hey weight weenies, this is what you need.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#2
Shifting is fun!
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Holland, NL
Posts: 11,045
Bikes: Yes, please.
Mentioned: 283 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2215 Post(s)
Liked 4,703 Times
in
1,795 Posts
Love it! Thanks for posting this.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Visalia, CA
Posts: 2,249
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 981 Post(s)
Liked 1,844 Times
in
609 Posts
I used to be an active member on the "Weight Weenies" forum, but as a university student could never dream of assembling all of the components to put together such a bike... And now that I've seen the light and only collect vintage bikes, I'm really pleased when I can approach 20 pounds with a build!
Thanks for sharing the video. Fun stuff!
-Gregory
Thanks for sharing the video. Fun stuff!
-Gregory
#4
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,412 Times
in
912 Posts
Pretty cool.
I have a friend who's been chasing bike weight for years (and he weighs over 200 lbs). He's got his down to just under 13 lbs. I think the weight quest became the driving force, not really any advantage in riding. As long as there've been bikes being raced (or climbed, I suppose), the weight thing has been out there.
I have a friend who's been chasing bike weight for years (and he weighs over 200 lbs). He's got his down to just under 13 lbs. I think the weight quest became the driving force, not really any advantage in riding. As long as there've been bikes being raced (or climbed, I suppose), the weight thing has been out there.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Medford MA
Posts: 2,089
Bikes: Ron Cooper touring, 1959 Jack Taylor 650b ladyback touring tandem, Vitus 979, Joe Bell painted Claud Butler Dalesman, Colin Laing curved tube tandem, heavily-Dilberted 1982 Trek 6xx, René Herse tandem
Mentioned: 80 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 964 Post(s)
Liked 1,451 Times
in
723 Posts
I'm kinda playing the weight weenie game with my Vitus 979 right now, but I'm nearing the point of diminishing returns. Getting all the low-hanging fruit sure was fun though! C&V (especially used) weight saving stuff is cheap, I think I've been averaging $15 per 100g weight savings. Hollowpin chain, spider cassette, used Ti-railed saddle, Ti skewers, folding clinchers instead of wire-beads, ultralight tubes, alloy stem bolts, and alloy toe clips are all I've got so far. I'd like to say I've noticed a difference, but I just haven't.
I want it to weigh less than my Maine Coon cat, who is about 17lbs. This video makes it look like that should be easy!
But isn't it a bit cheating that the pedals weigh so little but the cleats, which aren't technically part of the bike, weigh more? Same with tubs. Sure you save 100g per wheel, even over folding clinchers with superlight tubes, but you've got to carry an extra tire instead of just an extra superlight tube, so you're back where you started. You're just transferring weight to the rider and kit.
I want it to weigh less than my Maine Coon cat, who is about 17lbs. This video makes it look like that should be easy!
But isn't it a bit cheating that the pedals weigh so little but the cleats, which aren't technically part of the bike, weigh more? Same with tubs. Sure you save 100g per wheel, even over folding clinchers with superlight tubes, but you've got to carry an extra tire instead of just an extra superlight tube, so you're back where you started. You're just transferring weight to the rider and kit.
#6
1/2 as far in 2x the time
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Northern Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 1,746
Bikes: Yes, Please.
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 499 Post(s)
Liked 285 Times
in
222 Posts
Curses! Now I'm farther away than ever from weenie heaven, with my old Ron Cooper. Not that there was any weight weenie cred before, measuring against 14 lb. bikes.
I figured there would be tech that was not available to the general public, but aside from cost issues, and some extraordinary hand craftsmanship, esp. regarding the frame, this is more or less repeatable, I think. Wow!
There are some really light wheels out there. Not so sure how I would feel descending on them.
I figured there would be tech that was not available to the general public, but aside from cost issues, and some extraordinary hand craftsmanship, esp. regarding the frame, this is more or less repeatable, I think. Wow!
There are some really light wheels out there. Not so sure how I would feel descending on them.
Last edited by Last ride 76; 07-11-19 at 05:55 PM.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,162
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2367 Post(s)
Liked 1,756 Times
in
1,196 Posts
But isn't it a bit cheating that the pedals weigh so little but the cleats, which aren't technically part of the bike, weigh more? Same with tubs. Sure you save 100g per wheel, even over folding clinchers with superlight tubes, but you've got to carry an extra tire instead of just an extra superlight tube, so you're back where you started. You're just transferring weight to the rider and kit.
This proves that a soul actually has mass -- this bike saves weight by having no soul.
Likes For madpogue:
#8
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,662
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3915 Post(s)
Liked 6,527 Times
in
3,238 Posts
That's odd... The youtube comments are all negative.
#9
Senior Member
Pretty cool.
I have a friend who's been chasing bike weight for years (and he weighs over 200 lbs). He's got his down to just under 13 lbs. I think the weight quest became the driving force, not really any advantage in riding. As long as there've been bikes being raced (or climbed, I suppose), the weight thing has been out there.
I have a friend who's been chasing bike weight for years (and he weighs over 200 lbs). He's got his down to just under 13 lbs. I think the weight quest became the driving force, not really any advantage in riding. As long as there've been bikes being raced (or climbed, I suppose), the weight thing has been out there.
Likes For radroad:
#10
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,819
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1398 Post(s)
Liked 1,339 Times
in
845 Posts
My Bianchi weighs 10kg. So what?
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,439
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5892 Post(s)
Liked 3,479 Times
in
2,081 Posts
Heck I think 21 lbs is light for a racing bike . . . .
Likes For bikemig:
#12
52psi
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 4,016
Bikes: Schwinn Volare ('78); Raleigh Competition GS ('79)
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 790 Post(s)
Liked 802 Times
in
391 Posts
Realizing he could go no further with the bike itself, Steve next amputated both legs below the knee to clear space for a nifty pair of carbon-fiber prosthetics.
__________________
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
#13
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,530
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2429 Post(s)
Liked 4,428 Times
in
2,101 Posts
I don't blame them. Sat through all the weight weenie nonsense to see this thing being ridden and...nope.
Also, with exception to the drilliumesque brifters, there's nothing particularly remarkable here, is there? I don't see any hyper fabrication of unique parts for this thing - it's a production frame with very expensive production parts with fairly pedestrian mods.
This thing was bought, not built.
-Kurt
Also, with exception to the drilliumesque brifters, there's nothing particularly remarkable here, is there? I don't see any hyper fabrication of unique parts for this thing - it's a production frame with very expensive production parts with fairly pedestrian mods.
This thing was bought, not built.
-Kurt
#15
Master Parts Rearranger
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Portlandia's Kuiper Belt, OR
Posts: 4,405
Bikes: 1982 Trek 720 - 1985 Trek 620 - 1984 Trek 620 - 1980 Trek 510 - Other luminaries past and present
Mentioned: 221 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1557 Post(s)
Liked 2,029 Times
in
989 Posts
I saw that video close to when it came out and never liked the stem. Just use a straight one! At any rate, it's cool, and a neat exercise. As a healthy 96kg (211 lbs or so) 6'5" American, I'm ok with some solidity in the frame. My Ridley is an easy 17.1 lbs with pedals and bottle cages and absorbs the road very nicely. However, it's 2.2-ish lb savings over my Prologue (formerly with the exact same pieces as this was a direct swap) have not been felt as the Prologue is springy, light steel and can "flatten" a hill better than the Ridley.
Stage 6 of this year's Tour de France, finishing 1km further up the road of La Planche des Belle Filles, had some brutal 24% grades right at the end, to go with the 15-20% inclines also in that last 1km and beforehand. Looking at all that carbon and them struggling mightily (for good reason!), I thought that man, some steel in those chain stays sure would help give them a boost. Or good aluminum (a la Trek Emonda ALR). That was an epic stage (check NBC's extended highlights for all stage coverage, which is so great).
Light weight it cool, and fun to track, but ultimately, I want to ride my bike, not fear it. A 19.0 lb fully dressed road bike is stupid light for me, and anything at 20.0 lbs is a win. My sprinter/puncheur physique needs strength....for all that slowness up hill and bombing down hill.
Stage 6 of this year's Tour de France, finishing 1km further up the road of La Planche des Belle Filles, had some brutal 24% grades right at the end, to go with the 15-20% inclines also in that last 1km and beforehand. Looking at all that carbon and them struggling mightily (for good reason!), I thought that man, some steel in those chain stays sure would help give them a boost. Or good aluminum (a la Trek Emonda ALR). That was an epic stage (check NBC's extended highlights for all stage coverage, which is so great).
Light weight it cool, and fun to track, but ultimately, I want to ride my bike, not fear it. A 19.0 lb fully dressed road bike is stupid light for me, and anything at 20.0 lbs is a win. My sprinter/puncheur physique needs strength....for all that slowness up hill and bombing down hill.
#16
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: other Vancouver
Posts: 9,863
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 813 Post(s)
Liked 732 Times
in
390 Posts
I'm kinda playing the weight weenie game with my Vitus 979 right now, but I'm nearing the point of diminishing returns. Getting all the low-hanging fruit sure was fun though! C&V (especially used) weight saving stuff is cheap, I think I've been averaging $15 per 100g weight savings. Hollowpin chain, spider cassette, used Ti-railed saddle, Ti skewers, folding clinchers instead of wire-beads, ultralight tubes, alloy stem bolts, and alloy toe clips are all I've got so far. I'd like to say I've noticed a difference, but I just haven't.
I want it to weigh less than my Maine Coon cat, who is about 17lbs. This video makes it look like that should be easy!
But isn't it a bit cheating that the pedals weigh so little but the cleats, which aren't technically part of the bike, weigh more? Same with tubs. Sure you save 100g per wheel, even over folding clinchers with superlight tubes, but you've got to carry an extra tire instead of just an extra superlight tube, so you're back where you started. You're just transferring weight to the rider and kit.
I want it to weigh less than my Maine Coon cat, who is about 17lbs. This video makes it look like that should be easy!
But isn't it a bit cheating that the pedals weigh so little but the cleats, which aren't technically part of the bike, weigh more? Same with tubs. Sure you save 100g per wheel, even over folding clinchers with superlight tubes, but you've got to carry an extra tire instead of just an extra superlight tube, so you're back where you started. You're just transferring weight to the rider and kit.
__________________
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Medford MA
Posts: 2,089
Bikes: Ron Cooper touring, 1959 Jack Taylor 650b ladyback touring tandem, Vitus 979, Joe Bell painted Claud Butler Dalesman, Colin Laing curved tube tandem, heavily-Dilberted 1982 Trek 6xx, René Herse tandem
Mentioned: 80 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 964 Post(s)
Liked 1,451 Times
in
723 Posts
But you know, I only ride in crocs. For lightness.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Murrieta Ca.
Posts: 537
Bikes: Teledyne Titan, Bob Jackson Audax Club, Bob Jackson World Tour, AlAn Record Ergal, 3Rensho Katana.
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 215 Post(s)
Liked 623 Times
in
245 Posts
As far as people in the bicycle sport making it a laughingstock... well your entitled to your perception, people use bicycles to train for other sports that require a different physique to excel at their chosen endeavor. I participate in a sport that requires a maximum effort endurance for about 25 minutes combined with physical strength so I do some weight training and ride my Bob Jackson quite a bit, by the way I weigh 200 lbs, 5' 9'' tall, 63 years old, have hair down to the middle of my back, wear cargo shorts when I ride my bicycle and wave to fellow cyclists.
Bicycles and motorcycles are different branches of the same tree and generally speaking both branches need more riders to keep the respective sports (?) healthy. If I look funny riding, o well, too bad for me. This is just the opinion of a old motorcycle racer and it's worth exactly what you paid for it.
Likes For Nemosengineer:
#19
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,662
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3915 Post(s)
Liked 6,527 Times
in
3,238 Posts
The late '70s Dawes I'm building will be about 20 lbs heavier. And I'm excited.
But it's been so fun building it up, I don't want to hurry too much...
Likes For SurferRosa:
#20
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 425 Times
in
284 Posts
Want.
But being this is a 'classic and vintage' forum, I'm nicely settled in with a 45 year old bike weighing double (18 lbs) the OP modern bike.
Its exceeded my expectations and is a rider with classic era trait, not necessarily with a weight sickness. Metal, leather and whips, it's also a killa-klimber.
Features:
Triple ultra wide range gear inch.
Pedals with toe clips and straps.
Brooks saddle
Quill stem
Bar-end shifters
Large flange hubs
32 hole 3X laced front and rear
Cheers-
But being this is a 'classic and vintage' forum, I'm nicely settled in with a 45 year old bike weighing double (18 lbs) the OP modern bike.
Its exceeded my expectations and is a rider with classic era trait, not necessarily with a weight sickness. Metal, leather and whips, it's also a killa-klimber.
Features:
Triple ultra wide range gear inch.
Pedals with toe clips and straps.
Brooks saddle
Quill stem
Bar-end shifters
Large flange hubs
32 hole 3X laced front and rear
Cheers-
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Central Virginia
Posts: 4,791
Bikes: Numerous
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1678 Post(s)
Liked 3,132 Times
in
922 Posts
Did not watch video but can see it doesn’t have disc brakes so it must be a death trap.
Or not, I can’t remember if disc brakes are good or not.
Or not, I can’t remember if disc brakes are good or not.
__________________
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,484
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2544 Post(s)
Liked 3,021 Times
in
1,720 Posts
And, by the way, the "dude" recently won an extremely competitive hill climb competition in Great Britain, so he must have already lost that 5 pounds.
Last edited by Trakhak; 07-12-19 at 06:42 AM.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,162
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2367 Post(s)
Liked 1,756 Times
in
1,196 Posts
Our heaviest cat ever was Nigel, who tipped in at 18 lb. I don't think I've had a bike that light, ever. Well, my heaviest bike is still lighter than my neighbor's St. Bernard.
Last edited by madpogue; 07-12-19 at 12:39 PM.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,223
Mentioned: 656 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4722 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,044 Times
in
1,880 Posts
He might as well have left off the bottle cages because two full bottles will balloon the weight by 30%.
Likes For T-Mar:
#25
Senior Member
Steve, don't forget to drill out the water bottles.