Frame Weights

hoodlum-z

Now that the 1000g weight barrier is old news, how long do you think it will be before the magic 500g level is broken for a production road frame, not a lightweight special show bike?

I'm guessing this can easily be achieved before 2020.

Secondly, I would be interested to know people's thoughts on future mountain frame weights.

Thanks.

Anonymous

I think I don't care about mountain bike frame weights. maybe if I was on a mountain bike forum, rather than a road forum I would have a different opinion.

Bhima

You probably could do a 500g frame but it would be really flexy and probably would have a weight limit also.

I think stiffness seems to be more of a priority these days, so instead of going lighter, frame manufacturers are increasing stiffness for any given weight compared to 5/10 years ago, as well as improving aerodynamics for small weight penalties in some cases. All still quite impressive innovations, despite weight numbers not moving much lower these days.

I remember seeing a weird frame recently, which looked like it was a mini scaffolding framework or made of carbon straws. The idea was to make a really light frame but I bet the aerodynamics are terrible. Same goes for a few of the mega-light wheels, which are based around the traditional box-section design.

redddraggon

700g frames aren't unheard of:

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum ... =3&t=69409

blackpanther

i think Cannondale are already doing a hardtail frame that builds up into a 16lb bike and that includes a suspension fork!

shockedsoshocked

redddraggon wrote:

700g frames aren't unheard of:

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum ... =3&t=69409

I've got the Scott SL, think that's in the 700g - 800g range. It's fucking light anyway.

blackpanther

ShockedSoShocked wrote:

redddraggon wrote:

700g frames aren't unheard of:

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum ... =3&t=69409

I've got the Scott SL, think that's in the 700g - 800g range. It's ******* light anyway.

but is it any good..................?

Pross

Yes

shockedsoshocked

blackpanther wrote:

ShockedSoShocked wrote:

redddraggon wrote:

700g frames aren't unheard of:

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum ... =3&t=69409

I've got the Scott SL, think that's in the 700g - 800g range. It's ******* light anyway.

but is it any good..................?

Exceptionally stiff and light, couldn't ask for more.

Been out on it today, it wants to get up hills faster than I do!

epicdaza

dmclite wrote:

I think I don't care about mountain bike frame weights. maybe if I was on a mountain bike forum, rather than a road forum I would have a different opinion.

Der, check out that big sign at the top of the page named 'mountain biking' , the one right next to 'road'....

redddraggon

epicdaza wrote:

dmclite wrote:

I think I don't care about mountain bike frame weights. maybe if I was on a mountain bike forum, rather than a road forum I would have a different opinion.

Der, check out that big sign at the top of the page named 'mountain biking' , the one right next to 'road'....

DER, this is the road bike section, not the MTB section, der

deptfordmarmoset

The OP's first question was not related to MTBs - it was only the second question (which I bet he wishes he hasn't asked by now ) that referred to the implications for MTB frames.

hoodlum-z

Yep. Death by stoning would be better than posting in the wrong place again. I thought by asking one road question that I would get away with it - apparently not.

Anyway, I am wiser now and won't do it again. Promise. :shock:

PS chill out and be more tolerant of the foolish!

Team Banana Spokesman

the 500g has been broken.

cant find the BR article but it was up around a month or so ago.

pbt150

Wasn't that the article that came out on April 1st? Not sure all the facts in it are entirely true...

ride_whenever

with the UCI weight limit i think it is unlikely, there just isn't the driving force for superlight frames. As above they're getting stiffer for a given weight.

As for mtb frames, more of the same, i ordered my first carbon bike on monday, on-one 456 carbon 8)

epicdaza

Wake up and smell the coffee people!

Sub 500g frame on April 1st, why is everyone still even talking about this?

At first I was a bit sucked in but you only have to look at the pictures to see that the valve is on the close up but not on the main picture. Plus it would take the world’s strongest man a fortnight to pressurize such a high volume using a shock pump!

LOL

Dz

Anonymous

epicdaza wrote:

Wake up and smell the coffee people!

Sub 500g frame on April 1st, why is everyone still even talking about this?

At first I was a bit sucked in but you only have to look at the pictures to see that the valve is on the close up but not on the main picture. Plus it would take the world’s strongest man a fortnight to pressurize such a high volume using a shock pump!

LOL

Dz

You insult us a second time. Come back when you have a few more posts, sunny Jim and we won't set the fuzzie wuzzies on you. :shock:

epicdaza

Ok, admittedly first time around I was wrong :oops:
But if you are taking that comment as an insult then you really were sucked in, weren’t you?

Anonymous

epicdaza wrote:

Ok, admittedly first time around I was wrong :oops:
But if you are taking that comment as an insult then you really were sucked in, weren’t you?

Oh, Pleeeze. I bow in your presence Oh great one. I was sucked in by your wit, rapier vocabulary and grammatical excellence. A plague on my house for my gullibleness.

Or........

Just playing with you, hit me with your best comment and see what happens.

epicdaza

I like it, lots young man

Ollieda

ride_whenever wrote:

with the UCI weight limit i think it is unlikely, there just isn't the driving force for superlight frames.

Is there not an advantage though in making a superlight and stiff frame that brings the overall bike below the limit, that way weight can be added to the frame in the best places (areodynamic / centre of gravity type places) or it could allow for heavier kit to be used elsewhere.

Say if a rider prefered a saddle that was wider, and as a result heavier, there would be some room for manouver and he could still come in at the weight limit.

hoodlum-z

I was that excited by the thought of a 500g frame that I completely forgot it was on 1st April. Especially when a few weeks previous a real one was touted by Cervelo at 650 ish. The details were on their website.

There are two ways to look at this regarding the UCI weight limit. Removing weight and placing it lower down the frame in the form of lead ballast is similar to loading an F1 car for better balance and handling.

The other school of thought is to re-use any structural weight savings by adding carbon to make the frame more aero, which would probably be more efficient than removing weight. Zipp wheels are a perfect example of aero over weight. Any engineer-types might like to correct me on this if I'm wrong.

Perhaps I would have got a more informed opinion if I'd gone on Weight Weenies and I don't mean that with any disrespect - it's just they are obviously more weight conscious as the name implies. Jokes aside, it really is important to ask questions in the right places or you won't get the answer(s) you are looking for.

hoodlum-z

I'm that dumb I didn't realise there are now two pages to this post. Tiredness is no excuse! :roll: