Trance X5...weight saving

Iain C

The other half's new full susser is a Giant Trance X5, but even in a small it does feel a bit lardy, even compared to my 17.5" 2007 Fuel EX7. I think it needs a bit of a diet (the bike, not the missus!), just wondering the easiest way to do this.

As I understand it the frame is the same as any of the Trance range, which WMB say is "tight and light" and the fork is a Recon, so probably not enough of a weight saving to justify what would be pretty serious upgrade cash.

The chainset and BB jumps out as pretty low-rent, so perhaps some SLX might offer best quality/weight saving per buck, and I guess wheels. Currently they are the stock Alex rims/Shimano hubs, Merlin do quite a nice pair of Hope Hoops suitable for the more svelte rider, what do people think of these?

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... t_2438.htm

I guess other options are carbon bars and seapost if eBay comes up trumps but again fairly small gains here.

Any thoughts? Are Kenda Nevegals unduly heavy?

supersonic

What fork does it have?

.blitz

Most of the weight is in the wheels - esp the back one - tyres and fork. A reasonable set of wheels will be sub-2kg and you could lose a lb or so by swapping the Recon for something like a Rev Race. Tyres - 2010 Nobby Nics are 500g for a 2.25.

A lightweight cassette is also worth a punt, bearing in mind a reasonable size gob of mud weighs ~80g

Northwind

Weigh everything, you can't save weight without knowing what to target.

Iain C

OK nice one guys, thanks. I'll weigh the wheels and see what saving is available there. Fork swap is out of budget really...

Cheers

sandy hill

Just remove a few spokes for an instant saving.

Anonymous

take the wheels off, then it is lighter

Northwind

SPEEDHOLES!