Weight vs Speed

Richo Chango
Richo Chango Posts: 6
edited March 2011 in MTB general
Just wondering how much difference a couple of kilos will make to the speed of my bike.

I'm building my first MTB and I've jumped off the deep end into the weight weenie pool :lol:

2011 Giant XTC
DT Swiss Tricon M 1700 wheels
DT Swiss XR 100 forks
Shimano XT Drive train
.... You get the picture.....

Basically it's the little things left to get
Handlebar, grips,seat,tyres,etc

Should I be weight conscious on these parts as well or just get the stuff that looks bling?
I don't want my bike to be all show and no go!
Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once 

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Biggest performance gains will come from lighter tyres and rims
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Are you hammering the bike or a large rider? Are lighter and cheaper wheelsets than those DT.

    Foam grips can save 100g for less thana fiver.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    What happens when foam grips get wet?
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Have a look at KCNC components, they seem very light for the money and get good reviews.
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    Nothing at all, they're dense foam, not like sponge or owt.

    Agree that those wheels are not a great choice if lightweight is your prime objective. Again if light is the primary objective then choose a light bar and stem, otherwise be guided by other factors!

    Exotic stuff is a reasonable weight, or KCNC.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    njee20 wrote:
    Nothing at all, they're dense foam, not like sponge or owt.
    Ah, right.
    Hmm, in that case, I might get some. losing 100g off my bike would make a huge difference :lol:
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Lol, pound for pound, about the best you can do. Especially when people buy Thomson stems for 60 quid and save, erm, nowt hehe.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • cat_with_no_tail
    cat_with_no_tail Posts: 12,981
    yeehaamcgee wrote:
    njee20 wrote:
    Nothing at all, they're dense foam, not like sponge or owt.
    Ah, right.
    Hmm, in that case, I might get some. losing 100g off my bike would make a huge difference :lol:

    I got some nitrile ones for the commuter from Poshbikes (bit pricey imho), they were actually surprisingly comfy.
    "Avan-TT"
    F*cking Fast 29er
    Rapid Rose Roady
    Bionicon Beast
    Rockhopper Communter
  • Richo Chango
    Richo Chango Posts: 6
    Thanks for the advice. True the wheels arn't the lightest. I guess a few 100 grams here and there is not going to make a huge difference to my bike's speed, unless I turn pro
    :lol:
    Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once 
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    If spending that amount of money though on an XC bike, I would get lighter parts rather than AM parts. Afterall the fork is a light XC based unit.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • Richo Chango
    Richo Chango Posts: 6
    On a lighter note (pun intended), taking a dump before going out can save up to half a kg of excess baggage :lol:
    Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once 
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Oh stop talking sh*t :lol:

    And besides, if that's as much as you're supposed to lose, then I'm definitely eating too much!
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    I've jumped off the deep end into the weight weenie pool
    I guess a few 100 grams here and there is not going to make a huge difference to my bike's speed, unless I turn pro

    /Contradiction

    If you have a light bike and take a dump, you save even more![/quote]
  • tenfoot
    tenfoot Posts: 226
    I managed to ditch 28 lbs of combined bike and rider weight in a year.

    By doing nothing to the bike and losing two stone through regular riding and careful eating.

    Great having a light bike, but losing some weight off the pilot helps too.

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