Worth getting a lightweight HT for long distance events ?

weeksy59

This is i guess a generic question in this section but with a bit of a twist...

So i've got a 2010 Meta 5, with DT swiss E2200 rims and XT M775 brakes amongst other upgrades.

However, i do a few long distance offroad events like the Afan Monster 100km, which has a LOT of long fireroad climbs.

So, the GT Aggressor is coming in at a weight i could never even dream of getting the Meta down to of <13kg. (according to Halfords website) so would in many ways be far more suited to the long fire-road climbs and trails of something like the Monster... (although obviously i'd lose out on the singletrack).

So... I can get one of these for £400 on the C2W scheme bringing it in at about £230 for my cash... which is ridiculous money for what i get really and well, a bargain to say the least.

Any thoughts on whether it's a good/bad plan ?

Cheers.

paulbox

One of the benefits of fs is the reduced fatigue associated with taking hits, I would think about that before taking the plunge.

bails87

13KG isn't all that light. It's good for the money, and great when you consider the C2W savings too, but I'm not sure it would be much of an upgrade over your Meta. If you were talking about a Boardman Pro or Carrera Titan, then I'd say you were being sensible.

What does the Meta weigh? The wheels on the GT may well be heavier than your DTs, which will have a real impact on how 'fast' the bike feels.

supersonic

Spend another 50 quid on light tyres and I reckon is it worth it.

lostboysaint

Wot I said on the other site Get that 29er you linked to!

weeksy59

The Meta based on my best attempt weights on bathroom scales it's coming in about 15.0kg. Give or take. So from a weight perspective it's only 2.5Kg or so.

Maybe if i take the DT Swiss E2200's off and the racing ralphs on there too i might get it to 3-3.5Kg weight difference.

As the poster above stated, we were discussing this on a motorbike forum and came up with the thought of the Voodoo 29er... Which doesn't give the weight benefits if they're correct... but give the theoretical (or actual? ) gain of being on 29"'s instead.

Only minor issue with the Voodoo is, do they do on C2W as it's internet, not shop only. And it's slightly (or more than slightly even) over budget as this is only a 2nd bike... Although i could use it as a winter bike to keep the MEta nice i guess.

Voodoo Hoodoo 29er
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

The Titan or Boardman pro are budget busting for a 2nd bike so not really an option.

supersonic

33lbs for the voodoo? That is bloody heavy, and I think you will gain very little.

weeksy59

supersonic wrote:

33lbs for the voodoo? That is bloody heavy, and I think you will gain very little.

That's the concern from a 29'er perspective, there's nothing at Halfords (for the C2W) within a realistic budget for me.

supersonic

I'd use the Ducati ;-)

Is it just the Halfords scheme you are limited to.

weeksy59

supersonic wrote:

I'd use the Ducati ;-)

Is it just the Halfords scheme you are limited to.

Yeah sadly work restrictions mean Halfords only.

If i had more ability i'd use either of them

Don't get me wrong, the MEta is a lovely machine... was just wondering if something for a reasonable ammount could be bought on the C2W and then i could use it as a winter bike and the wife could use it for the odd trip to Swinley with our 2 year old who took his stabilisers a couple of days ago, so obviously we'll be doing the odd trip down towpaths etc.

supersonic

I think the XC2 with light tyres is the best bet. If it is 12.7kg (28lbs) qith stock tyres, you may get it under 27lbs with some decent rubber.

njee20

Spend the money on making the Meta lighter - get some race wheels or something. Even Pro 2s on Crests, tubeless with Rocket Rons would shave a kilo or so for less than £300.

weeksy59

njee20 wrote:

Spend the money on making the Meta lighter - get some race wheels or something. Even Pro 2s on Crests, tubeless with Rocket Rons would shave a kilo or so for less than £300.

I'm a big guy which is why i bought the more XC orientated DT Swiss wheels i have.

I could though and probably will run lighter rubber for the events than the stuff i do on a day to day basis.

njee20

I doubt you'd have problems with Crests, Particularly if you keep the heavy wheels for tougher riding.

I just think that riding a reasonably cheap, albeit slightly lighter, bike won't actually be much fun when you're used to something nicer. YMMV.

weeksy59

njee20 wrote:

I doubt you'd have problems with Crests, Particularly if you keep the heavy wheels for tougher riding.

I just think that riding a reasonably cheap, albeit slightly lighter, bike won't actually be much fun when you're used to something nicer. YMMV.

You may well be right mate. I think human greed plays a small part in my thought patterns, for example 25% sale price and 45% off that makes me have 'eyes bigger than my belly' type syndrome..

The wheels though... Hmmmm. The DT Swiss are only 8 weeks old, they're a £600 wheel (reduced in sale i admit)... i'm not sure i want to be lobbing a (for me anyway) very expensive set of wheels away

desmojen

Get a second hand Anthem mate

Jen.

weeksy59

desmojen wrote:

Get a second hand Anthem mate

Jen.

Can't buy them on cycle to work

NormalD

For £230 just buy it for the wife. Then as Supersonic says put some £50 rubber on before your next long event and see. If it's no better then your wife still has a very good occasional bike for family days out and you have a winter hack. Everyone’s a winner.

njee20

i'm not sure i want to be lobbing a (for me anyway) very expensive set of wheels away

2 sets, keep one for racing. Go for some A2Z hubs and Revolution spokes (or Super Comps or Comps) with Crests and you'll have a 1350g wheelset for £250. Get some Rocket Rons on there and KCNC rotors.

I'll wager that would make a bigger difference than riding a cheaper, but marginally lighter, hardtail.

weeksy59

I've already got 2 sets, but yeah i see your point...

Gave it some thought, took all the advice and will be keeping my hand in my pocket this year.

Pity i can't find the Carrera Titan anywhere on Halfords any more, that would have been a more sensible consideration.

thanks for all the advice guys.

Briggo

weeksy59 wrote:

I've already got 2 sets, but yeah i see your point...

Gave it some thought, took all the advice and will be keeping my hand in my pocket this year.

Pity i can't find the Carrera Titan anywhere on Halfords any more, that would have been a more sensible consideration.

thanks for all the advice guys.

There was a Titan on the shop floor at the Norwich branch so worth going in to a store and asking they could probably find one. If you say you were thinking the Titan is a sensible consideration (think they retailed £1k) then why wouldnt the Boardman Pro not be, its similar weight.

weeksy59

Briggo wrote:

weeksy59 wrote:

I've already got 2 sets, but yeah i see your point...

Gave it some thought, took all the advice and will be keeping my hand in my pocket this year.

Pity i can't find the Carrera Titan anywhere on Halfords any more, that would have been a more sensible consideration.

thanks for all the advice guys.

There was a Titan on the shop floor at the Norwich branch so worth going in to a store and asking they could probably find one. If you say you were thinking the Titan is a sensible consideration (think they retailed £1k) then why wouldnt the Boardman Pro not be, its similar weight.

This may be a shallow statement, but the Boardman doesn't excite me. Doesn't inspire me. The lovely carbon of the Titan DOES... same as everything i buy these days, it has to stand out and say BUY ME !!!!