Reducing bike weight... what to spend money on ?

brettjmcc

KMC 10SL Chain from Merlin is my choice. Lighter than a Dura Ace Chain and @ £32.50 + the discount for joining their club, its not a bad cost v weight reduction.

knownothingbozo

I did quite a lot of weight saving research when building my bike, and found the following in general offered savings (all mine done on a budget)
Stem - changed from supplied one to planet x and saved about 50g, planet x model b wheels, tires and tubes saved about 1kg in total over the supplied kit, don't forget skewers, reduced weight of mine by more than half with planet x titanium, compact bars were lighter than and better than those supplied, saved over 100g by replacing brakes with no loss of performance, seat post replacement also reduced weight, then blingy stuff like carbon botle cages. I haven't changed my saddle even though I know it's fairly heavy because it's comfy.
Can't say what weight gain I have achieved in total because I also changed frame, but I think it's somewhere near 2kg.

Hoopdriver

ChrisSA wrote:

How much do you weigh?

+1

People tend to forget or overlook that it is the combined rider-bicycle package that matters, not just the weight of the bicycle. Chances are there are more and better possibilities to shed weight on the rider than there are on the machine - and it'll cost you a lot less than a grand to boot.

MarksMintness

Hoopdriver wrote:

ChrisSA wrote:

How much do you weigh?

+1

People tend to forget or overlook that it is the combined rider-bicycle package that matters, not just the weight of the bicycle. Chances are there are more and better possibilities to shed weight on the rider than there are on the machine - and it'll cost you a lot less than a grand to boot.

+1
Unless you're built like a Japanese racing snake already!

BrianTrousers

++1

It makes me laugh with speedplay pedals when they talk about the weight of the pedal itself. In reality you then stick the weighty cleat to the pedal and it's the same as if you had a heavier pedal and a lighter cleat. (I have a pair of Speedplay Zeros but because of the float rather than any weight issues).

This is my top tip for saving weight on your bike:

rozzer32

Why not use the £1000 on coaching??

Will be more beneficial and you'll get even more of a kick flying up hills beating people on your standard bike!

it's not about the bike

suffolk-commuter

Why not use the £1000 on coaching??

+1

I was going to post "gym membership" but thought it a little facetious. That said, If I had a grand to spend on the bike I would be looking for ways to improve the engine (and maybe spend a little on bike bling).

Pross

No wonder you want weight reduction if you have a 2 mile long climb at 15% in your area, I never realised there were any hills in the UK that maintained a gradient like that over such a length!

cougie

480 meters in two miles ? That is a good climb. Where's that then ?

petemadoc

There's a climb near me that's 250m high and almost exactly 2km long (I work that out at 12% av). It's a real killer. I've never come across a harder hill.

Edit: Do you think if I got some lighter skewers I could go up this hill faster

Ron Stuart

PeteMadoc wrote:

Do you think if I got some lighter skewers I could go up this hill faster

Along with about a hundred other factors yes they will :shock:

g00se

Buy some high-end Campag stuff.... At that price, you'll convince yourself that you can get up the hill faster... If you carry your wallet around with you, you'll definely be lighter.

markos1963

Go tubular