Losing weight from a 2012 Giant Defy 4?

broona
broona Posts: 414
edited August 2012 in Road buying advice
Just bought a Defy, and wondering if there's any way of losing a little weight from it without breaking the bank?

Was thinking possibly a new set of wheels or some carbon fibre bits, but I'm open to suggestions. Cheers. :D

PS, I'm around 160lbs if that makes any difference.

Comments

  • anto164
    anto164 Posts: 3,500
    Just tyres. That is all.

    Then save up for a new bike.

    The money you could spend on upgrades would be better spent on a better specced bike.
  • broona
    broona Posts: 414
    anto164 wrote:
    Just tyres. That is all.

    Then save up for a new bike.

    The money you could spend on upgrades would be better spent on a better specced bike.

    Fair enough. I've got a pair of Michelin Krylions to go on at some point in time, was just trying the standard Kenda Kriterium's first, would there be much difference between the 2?

    The intention was always to use this bike for a year and then buy a better one next year if I enjoy riding it, so I was kind of thinking that any better parts I bought for this one could go on next year's model, especially a relatively decent pair of wheels.
  • Dazza2280
    Dazza2280 Posts: 156
    I have a 2010 Defy 3.5, recently changed the stock wheels for a set of Mavic Aksiums with aksion tyres. saved 2.5lbs!!!!! :D
  • broona
    broona Posts: 414
    Dazza2280 wrote:
    I have a 2010 Defy 3.5, recently changed the stock wheels for a set of Mavic Aksiums with aksion tyres. saved 2.5lbs!!!!! :D

    Wow! I'd like to lose a kilo if possible, but if it's going to be expensive to do so, I'm not that bothered, and will just buy a lighter bike next year.

    What were the original wheels on your bike? Mine are Giant SR-2's.
  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    The Defy is a good frame.. but if you are looking to shed 1kg you'd be looking at replacing a significant amount of stuff...(which wouldn't be very cost effective)

    Wheels and tyres will take some off though, and they will make it feel a lot lighter than it is.

    + if you buy a nice enough set of wheels, they will fit well with a more expensive bike too.
  • broona
    broona Posts: 414
    I was thinking about a set of Fulcrum 5's, as they seem to get reasonable reviews.

    If I'm buying any, I want to stay under £200, so if it would be worth my while, any recommendations would be much appreciated. :)
  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    Dazza2280 wrote:
    I have a 2010 Defy 3.5, recently changed the stock wheels for a set of Mavic Aksiums with aksion tyres. saved 2.5lbs!!!!! :D

    2.5lbs? This only happens when you upgrade from solid steel wheels.
    God knows what that your Defy came equipped with, but I find 2.5lbs loss difficult to swallow.
  • broona
    broona Posts: 414
    Could anyone tell me if these wheels would be much of an upgrade please - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... erID=10234
  • clickshots
    clickshots Posts: 91
    Those wheels you link to would save you about 220g as the stock wheels are about 2kg for the pair (my stock ones were 850g/1150g).

    I was in a similar situation (although a higher version of the 2009 Defy) so I swapped the wheels for RS80's, the inner tubes for Continental supersonic 28's and the stock tyres for 23mm Continental GP4000s's. Can't remember exactly how much now but I saved somewhere in the reigon of 750g. Of course that's 750g from the wheels so it feels a lot more dramatic than if I'd taken 750g off the frame.

    The wheels were pretty pricey at £299 and to be honest you can get lighter wheels far cheaper if you go for different brands. The inner tubes and tyres were the best bargains though as they made the bike feel much better for not a lot of money. Beyond that I wasn't really in a hurry to upgrade so as parts have worn out I've just replaced them with the next model up each time. The bike is now just over a kilo lighter than when I first bought it.

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