amateur weight weenie

black.converse
black.converse Posts: 56
edited August 2012 in MTB buying advice
iv got a gt avalanche 1.0 i belive its the '07 model, but my whole bike is still really heavy- without changing the frame what ways can i make it lighter? or may it simply be the frame weight is the major issue
It never gets easier. You just go faster. – Greg LeMond

The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community. - Ann Strong

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    How much do you want to spend? £1, £100, £1,000, £1,000,000,000.
    And what is the current full spec.
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  • black.converse
    black.converse Posts: 56
    oh right good point- current spec-
    frame: gt avalanche 1.0
    forks: suntour 100x - as brought with the bike
    rear derariller- shimano xt
    no front deraile+
    xt crank arm built 1 speed with q ring + chain device
    bontrager carbon seatpost
    shimano FH-M475 hubs both front and back on WTB rims
    tektro arigua comp brakes 160mm rotars
    easton EA50 handlebars
    headset: cranecreek ZST2
    specialized bg grips
    GT stem -as come with the bike
    Token alloy/tiramic jockey wheels
    continental speed king 2.2 tyres both f+r
    sram HG50 cassette
    sram pc971 chain
    specialized tubes both front and rear

    probbaly want to spend £350 max

    cheers
    It never gets easier. You just go faster. – Greg LeMond

    The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community. - Ann Strong
  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    FOrks and wheels
  • chrisjnr19
    chrisjnr19 Posts: 231
    Chunkers1980 wrote:
    FOrks and wheels

    Wot he said :D
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  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Grips for a tenner will save you 100g.
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  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    WTB rims are usually fairly light - not going to be a big problem area.
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  • black.converse
    black.converse Posts: 56
    supersonic wrote:
    Grips for a tenner will save you 100g.

    which ones for example? or specific? i had an idea of getting foam grips- shaving weight off- but are they any good?/
    It never gets easier. You just go faster. – Greg LeMond

    The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community. - Ann Strong
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Bontrager Race or XXX grips are great.
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    VOODOO CANZO

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  • waby1234
    waby1234 Posts: 571
    Foam grips are great - very light and comfy. I use them. Just be prepared to replace them more often as they wear out faster.
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  • The Spiderman
    The Spiderman Posts: 5,625
    Pound for lb ,tyres every time.
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  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    Bontrager Race or XXX grips are great.

    +1, I use the XXX Lites, they're excellent. The Race X Lites are good if you've got big hands - much fatter.

    Stem could be heavy for another quick win. Can't see what your saddle is, but again OEM ones often weigh a ton.
  • bluechair84
    bluechair84 Posts: 4,352
    1600g Wheels for £200
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  • tedtheshed
    tedtheshed Posts: 21
    Hi guys,

    I've been wondering the same thing as the OP. I've just got back into biking recently. I bought a GT Avalanche 2.0 2011 earlier this year to replace my old Giant. I love the bike, but it does feel like a bit of a tank on long climbs and lifting it over fences on trails is more of a shot put action!

    Evans spec listed it as 14.5kg new: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/ ... e-ec024767 which seems quite hefty compared to the similarly priced Specialised models.

    I'll probably upgrade components bit by bit as they wear out, but how much weight could I realistically expect to drop with a £300.00 budget?

    The Dart 2 forks will probably be the first thing for the chop, what would you recommend as a lighter 100mm alternative without breaking the bank? I ride cross country and trails and weigh 69kg.

    Cheers in advance,
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    236 quid gets you a RockShox Reba from Merlin - this will shed 800g. With the change try some new tyres, tubes and the foam grips.
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  • mcnultycop
    mcnultycop Posts: 2,143
    I just went from Dart 2s to Reba Dual Air RLs. Whilst the weight loss is great the Rebas are just absolutely brilliant forks and have transformed the ride on my old hardtail.
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  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Cheap foam grips http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Avenir-Superl ... 41653700e9

    Please note these are exactly the same grip as the dearer Titec Pork rinds and KCNC grips, beware expensive immitations, I run these on my commuter, 14grams with end caps.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    I personally prefer these. Similar weight and budget, but significantly wider. Slightly thinner too.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Of course, grip (size and 'feel') is a very personal thing!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    Very much so, was just saying that there are other options around, those aren't a stand out bargain. The Posh Bikes Nitrile Foam ones are good too.
  • jonnyashworth
    jonnyashworth Posts: 547
    EAT LESS PIES!! SHAVE YOUR HEAD!! GO FOR A POO BEFORE RIDING!!! you will have more money in your wallet and could save a kilo.

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