Weight of 951 frame

feisty

Hi

I'm quite an odd shape, very long legs but very short torso. This means I'm about a 58cm frame in terms of height abut a 56cm in terms of reach; so I either end up with a 58cm bike and a 90mm stem (which I have done on a Carbon Roubaix SL4 Elite C2 I have) or a 56cm frame and I use lots of spacers and an inverted stem to try and get some height on the handlebars (which I've done on a ribble).

I've decided to get a custom built steel bike to replace the Roubaix (I considered Ti but have resolved to go with steel in the end). My aim in getting the steel bike is just to get a bike that is made to my proportions and that I will really enjoy riding. So I realise that my steel bike will be heavier than my carbon Roubaix and that's not a problem as I use it for rides with friends, not racing. But I was just wondering out of interest how much heavier it will be. [I also realise that it's the overall weight of the bike that matters and by putting on higher specc'd kit or lighter wheels I may be able to get the overall bike weight roughly the same]

I've googled the roubaix frame and can only find a quote for the 52cm frame (rather than a 56/58) but that is 961g which seems uber light. I don't know how much additional weight a 56/58cm frame would be but I was assuming maybe 1kg total?

And I was wondering how much heavier a 953 56/58cm frame would be? 1.3kg or 1.5kg?

Any ideas from those who have 953 frames?

HebdenBiker

Genesis Volare is 1650g (claimed) for 54cm frame

HebdenBiker

By the way, there's nothing unusual about riding a 90mm stem in order to accommodate a short reach, or using spacers in lieu of long legs. You could look at compact bars also.

Getting a custom 953 frame built seems a very, very expensive way of solving a very minor problem.

mikenetic

Between 1500 - 1800g is a good estimate. I built a 52(ish) fillet brazed frame out of a non-stainless steel and it weighed in at 1750. A Tig welded 953 frame would come in slightly lighter than a silver filleted or lugged one.

Also, I'd suggest that you consider Columbus XCR stainless tubing as an alternative to 953.

feisty

Thanks.

Hendenbiker: It's not a bike to solve a problem really. It's a bike because I want an excuse to have a beautiful machine

feisty

I am going lugless but that's not so much for weight as I just prefer the look

The aim is to build a really nice bike and have one that is reasonably light. But I'm not expecting to get close to the Roubaix weight. I was just wondering how big the difference (before kit would be). Sounds like 750gish is probably a reasonable estimate

mikenetic

Depending on how much you're prepared to spend on the build it's quite possible to get a stainless road bike down to 7.5Kg or less. I think your estimate of 750g over a good lightweight CF frame is pretty fair.

Have you decided on a builder for your frame? Bespoked is happening in Bristol next weekend, loads of good builders will be there if you haven't. A notable absence this year is Rourke, they are definitely worth considering.

feisty

Yup.

Rourke is actually my first choice based partly on reviews and partly as my Dad is from the area. I am visiting them in a few weeks.

Thanks for helpful comments everyone

simon_masterson

I haven't heard of anything lower than about 1.3kg in stainless. My 753 TT frame is a Terry Dolan custom creation (made for Chris Boardman), and is about 1.6kg. That includes oversized top and down tubes, and a large steel plate inserted behind the headtube. Lugless, 50cm seat tube, 53cm top tube.

feisty

1.3kg sounds very light.

Mccaria

Feisty - I did a fitting at Rourke a couple of weeks ago with a delivery date late September early October. I am going for super oversized 953 as at 6'2 it is quite a large frame and the standard 953 can look a bit skinny on a larger frame.

I have both stainless steel bikes and carbon bikes. If you pick up a 953/xcr bike, they are notably heavier than a similarly speccd carbon frame, but with a carbon fork the weight penalty is not that obvious when out riding.

drlodge

My Rourke 953 with Campag Super Record weighs 8kg, the wheels aren't the lightest available but they're not exactly heavy either (Record hubs, excellight rims, 32 spokes). Guess the main weight savings would come from things like saddle and bars but I don't see how I could get it down to 7.5kg without losing alot of comfort. Frame weight is vastly over rated, the Rourke rides like a beaut.

drlodge

BTW an 853 custom frame will give you all the benefits of a 953 with a smidge additional weight but at a fraction of the cost.

mikenetic

drlodge wrote:

BTW an 853 custom frame will give you all the benefits of a 953 with a smidge additional weight but at a fraction of the cost.

Yep, my Rourke in 853 with an Enve Fork, Mavic Kysrium Elites, Ultegra and Ritchey WCS alloy finishing kit is 8.2Kg, including pedals.

Use the £1000 you'll save over a stainless bike on a coach and a training plan and you'll go way faster than spending it on a bike that's 200 grams lighter

lakesluddite

feisty wrote:

Yup.

Rourke is actually my first choice based partly on reviews and partly as my Dad is from the area. I am visiting them in a few weeks.

Thanks for helpful comments everyone

Have you booked a fitting? If not, then it's not just a case of rocking up and getting it done there and then, you will need to make an appointment (unless you're just visiting to scope them out of course, which is probably more feasible I suppose).
They really do go to town though, I had mine at the end of last November, and even though Graham (was it Graham? I'm sure it was) said that the set up from my current bike was pretty much spot on, I was still in there for over two hours tinkering with different bars and cleat positions etc. I went for an 853 with columbus forks and Hope Headset, so that combined with the Mavic Krysium elites and Sram Force I should come out with a bike that is perhaps fairly near to my carbon bike in weight. Hopefully. Given what mikenetic just wrote.

drlodge

Its Gareth that does the fitting. I was there for 5 hours! Its a lovely experience especially if Brian is there to talk with too.

lakesluddite

drlodge wrote:

Its Gareth that does the fitting. I was there for 5 hours! Its a lovely experience especially if Brian is there to talk with too.

Damn. At least I got some of the letters in his name right! And he's such a nice bloke as well.

Sorry Gareth! :oops:

feisty

Yup; booked it 2 months ago. Looking forward to it!

feisty

Thanks for advice. Fantastic experience at Rourke today. 5 hours spent with Gareth tinkering and chatting about how to make my dream bike. And the resultant cost was very reasonable.

I spoke to Gareth a lot about 853, 853 pro and 953. He was very helpful. I ended up with 853 pro (only £50 more than 853).

drlodge

feisty wrote:

Thanks for advice. Fantastic experience at Rourke today. 5 hours spent with Gareth tinkering and chatting about how to make my dream bike. And the resultant cost was very reasonable.

I spoke to Gareth a lot about 853, 853 pro and 953. He was very helpful. I ended up with 853 pro (only £50 more than 853).

You made the right decision. If you want the chain stays to be bare (or just the right hand one), they can do 953 stays with 853 pro elsewhere.

mmacavity

951?
953 or 921?
https://vimeo.com/78876227

https://vimeo.com/45164169


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