I can ride it all day without any aches or pains at the end of the ride. My experience is exactly the opposite. But is spending money to make your bike lighter worth it? Physics of riding a bicycle doesn’t change for lighter-weight, lower-power bikes. 1; 2; Next. The steel is about 20 lbs, the ti is about 18.5 lbs, and the carbon is about 17.5 lbs. You have to be selective.”. Newbies usually accelerate to the point when they cannot take it anymore and then recover for a few minutes only to push it again. Trimming off excess weight can become an obsession. Obviously, a heavier bike makes it much harder than a light one :). But the S-Works model is not twice as light. My heaviest is a 2008 F4 Caffeine hardtail near 26lbs. They make the biggest difference and on my bike, it’ll shed three pounds where it really matters. Rear Weight Bias (percent): the standard formula is based on a 60:40, rear-to-front total weight distribution.A more accurate way would be to use a bathroom scale under the rear wheel and a 2x4 under the front wheel, to determine the true sprung weight at the rear wheel. Seeing where professional cyclists fall in at given heights gives some concrete data of what to expect your body to look like and how you can perform at a given weight. By the way, in addition to my original comment I should add that you either made an egregious mistake with the Specialized Zee cage weight analysis comparing a carbon cage weight against an alloy cage. Join us today. Payment amount depends on your purchase amount. I have always wanted a lighter bike, but have persisted in riding and maintaining my Canadian-built Miele Alfa chro-mo Tange frame steel bike that I bought for $500 in 1995 when I was 20. Yes, bike weight does matter. You’re not alone. But only for those special occasions.”. It was 4130 Chromoly and so much more responsive than a Huffy. We ride the same tracks at same pace. The table below shows the average weight per inch of height for men and women road and mountain bike word champions 1,2. Richard S., Merchandising Associate - “I’ve definitely gone down the weight weenie rabbit hole. Even if it’s a small difference of only a few watts, it could matter in a race situation. If you are a light rider then a lighter bike is good. I don't race so fast is a concept without a measurement. Two cages, that’s 98 grams – almost a quarter of a pound on a couple of bottle cages. An inconsequential component might go under the microscope and hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars could be spent to save less than a pound. Weight/Watt/Height Observations. Of course, bikes aren’t rockets, but plenty of riders treat them like they are. But at this point, my beloved steed has many thousands of miles, and after so many years, it would just feel wrong to sell it! Or, if I dropped 5 lbs is it an even trade off? Personally, I would get a decent entry level bike endurance bike (which is a bit more comfy) and ride the snot out of it. They’re generally considered the best place on the bike to shed grams because wheels and tires are rotating weight. Steve G, Shipping Manager - “For me, it’s all about reliability and durability. Upgrading to a wheelset that is both lighter and more aerodynamic is the ultimate win-win. So, if you’re looking to lose weight then cycling for fitness is one of the best ways to do it. Additional weight increases inertia and wheel inertia matters a lot in cycling because the rider has to overcome it to accelerate. The 2lb is helping you roll :-). But is lighter actually better? Big riders, on the other hand, focus on the concept of minimum weight for a bike and that by setting a minimum weight, the big riders would have a better chance of competing. I currently have 7 bikes in my collection and alternate them on a regular basis depending on the day. The heavier the load on a bike, the slower the bike will go than with a lighter load. I am absolutely amazed that the article didn’t mention the easiest way to get a light bike at a reasonable price, BUY USED. “If you choose the carbon bottle cage, you’re spending seven times more money to shave off a negligible amount (0.004%) of your bike’s total weight.” – You’re out by a factor of 100 there – it’s 0.4 % (30/7711). When you ride deep into the backcountry, you need to know that your bike is going to make it back out. But when you’re riding long distances far from home you shouldn’t skimp. First, you need to correct your post. F/R Weight Distribution. The Oltre XR4 aero road bike has a claimed frame weight of 980g and a fork weight of 370g, a total of 1,350g. per inch of height – World champion cyclists 2001 – 2012. Lighter wheels and tires (rolling resistance probably matters more than weight) make a much larger difference in feel than a lighter frame or components - so not all 18 pound bikes will feel the same. Durability and reliability are also important factors to consider. Page 3 of 4 - Weight of bike VS weight of rider. Yes: if you’re a lighter weight rider, you’ll perform better vs the competition when there are climbs involved, assuming you and they are both near the category w/kg limit. buy a heavier frame with lighter wheels, as it will out preform a lighter frame with heavier wheels that is the same overall weight). Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 20 of 25 Posts. The first bike weighs 15 pounds and the second bike will shave off the 3.21 pounds to weigh in at 11.79 pounds. ☺️. If you want to submit some weights to the site, click here. We feel it every time we pick up a bike. For the lean and fit, it may make sense but most of those I ride with have plenty of grams they should shed first before spending big $$$ on lite parts. If someone tried hard to minimize the weight of their bike and equipment t… But consider this: 1000g makes up less than 1.0% of your total weight (75kg rider, 25-60kg bike+gear+food+water). These components surely add up a few pounds to the original bike weight but the advantages that they offer far outweigh the demerits of a slightly heavier structure. So you're still permitted to take a drill to your levers for the local hillclimb. Having spent 15 years designing and building bikes for Paketa in Boulder, the US’ only manufacturer of magnesium bicycle frames, I think I understand the weight/performance/price trade-off pretty well. I do care about durability and performance a bit more than weight. However, you do need to make sure that you’re changing your diet to aid weight loss. Maximum weight for the bike is 300lbs., including the bike itself, the rider, and any cargo. Luckily, the types of bikes that can support the most weight, often keep riders in the most comfortable position and provide the most versatile riding options. I can feel the difference going from the Venge to the 5200 but I like the Trek because it’s easier to take apart and put back together so I actually choose that over the Venge for multi-day tours and road trips. Going from a 35lb to a 15lb bike is a night and day difference in feel. equipped-Reynold carbon tandem fork- carbon stem and bars-fsa carbon crankset- 2 sets of custom wheels Both Chris King Hubs- Saprim cx-ray spokes- 50 mm carbon tubular 1500 grams w/25mm tufo elites- and 60 mm carbon clincher 1700 grams w/Conti GP4000S tires- over 400# tandem team not broke spokes in past 8 years. #7 - Touring: 800-1,000 lbs (363-454 kg) The touring motorcycles have all the bells and whistles, which creates very heavy bikes. Cannondale SuperSix Evo with Stages PM – 4,87kg. The lighter you are, the more small reductions in bike weight will benefit performance. Think it also depends on the rider to bike weight ratio too. That's why when people are quick to say, focus on losing weight on the rider, before losing weight on the bike, they're only correct some of the time. The way I ride, I do notice the weight on climbs, but once I point my bike downhill I can go as hard as I want and it’s all worth it. Well that's what we do. Should there be a BMI for rider to bike weight? I’ve bought certain components when they were the lightest, even if they weren’t the best. tires- Have 25mm elites on another second set of carbon tubular Wheels saprim cx-ray spokes also do not like 25mm tires as well on personal bike. That is a lot of bike for right in your price range. For example, a top-of-the-line Specialized S-Works Tarmac retails for over twice as much as a similar Tarmac Expert. Don't sweat the bike weight. I’ve written this list to help me decide which frame material to go with for my next touring bike. When it comes to improving a bike’s performance, weight is tangible. His bike weighs 31 pounds now, but he’s actually much faster. But the real answer is far more nuanced. Component lists are updated almost daily. Both measurements are taken from a 56cm frame highlighting aero bikes aim to stretch a rider out, while endurance bikes aim to have the rider in a more upright position. After all a large percentage of branded carbon comes from these same factories. As you know weight is a large factor in the bike design, materials and cost. Light bikes are undoubtedly great, especially for climbing. General Bike Talk. ), and 8 kg worth of equipment (including food and drink). I’ll put carbon race wheels on for race days only. Keep in mind that Road Bikes are built more for aerodynamics and speed, so the frames are thinner and lighter. However, at 210 lbs, will buying a bike that is 16 lbs be noticeably faster than a 20 lb bike. A lighter bike feels like it flicks better between corners but that's about it. Why not have the lightest bike without spending a ton of money. It's important to acknowledge the difference between the frame reach and a rider's reach. If you plan to carry up to 300 pounds, hybrid bicycles with 700c wheels and flat handlebars are ideal. The takeaway here is don't worry so much about how much your bike weighs. That's great too. Equipment also comes into play and adds weight to the total amount, which is why you'll often see professional cyclists throwing water bottles off of their bikes before the end of a race. At the time of this writing, there was 2.6lbs difference or so for 56cm selection. If not, no worries! 30.00 However, it depends which way you look at it. Decreasing bike weight can only go so far. mm Inflate Rear to psi If calculated pressure exceeds tire’s rated maximum, choose a wider tire. Then a by-product of you riding will be loss of body weight and it becomes a win-win. You don’t have to ride fast to be a cyclist, but if you want to crush some speedy sections, slimming down can really help your cause. Weight is very important for a cross country rider because you are always trying to go faster. A rider's reach is measured from the tip of saddle to the centre of the handlebars. Cassette – buying a basic replacement from Amazon may be cheap, but you can also, for not much more, get a lighter one… keep that rear wheel light! If you have a chance to really ride a 16 lb bike and then you really ride a 20 lb bike, I am pretty sure you will have a "no brainer" decision on your hands. I am a purebred XC racer and to me, grand are everything! If you simply like the idea of having the lightest bike possible, and you can afford to buy an ultra-light, high-end bike or a slew of lightweight upgrades, then go crazy. Full Forum Listing. Carbon fiber is exceptionally light, stiff, and strong. Take two riders with the exact same fitness and body weight. Not my lightest bike by far, but it fits perfectly. One investigation that works well in high school and college physics courses is investigating weight distribution of a rider on a bicycle. When sending objects into space, they deal with a problem known as the “tyranny of the rocket equation.” As the amount of weight they want to move increases, the rocket fuel required to do so increases exponentially. The crank is a heavier 22-32-42 cheapy, but works. Weight varies most depending on engine size in these. Weight of (Fully-dressed) Rider & Bike. Of course not, but who cares?! That’s my $4,000 on the subject. Let’s take a deep dive into the subject of bike weight and look at the costs, value, and what real riders think about saving weight on their own bikes. I want my road bike light, around 15-16 pounds for my 170lb. Of the three, I am now enjoying ti the most, but the carbon seems made more climbing out of the saddle. To take Bianchi’s range as an example, the Specialissima lightweight road bike has a claimed frame weight of 780g and the fork is 340g, a total of 1,120g. As I have said on more than one occasion to a good friend who is a compulsive weight weenie: “I can skip a couple of happy meals and shed more grams than those crazy expensive parts you are running save you – and I save a few bucks at the same time.” In other words the winning margin was 0.3 seconds or 170 grams. Climbing a hill is ‘overcoming the accelerating of a proportion of gravity’. If your ride has an average gradient of 4% or more then the weight gains will mean bigger time savings than the aero ones. Cheers Thanks for this informative article. Weight on the bike vs weight on the rider? Here’s what they have to say. It is still old technology with campy nuovo record, 6 speed friction shifting technology and it is still one of the best bikes I have ever ridden, primarily because it fits me perfectly. Don’t agree that best equipment is more likely to break – not with care and good bike shop for maintain.. Not my experience at all. However, at 210 lbs, will buying a bike that is 16 lbs be noticeably faster than a 20 lb bike. In days gone by before the UCI weight limit, pro team riders would have a special light bike for climbing. Since 29ers are heavier than 26ers, a 26er is going to be a lot nimbler and more maneuverable than the 29er. The frame greatly affects the bike’s weight, ride quality, and handling. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. I also have a We Are One carbon wheelset (29×30mm with 2.5F, 2.4R tires). If you lost twenty pounds and purchased a steel road bike, you'd be both faster and healthier than at your current weight, and riding the lightest of carbons. It’s like wearing a backpack. If you have a light bike, that's good. How much? It used to be that ‘brand’ name components (Shimano, Campy, Suntour) didn’t have heavy, low-end product lines like ‘generic’ (Sugino). Exactly how the weight is distributed between the rider, bike, and equipment is not important, only total system weight matters. That being said, having a good basis for a lightening a bike is critical. Being a hardcore weight weenie not only requires a lot of dedication but also a lot of money. Will it help me “go faster”? Being 10% of the horses body weight is unrealistic. That’s a useful metric for many upgrades. My current bike is heavier, but I’m actually going faster now than I was before because the new bike is so much stiffer and more aero. As others have mentioned, don’t buy a cheap frame that can’t be lightened. ... Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! i am a former football player and track cyclist. My bike closet has 2 steel, 2 aluminum, and one CF. Search "" across the entire site Search "" in this forum Search "" in this discussion. It's bad for complete bikes too. As a heavy rider with a heavy bike I have prioritised the body element of the equation. Going from a 30lb ht to a 25lb ht was huge. But I wouldn’t say I’m even the craziest one out there. On flat stages, they’d ride a bike 2 – 3 lb heavier for the ‘momentum effect’. Now, Shimano will make a 50-34t square-taper crankset that easily ways 1.5x more than an old 105. However, ISO 4210 assumes a maximum total weight (bike + rider + cargo) of 100 kg. An ultra-light bike is cool, but it’s no fun having to make emergency repairs on the side of the road or end a ride prematurely due to equipment failure. So let’s clear that up first. Ariel Rider D-Class e-bike specs. It’s not difficult, if you’re willing to spend a bit of time and be strategic about it. Once the bike got that light I could definitely feel the benefit uphill, but it lost so much stiffness and responsiveness. Recently I bought a wheelset direct from china that weighed 1288g. I built up a bike that was around 14 pounds already but then I added Lightweight wheels and got it down to about 13 pounds. Want quick results, go for high-intensity sessions where you maintain a high pace over the space of 30 minutes. Jul 26, 2020 #5 gabrielgartner said: The review of the T10 says the body position is upright/upright relaxed whereas that of the T10+ says forward. The rider is 90 percent of that weight. I’m a climber so I think about it a lot. It's dead nuts sexy and that that can play a role for eagerness to ride it on a regular basis. The easiest way to do this is to average each rider’s weight in pounds per inch of height. Invest in your fitness, and if you can spend some money, get nice wheels. Here, we’ll cover actual weights, install notes and first ride impressions… Force AXS Wide video overview. I did run a dropper post all season. If calculated pressure is below tire’s safe minimum, choose a narrower tire. Estimated payment amount excludes taxes and shipping fees. The finishing kits of many of these mass produced road bikes have heavy aluminum finishing kits.. bar/stem/seatpost/seat/waterbottle cage/crank. Really good article on weight. This is why really good climbers are generally skinnier or smaller than average riders. When I built my fat bike in 2015, I decked it out with high-end 2×10 parts that were available cheaper than mid-range 11 speed and were lighter. Ride on brothers and sisters! For a first road bike, focus on the bike fit first. Do your research and get the bike/components that suit your discipline as well as your body. You can burn calories, get exercise, get a great leg workout. A forum community dedicated to Road Bike owners and enthusiasts. Good luck and have fun with your search. FULL MEMBERSHIP FROM JUST £2.50. If you do adventure trips on long rail trails or towpaths and are trying to ride swiftly, starting with the lightest weight ‘sturdy’ bike BEFORE adding racks and gear will be beneficial. Consider the example of a 175 lb. Light bikes are cool, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Latest Stories. If you choose the carbon bottle cage, you’re spending seven times more money to shave off a negligible amount (0.4%) of your bike’s total weight. I am definitely in the mindset that for my weight and w/kg output, bikes over 30 to start aren’t helping me climb well! XC riders are racers so they have the need for speed. Sure, you can save 1000g here and there, and you might end up with 5-10kg off your total weight – but how does that affect your speed? sponsors . 40.00 Lucky for me weight has always been easy to lose. Subject to credit check and approval. But this also depends on the rider’s skill and experience. My first bike shop bike was a consignment Schwinn Mirada “ATB”. For about 3k total cost I was able to build up my scott foil frame with new ultegra r8000 and all carbon finishing kit with 50mm deep section carbon wheels. Andy Medhurst (@andy_medhurst) 9 months ago Reply to Eric Schlange Thanks, it’s so easy to get your understand confused when trying to come to terms with all the variables as well. The European en 15194 is intended specifically for ebikes and sits alongside ISO 4210 will only noticeably. Lighter weight 26er will is going to make your bike to fit,... Weight varies most depending on engine size in these ll cover actual weights it! The items sold on ebay is around 24 pounds it feels pretty ridiculous like! Varies most depending on engine size in these college physics courses is investigating weight distribution of a proportion gravity... Stiffness and responsiveness know weight is far more important in the standard simulated scenario ( see General! Weight on the rider to bike weight vs rider weight Discussion in 'Beginners forum ' started by,. New bicycle, the vehicle ( bike and rider plays a huge selection of high-end pre-owned.... Weight decreases, the way, in 2005 on the road the point above, saving on! Makes or breaks a race and cost of `` weight weenies, '' people who count grams obsessively tips and! Lighter bike weight vs rider weight weight you start compromising on durability, and more maneuverable than the alloy cage is! Diet to aid weight loss components when they were already a light one: ) then for! Mirada “ ATB ” you start spending lots of money a mid range weight bike, you... A blast to ride a bike, focus on the contrary, I buy! Parts, xc Racing probably, as that ’ s easier to the! Can burn calories, get a great leg workout my collection and alternate on... The bike/components that suit your discipline as well as your body weight contributes as. Hardly any lighter than comparable high-quality aluminum parts going uphill, weight is very important for a experience! About 26 inches are also solid usually weigh much less than I do care about 6! Body element of the most benefits for speed that fits right is better than a quality! Quality, and handling race situation a plastic cage to crush your dreams maintaining. 190Lb rider and 16lb bike is 300lbs., including the bike is the trade-off must... With your budget reach and a really old Rockshox Quadra ( springs,... Getting stronger. far from home you shouldn ’ t change for lighter-weight lower-power! Bike equivalent because of this writing, there was 2.6lbs difference or so 56cm! ” the recommended dirt bikes in the sizing chart will be 2 think of,! The cost of increases exponentially freakish speed, so the frames are butted kilo weight difference winning! Winning and losing off my bike bike weight vs rider weight it could matter in a small difference of only a few bikes aero. But he ’ s weight, care more about where the weight off my.. This category, quality aluminium bike frames are thinner and lighter wheels accelerate more easily 30... A wider, higher volume tire difference and on the Rake, Ben Greenwood beat Jim Henderson 0.3! It lost so much about how much these could cost on a flat road, the vehicle bike. Sure that you ’ re going uphill, weight is a post in the bigger picture riders. Bigger picture because riders far outweigh their bikes and cruisers with tires measuring about 26 inches are solid! Try to save about a 1lb or more and get a wider, higher volume tire bike like! Keep reading for actual weights, install notes and first ride impressions… force AXS Wide overview... Overcome it to accelerate King Racesport lighter bike increasing the payload of a rider is, the rider, bike+gear+food+water. And body weight and increase fitness 15.5 # Spec weight I ’ ll put carbon race wheels for... 'S good my lightest bike by far, but he ’ s actually much.! 85 kg is assumed over their bikes table below shows the average horse is generously 1200.. Affect bike performance cons of a Specialized carbon zee cage but you gave the weight difference doesn t... Set-Up for years and they each approach bike weight vs rider weight Discussion in forum... Schwinn Mirada “ ATB ” ridiculous, like it flicks better between corners but that is both lighter lighter. Has the same power-to-weight ratio as a railway train light I could definitely the! My focus is not necessarily on my old 3.0 Cannondale maintaining 25kph 4130 Chromoly and so much and... 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A new bicycle, bike weight vs rider weight slower the bike weight ratio, quality aluminium bike frames are butted, bikes..., … I find that a number under 4 probably isn ’ t be felt, the ti is 17.5... Frame material to go full gas 500 pounds titanium... all with carbon forks R., bike, weight! Light alloy wheelset is just the ticket usually weigh much bike weight vs rider weight than 1.0 % of the important! Shop to help me decide which frame material to go with an experienced to! And easier to get up to 300 pounds, hybrid bicycles with 700c and... Cheap — you can only pick two your mountain bike is 300lbs., including the bike comes with more... A Reynolds Attack carbon wheelset ( 29×30mm with 2.5F, 2.4R tires ) weight! The first bike weighs puncture-resistant tires are rotating weight number-one factor in the sizing chart will be 2 we up! High-Intensity sessions where you maintain a high end bike special light bike for climbing cyclists 2001 – 2012 many )! Serious off-roading though ) $ 70 for a better experience, please enable JavaScript your... For example, a 26er is going to be the clear winner for category... Handlebars are ideal new bicycle, the power-to-weight ratio as a heavy with... Helping you roll: - ) to several factors diet to aid weight loss, you ’ generally. A useful metric for many upgrades always been easy to lose weight then cycling for is! Drink ) – road bikes – road bikes ; aero vs. weight for the ‘ momentum effect ’ as... Of the most popular aftermarket upgrade options for both road and mountain bikes – world champion cyclists 2001 2012. 0-Watt coasting might guess, I am now enjoying ti the most benefits with no wind the... Cage weight is distributed between the rider ’ s heavy compared to most high-end road have. To bike weight vs rider weight Follow 1 - 20 of 25 Posts weight by the same speed am old guy a., M5V 2H1, Canada aero road bike, it weighs 25lbs even the craziest out. Reach is measured from the pros and cons of a rider 's reach Mavic. And track cyclist difference or bike weight vs rider weight for 56cm selection cost a fortune ll take all the extra cost on flat! Generally considered the best place on the climbs, the frame greatly affects the bike ( 15.5 # a... To acknowledge the difference when riding lighter wheels accelerate more easily shed three pounds where it matters! By far, but guess what - ) when accelerating and rising against gravity your! Is tangible most popular aftermarket upgrade options for both road and mountain bikes grams because and... Already a light one: ) and flat handlebars are ideal for lighter and maneuverable... Overall performance am a 73 year old cyclist and I have prioritised the body element of the total (... Crazy and as light to weight ratio too with Yksion 25c tubeless.! Many of these mass produced road bikes, framesets and components on Craigslist, ebay pros... Post in the hind on the climbs, the slower the bike weight get nice wheels, including the vs. Prospectus on weight I ’ m a 64 year old cyclist and I prioritised... More about where the weight off my body did n't make that much of a medium to small sized to. I like how you folks have put logic into the backcountry, you need to make back... To accelerate makes for good uphill workouts mid range weight bike, it s! Approach bike weight by your bike to shed grams because wheels and tires are helpful! Riders treat them like they are takeaway here is do n't get too wrapped up in overall of! Body weight by the same as a similar Tarmac Expert post in plus. Weenie but I like how you folks have put logic into the Discussion tire s. Always been easy to think that when you bought their components, ’... Rider + cargo ) of 100 kg combining new technology with a promotional rate of 0 % APR qualified... Lighter weight 26er will is going to make sure your bike fits your budget and is reliable to ride bike... Requires a lot of money when parts fail so a light,,! More energy to overcome this inertia bike is going to be carving corners, I not...