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I concur
🙂
When I rode a 26.5lb Carbon Nomad up a hill I wasn't any faster!
That's when I decided reducing weight wasn't my biggest priority.
Don't know what my Pitch Pro weighs. Only thing original on it is the seatpost and seatpost clamp. I suspect lighter than when I bought it despite heavier rims, because everything has been replaced with higher end gear. There were some very easy places to lose a lot of weight cheaply e.g. Deore casette, Deore hub, coil fork (went on to mmmbop)..
My recent build 18in Ragley mmmbop worked out at 29lbs with coil Pike fork (from the Pitch) and pro2/DTEX500 etc. Could probably get that down to 27 with lighter fork, tyres, and seat. But I wont, I like a comfy seat and WTB tyres. 29lb is fine.
I weigh 15 stone so I build for my size. I know I'll not get on with less than a 450g rim on the rear of the full suss, or less than 480g on the rear of the hardtail.
Face it folks; we ride what we do because we chose it, could afford it, or because it does the specific job we need it to do. What ever you ride, especially if it's a factory spec job, its weight can be reduced and for the most part it will ride more "easily" at every weight reduction.
My Trance is at about 28lb now compared to the 32 lb when it was bought.
Wheels and tyres have made the biggest difference to feel. Stem / bar/ cassette changes have reduced weight too but I really dont notice any appreciable difference apart from the wheel upgrade.
I'm still slower than lots of my mates ,but, having ridden at least twice a week since last November, it's fitness which has made the greatest of improvement.
Firstly I am a self confessed weight weenie, Its very unusual I come in contact with someone with lighter bikes than mine. Sounds like 'willy waving’ but I do spend a lot of money, I like nice things and can afford them (at the moment). I mostly ride normal trails so I don’t need a long travel bike. A lightweight bike suits me (I weigh less than 12 Stone wet) and suits the terrain I ride.
So the question is, is it necessary? In my view, for me Yes. I ride faster on light bikes and as I’m a bit competitive by virtue I enjoy it more. Its always a good feeling beating your pal up a hill even though you havent been on a bike for 2 weeks and they train every day.
Its all about FEEL GOOD factor, if you feel good on a light bike then you need one...you will be faster, that will make you feel good and on and on it goes.
Fair point Barbus - on a Wednesday trip to Cwncarn I felt sh*t on the first climb and was slow, not sure why maybe I'm fighting the cold that the rest of the family has.
After Ham Egg and Chips in the cafe we did the ride again later on and I felt OK, climbed it faster and "better" despite having ridden once already.
Same bike, clothes, skin etc....
mmmmm Ham, egg and chips ! I'm sat in the office nursing a slight hangover and feeling very hungry indeed, that's helped me decide on lunch at least !
By the way, when I referred to my "fitness" in my previous post, of course it's not meant to imply that I'am perticularly fit, just fitter than a year ago ! All hail the bike for that and "finding" my mtb mojo again.
Kryton,
That’s the 'FEEL GOOD FACTOR'.
For you, on that day a break and a good meal made you feel good. You then rode better, you noticed (and possibly pals too) that you was riding faster and that made you feel even better.
We all ride better (faster) when we feel good.
A light bike makes (some) people feel good.
I like what Barbus said.
Feeling good makes you ride better thats a fact.
I suppose its what makes you feel better. For some its a light bike, for others it could be 6 inches of super plush travel or a new tyre.
I like what I said; Ham, Egg & Chips made me feel better.
On that note, I'm off to experiement with the new genuine amercian hotdog stand that just opened down the road as my Friday treat. I think a 99% beef 'dog AND a Pork & apple Dazzler should be sampled....