[Closed] Items that make a big difference to road bike weight?

get rid of that .75 kilo water bottle

Hah

Was trying to understand what the benefits of different non-carbon wheels were... some road wheels seem insanely expensive

Items that make a big difference to road bike weight?

The rider.?

Leg hair.?

Bars, seatpost, saddle and stem can all come in under 700g in total without spending silly money.

Sub 1400g wheelsets can also be had quite reasonably, no need for carbon or daft spoke count either.

There's a big difference in tyre and tube weights too.

have a really big sh1t before your ride - 200g

but seriously, the most important is the wheels

Wheels and tyres make the biggest difference.

Wheels and tyres make the biggest difference.

Ye, the wheels are these (below) and I knew they were a less well specced part of the bike when I bought it. Part of me says - it ain't broke don't change it though

Rims: Alex Race24
Front Hub: Formula
Rear Hub: Shimano Tiagra

Planet x model b and bang instant weight loss for £130! Best cash i spent.

Bottle cage I think is the biggest thing. You should really get one of those carbon ones before worrying about wheels and stuff! 😉

Seriously though, as above, wheels, tires and tubes.

rider

cassettes on cheaper bikes are like boat anchors

And saddles.

Wheels definitely the first point of call though, yours are heavy.

Don't assume an expensive deep dish carbon wheelset will save weight, some of them are pretty heavy....but they're not about the weight.

VFM savings are;
Tyres, could save 150g per end.
Contact point, saddle especialy. Poss 100-150g saving.
Seat post and stem.
Headset, cheap OEM ones are rubbish and heavy.

Then you need to start spending I'm afraid.

Buy my nice [url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/bontrager-race-x-lite-road-wheels-new-and-unused ]lightweight road wheels[/url] off the classifieds. Pop some nice, fast, light GP4000s on and transform your bike 🙂

canihavethemfornothing

I've recently started carrying a plastic flask instead of a stainless steel one, which may have saved a pound or so.

Clingfilm instead of tupperware helps, but if your sandwiches get squashed in your backpack don't blame me.

Switching from a hardback to a paperback is useful and a monopod is just as stable as a tripod in many circumstances.

I may experiment with a shooting stick instead of a foldable deckchair for shorter rides and a telescopic fishing rod can be almost as light as a two piece.

Still not acurate enough with the pistol, so the rifle mounts will have to stay for the mo 😥

The bigger question is.....will losing a few Lbs actually transform your riding experience?
I'm not stopping you or anyone spending money on their bike - lordy lord I'm an upgrade addict too! But... sometimes it's nice to hear from 'other parties' that actually, often losing a bit of weight or having the top-of-the-range shifters really makes naff all difference to your ride/speed/smiles, and all it does is drain the wallet!
I figured out a while ago the best way to be faster is to get fitter - screw the carbon goodies and 12 speed hydraulic shifters - focus on the engine, not the ti-bolts...!

DrP

No definitely don't want carbon parts.. cant afford and don't like the fragility (scratching)

Not trying to build some 2g bike ..

Just wondering if I could shave 1 or 1/2lbs or so without spending much

Excellent advice Rusty Spanner 🙄

I actually went for a luggage free ride recently!

I think I might try and ditch the backpack permanently for road rides - sooo much more comfortable.

Even looked at proper road shoes yesterday to replace the MTB shoes. 😀

Rusty - If you can'r bear the thought of riding 'bear back', have a look at the wingnut bags...
I'm a MTB'er who rides road, and stick "all plus m'granny" in my wingnut and it really isn't that noticeable on the back.

DrP

I used to have a Carradice bag many years ago, might investigate those again.

I'm slowly getting used to 'proper' roadying again after years of panniers, backpacks and baggies - liberating isn't it?

How's the Honky Tonk Conq?
Lovely looking bike.

dysentery....

Big savings can be made in the chainset and wheels, pricey though. Most everything else is small incremental improvements.
Tyres and cassette is a good shout. Especially tyres.

Er, mountain bike forum - who cares...

Great post there 😆

Wheels and tyres as others have said.

Er, mountain bike forum - who cares...

Yawn.

Seriously, you can lose pounds not grams by going on a diet.

And you'll save money on food..

Or get a ti cassette 😉

Hah flip.. if anything I'm tall and skinny.. need to get some upper body strength

I think im about 6ft4 and 13lb 😆

might look into tyre options

Rusty Spanner its great, awesome frame and fork for the money (the reason I got it) and very versatile.. I even get weird looks from roadies with aluminium frames..

tyres (maybe one day wheels) and fitness (getting much better atm) might help me keep up with them and make me give them the wierd look 😀