Project 454 - lose 1lb off the bike

2 Wheels Good

Hi, just looking for opinions here
I've a Litespeed Avior with Ultegra groupset/Mavic Ksyrium wheels and I'm trying to see if I can pare off 454 grams off it by upgrading a few bits & pieces. Any suggestions? I'm thinking easy options would be seatpost, saddle, stem, bottle cage, pedals.

Lumen

Step 1: weigh each component.

blorg

What level Ksyriums? Lighter wheels might be a good option unless they are the SLs.

You can lose a fair bit off skewers too although some of the lighter ones can be a little unreliable I hear. Tyres and tubes are other options.

Apart from that pretty much what you describe, bars as well, again it all depends on the weight of what you have on the bike right now. If you have components that are pretty heavy then obviously you can save a lot of weight there by going weenie; if your existing components are light enough already may not be worth it so much.

What is the total bike weight right now? What are the individual components and their weights?

And before anyone says it, it won't make any difference lose it off your belly yada yada.

DualFrontDiscs

This thread could just as easily be titled:

'How to spend an extra €1000 on the same bike without my SO* noticing'

At least that would forestall all the weight loss, diuretics, etc responses.

DFD**

*Significant Other

** DiametricForDeux

Beasty

How did the other 453 projects turn out?

2 Wheels Good

mloc123 wrote: »

would it be cheaper/easier for you to lose a pound?

I've lost 7 so far, but thinking it'd be nice to drop 1 off the bike as well

2 Wheels Good

blorg wrote: »

What level Ksyriums? Lighter wheels might be a good option unless they are the SLs.

You can lose a fair bit off skewers too although some of the lighter ones can be a little unreliable I hear. Tyres and tubes are other options.

Apart from that pretty much what you describe, bars as well, again it all depends on the weight of what you have on the bike right now. If you have components that are pretty heavy then obviously you can save a lot of weight there by going weenie; if your existing components are light enough already may not be worth it so much.

What is the total bike weight right now? What are the individual components and their weights?

And before anyone says it, it won't make any difference lose it off your belly yada yada.

Bike is just tipping 20lbs. Wheels are the SLs so will just get the scales out and start weighing.

Whole other debate on the losing weight myself option
Got sent this link after doing the Ballycotton 10, Predicted effect of weight change

How much quicker you'd be running if you lost a kg, adds up quick enough running, not sure could you apply it to the bike

Lumen

FFS, must every equipment thread get spoiled with slagging about weight loss and training?

The OP didn't ask if 464g saved would make him any faster. He asked how to achieve it.

Beasty

Where's that thread about pumping helium into the frame?

Lumen

Back on topic, I spent a while researching weight weenie seatposts over the weekend, and eventually settled on the USE Alien Cyclops 7075. The carbon version is lighter but the weave would clash with my finish of my bike, and I have a superstitious aversion to light carbon seatposts.

I have some Zipp SL handlebars that I picked up in a sale but haven't fitted yet, very light but not compatible with clip-on aerobars (not a problem for me). Apparently the pros don't use carbon bars because they need to pick the bike up and race on after a crash, and they can hit 6.8kg without them.

Stem-wise, the KCNC SC Wing Scandium stem is on my build list, but I've not got around to ordering one yet. Clee Cycles are a good place for KCNC stuff. I've been using KCNC Ti skewers for a while now and they've not snapped on me yet.

I also have some red superlight KCNC brakes in the "must fit at some stage" box if you're interested. I was going to put them on my travel bike but I think they'd look a bit OTT.

blorg

pat_hurley@yaho wrote: »

Bike is just tipping 20lbs. Wheels are the SLs so will just get the scales out and start weighing.

To be honest that is heavy enough to start with, if you REALLY wanted to shift weight fast you would probably be best off just buying a stock Planet X, that would shift you almost 3lb/1.5kg in one go.

On that line of thinking it is very possible you could save a fair bit of weight on the fork.

Very important to weigh everything to find out where the weight is at the moment though; I have thought some bits must be heavy on my bike before, bought a lightweight part and actually found out the bit already there was as light or lighter.

It won't make you significantly faster but a light bike does feel nicer to ride.

tomasrojo

Lumen wrote: »

FFS, must every equipment thread get spoiled with slagging about weight loss and training?

The OP didn't ask if 464g saved would make him any faster. He asked how to achieve it.

For shame. 454g surely!

IM0

Lumen wrote: »

Step 1: weigh each component.

Step 2: visit CRC or wiggle and compare weights

Step 3: Order another credit card to be able to spend enough to notice the weight saving without using a scales.

Lumen

me@ucd wrote: »

Step 2: visit CRC or wiggle and compare weights

No, don't go on claimed weights! FSA are particularly bad in my experience. Italian exaggeration perhaps.

Weight weenieism requires much Googling of starbike.com.

It's all part of the fun.

gman2k

On a bike that heavy, it's not really worth your while starting to change out bits and bobs, as it'll be money down the drain for no gain.
If you wanted to make a difference, get yourself a lighter pair of wheels/ tyres, and you will notice them. And at least you'll be able to keep them for the next bike project when that comes along, and stick the orig set back on the bike.

TinyExplosions

Lumen wrote: »

Back on topic, I spent a while researching weight weenie seatposts over the weekend, and eventually settled on the USE Alien Cyclops 7075. The carbon version is lighter but the weave would clash with my finish of my bike, and I have a superstitious aversion to light carbon seatposts.

One thing to point out with the Alien seatposts is that they don't fit all saddle rails... I had no end of problems trying to get my Fizik saddle on, and ended up buying about 4 different 'heads' for the seatpost... Should have just gone for an FSA one