Does weight make that much difference . . .

[rebelpeter]

I was wondering does the carbon lighter bikes make that much difference from riding an alloy
framed bike, i mean my one is alloy but would i notice a big difference if i had a carbon frame
bike, not that i am thinking of changing, i would just like to know out of interest from people
who know much more than i do about modern bikes these days . . .

Also i don,t seem to hear anyone mention Cannondale bikes it is about the only named
one i know really but how does Cannondale rate amongst other makes these day, i just
thought Cannondale was about the best road bike available as it was about the only named one i knew about, but seems there are many other makes apparently preffered by most bikers on here . . . .

 

[gavroche]

I think bike weight only makes a difference if you intend to do competitions , otherwise the difference is weight is probably less 2 kgs. Your own weight is more likely to make the difference.

 

[rebelpeter]

I think bike weight only makes a difference if you intend to do competitions , otherwise the difference is weight is probably less 2 kgs. Your own weight is more likely to make the difference.

Ah now this is interesting so for someone who just goes for rides
and not competition a carbon would really make little difference, I
see what your saying about your own body weight making a difference
i have never though of this but im ok weight wise, thank you for your
reply this is most helpful . . .

 

[BSRU]

Cannondale have an very good reputation.
As already stated unless your involved in competitive cycling, road bike weight is not important.
Just enjoy what you are riding, I enjoy riding all three of my bikes, a tourer, a "CX" bike and a road bike.
My tourer weighs over 24kg and is great fun to ride and I never have any worries about going up hills.

 

[rebelpeter]

Cannondale have an very good reputation.
As already stated unless your involved in competitive cycling, road bike weight is not important.
Just enjoy what you are riding, I enjoy riding all three of my bikes, a tourer, a "CX" bike and a road bike.
My tourer weighs over 24kg and is great fun to ride and I never have any worries about going up hills.

Thanks for the helpful reply, and thinking about this i have little problem
when im riding one of my vintage bikes especialy the Raleigh Router
it rides lovely it just has the ten gears but dont seem to make that much
difference at all to my multi geared Trek, hills can be a bit of a problem
for me but then i think thats more age related than the actual bike im
riding.

My BSA is all metal wheels handlebars etc but i do enjoy riding it dispite
only haveine 5 gears and it is quite heavy too.

Cannondale is a good bike then pleased to hear this as always thought they
maybe good bikes . . . . .

 

[helston90]

Besides weight a lot of people like carbon because it can be layed up to create a very stiff ride (good for climbing etc) but with a low weight ratio.
If you're not looking to win races you'll probably do better to loose lbs off your body than your bike and save your money.

 

[rebelpeter]

Besides weight a lot of people like carbon because it can be layed up to create a very stiff ride (good for climbing etc) but with a low weight ratio.
If you're not looking to win races you'll probably do better to loose lbs off your body than your bike and save your money.

I dont think i will be in for races at my old age i juat go for pleasure rides
and weight wise im ok i go 9 stone so not too heavy there, i would like to
be younger and be able to race of course, never thought of it in my
younger days as it was all motor bikes in them days, and road bikes
were not that good i used one for school and thats about all that if i
remember rightly was a Donneceli drop bars but this is probably the wrong
spelling i think they were Italian.

 

[Rob3rt]

A carbon bike is not going to be lighter than an aluminium bike by default.

However, a lighter bike will make a difference yes. Whether the difference is worth the cost to you is another matter. In a hill climb competition riders are separated by fractions of a second, saving a kg can save you several seconds, therefore you are likely to climb up a handful of places by using lighter equipment.

In addition to this, weight is not the only benefit of a carbon bike over an aluminium bike!

 

[raindog]

i would like to
be younger and be able to race of course

You don't have to be young to race - there are categories for all ages. Anyone can join a club and participate in evening tens.
You'll notice the weight of a bike if you do a lot of climbing, but just for ordinary riding or touring, any bike will do. The essential thing is to get out and enjoy your rides - nowt else matters.

 

[400bhp]

Full stops and proper sentences.

Farkin mobile phones

 

[rebelpeter]

A carbon bike is not going to be lighter than an aluminium bike by default.

However, a lighter bike will make a difference yes. Whether the difference is worth the cost to you is another matter. In a hill climb competition riders are separated by fractions of a second, saving a kg can save you several seconds, therefore you are likely to climb up a handful of places by using lighter equipment.

I see andits not worth it for me unless they come with some young age wiith them. lol . . .

Hill climbing competitions sounds painful and those who partake in them must be
super fit.

My legs ache on rides at times and wonder if you regular riders get this too
once ive done a few miles they seem a bit better but they ache on hills do these hill
climbers get aching legs at all.

 

[Rob3rt]

I see andits not worth it for me unless they come with some young age wiith them. lol . . .

Hill climbing competitions sounds painful and those who partake in them must be
super fit.

My legs ache on rides at times and wonder if you regular riders get this too
once ive done a few miles they seem a bit better but they ache on hills do these hill
climbers get aching legs at all.

LMFAO, aching legs.... that is the least of your worries in a hill climb.

 

[raindog]

My legs ache on rides at times and wonder if you regular riders get this too
once ive done a few miles they seem a bit better but they ache on hills do these hill
climbers get aching legs at all.

Good God man, you can't ride a bike without getting aching legs - it goes with the territory.

 

[rebelpeter]

You don't have to be young to race - there are categories for all ages. Anyone can join a club and participate in evening tens.
You'll notice the weight of a bike if you do a lot of climbing, but just for ordinary riding or touring, any bike will do. The essential thing is to get out and enjoy your rides - nowt else matters.

Yes i see what you mean there is a local club here actualy i am right out in the
wilds of Essex very rural and hardly any traffic, so its a good place to ride i do enjoy
the rides a great deal and w hen i have not been out for a day or two i really miss
it and always feel pleased to go for a ride and wish i had gone out sooner. , , , ,

 

[rebelpeter]

LMFAO, aching legs.... that is the least of your worries in a hill climb.

I dont think i could go in for hill climbs theres few hills here but the few there are i have
leg aching problems and glad to get to t he top, although have to say i walk up some of
them . . . .