Question for those who think bike weight doesn't matter ...

[Sara_H]

I've never kidded myself that bike weight doesn't matter, but as my bike has to be practical for my needs its not the most important consideration.
I could probably knock a good few kilo's off my bike weight, but lose the abilility to carry shopping, puppies, picnics, work files etc.
I have just stopped carrying my second lock when going to work and also some tools to lighten the load a bit, but given that I'm a couple of stones too heavy myself, I may be concentrating my efforts in the wrong direction!

 

[John the Monkey]

It just got me wondering at what weight do people think things are too heavy. If I bought a bike which was made of steel but weighed a kg more then I would be advised that 1 kg doesn't make a difference.

I dunno. My commuter/tourer is noticeably heavier than my SCR2, but then it carries more, has heavier duty tyres and wheels, more lights, &c &c. It's also the comfiest bike to ride that I own.

Despite all that, I only gain 1-2mph average over a 13 mile commute by using the lighter bike (assuming no tailwind, &c &c). For the additional comfort/security, I'm happy enough with the tradeoff.

 

[mustang1]

I dunno. My commuter/tourer is noticeably heavier than my SCR2, but then it carries more, has heavier duty tyres and wheels, more lights, &c &c. It's also the comfiest bike to ride that I own.

Despite all that, I only gain 1-2mph average over a 13 mile commute by using the lighter bike (assuming no tailwind, &c &c). For the additional comfort/security, I'm happy enough with the tradeoff.

I noticed on my CX commuter, I don't even try to go fast. I tend to pootle a lot more coz I can't be bothered. On the race bike, I can't go slow. The geo is such that I have no choice to go fast. Maybe coz my ass hurts don't he race bike and I can't wait to get off.

 

[jay clock]

On my recent tour in Spain I had camping kit I didn't use so a total of about 20kg. On a 17kg bike. And as I was planning to camp rough I had an extra 5 kg of water. (Actually went to a hotel). Now that was heavy and I had to walk up some hills for the first time ever on a tour

 

[John the Monkey]

The Rivendell take;

Frame weight is 1/4 as important as bike weight, and bike weight is 1/10 as important as body weight. If you want to go fast, ride harder and more often. We're not suggesting you should want to go fast unless you're racing, but if you do, that's how you'll achieve it. You can buy a Lightspeed, but it won't make you light or give you speed.

(http://www.rivbike.com/kb_results.asp?ID=29)