What's the easiest way to lighten up my bike?

Question

I bought an Giant OCR A1 this spring and it weighs 19.5 lbs. I replaced the seat already to a Bontrager Inform SL. Should I buy a new wheelset next(mine is 2100g)?

Answer 1

Hard lol @ squishy's comment, really laughed that one off.

Definate answer is ... WHEELS

It's the easiest thing to change. I suggest getting Mavic Krysium Élite. They're like 600$ on sale and weigh something like 1700g.

Or you COULD ( very big could ) buy a new cassette or lighter rear derailleur. You could updgrade to Ultegra or Dura-Ace for RDér. or cassette. Might turn out expensive though, but should help a lot, due to the rolling friction/weight-energy.

PS: Get your hair cut. I saw this guy on the TDF today with somewhat LONG hair, yet he was wearing a really tight "bikeshirt" to lower his wind resistance.

Answer 2

Wheels are the way to go. 2100 are heavy wheels. There are plenty in the 1550 to 1700 gram range for $175 and up. look at the best deal around Xero XR-1 wheels about $220 and <1600 grams. Very good quality.

I have 8.5% fat so you could stand to lose a little!

Answer 3

19.5 isnt much at all. After the seat, the only things you can do is buy lighter wheels because the frame is pretty much untouchable. Look up user reviews on lighter wheels.

Besides, it's the man, not the bike. I could take a 50 lb bike up a hill by the time most people can take a 15 lb bike up.

Answer 4

lol ^on that one ...yea mayb get new rims lighter ones

Answer 5

take off any unnecessary parts like the kickstand and reflectors or you can just buy lighter parts that is what i recommend

Answer 6

take off the kick stand, that's what I did on my bike

Answer 7

Get lighter wheels, from what I have heard you want to reduce the "rolling weight".

Answer 8

Stop eating pizza and drinking beer!!!!!

You bike weighs 19.5lbs if you save 50% of your bike weight (which is impossible) you save 9.75lbs. However if you weight 200lbs and lose just 1% of body fat that is 2 lbs. So if you can decrease your weight by 5% you save 10lbs.

Which do you think is easier and more possible 5% or 50%. Besides All the extra training to take of the weight will make you stronger and ultimately ride that much harder.