The weight of the whole bike has always been an important indicator for road riders to measure the quality of the bike. They are eager to have a lighter bike. Although some brands are no longer pursuing lightweight design, weight is still an indicator worth paying attention to for riders. Let us explain how to make your bike lighter.
In the past five years, road bikes have undergone a fierce evolution: disc brakes, internal cable routing, aerodynamic optimization, high-rim wheels, etc. These designs are all designed to form a more efficient and integrated chariot, but also increase weight. About ten years ago, most bikes were close to the 6.8kg limit set by the UCI. Even in the competition, mechanics needed to add extra weight to the bike to meet the weight limit requirements, but this situation has become history. Nowadays, even the top models often weigh more than 7kg, and the mid-range models weigh around 8kg or even more.
For riders who have been seeking to lighten their bikes for years, this trend is disappointing. Although major brands have done their best to convey that the increase in weight has little impact on performance, especially for ordinary riders, the loss of a few kg is far less than the advantages brought by aerodynamic performance and integration. They have also been less successful in conveying the importance of aerodynamics. For most people, it is almost metaphysical.
The gains from weight reduction may have little to do with performance, but it does have a clear impact on reaction, flexibility and handling rhythm changes.
If we want to reduce the weight of the bike, there are some measures we can take. Although the current trend leaves us with less and less room for improvement, we can still make some improvements.
Gearshift kit
Obviously, this is the part that best shows the level of the vehicle besides the frame. Nowadays, the price of high-level kits is higher. For example, the difference between Ultegra and Dura-Ace is hardly more than 100g, but the price difference is very different. We need to consider the cost-effectiveness issue comprehensively.
Wheelset
There is no doubt that the wheelset is a key part of the bicycle. It is the product that best defines the riding style and is also the area where we can improve the most, especially since the wheelset that comes with the general mid- and low-end models is quite heavy.
Replacing the wheelset requires a lot of investment, but the benefits are also great. When choosing a new wheelset, you need to understand that the higher the rim height, the heavier the weight. However, if you blindly pursue weight, the performance loss will be relatively large in most use environments. Generally speaking, the rim height of 45mm is a compromise between aerodynamics and weight. You can consider this rim height when you don’t know how to choose.
Tires and inner tubes
Although vacuum tires are the current trend, if we consider lightweight, the inner tube system is still the best choice. Ordinary outer tires do not need to reinforce the sidewalls and add anti-leakage layers, and are lighter.
Nowadays, the smallest size of lightweight tires that are generally equipped with inner tubes is 700x25c. 700x23c tires are no longer recommended for use on new wide rims. With the currently popular TPU ultra-light inner tube, the overall weight will be reduced a lot and it will be more puncture-resistant.
Handlebars
In order to maintain the overall beauty of the current integrated design concept, it is difficult to have a lightweight stem or integrated handlebar, but most models still support the use of split traditional handlebars. But even for high-end models, the benefits of replacing these products are only a few dozen grams, but if we are a mid-to-low-end model like the wheel set, choosing to replace the lightweight handlebars will have a good lightweight improvement.
Seat weight reduction is also a factor worth considering, but the primary consideration for the seat is comfort. In the past, weight reduction usually achieved the purpose of weight reduction by reducing padding, which would sacrifice a lot of comfort. Now the application of 3D printing technology can combine lightness and comfort in an unimaginable way.
It should be remembered that the comfort of the seat usually depends more on whether it is installed in the right position and whether its shape is adapted to the human body, rather than the padding itself.
Discs
In the accessories market, we can see many third-party manufacturers' discs, which are much lighter than the original factory discs, and even have floating designs, or the center is made of carbon fiber, such as Carbon-Ti used by the UAE Airlines team.
Where do you think weight can be effectively reduced? You can tell us in the comments.
