Calling all weight weenies, read and cry.....all that money for minute gains....suckers!!

[ChUkKy]

Broke the 90Kg mark today for the first time in +-8 years. I recon at 183 cm I can aim to lose a whole bike just around my gut. I lost around 14 kg just since the start of the year. I recon the extra weight has also provided me some extra power training up to now. If I reach the 80 Kg mark I treat myself to a carbon bike.

 

Sounds like we got the same size chassis.

My heaviest was 95kg, Im now hovering around the 80kg mark

[rouxtjie]

What the article does not mention, is that carbon does not only make the bike lighter but also improves stiffness and energy transfer.

 

The difference between a bottom of the range wheel set and a top of the range one is not so many Kg, but the stiffness of the wheels makes the difference (rather than the weight). Too many parameters at play here to simply say that paying more for lighter stuff is not worth it.

 

Edit: spelling

Double edged sword that....be carefull

[ChUkKy]

RocknRolla thread summary of the day:

 

"it's not about the bike"

 

my bike could be fast - but there is a problem with the engine....

 

Ask your vrou to ride it

[blondeonabike]

My personal preference, a heavier bike rides better than a lighter bike (even when climbing a hill). I had a +- 15kg Mongoose, now a ride a 11.7kg Raleigh. The Mongoose was way better than the Raleigh uphill. Also, the Mongoose was dual susp and the Raleigh is hardtail.

 

It's fine if you have a light bike for uphill, but for the downhill part, a heavier bike would theoretically go faster. More mass = more speed (don't remember the exact formula from school)!? But then again, you can say a lighter bike has less friction on the road when going downhill. at the top.

E(kinetic) at bottom is equal to E(potential) at the top. Potential energy gained in a climb is generally equivelent to kinetic energy (speed) at the bottom of the hill. (If you have not braked and friction is negligable) So all the extra speed coming downhill you've worked for by pushing a heavier bike uphill. Please someone correct me if I've got it wrong

[Super Sywurm]

E(kinetic) at bottom is equal to E(potential) at the top. Potential energy gained in a climb is generally equivelent to kinetic energy (speed) at the bottom of the hill. (If you have not braked and friction is negligable) So all the extra speed coming downhill you've worked for by pushing a heavier bike uphill. Please someone correct me if I've got it wrong

 

If that is the case, by bad...

[DieVlieg]

I hear you on the guts / tech factor...plays a role in mtb...but I honestly think races are won on climbs in the events we do. So although tech ability is a great skill to have...the mountain goats will almost always finish before the tech lads.

 

Wrt to pain enduring...the most I have suffered / endured pain was in road races....people often think its easy to stay in the bunch...it fooookin hard if your bunch is in a racing mood.

 

It depends. At van gaalens I gained lekker on the uphills but that decent had me bruised and later walking. After the 3rd tumble I was so paranoid even if I walked I fell down.

 

I think it is all in relativity. You at least need to be able go down at a decent speed.

 

While at that point one also need to discuss weight vs. reliability. Having mechanical problems might just put on much more time than you'd save using lightweight components. Also If you weigh a lot go for components that can support the strain in pedaling uphill and the shock of going fast downhill.

[RocknRolla]

Ask your vrou to ride it

 

hehe, luckily she is too small for the new bike...joined her on L2 at theia the other day - I almost died.

[ChUkKy]

hehe, luckily she is too small for the new bike...joined her on L2 at theia the other day - I almost died.

 

hahahaha...

Uhmmm, maybe I shouldnt laugh

[DieVlieg]

If the BOSS MAN knew I was debating weight on here I will soon weigh very little.

[RocknRolla]

hahahaha...

Uhmmm, maybe I shouldnt laugh

 

 

hahahaha, Im laughing now...

[Skubarra]

Wrt to pain enduring...the most I have suffered / endured pain was in road races....people often think its easy to stay in the bunch...it fooookin hard if your bunch is in a racing mood.

 

Haha! Very true, some days bunches can have this nasty habit of putting down the hammer when you least expect it or feel a bit weak & tired - then the pain cave awaits!

[Tromp]

Why is 2kg on a bike heavier than 2kg on your body ( or is it ? ) .I thought that centre of gravity , leverage , etc. would make it the other way around .

Edited August 8, 2014 by Tromp

[eddy]

E(kinetic) at bottom is equal to E(potential) at the top. Potential energy gained in a climb is generally equivelent to kinetic energy (speed) at the bottom of the hill. (If you have not braked and friction is negligable) So all the extra speed coming downhill you've worked for by pushing a heavier bike uphill. Please someone correct me if I've got it wrong

 

I think that air resistance at 80kph downhill is much less than at 5kph uphill.

 

So whilst friction is possibly negligible, wind resistance isn't.

 

I suspect that is the big differentiator, but I only got a Higher Grade E for physics in matric, so i'm sure i've missed something.

[rouxtjie]

Why is 2kg on a bike heavier than 2kg on your body ( or is it ? ) .I thought that centre of gravity , leverage , etc. would make it the other way around .

again

 

what weighs more....2kg of feathers or 2kg of lead?

[Eugene Oppelt]

The weight is not the issue. The more expensive stuff just looks wayyyyy better.

 

 

Boom!!!!

Thread closed

[rouxtjie]

Boom!!!!

Thread closed

concur