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

[DirtyFrank]

The time issue for gain or loss over long distance has more effect in a time trial or long sprint or uphill. Usually in a race not everyone is going flat out all the time and the "two guys" with different weights will more or less ride alongside one another for a long distance of the race. You might then argue if both are doing the same pace that the one guy might be more fatigued than the other. Road races especially are more concentrated around tactics and teamwork than pushing the limits of man and machine.

 

The next question is if the top finisher in an MTB race finishes in 3.5 hours and you in 5 or 6 hours is spending 20 to 50K more on a bike worth saving 5 minutes or so. Also there is a difference between 1 kg and 100g.

 

Your first option for weight saving is your body. Do that first and sort your bike out after that.

 

You are right, the dynamics of a mtb race are considerably different given the constant variations in speed and acceleration as opposed to a road racing where speeds are fairly constant and acceleration is more linear. I reckon that a lighter bike will yield higher gains in mountainbiking than on road, it certainly feels that way to me. Also as said by others, the biggest gains to be had on any bike are lighter wheels, this is the first thing I would upgrade on any bike other than losing the extra 15kg+ i am carrying around with me, but that seems to be a losing battle.

[Spirog]

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

The gospel truth.

[Skubarra]

I reckon that a lighter bike will yield higher gains in mountainbiking than on road,

 

I agree but you should also factor in the trade-off between weight & reliability as your equipment takes a much bigger pounding than in a road race.

[Trackz]

Quite frankly, there's a lot of missing the point here . Spending more on lighter bikes with better specs and more bling has got nothing to do with going faster. It's all about how it makes you feel when you look at your bike, when you post a pic of your bike, when you get on your bike and when you show off your bike to your mates. So if it makes you feel better and makes you crave for the next ride on your 15kg racing stallion, spoil yourself and get that 75g bling carbon bottle cage holder. Feeling good about yourself will probably make you go faster than a lighter bike will in any case.

Edited August 8, 2014 by Trackz

[Redlight]

its all about the look of the bike

[ChUkKy]

again

 

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

 

You can tell me after I drop both on your ballas...

[rouxtjie]

You can tell me after I drop both on your ballas...

good point whahahhaa

[blondeonabike]

You are right, the dynamics of a mtb race are considerably different given the constant variations in speed and acceleration as opposed to a road racing where speeds are fairly constant and acceleration is more linear. I reckon that a lighter bike will yield higher gains in mountainbiking than on road, it certainly feels that way to me. Also as said by others, the biggest gains to be had on any bike are lighter wheels, this is the first thing I would upgrade on any bike other than losing the extra 15kg+ i am carrying around with me, but that seems to be a losing battle.

This is it! Because if Force equals mass X acceleration (Newton II), then your acceleration is equal to Force divided by mass. Greater mass therefore slower acceleration! I agree, for mtb faster acceleration is key!!

[ChUkKy]

This is it! Because if Force equals mass X acceleration (Newton II), then your acceleration is equal to Force divided by mass. Greater mass therefore slower acceleration! I agree, for mtb faster acceleration is key!!

 

Aunty, I cant do sums on a Friday.

 

Come back Monday please

Edited August 8, 2014 by ChUkKy

[davetapson]

You're assuming that the marathon is all uphill with the equation above. Remember that weight is only really important up hills. Keeping a road bike of 10kg at 30km/h on the flats will feel very similar to keeping a 7kg bike at the same speed. On the flats and downhills air resistance is the main enemy of speed.

 

Let's assume in a marathon MTB race you have at most 50% of the distance being climbs of any significance. You'll save less than 3 minutes on a much lighter bike.

 

And you'll be faster downhill on a heavier bike. By at least 3s / km.

 

Edit. And can you take any study that does not include the effect of mass on the couch when you take the pic seriously..!?

Edited August 8, 2014 by davetapson

[blondeonabike]

Aunty, I cant do sums on a Friday.

 

Come back Monday please

I'm not going anywhere......this is a serious thread....for serious riders

[jcza]

Just making a mental note of weight weenies on the hub

[Escapee..]

What a fascinating thread

[Guest Karma]

What a fascinating thread

 

OP succeeded in making me read it, crying, then feeling like a sucker.

And not a minute was gained even.

[Super Sywurm]

Quite frankly, there's a lot of missing the point here . Spending more on lighter bikes with better specs and more bling has got nothing to do with going faster. It's all about how it makes you feel when you look at your bike, when you post a pic of your bike, when you get on your bike and when you show off your bike to your mates. So if it makes you feel better and makes you crave for the next ride on your 15kg racing stallion, spoil yourself and get that 75g bling carbon bottle cage holder. Feeling good about yourself will probably make you go faster than a lighter bike will in any case.

 

HAHA, I had a carbon bottle cage on my 15kg bike!

[MTB0007]

My 2cents

If you can afford it buy it and if you buy it ride it .. Especially if your mates drool over it (keep those minds out the gutters now)

It only makes any real difference to those mountain goats who

Weigh in slightly less than their bikes .. those pros who ride in pro teams chasing podiums

For me as a mere portly mortal

If I like it and it makes my ride look great and its lighter .. Cool

I will never be chasing a podium ... So its about emotion for mere mortals

Top end pros need every edge and they are sponsored so cost is negated..

Who cares anyways as long as it keeps us on the bikes and our sport alive