Price vs. Value ? the ongoing pursuit

[DerangedCage]

I only recently started road cycling and my love is still my MTB, I bought a Marida 905 last year just before the 94.7, started doing a lot more road cycling than I though I would. What I want to do is do small upgrades to get the weight down on my bike, but I still don?t want to spend a fortune on too expensive parts or even buy on a new bike, not yet anyway, Think Ill test the water and if I?m still hooked by the end of this year ill take the plunge.

<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

What I would like to know is what will be the most cost effective parts to replace to get that weight down, I thought of replacing the wheels and tyres for now, but keeping in mind that I only bought my bike for about R7500, I want to keep it realistic.

[Minion]

I'm sure others will agree with me on this:

Unless you're approaching single figure body fat percentages, the component where you can achieve the most radical weight loss for the least cost (you may even save some money) is the rider.

 

Lose 3kg and you've probably saved more weight than you could ever reasonably save from that bike.

 

Go to the bathroom before a ride and you've saved the weight equivalent of a few thousand rands in upgrades.

 

Otherwise:

- How much do you drink on a ride? If you have anything left in your bottles, that's a few hundred grams you can save immediately.

- What components does the 905 have? I know the 904 has 105s, and 907 Ultegra, but not sure of in between mix.

 

I would go onto a site like Chain Reaction Cycles and compare prices and weights for what you've got, with what the price is for the next component level up i.e. 105 -> Ultegra -> Dura Ace etc.

 

[DerangedCage]

Howzit Edman,

 <?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

I can?t really lose any more weight, my body fat is usually around 10% and I weigh in at 72kg and am 1.75m tall.

 

I have a tiagra group set on my bike, but I thought I could save more on the wheels/$$$, hmmm, will check out your url.

 

Thanks

 

[Overlord]

What should I do? Body fat 4.8% 1.88 tall and weigh 79kgs.

[AndreZA]

You're gonna spend alot of money to get wheel weight down. A 100gr can cost you R1000-R2000. Start with the small things like seatpost, stem and bars. Small savings but it's bling parts that you can move with you from bike to bike. Then groupset and wheels, then frame.

 

 

[ewep]

Jissie Mampara, THAT is good advice. Listen to him! Forget about wheels if you want to save weight.

[GreyOwl]

Also try dropping R100 notes onto an open fire!!

 

Thats cycling bud...you'll never be free of it!

 

 

 

Mampara gave good advice though...

[avatar]

improve your power to weight ratio,rather invest in a power meter or such and get some professional help. are you just build bigger cuz im 1.77 and i weigh in at 61kg and my body fat is round 13-15% so if you get those right you'll be hurting some people on climbs...

[Eugene]

There is a simple mathematical equation for the cost vs benefit of weight saving.

Weight savings = Big $$$

 

The 905 is a pretty decent bike in its own right, so weight saving for this bike is going to be expensive. In my humble opinion, its not worth the cost. Cheaper upgrades are possible, but the weight saving will be so minimal that you probably wouldn't notice it.

[gummibear]

Heres a good deal for you.This bike has some very nice parts on it.and its nice and light. and your size.

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=23630&KW=

windblown2008-03-14 06:15:34