Is rolling weight important?

[Josh111]

Is saving 2kg's on your bike (by spending a ton of cash) worth it for people who can lose 2kg's on themselves much easier? I've been wondering for a while why some riders become weightweenies when they have lots to lose on themselves.

Anybody who could explain WHY/IF it is worth it would be much appreciated. Thanks

[TopFuel]

If not, why not? Let people like things. It doesn't hurt you at the end of the day.

 

Lighter, more bling, better looking, rides nicer, makes you feel better, takes away your excuses. These are some of the reasons off the top of my head, as to why people may do as you ask.

[FrancoisC]

Best place to make bike feel lighter is on the wheels - centrifugal weight.

Buy as light as you can afford.

[Guest Karma]

Source:http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/rolling-friction-resistance-d_1303.html

 

[jcza]

Best place to make bike feel lighter is on the wheels - centrifugal weight.

Buy as light as you can afford.

Difference is roughly 10% of 10% which equals 1%. That is wheel weight vs frame/rider weight. For us hackers that means zero difference. One less pie & we're sorted. I'll find a link to the research & post it later.

[blondeonabike]

mmmm....It's my extra rolls that are weighing me down at the moment.  Can't blame my poor bike for any of it.  It is not my bike that needs to diet......

[NotSoBigBen]

The biggest difference I have felt has been when I lose bodyweight as it mostly translates to better fitness and ability to ride 'faster for longer' but maybe that's just me?

[KaKa]

The math can't tell you how much different it will feel. In my mind 1% is not worth the effort but when I climb that last hill nd finish strong it is worth the effort

[Falco]

I spend money on my bike because I like having the best ~ the weight saving is just a bonus. It may or may not make me marginally faster, but that doesn't really matter because I'm not a podium contender anyway.

 

Also don't forget that in terms of bike parts it is usually a case of expensive = good quality = light. Why ride heavy, poorly engineered components if you can afford better?

 

To me, it's worth it. 

[Rocket-Boy]

For the majority of people losing 2kg's isnt too difficult.

I lost 20kg's and it made a huge difference, no amount of bike upgrades could come close to that!

[eddy]

Here is an interesting thing.

 

Over the last three or so years i have had an early morning ride which I do with a bunch of guys. I have ridden it about 200 times on different bikes, mtb and road.

 

On the ride there are 3 decent climbs of about 5 minutes each.

 

On two of those climbs my Strava PR has not been set on my 6.4 kg SL3 S-works, but on a 8.5kg 1992 steel Eddy Merckx, a bike I seldomly ride because I have "faster" ones.

[KaKa]

I agree with falco. Upgrades r not always about weight

[Zatek]

I spend R1500 on weight loss and lost 8kg on myself. Now I can justify to make my Venge lighter. I felt the difference more on myself than spending R1500 for 200grams less on the bike.

 

I used the bike as a motivator to lose more weight. Still have about 7kg to go but least I don't look like an elephant riding a bike and have to worry about other smaller cyclist passing me on cheap bikes.

 

If you lose fat not muscle it makes a big difference on climbs. If you are overweight rather use the money to lose weight but if you are lean, buy some fast wheels.

[HOEKVLAG]

I've just recently got my first carbon bike (Momsen Vipa!) and for me there is a HUGE difference, but in a lot more than just the weight of the bike. It is a lot more responsive and easier to throw around. It's difficult to explain, and yes, the weight difference has to be factored in, but it just feels more direct - like a sports car compared to a SUV. BTW one of my wife's conditions before I could buy the new bike was to lose weight on my body first and I went from 87kg to 78kg - never before have I been so motivated to actually lose the weight!

[Falco]

To add to this, forget about calculations, opinions etc, rather test the "enjoyment factor" in the real world, as follows:

 

Fit your bike (any bike) with a set of Alex rims / Shimano R500s / Mavic Aksiums, or any other heavy base model with crappy hubs, and go for a nice long ride. Include at least 1000m of climbing.

 

Then fit the same bike with a set of Dura Ace C24's, (or any other premium lightweight wheelset) and do the exact same ride. I guarantee that you will suddenly have a new item on your bike part wishlist.

[FrancoisC]

Difference is roughly 10% of 10% which equals 1%. That is wheel weight vs frame/rider weight. For us hackers that means zero difference. One less pie & we're sorted. I'll find a link to the research & post it later.

Don't bother - I am not a pie-eater, so I cant relate.

However, lighter wheels was the difference for me - HUGE difference.