Bike weight vs Body weight

[Chris_]

I am stuck on this plateau, stuck on 84-84kg,coming from 116kg. I am 1.82m tall. After a lekker kuier weekend, i can go up to 88-89kg,but then after a interval session, back to 85kg.so I starved myself, still overtrain sometimes, but can't seem to break the damn 80. Made peace with it, now I'm a happy cyclist again.

 

Don't beat yourself up too much about plateau's, this ↑ is an amazing job! 

[DieselnDust]

I am stuck on this plateau, stuck on 84-84kg,coming from 116kg. I am 1.82m tall. After a lekker kuier weekend, i can go up to 88-89kg,but then after a interval session, back to 85kg.so I starved myself, still overtrain sometimes, but can't seem to break the damn 80. Made peace with it, now I'm a happy cyclist again.

 

 

at 80odd from 116kg and 182 tall I think you're probably at your min healthy weight. Get the power up now. Smash it you beast!

[Ozzie NL]

Weight is weight. Doesn't matter where you lose it from it alters the power to weight ratio positively. That's all that matters.

Good diet to fuel yourself properly also makes a big difference.

Once your body weight has plateaued the weight of the bike is what you should tackle next

Weight is weight in terms of kg BUT there is a material difference between static weight, ie the bike and weight which can move around (your body). The latter can to some extent be put to good use when stomping the pedals

[DieselnDust]

Weight is weight in terms of kg BUT there is a material difference between static weight, ie the bike and weight which can move around (your body). The latter can to some extent be put to good use when stomping the pedals

 

 

static weight still has to be accelerated. Where you place it can help with traction.

No magic here, just simple Newtonian physics.

Less mass, less influence of gravity. More mass more gravitational influence.

More force is required to accelerate more mass at the same rate as a light mass.

 

when you look at it from a tractive effort perspective with a human the mass is most often centralised around the waist and hips. This is a bad placement for climbing hills since it will increase the moment wanting to flip the rider backward. The rider now needs to lean further forward to maintain traction.

on the descents the reverse is required. Rider needs to be further back.

So within the physical constraints of their flexibility (bigger usually means less flexible) and bike limitations (reach, front centre, suspension set up etc) the more weighty rider is always going to be at a disadvantage that they will need to overcome by producing more power.

 

so it comes back to power to weight.

[Andreas_187]

Losing 10kg is a difficult target to digest so aim for 3kg at a time. The difference you'll feel losing just 3kg will be enough motivation to keep going

[RocknRolla]

Losing 10kg is a difficult target to digest so aim for 3kg at a time. The difference you'll feel losing just 3kg will be enough motivation to keep going

 

and then go riding with a 3L camelbak....

[Patensie]

and then go riding with a 3L camelbak....

Would've ridden with the camelbak in any case, that's a sunk cost and should be ignored in making a decision.

[Patensie]

Losing 10kg is a difficult target to digest so aim for 3kg at a time. The difference you'll feel losing just 3kg will be enough motivation to keep going

I ran a spreadsheet. Start date to end date with a linear goal line, actual weight updated regularly (4 times + a week). Also added a polynomial trendline. I wasn't too agressive in with my goal and time frame. I had to do something to survive Ezel Enduro. Getting fit wasn't an option due work and the only option that remained was dropping the fat. My aim for that was 68kg and I got there at 67kg. It was a good motivator.

 

My current approach is maintenance. I still monitor my weight daily, keeping the target between 65 kg (Fridays) and 67 kg on Mondays. I don't want to weigh much less as that would require more new shorts and I already had to shop at the boys' section (u14 t shirts). If an event comes up, I'll first work on my fitness and maybe then drop another kg or two, just to make it easier.

[DieselnDust]

I ran a spreadsheet. Start date to end date with a linear goal line, actual weight updated regularly (4 times + a week). Also added a polynomial trendline. I wasn't too agressive in with my goal and time frame. I had to do something to survive Ezel Enduro. Getting fit wasn't an option due work and the only option that remained was dropping the fat. My aim for that was 68kg and I got there at 67kg. It was a good motivator.

 

My current approach is maintenance. I still monitor my weight daily, keeping the target between 65 kg (Fridays) and 67 kg on Mondays. I don't want to weigh much less as that would require more new shorts and I already had to shop at the boys' section (u14 t shirts). If an event comes up, I'll first work on my fitness and maybe then drop another kg or two, just to make it easier.

 

 

Whats your height?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Whats your height?

3f4in and some change. He was our token gnome at Ezel. So much so that Harry wanted to kidnap him (he's the gnome liberator)

[Patensie]

Whats your height?

1.66m

[Patensie]

3f4in and some change. He was our token gnome at Ezel. So much so that Harry wanted to kidnap him (he's the gnome liberator)

They call me the human tripod...

[DieselnDust]

1.66m

 

 

Ok then it appears you are in the ball park. Keep it up and well done!

[The Ouzo]

although dropping body weight is a good plan, you should not forget about how a lighter bike will handle beneath you

[Patensie]

although dropping body weight is a good plan, you should not forget about how a lighter bike will handle beneath you

My current bike is a 12.2kg Santa Cruz 5010. When I bought it back in 2015 I still did the odd corporate day and needed a bike that I would feel capable on keeping up with the lycra crowd on their 29ers, while still being trail fun. The 5010 ticked those boxes. I also considered a 14.5kg Banshee Spitfire at that point, but because it did not tick the XO box as well, I didn't buy it. It was the most confidence inspiring bike I ever rode and the bike I should have bought as my riding moved to the more tech side. The 5010 handles corners like nothing else, but has more to do with a very low BB than the weight of the bike. The Spitfire gave me time to look for fun bits on the trail, even though it was probably faster than the over bikes i test rode. I think I missed a trick there.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

My current bike is a 12.2kg Santa Cruz 5010. When I bought it back in 2015 I still did the odd corporate day and needed a bike that I would feel capable on keeping up with the lycra crowd on their 29ers, while still being trail fun. The 5010 ticked those boxes. I also considered a 14.5kg Banshee Spitfire at that point, but because it did not tick the XO box as well, I didn't buy it. It was the most confidence inspiring bike I ever rode and the bike I should have bought as my riding moved to the more tech side. The 5010 handles corners like nothing else, but has more to do with a very low BB than the weight of the bike. The Spitfire gave me time to look for fun bits on the trail, even though it was probably faster than the over bikes i test rode. I think I missed a trick there.

There's a medium Spitfire frame going for REALLY cheap at the moment... May come with a fork as well, if you ask nicely enough. 

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/325093-banshee-spitfire-m-final-price-drop-ono/