How to make my Merida Lighter?

[RobMobius]

Buy a (insert your favourite bike brand here) !

 

Ok I can't change my bike but whats the most cost effective way to shed some weight.

 

Specs

 

Hardtail Merida Matts LX Champion

XT shifters and DRs

BB bearing is a std (ie not external)

Not great wheels

Hydraulic RNCYC (I think) brakes

 

I think the wheel set is the best place to start.

 

If so what would you suggest, considering value for money?

 

[Tumbleweed]

go to the gym?

[Evan Andreou]

Get off it?

[Tumbleweed]

glad to see we're on the same wavelength, wolfie

[faga steam]

 

 

Tires are always a good way to start then wheels and cockpit

[Mauritzvw]

Yeah the furthest from your centre of gravity is best to do after wheelsets IMHO

[EugeneP]

Go and win races, get a sponsor and with it a new, lighter bike!!

[Tumbleweed]

sorry bigben, but i know you're gonna mention bg's chain prot...... holy roller2007-09-03 11:49:06

[goofs]

Go lighter wheels and tubeless.

[MTBiker]

also look at lighter suspension forks

 

 

[Sabre484]

I also started with the wheels.... But in my case the most weight was actually on the frame...

[Dukeblue]

Hey RobMobius (I am sure I remember this nickname from the Kiteboarding forums?) If so then you are in for a whole new way of spending too much money on something new and upgrading.

What really dropped some weight of my bike was going for a tubeless conversion with lighter tires. Quality tires also makes the ride feel so much better, and if I am not mistaken the Merida comes with Rancheros. Man I hated those tires... Dukeblue2007-09-07 02:29:36

[RobMobius]

Guilty as charged, one in the same. Kiteboarding and now mountain biking!. I needed something to get me thru the winter. I am hooked!

 

I must say I am not convinced about tubeless. The weight saving is minimal. By the time you have pumped the tire full of the slime you are almost back to the weight of having a tube.

 

I have also come to the rescue to 2 riders on 2 separate races who had blow out with tubeless tyres. They ended up using my spare tubes to get home.

 

My Merida was built up so there is not a single std Merida feature except the frame. But my wheels are heavy so when the budget allows, that will be my first weight saving change. The a lighter crank and bearing I think.

 

I am using cross mark on the back wheel and hutchinson cameleon on the front.

 

See you on the water and on the single track

 

[Tjokkits]

you actually have a nice bike, not sure making it lighter will be worth the cost, youll need to go for mavics or xtr wheels at R7k plus, rather look for a nice secondhand