Bike weight vs Rider weight

[grellboy]

Reading various bike write ups about all sorts - frames, pedals, tyres, whatever - and invariably the weight on each item is discussed. I am about to put some new tyres on my bike which are significantly lighter than the current pair (the weight is incidental compared to the tread) but it got me thinking: would it not make greater improvements if the rider shed the weight as opposed to the bike? Or is simply the case that a kilo is a kilo is a kilo?

 

[derrick]

Depends on the weight of the rider.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

A kilo off a rider is easier and cheaper to do than a kilo off the bike

 

[mattobrien]

A kilo off a rider is easier and cheaper to do than a kilo off the bike

There's not a huge amount to me, so cheaper to lose it off the rider, but probably easier to lose it off the bike, for me at least.

 

[Grant Fondo]

I just buy some lighter kit then have a couple of large pork pies, total equilibrium!

 

[Ajax Bay]

would it not make greater improvements if the rider shed the weight as opposed to the bike

Not if the rider's weight loss resulted in a loss of power and a reduced power/weight ratio, or if loss of weight adversely affected endurance for long rides.

 

[cyberknight]

Not if the rider's weight loss resulted in a loss of power and a reduced power/weight ratio, or if loss of weight adversely affected endurance for long rides.

Im currently mebbe 3 lbs heavier than last year and im finding i climb a little harder but ive got more power on the flat ., Been around 150 lbs most of the time .

 

[outlash]

I'm always amused when people talk about light their bike is (and how much they spent doing it) yet they're somewhere north of 100 Kilos.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I'm already on minimum weight for my height, so anything off the bike is pure gain.

 

[ChrisEyles]

I think there's a bit of a psychological thing about having a nice light bike - even though the weight difference is pretty small as a percentage of rider+bike weight, lighter bikes do feel a bit nippier.

My own bikes aren't that light, but I can feel a significant difference between my 12 kg racer and my 15 kg commuter. My small-ish rigid light MTB is also a heck of a lot more fun to fling around the trails than the larger heavier 29er I sometimes borrow from a friend.

@Ajax Bay has it spot on for rider power vs weight - I put on seven or eight pounds since I started riding (some of that from doing an outdoor physical job, some of it from cycling more), but have definitely become a stronger climber.

 

[Buck]

This is bike and rider specific.

Heavy i.e. Overweight rider able to lose a few pounds is a cheap but not necessarily quick route. If a rider is at optimal weight then this is not an option without potential muscle/power loss?

Heavier bike can lose a few pounds with upgrades but plenty of £££. The lighter the bike the more £££ needed to get the savings.

 

[Kajjal]

Bike setup and maintenance help alot. Most riders myself included could improve performance by losing body weight. A light well made bike is good to ride.

 

[derrick]

I could do with loosing a few pounds, But i like my food and drink to much, so i would rather loose weight of the bike.

 

[Accy cyclist]

I am 11 stone in weight. I bought a carbon fibre bike weighing 8.something kg's the other week. I can honestly say i don't go any faster on it than i did 10 years ago when i weighed 13 stone and rode a bike weighing 11.something kg's.

 

[bozmandb9]

In a word yes. I've lost 25 kg from my heaviest, which I guess is anything up to three complete road bikes. I see plenty of road bikers who could certainly lose the same without sacrificing any power! My boss is one, he could probably comfortably lose 50 kg, he's a very good rider though. Imagine how much better he could be if he wasn't lugging around all that excess!