Weight

[Justinslow]

So I've just bought pretty much the lightest bike I could afford (ventura from argos) now I've gone and added rather a lot of weight! Wedge bag with tube, multi tool, lock, tyre levers, pump, twin bottle cages and bottles which when full will add 1.5kg alone. Seems somewhat ironic don't you think!

 

[Rob3rt]

No because you would be putting those things on whatever bike you bought, so if you bought a heavier bike and put them on, you would be pushing even more weight around.

 

[Justinslow]

No because you would be putting those things on whatever bike you bought, so if you bought a heavier bike and put them on, you would be pushing even more weight around.

True, it just seems like I'm losing all the benefit of the light bike, just something I need to get my head around! But there are certain items I guess you just have to carry, then only carry what you really need.

 

[Ern1e]

True, it just seems like I'm losing all the benefit of the light bike, just something I need to get my head around! But there are certain items I guess you just have to carry, then only carry what you really need.

This is just "one of those things" what to carry with you ie spare tube multi tool pump etc. well yes you may need them and yes they also add weight so the "weight" you saved buying a lighter bike is a plus IMO, in my case my ride is an old steel framed MTB plus front and rear racks/ bags anywhere I could put one (I do need these) and on the odd occasion the trailer and this lot weighs a bloody ton ! or it feels like it at times.So a lighter bike for me yes when I find one that's as comfy as the old girl and is as tough and dependable then maybe I may replace it but until then lol.

 

[Rob3rt]

True, it just seems like I'm losing all the benefit of the light bike, just something I need to get my head around! But there are certain items I guess you just have to carry, then only carry what you really need.

That is my point, you are not loosing the benefit, because you have still saved that amount of weight from the whole system.

 

[ColinJ]

I carry a lot of stuff with me, but I still enjoy riding my Cannondale more than my 2 kg heavier Basso.

I do leave some stuff behind on shorter and solo rides. For example, no lock for solo rides because I never make solo cafe stops.

 

[moo]

My commuting triban 3 weighs 18kg, more when winter comes

 

[JoeyB]

I've never weighed my bikes...intrigued to see what they weigh now!

 

[Justinslow]

I've started something now! I weighed mine with a spring scales but thought about using the bathroom scales with just me, then holding the bike, just out of interest. I'm not getting into this "buy the lightest stuff" bandwagon, as I just don't think the increased cost is worth it for what I want. Had enough trouble with the wife getting £50 worth of accessories past her- "why do you need to spend all that, you've bought a bike, isn't that enough?"
God knows what she'll say when I want to get some shoes and a new saddle! (Yes I am a mouse not a man).

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

And a good quality light carbon road bike isn't just about it's overall weight. It's likely to be more aerodynamic and vertically stiffer and therefore capable of better acceleration/hill climbing/top speed (perhaps).

Those benefits will still be noticeable unless you fill your water bottles with lead!

 

[Ajay]

Why not time yourself over a set route, say 10 miles, ride it both with and without bottles. Let us know what difference they make....

 

[Justinslow]

My Argos Ventura weighs 10.6 kg with wedge, tube, couple of patches, glue, levers,multitool, cheap lock, twin bottles (empty) and pump, so that's around 12kg with full bottles, just for the record. (Did it with the bathroom scales).

 

[JoeyB]

I'll try the bathroom scales method later!

 

[cosmicbike]

My Trek 1.2 (ally frame/carbon fork) is 11.2kg, that's with pump, saddle bag, spare tubes, multitool and empty bottles. My hybrid with racks etc etc I'd not like to weigh, likely near double the road bike..

 

[Pauluk]

If you are using bathroom scales to weigh your bike, just weigh the bike with the front wheel resting on the scales, then rest the back wheel on the scales. Add the two measurements to give the total bike weight. As long as the scales are fairly flat/low to the ground and you can steady the bike without affecting each measurement, I think this is a reasonably accurate method. May be any mechanical engineers in here can tell me why this may be inaccurate.