The overall weight of the bike has always been an important indicator for road cyclists to evaluate the quality of their bikes. They long for lighter bicycles. Although some brands no longer pursue lightweight designs as much as possible nowadays, weight remains a notable indicator for cyclists. Let's explain how to make your bicycle lighter.
Over the past five years, road bicycles have undergone intense evolution: disc brakes, internal wiring, aerodynamic optimization, high-frame wheelsets, etc. These designs are all aimed at creating more efficient and integrated combat vehicles, but they have also increased the weight. About ten years ago, most bikes were approaching the 6.8kg limit set by UCI. Even in races, mechanics had to add extra weights to the bikes to meet the limit requirements. But this situation has become history. Nowadays, even top-of-the-line models often weigh more than 7kg, and mid-range models weigh around 8kg or even more.
For cyclists who have been seeking lightweight for many years, this trend is disappointing. Although major brands have done their best to convey that an increase in weight hardly affects performance, especially for ordinary cyclists, where a loss of just a few kilograms is far less than the advantages brought by aerodynamic performance and integration, they have also been less successful in communicating the importance of aerodynamics. For the vast majority of people, this is almost metaphysics.
The benefits of reducing weight may have almost nothing to do with performance, but it does have a significant impact on reaction, flexibility and coping with rhythm changes.
If we want to reduce the weight of bicycles, we can take some measures. Although the space left for us to play is getting smaller and smaller under the current trend, we can still make some improvements as much as we can.
Group Sets
Obviously, this is the part that can best demonstrate the vehicle grade apart from the frame. Nowadays, the prices of high-end kits are relatively high. For example, the difference between Ultegra and Dura-Ace is almost no more than 100g, but the prices vary greatly. We need to comprehensively consider the issue of cost performance.
Wheelsets
There is no doubt that the wheelset is a key part of a bicycle, the product that best defines the riding style, and also the area where we can improve the most, especially the wheelsets that come with most mid-to-low-end models are quite heavy.
Replacing the wheelset requires a large investment, but the gain is also significant. When choosing wheelset it is necessary to understand that the higher the frame height, the greater the weight. However, if one only pursues weight, the performance loss will be relatively large in most usage environments. Generally speaking, 45mm frame height is the compromise point between aerodynamics and weight. When not sure how to choose, this frame height can be considered.Except the height of the rim,the rim material is much more important.The carbon rim is about 30–40% lighter than aluminum rims.Carbon wheels has aerodynamic Superiority and maintain laminar airflow, reducing drag by 15–30% at 40km/h.Higher lateral rigidity in carbon rims ensures efficient power. transfer.Know more carbon rims >>>
Tires And Inner Tubes
Although tubeless are the current trend, if we consider lightweight ones, the inner tube system is still the best choice. Ordinary outer tires do not require reinforcing the side walls or adding a leak-proof layer, and are lighter in weight.
Nowadays, for light-duty tires with inner tubes generally installed, 700x25c is the smallest size. The 700x23c tire is no longer recommended for use on the new wide rims. When paired with the currently popular TPU ultra-light inner tube, the overall weight will be significantly reduced and it will be more puncture-resistant.
Bar And Stem
At present, the integrated design concept makes it difficult to have lightweight handlebars or integrated handlebars to maintain overall aesthetics. However, most models still support the use of split traditional handlebar groups. However, even for high-end models, the benefit of replacing these products is only a few dozen grams. But if, like wheelsets, we are in mid-to-low-end models, choosing to replace them with lightweight handlebars will bring about a significant improvement in lightweighting.
Saddle
Saddle weight reduction is also a factor worth considering, but the primary consideration for seat cushions is still comfort. In the past, weight reduction was usually achieved by reducing the padding, which would sacrifice a lot of comfort. Nowadays, with the application of 3D printing technology, lightweight and comfort can be combined in an unimaginable way.
It should be remembered that the comfort of a cushion usually depends more on whether it is installed in the correct position and whether its shape is suitable for the human body, rather than the cushion itself.
Disc Set
In the accessory market, we can see many discs from third-party manufacturers. They are much lighter than the original factory-matched discs. There are even floating designs or Carbon fiber materials in the center, such as the Carbon-Ti used by the Emirates Airlines fleet.
Where do you think weight can be effectively reduced?
