[chuffer]

Regular EXO.

Crabon bars - possibly an option. Current bars are < 270 grams. Carbon bars would save ~80 grams.

That doesn’t seem like a lot of weight, but finding 5 places to save 80 grams makes about a pound of savings. The problem (for my budget) is when each of those 5 items costs $200. Haha.

 

[Jm_]

I've gotten most of the build done. I still need to bleed the brakes and check the dropper cable. NBD, just need to go do it.

I am a little bummed by the actual weight that I am coming in at - just a touch under 30 lbs on my hanging scale! I was really hoping for a couple of pounds less than that. I am currently working my way through my options.

Components where I don't think I am going to find anything (or I am unwilling to change for now):

• Fork and shock - I could easily save weight by going to higher end fork and shock, but that is outside the budget.
• Front wheel - I was looking at my spare Hope Pro5 wheels as a great chance to save some weight, but after comparing numbers the Novatech hub is actually lighter than the Hope Pro5! I have the Hope wheels built up with WTB KOM Tough i35 rims and the OEM WTB ST i25 rims are a bit lighter too.
• Drivetrain - Shimano XT 11 speed is marginally lighter than the SRAM NX stuff that came off.
• Brakes - Shimano XT two piston units are also lighter than the SRAM stuff that came off.
• Bars & Stem - I am running Renthal stem and bars, which are pretty close to the lightest Alu stuff out there.
• Seat & dropper - WTB SL8 is lighter than the OEM seat. I guess there are lighter options than the OneUp V2 dropper, but like fork and shock the cost is really high!

Components where I think there is some potential weight savings left:

• Rear wheel - The rear Hope Pro5 is a little lighter than the rear Novatech. Since I have to relace the wheel from 27.5" to 29" anyway I could grab a lighter rim. I think I could find ~350 grams here.
• Tires - I suppose there is some potential here, but I am not sure. Are OEM Maxxis tires heavier than aftermarket tires for the same model? Seems dumb to replace brand new tires, but the goal is a lighter bike and this is potential a low cost (relatively speaking) way to do it.
• Pedals - perhaps it is time that I replace my 15 year Time ATAC platform pedals, but I do like the platform. I also suspect that this ain't cheap...

Any other ideas?

Hubs matter little...rims matter a lot, CF chinese rims from Light Bicycle, Nextie, Carbonfan makes my fatbike and also rims, etc. Build em on your current hubs, if you want to make it lighter, use the Revolution or Sapim equivalent front spokes, then DB 2.0/1.8 for rear, since rear wheel sees more stress. I'll preface all of this by the fact that yes, there are anchor hubs like Onyx and old XT stuff, but most aren't that heavy these days.

There's likely a lot of weight in places on this bike.

If you can, an XD driver on your hub and 11spd X01 cassette saves significant weight, XX1 is the same weight, with a different finish, so X01 is the value leader. There are still new ones out there.

And front fork. Rear shock is probably fine and not usually worth chasing weight. There should be some lighter forks out there but anything past 120 comes with a significant weight penalty. If you can be around 4lbs you are doing well. Manitou may have the Mattock in a pretty light 29er version that works well. I doubt you'd want to go 120/120 when it comes to "downcountry", but I will say remember that quality of travel is more important than quanity.

 

[chuffer]

Fork - I have the OEM 34. Going to the 2025 SC SL 34 saves over a pound, but at $1100 it can wait. Remember I am switching over from a rigid steel fork. So, it’ll take a while to get fed up with the suspension quality. On the long term list for now.

Carbon rims - never really crossed my mind. I’ll take a look at the Chinese ones. I also think I get employee pricing at Enve…maybe.

Spokes - I run Sapim laser db spokes on everything. Best spoke ever, IMO. Build it and forget it. They’re pretty light too.

XD Driver - I could switch the Hope to an XD driver. Is SRAM 11 spd the same spacing as Shimano?

 

[6thElement]

XD Driver - I could switch the Hope to an XD driver. Is SRAM 11 spd the same spacing as Shimano?

Yes.

I used 11 speed XT/XTR cassettes for years with SRAM shifter and derailleur.

 

[Jm_]

Fork - I have the OEM 34. Going to the 2025 SC SL 34 saves over a pound, but at $1100 it can wait. Remember I am switching over from a rigid steel fork. So, it’ll take a while to get fed up with the suspension quality. On the long term list for now.

Carbon rims - never really crossed my mind. I’ll take a look at the Chinese ones. I also think I get employee pricing at Enve…maybe.

Spokes - I run Sapim laser db spokes on everything. Best spoke ever, IMO. Build it and forget it. They’re pretty light too.

XD Driver - I could switch the Hope to an XD driver. Is SRAM 11 spd the same spacing as Shimano?

Yes, I used shimano cassette with sram shifters/rear D and the opposite too. The Sram 42t cassette is 265g.

The OEM 34 probably has non-butted stanchions and so on. I wouldn't recommend a 34 SC for downcountry, they are not very stiff forks both laterally and fore-aft. Fox tends to remove too much material from the crowns of their XC race stuff IME. But there are other options that should still save some weight, like the Mattock Pro. 1750g is about 3.8lb and less than half a pound heavier than the Fox 32 SC. Set it up for 130 or 140mm and you are good to go. They are on sale. Of course, the bike probably rides just fine and that's a lot of money to dump into it...but I think you can definitely pare down weight a bit on that bike w/o sacrificing performance/durability...just dollars

 

[HardtailHack]

The R8 is 1500grams and on special for $800.
This dude liked it-

https://www.bikemag.com/gear/tested-manitou-r8-fork

 

[Jozz]

It has been a while since I had checked the specs of the Spur. They used to come with SID suspension front and back.

 

[Sandwich]

It has been a while since I had checked the specs of the Spur. They used to come with SID suspension front and back.

I’m sure they still do, if you got money

 

[Sandwich]

@chuffer the wheels are my first go to for losing weight, then crankset then I look to other things like saddle or fork.
I saved about a pound of weight out of my hub by switching my XT cassette and steel driver to an alloy XD driver and sram 11 speed cassette. Are your tires set up tubeless? A lot of them come tubeless ready but with tubes from the factory. OEM Maxxis tires are identical to their retail counterparts, but they are usually not the high end triple compound or anything. My carbon rims have lasted for years, I can’t even remember the weird Chinese brand I bought From.

Cranks are always a go to, a lot of OEMs use steel axles and solid 6061 arms. Switching to a good setup (ie not sram) will save some weight and add stiffness.

Saddle can be a good spot to save some weight- they are typically over padded from the factory with solid steel rails. Ti rails and slimmer padding can save like 80g For like $40.

I have XT shifters/derailleurs with whatever the black 11 speed sram cassette is- shifts great no compatibility issues, and SRAM 11 speed was the lightest.

 

[Jm_]

It has been a while since I had checked the specs of the Spur. They used to come with SID suspension front and back.

You don't want that if you want good suspension.

 

[Jozz]

You don't want that if you want good suspension.

Can't have "light" and "good suspension"
Got it.

 

[Jm_]

Can't have "light" and "good suspension"
Got it.

Kind of?

I have the sidlux rear shock, the deluxe rear shock and the fox float performance DPS. All for the same bike. The Sidlux is by far the harshest and most "racy" and I do not like it, even for races. The float DPS is far better all around, still locks out strong with the lockout lever, far better for everything. The deluxe totally changes the nature of the bike, now it's soggy and soft, absorbs bumps way better, way more "downcountry", etc. So out of all three, I recommend the sidlux the least. The sidlux front fork w/race-day damper is a very simple light damper that provides minimal damping/control as well. I wouldn't recommend that either. There are good options like explained above, I would highly recommend checking Manitou Mattox, decent stancion size, chassis stiffness, and damping. Only half a pound or so heavier than the 34 SC, but again the 34 is pretty noodlely and for true "Downcountry", I would think it would be a far better fit. If I was "downcountry-ing" a bike, if it could fit it, I'd want a reservior air shock and something like that Mattox, both are only marginally heavier than the XC stuff and in both places that slightly weight penalty is worth it...as opposed to like the cassette where you can drop obvious weight w/o affecting performance, or wheels, etc.

 

[chuffer]

Thanks for all of the great feedback and ideas!

I think for now I will keep the OEM 34 fork. On my other bikes I currently have a Fox 38, a Marz DJ (Fox version) and a rigid steel Koski style fork.

I will probably grab a carbon hoop and lace up the Hope hub for the rear wheel. (@Jm_ which of those Light Bicycle rims did you go with?) The hope hub has an alu HG driver which makes it nearly 200 grams lighter than the Novatec. Carbon hoop saves another 200 grams making the total savings ~400 grams, which is closing in on a pound for ~$300.

When it’s time to swap out chain, chainring and casseette, I’ll switch over to an XD driver and try a SRAM cassette.

If I am still bothered by the weight, I can go with a carbon front hoop and maybe a carbon handlebar. Combined that’d be another ~300 grams, but the cost for that is $450ish.

The weight savings per $ falls off a cliff pretty quickly!

 

[Jm_]

Thanks for all of the great feedback and ideas!

I think for now I will keep the OEM 34 fork. On my other bikes I currently have a Fox 38, a Marz DJ (Fox version) and a rigid steel Koski style fork.

I will probably grab a carbon hoop and lace up the Hope hub for the rear wheel. (@Jm_ which of those Light Bicycle rims did you go with?) The hope hub has an alu HG driver which makes it nearly 200 grams lighter than the Novatec. Carbon hoop saves another 200 grams making the total savings ~400 grams, which is closing in on a pound for ~$300.

When it’s time to swap out chain, chainring and casseette, I’ll switch over to an XD driver and try a SRAM cassette.

If I am still bothered by the weight, I can go with a carbon front hoop and maybe a carbon handlebar. Combined that’d be another ~300 grams, but the cost for that is $450ish.

The weight savings per $ falls off a cliff pretty quickly!

I went insane-o for my most recent wheel-build, XC930 UD 28 hole. They are something like 270g/rim. I would not use that for "downcountry"! I would go for something more in the 350-400g range. That should be nice and durable for a CF wheel and still plenty light. I have a training set of wheels I use at other times for the same bike and those have much older nextie rims that are ~400g. The XC race wheelset is fun to ride, holy crap it feels fast, but that ain't a lot of CF holding it all together.

 

[Sandwich]

Kind of?

I have the sidlux rear shock, the deluxe rear shock and the fox float performance DPS. All for the same bike. The Sidlux is by far the harshest and most "racy" and I do not like it, even for races. The float DPS is far better all around, still locks out strong with the lockout lever, far better for everything. The deluxe totally changes the nature of the bike, now it's soggy and soft, absorbs bumps way better, way more "downcountry", etc. So out of all three, I recommend the sidlux the least. The sidlux front fork w/race-day damper is a very simple light damper that provides minimal damping/control as well. I wouldn't recommend that either. There are good options like explained above, I would highly recommend checking Manitou Mattox, decent stancion size, chassis stiffness, and damping. Only half a pound or so heavier than the 34 SC, but again the 34 is pretty noodlely and for true "Downcountry", I would think it would be a far better fit. If I was "downcountry-ing" a bike, if it could fit it, I'd want a reservior air shock and something like that Mattox, both are only marginally heavier than the XC stuff and in both places that slightly weight penalty is worth it...as opposed to like the cassette where you can drop obvious weight w/o affecting performance, or wheels, etc.

What's your favorite shock? I'm really tempted to replace my deluxe ultimate with something fancier and with a piggy, but then I'm like: this shock is actually really pretty good. I am an avowed SRAM hater but I really like the deluxe, aside from having a very difficult to reach lockout and no "middle position" that I loved in my monarch.

 

[Sandwich]

Thanks for all of the great feedback and ideas!

I think for now I will keep the OEM 34 fork. On my other bikes I currently have a Fox 38, a Marz DJ (Fox version) and a rigid steel Koski style fork.

I will probably grab a carbon hoop and lace up the Hope hub for the rear wheel. (@Jm_ which of those Light Bicycle rims did you go with?) The hope hub has an alu HG driver which makes it nearly 200 grams lighter than the Novatec. Carbon hoop saves another 200 grams making the total savings ~400 grams, which is closing in on a pound for ~$300.

When it’s time to swap out chain, chainring and casseette, I’ll switch over to an XD driver and try a SRAM cassette.

If I am still bothered by the weight, I can go with a carbon front hoop and maybe a carbon handlebar. Combined that’d be another ~300 grams, but the cost for that is $450ish.

The weight savings per $ falls off a cliff pretty quickly!

switching from the bel-air v3 steel to a silverado ti saves 114g.
switching from the stylo 6k to an eagle xx1 saves 267g (on sale! https://www.competitivecyclist.com/b/sram-xx1-eagle-dub-sl-crankset-boost?skid=SRM00CY-BK-S175MM34T&CMP_SKU=SRM00CY)

That's another 3/4 of a pound between crankset and saddle!

 

[boostindoubles]

This is why I don't buy complete bikes anymore.

Fwiw, I've gone back to regular HG free hub bodies and use Garbaruk 12 speed cassettes. I love that set up and who cares about 10 vs 11t? Not me haha.

Shimano XT w/ a Garbaruk cassette is the pinnacle of mtb drivetrain in my world.

Pic cause this site needs more porno

 

[chuffer]

Nice! Is that the 5010?

I still think I am a bit ahead on buying the complete. The fork, shock and dropper alone were worth it. Even the wheels are "worth it," because I can ride them as-is out-of-the-box while I am dithering over whether to build a ridiculously light wheelset or just a light wheelset. :derp:

@Sandwich
I've already dumped the Belair for a WTB SL8 ti ~110 gram savings. Did not weigh this.
Cranks are also a done deal - now XT. Lighter by about ~100 grams. I weighed this. Including BB & chain ring.

 

[Sandwich]

Sorry, didn't realize that. Sounds like you've got it right, keep replacing where possible and drop that weight. This is probably why my parts bin is so large- dropping OEM trash for spare trash is fun and keep things light.

 

[boostindoubles]

Nice! Is that the 5010?

I still think I am a bit ahead on buying the complete. The fork, shock and dropper alone were worth it. Even the wheels are "worth it," because I can ride them as-is out-of-the-box while I am dithering over whether to build a ridiculously light wheelset or just a light wheelset. :derp:

@Sandwich
I've already dumped the Belair for a WTB SL8 ti ~110 gram savings. Did not weigh this.
Cranks are also a done deal - now XT. Lighter by about ~100 grams. I weighed this. Including BB & chain ring.

Yes that is the 5010.

XT is great stuff. That Garbaruk cassette is awesome too.

 

[Jm_]

What's your favorite shock? I'm really tempted to replace my deluxe ultimate with something fancier and with a piggy, but then I'm like: this shock is actually really pretty good. I am an avowed SRAM hater but I really like the deluxe, aside from having a very difficult to reach lockout and no "middle position" that I loved in my monarch.

In this class, IDK, I have the deluxe ultimate and it does seem quite good. It's not a great fit for my bike, I have to use the offset reducers, but definitely way better than both the Fox Float and Sidluxe. I have noticed fade on those other two, but not enough riding time with the deluxe to say, so to that I'd say a super deluxe would probably be decent, but the sky is kind of the limit in this area, everyone seems to make multiple piggy-back air shocks, so it's like pick your favorite or what works best with your front end.

 

[Jozz]

Yes that is the 5010.

XT is great stuff. That Garbaruk cassette is awesome too.

We're in a somewhat weight weenie thread. Did you weigh it?

 

[Jozz]

Since my bike (TBC CF Scout) was in the spare bedroom, I checked my build weight. Actually never weighted it since adding a bunch of upgrade.
Came out at 32.3lbs. I actually thought it was heavier than that.

 

[Sandwich]

In this class, IDK, I have the deluxe ultimate and it does seem quite good. It's not a great fit for my bike, I have to use the offset reducers, but definitely way better than both the Fox Float and Sidluxe. I have noticed fade on those other two, but not enough riding time with the deluxe to say, so to that I'd say a super deluxe would probably be decent, but the sky is kind of the limit in this area, everyone seems to make multiple piggy-back air shocks, so it's like pick your favorite or what works best with your front end.

Yeah, I feel like the class above these XC monotube shocks has so much more potential. I'm sort of stuck with a monotube vs. piggyback, but I'm actually fairly pleased with the deluxe which is why I ask. Someday I may grab a CCDB, but that's a story for another thread.

 

[Jm_]

Yeah, I feel like the class above these XC monotube shocks has so much more potential. I'm sort of stuck with a monotube vs. piggyback, but I'm actually fairly pleased with the deluxe which is why I ask. Someday I may grab a CCDB, but that's a story for another thread.

Yeah, the deluxe seems pretty good to me too, samesies.

 

[boostindoubles]

We're in a somewhat weight weenie thread. Did you weigh it?

The 5010c weighs 33 lbs as it sits. For me thats pretty light, haha! Ohlins 36 140mm fork. Hadley hubs laced to 35mm id rims (rebranded Mullet - I'm not sure what they are). HR II 2.5wt 3C maxx terra exo tires. Deity bars w/ NSB stem. I'm not really counting grams when I build up bikes. For almost 2x the cash the cc frame was available. I don't know what the weight difference between c and cc is. A pound maybe?

 

[Jozz]

The 5010c weighs 33 lbs as it sits. For me thats pretty light, haha! Ohlins 36 140mm fork. Hadley hubs laced to 35mm id rims (rebranded Mullet - I'm not sure what they are). HR II 2.5wt 3C maxx terra exo tires. Deity bars w/ NSB stem. I'm not really counting grams when I build up bikes. For almost 2x the cash the cc frame was available. I don't know what the weight difference between c and cc is. A pound maybe?

Same. Still surprised by the weight of mine. With coil in the back, Fox 36 and DH Conti tires on CF Reserve + DT350.

 

[chuffer]

You guys are making me feel bad. I am trying within reason to keep the weight down and you are within a few pounds of me on arguably burlier bikes!

Since I am not racing a pound or two at the end of the day has little meaning, but man it was nice zipping around on that 27 lbs hardtail. However, had I made that my daily driver, I would be in the same boat as SS - that is to say shopping for prices on a second discectomy...

 

[canadmos]

You should ride it before feeling bad, I'm sure the bike will be a blast.

Your 27 pound hardtail wasn't exactly super lightweight either

 

[Westy]

The 5010c weighs 33 lbs as it sits. For me thats pretty light, haha! Ohlins 36 140mm fork. Hadley hubs laced to 35mm id rims (rebranded Mullet - I'm not sure what they are). HR II 2.5wt 3C maxx terra exo tires. Deity bars w/ NSB stem. I'm not really counting grams when I build up bikes. For almost 2x the cash the cc frame was available. I don't know what the weight difference between c and cc is. A pound maybe?

My Steezl is only 1lb more.

 

[chuffer]

You should ride it before feeling bad, I'm sure the bike will be a blast.

Your 27 pound hardtail wasn't exactly super lightweight either

Compared to my 39 lbs Patrol it was pretty lightweight, BUT you’re right in that I need to ride it.

If the warranty replacement dropper isn’t here when I get home on Saturday, I’ll pull the one off the Patrol. First ride should be Sunday!

 

[canadmos]

I guess you could win a new fork, too

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/win-it-wednesday-enter-to-win-a-fox-factory-fork-of-your-choice.html

 

[Jm_]

Entered. Id totally sell it and but an Ohlins.

 

[chuffer]

How are the Öhlins forks? I love my shock and am curious about their forks, but I am lazy. My favorite component upgrades are the ones I can bolt on and ride. Faffing around with a bunch of adjustments is not my “thing.”

 

[HardtailHack]

You guys are making me feel bad. I am trying within reason to keep the weight down and you are within a few pounds of me on arguably burlier bikes!

Since I am not racing a pound or two at the end of the day has little meaning, but man it was nice zipping around on that 27 lbs hardtail. However, had I made that my daily driver, I would be in the same boat as SS - that is to say shopping for prices on a second discectomy...

I'll help you, my 110mm bike is still 37.5 pounds with bladed spokes, a carbon bar and a carbon front rim.

 

[boostindoubles]

How are the Öhlins forks? I love my shock and am curious about their forks, but I am lazy. My favorite component upgrades are the ones I can bolt on and ride. Faffing around with a bunch of adjustments is not my “thing.”

I have 16 miles on mine and so far so good! @bullcrew has a mountain of experience with them though.

 

[Jm_]

How are the Öhlins forks? I love my shock and am curious about their forks, but I am lazy. My favorite component upgrades are the ones I can bolt on and ride. Faffing around with a bunch of adjustments is not my “thing.”

No idea, but it cant be hard to be better than Fox

 

[CBJ]

Are your OEM Maxxis Exo+?
You could save some grams with a OneUp CF bar.

The is one good bar. I moved to that to get both get up higher but also because its a comfortable bar.

 

[Jm_]

Theres a super deal going on for the syncros hixon ic 800mm, reg like $500 down to 130, that saves even moar. Its stiff AF too. My beef is i cant run gopro clamps, but even the enduro one saved me 5g over my weight weenie sub-100 stem and next sl handlebar.

 

[Jm_]

Only 50mm avail meow. https://classic.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&mi=31697&pw=55097&ctc=de6a77a055fe4bbcff80f6f2c424c4ab&url=https://www.scott-sports.com/us/en/product/syncros-hixon-ic-1-0-rise-integrated-cockpit&custom_sid=mtbr.com