How much weight reduction can you actually feel?
- Thread starter cmktech
- Start date
Depends where the weight comes off. The difference between a light wheelset and pair of boat anchors is pretty remarkable. A while ago I switched out a set of Rhynolites laced onto XT hubs to a set of American Classic hubs laced to Mavic 517 rims and the difference was night and day in how easy it was to accelerate with the lighter wheelset.
Wheelset, cranks, and my front end is where I notice the most if I take off a lot of weigh.
DamienC, how do you like the AC hubs? My neighbors got a pair on his 29er and the cassette body is soft enough to be made of lead...yours give you any trouble? They semi-interested me until I saw his.
DamienC, how do you like the AC hubs? My neighbors got a pair on his 29er and the cassette body is soft enough to be made of lead...yours give you any trouble? They semi-interested me until I saw his.
Yeah, I had some issues with the pawls and the cassette body stripping after about a year of frequent usage on fairly rocky trails. Also one end of the axle - the part that sits inside of the dropouts - basically disintegrated. Apparently this hub was recalled by American Classic but of course I only found this out after the fact. Hopefully they'll be able to just replace the axle and cassette body assembly. The hub was trouble free up until then and performed well with great engagement - before it blew upblue said:
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I decided to weight whinie on one of my Races bikes a couple of years ago. the one spot I felt the Most significant change was when I put on a Set of Carbon Fibre Handlebars . but that could also be because that is a Human interface point with the bike.
I'd have to say wheels & tires are where you are going to feel the biggest change.
Its funny some of the things where you feel the difference. I had a Wheel, thet I discovered the one bearing was siezed. swapped to an older heavier wheelset , and it felt 100X better.
I'd have to say wheels & tires are where you are going to feel the biggest change.
Its funny some of the things where you feel the difference. I had a Wheel, thet I discovered the one bearing was siezed. swapped to an older heavier wheelset , and it felt 100X better.
I'd say wheels are definitely important, however I'd argue tires are more important.
When I was racing XC more often, I always went with the lightest, smoothest tires I could get away with. I have an older set of Continental Double Fighter semi-slicks which even on my pretty light XC wheel set (King hubs laced with 14/17 spokes to Mustang rims) made a noticable difference compared to a set of relatively light Tioga knobbies.
The fork can make a difference as well. A few years ago, I had a cobbled together Rock Shox fork that was sick-light. SID uppers, Judy lowers, and Englund air cartridges. It was so light it was nuts. However, it was too flexy for my tastes and switched to a '99 Super Fly (argurably the lightest fork 'Zoke ever made).
For a more drastic comparison, on my Yeti Lawwill-6, I'll swap between Michelin 2.5 Comp 16's for lift-served riding and Conti Vertical Pro 2.3's for XC riding. The weight difference is about a pound each plus the Conti's roll smoother.
When I was racing XC more often, I always went with the lightest, smoothest tires I could get away with. I have an older set of Continental Double Fighter semi-slicks which even on my pretty light XC wheel set (King hubs laced with 14/17 spokes to Mustang rims) made a noticable difference compared to a set of relatively light Tioga knobbies.
The fork can make a difference as well. A few years ago, I had a cobbled together Rock Shox fork that was sick-light. SID uppers, Judy lowers, and Englund air cartridges. It was so light it was nuts. However, it was too flexy for my tastes and switched to a '99 Super Fly (argurably the lightest fork 'Zoke ever made).
For a more drastic comparison, on my Yeti Lawwill-6, I'll swap between Michelin 2.5 Comp 16's for lift-served riding and Conti Vertical Pro 2.3's for XC riding. The weight difference is about a pound each plus the Conti's roll smoother.
I use two bikes at 24 hour races. One is five pounds heavier than the other. I use the lighter bike later in the race and I definitely feel it. Too bad the heavy bike is more fun to ride and much more responsive.
I've found the largest noticable weight difference is when I shed some pounds off my fat ass. I feel light and swift at 165. I feel fat and slow at 180. (I'm currently closer to the latter
)
I've found the largest noticable weight difference is when I shed some pounds off my fat ass. I feel light and swift at 165. I feel fat and slow at 180. (I'm currently closer to the latter
)
I'm right there with you except I'm 5' 7" (and old).I Are Baboon said:I've found the largest noticable weight difference is when I shed some pounds off my fat ass. I feel light and swift at 165. I feel fat and slow at 180. (I'm currently closer to the latter
I just put together a hardtail XC bike a few months back and weight weenied it out somewhat. It accelerates likes a rocket and I can climb almost anything I attempt with it unlike my other bikes.
Yup, Wheels AND TIRES are the important part, hell, rims and tires, the hubs can still be heavy but the rims and spokes matter more.
I can feel 4 grams.
