Quick question, what's a nice average weight for a mountain bike these days? I don't know if it's because I'm a noob or what, but I'm getting my ass handed to me on some local trails, and it's either one of two things, I'm not pedaling hard enough or these guys have lighter bikes. My bike weighs in at 26 lbs.
What's the Average Weight of Modern Mountain Bikes?
w201
41 - 60 of 62 Posts
Just got a Santa Cruz TB LTc with factory XT build out. Came in at 27.1 without pedals. Probably get it to just under 26 with new wheels I'm getting for it. I consider this to be very light for 5" of travel.
Still working on my motors condition on the trainer!
Still working on my motors condition on the trainer!
Joined
·
2,855 Posts
I think under 30 lbs for a full suspension bike is pretty good. Just looking at the reviews in Mountain Bike Action most AM bikes are above 30 lbs. Even some of the pricier ones. I wish I could shell out for a light race bike but I need one bike to do a bit of everything. That is why I am a Stumpjumper fan!
Joined
·
2,855 Posts
G
Guest
·Dude, you're in the wrong thread. AM bikes don't weigh under 20 lbs; if they did they would break in half.
My Intense 5.5 is around 28 lbs, which I think is pretty good for an aluminum frame.
I bet your bikes climb way better than my pig :arf:
Joined
·
998 Posts
I laugh when i pass a guy on an expensive bike while i smoke by on my 32lb walmart bike hahahaha. All that money for nothin. Jk. Im jost trolling. Gotcha. Lol. But in all seriousness. A seriously fit rider on a walmart bike would smoke 95% of all riders on expensive bikes.
Joined
·
31 Posts
I routinely pass riders on bikes that cost as much / more than my first car, much to their consternation, on my '97 GT Avalanche (aka Ugly Betty, ~26 lbs) that is so ugly you wouldn't steal it if you had the chance for fear of being seen on it. Cardiovascular fitness and attention to technique are infinitely better investments than counting grams off by spending big $$$.
Work hard, see results - it's that simple.
Work hard, see results - it's that simple.
Joined
·
4,053 Posts
Better yet: work hard and play harderrrrr eheheh
There are certain advantages to having a fugly looking bike- less chance of it being stolen though anything with inflated tires seems to be a target these days
Joined
·
172 Posts
Reducing rotational inertia (lighter wheels, and skinnier tires) will make your bike easier to pedal than shaving grams in other places. Like they say fitness is a big deal.
My ReignX weighs 38 pounds, and im ~190 lbs. Ive been riding 2-3 times a week since its been cool out, now i can climb like a monkey-mountain goat hybrid. I pass other riders frequently. I made it up the switch back part of Go John on saturday, barely out of breath.
My ReignX weighs 38 pounds, and im ~190 lbs. Ive been riding 2-3 times a week since its been cool out, now i can climb like a monkey-mountain goat hybrid. I pass other riders frequently. I made it up the switch back part of Go John on saturday, barely out of breath.
Joined
·
31 Posts
Joined
·
2 Posts
Used to be 22 to 24 pounds untill the full suspension thing took over. Back in the day it was all about weight. Replace every bolt with titanium you save some grams. I got a polished aluminum bike because paint weighs. Back in the day. Now it seems like nobody cares about weight as long as it has a rear shock. More sexy
Been riding a 5 year old Specialized hardtail 29er all summer. It’s an entry level bike. Went riding with my son this weekend so I let him ride that and I took my Giant Roam hybrid. Was nervous about the mountain bike trial on 1.5 inch tires and honestly it was a much better ride. Faster and less fatigue. So I got out the tape measure and tried to figure out where the difference was. Both bikes are Large frames and both geometry’s seem pretty similar. So I weighed the bikes and boom...the Specialized weighs 34 lbs and the Giant hybrid 30 lbs. That 4 lbs made a pretty big difference imo.
FWIW I’m 6’2” around 210.
FWIW I’m 6’2” around 210.
Not everything is racing. A 220 lb rider can enjoy the better equipment, not just because it's lighter, although that's a nice bonus too.
I'm skeptical that a 4lb bike weight difference made it that much faster.
More likely the hybrid tires are faster than what's on the 29er. Then the question is, do the faster tires have enough grip for your normal rides? If so, easy fix on any MTB.
Conditions were perfect on one of the easier tracks. On a tougher track with more climbs, tree roots, and especially sand I don't think 1.5 inch tires would cut it. My 29er only has 2.0 width btw. Should add that the hybrid is 700cc or roughly 27.5. Had made up my mind the Stache 29+ was the next bike for me but now I'll try a few more to learn more about what I like and dislike about a bike.
Give it time, keep following the riders who are faster than you. As far as positioning, that also requires some time to develop the muscle groups like your torso and shoulders and arms, and to get used to being in that position. That's not to say you shouldn't try the shorter stem, or tweak your fit, you definitely should.
41 - 60 of 62 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
