[Pimpride]

What is a good lightweight number to shoot for in an aluminum xc racer? What is everyone riding in terms of weight, and how hard was it to get it there. What is the best type of lightweight XC hardtail frame? Scandium Aluminum? Easton? Is a 24 lb bike considered light for a mountain bike? Are Rock Shox SID xc forks good lightweight forks? Is there a better used or new lightweight xc fork for the money? Thanks, any info is appreciated.

 

[lowmach]

the sid is a nice shock depending on the riders weight. if your over 150lbs then you will notice flex.

a light hardtail should come in at 21lbs pretty easy.

24lbs would be decent for a FS bike.

my .02

 

[DaFireMedic]

After getting smoked by guys on bikes 4-5 pounds heavier than mine, I learned to revaluate what "light" means, but Lowmach's estimation seems consistent with the general opinion around here. All my frames are size XL, so 22-23 lbs is what I consider light for an HT. (I set my opinions based on the fact that my HT is just over 21 lbs, so that it falls farther into the "light" category.... )

I'm currently looking to build up an endurance racer with 5" travel that weighs 25-26 lbs.

 

[Jersey]

your questions are pretty easy to answer, but have been covered a million times.
go here and poke around for a while....

LightBikes
Weight Weenies

 

[bhsavery]

acutally I'll answer your question with a question....

what is your goal here: to make a lightweight racer? or to make a fast race bike?

Keep in mind (something many here forget) that light is good for show and all, but the original reason most here went light, is to go faster. Is a sid XC a light fork? Yes. Does its light weight make up for the gained efficiency of like a R7 or fox F80X? THAT"S a good question. Are most v-brakes lighter than discs? yes. Is that lighter weight going to make up for the speed you can carry longer into turns? good question

 

[doughboy_88]

acutally I'll answer your question with a question....

what is your goal here: to make a lightweight racer? or to make a fast race bike?

Keep in mind (something many here forget) that light is good for show and all, but the original reason most here went light, is to go faster. Is a sid XC a light fork? Yes. Does its light weight make up for the gained efficiency of like a R7 or fox F80X? THAT"S a good question. Are most v-brakes lighter than discs? yes. Is that lighter weight going to make up for the speed you can carry longer into turns? good question

that's a GREAT quote (can I use that quote?) and a good post! i absolutely agree with what has been said so far. 24lbs for FS setups whereas a hardtail can be made lighter quite easily.

 

[bhsavery]

ummm sure quote away, but I retain all merchandising rights

 

[Asahi]

You guys quote 21 lbs for HT bikes but do you all ever feel that people "round down" their weights? Do you guys weigh with the pedals on? And where am I missing the boat?

My Klein Attitude is decked out and weighs 24.42 lbs on my Alpine Bike scale (Does it need to be recalibrated?) The only place I feel like I have heavy parts are tires and rims. I could be at 23.5 (with non UST tires) lbs and it's a medium frame so what's the trick?

Klein Atitude (Medium)
Fox F100 RLT (Pushed)
Easton EC90 Flat Bar
Chris King Headset
Carbon Fiber
ODI Ruffian Lock Ons (I know these are heavy for grips)
Hope Mono Mini
X.0 Rear Derailleur
X.0 Trigger Shifters
SRAM PG 990 Rear Cassette
SRAM PG 991 Chain
Shimano XT M760 Crankset with Boone Ti (Middle and Granny) rings
Eggbeater Single Ti
Mavic X819 Rims (This I know is heavy)
Chris King ISO Hubs
DT Revolution spokes
DT Alloy Nipples
XTR QR Skewers
Thomson Elite Seatpost (31.6 x 350)
Terry Fly Saddle
Hope Seatpost Collar
Specialized Roll-X Pro UST Tires (I know I can use a non UST tire and shed weigh but I can't find an non UST I don't tear up)

 

[peabody]

i would like to see

these "poser" bikes hanging from a scale and not some stupid spreadsheet
added up!

 

[linerider]

It's all relative

Light bikes are all relative to how serious you are and how much money you have and are willing to "blow" on bikes.
I have a 25lb HT and a 27lb FS and they are light bikes. It all depends on who I am standing next to.
Make your bike lighter....for you, not for what others believe light is.

Later.
L.

 

[DIRT BOY]

From a fellow KLEIN Rider I will point some things out

Fox F100 RLT (Pushed) - Go with lighter fork or 800mm set-up. What year is your attitude? They are not made or warrantied for 100mm below 2003.
Easton EC90 Flat Bar

What stem?

SRAM PG 990 Rear Cassette - go XT or XTR
Shimano XT M760 Crankset with Boone Ti (Middle and Granny) rings.

Lighter chainrings bolts.

Eggbeater Single Ti -maybe twin or triple ti

XTR QR Skewers - ControlTech Race Skeweres, other no no name bolt-ons or Extralite Aliens.

Thomson Elite Seatpost (31.6 x 350) _ Go Extralite, Ultimate, Ax-Lightness or other lighter posts.

Terry Fly Saddle _ heavy!

Hope Seatpost Collar - ti bolt?

Change most of your bolts to ti or aluminum. This should help.
Check out my KLEIN: http://light-bikes.com/bikegallery/BikeListing.asp?id=39

 

[DIRT BOY]

I weighed all my bikes onm a scale too...

KLEIN Attitude:
Spreadsheet: 20.21lbs Scale: 20.24lbs about 15g-17g off.

Xclusive G-Nesis:
19.60lbs Scale: 19.612lbs 10-12g off.

Litespeed Capella:
16.33lbs Scale: 16.35 - 10-15g off.

I just borrowed another hanging scale to verify against mine. grease and maybe a zip ties missed adds to weight. or other very small factors.

Now that I have verified all the weights hanging, I will add these to my listed bikes at light-bikes.com

 

[Asahi]

2004 Attitude

Syntace F99 stem - 105 mm (Weighed 102 with steel bolts)

Is an XT cassette lighter than a SRAM 990? I don't care for the shimano XT cassette but have considered an XTR.

XTR QR Skewers - ControlTech Race Skeweres, other no no name bolt-ons or Extralite Aliens.
Can you send me some links? You sell them on your site?

Thomson Elite Seatpost (31.6 x 350) _ Go Extralite, Ultimate, Ax-Lightness or other lighter posts.
Same thing here. What are my weight savings vs functionality and where can I see the product?

I hate to give up my Terry Fly. Can someone suggest a lighter but moderatly padded seat with a cut out.

Hope Seatpost Collar - ti bolt?
This takes things to a whole new level, you guys are certifiable

 

[Duckman]

2004 Attitude

Syntace F99 stem - 105 mm (Weighed 102 with steel bolts)

Is an XT cassette lighter than a SRAM 990? I don't care for the shimano XT cassette but have considered an XTR.

XTR QR Skewers - ControlTech Race Skeweres, other no no name bolt-ons or Extralite Aliens.
Can you send me some links? You sell them on your site?

Thomson Elite Seatpost (31.6 x 350) _ Go Extralite, Ultimate, Ax-Lightness or other lighter posts.
Same thing here. What are my weight savings vs functionality and where can I see the product?

I hate to give up my Terry Fly. Can someone suggest a lighter but moderatly padded seat with a cut out.

Hope Seatpost Collar - ti bolt?
This takes things to a whole new level, you guys are certifiable

The 11-32xt cassette runs 260gms. Add a $4 alum lockring(Cambria) and now is 250gms.

An Extralite post will save 50gms or so from the lightest Thomson. I saved 45gms over my 175gm Alien carbon post because the alien required a 45gm shim(27.2/31.6).

Your wheels are heavy. 1725gms or there abouts? A good set of Olympics runs 1350-1450gms and can be run with goop and no rimstrips. Thats 3/4lb right there..um..then add the UST tires...say 750gms vs 450gms? x2=-600gms!!). Theres 2+lbs of wheel weight, all in the rims/tires.

A decent decadent saddle is maybe the SLR Gel(190gms). Lots of padding, and a center cutout like you wanted(I have one on my 19lb 2oz disc brake XTC carbon/alum(3.5lb frame, so nothing special here- HT which has been verified on 3 scales to date-no spreadsheet here).

Bolt on skewers can be had from oddsandendos. Lighter AND stronger.

My race NRS with discs was 21lb 8oz with 450gm Karmas on it. Also verified on 2 scales. Just takes cash and sweating the details.

 

[Hosehead]

Check out my KLEIN: http://light-bikes.com/bikegallery/BikeListing.asp?id=39

Kinda off topic, but I have some Centerlock questions for you.
What are the overall weight comparisons between running your Centerlock setup, and running a bolted IS setup? Also is it lighter to use the Magura rotors + DT adaptor than to use XTR rotors? Any particular reason you decided on Centerlock rather than bolted?

 

[Asahi]

An Extralite post will save 50gms or so from the lightest Thomson. I saved 45gms over my 175gm Alien carbon post because the alien required a 45gm shim(27.2/31.6).

Your wheels are heavy. 1725gms or there abouts? A good set of Olympics runs 1350-1450gms and can be run with goop and no rimstrips. Thats 3/4lb right there..um..then add the UST tires...say 750gms vs 450gms? x2=-600gms!!). Theres 2+lbs of wheel weight, all in the rims/tires.

Bolt on skewers can be had from oddsandendos. Lighter AND stronger.

Duck, the extralite seatpost isn't the one that broke at Dauset last year is it? I like the THomson for the durability. My Thomson Elite weighs 215 grams currently. What does the Extralite weigh (And what is it going to cost me?

Wheels, I am willing to look at the DT Swiss but have shyed away from the Olympics due to there not being any eyelets. I run good not for its sealing purposes but for it's flat protection. I'd keep sealant altough I might try the Olympics since I don't need a rim strip.

Bolt On Skewers . . . .These ever bite you in the ass at a race? I mean they require more tools so they are slower to get apart. AND you carre the extra grams in tools to take them apart, no?

I'm about to build a Racer X 100. I already planned the Triple Ti pedals. Sounds like I need to regroup on the seatpost and possibly the rims. Still scared of Non UST tires after I had 3 racing ralphs give out on me over some rocks. (I only weigh 155).

 

[Duckman]

Duck, the extralite seatpost isn't the one that broke at Dauset last year is it? I like the THomson for the durability. My Thomson Elite weighs 215 grams currently. What does the Extralite weigh (And what is it going to cost me?

Wheels, I am willing to look at the DT Swiss but have shyed away from the Olympics due to there not being any eyelets. I run good not for its sealing purposes but for it's flat protection. I'd keep sealant altough I might try the Olympics since I don't need a rim strip.

Bolt On Skewers . . . .These ever bite you in the ass at a race? I mean they require more tools so they are slower to get apart. AND you carre the extra grams in tools to take them apart, no?

I'm about to build a Racer X 100. I already planned the Triple Ti pedals. Sounds like I need to regroup on the seatpost and possibly the rims. Still scared of Non UST tires after I had 3 racing ralphs give out on me over some rocks. (I only weigh 155).

Lets see...

No on the post. That was my all carbon Flite Evolution saddle that broke. I was on a USE carbon Alien post, which is still in service on my roadie now. Extralite is a true 175gms for the 31.6x360mm.

Wheels? I've thrashed my Olympics all season and have yet to need any truing. Good enough for me. 175lbs.

Bolt ons? I run QRs for day to day riding for the convienence. For racing, the bolt ons shine(besides the lighter stronger thing). Back when I carried a tube for xc racing(have yet to need one since 03 because I run Stans 04 and 05), you HAVE to pull out your kit anyways, right? I carried a tube in a jersey pocket, BigAir on the post with a single allen(for the boltons) under its strap. Bam...its all there in hand as I come to a stop. For the 32 mile Snake TT, endurnance races, FW50, etc..I carry a CB multi tool in a jersey pocket, among other things. Again, the allen for the bolton is right there(next to the tube in the same pocket). Also, bolt ons are actually faster to take off and on since theres no sweetspot(regarding tension and position) to fiddle with like a QR demands.

For most xc races, I carry nothing now. This has been fine since 03 and covers 20+ xc races. I'll take the odds.

3 RRs? My god mon. To date, I've scrapped 2 tires sidewalls enough for a slow leak to start over the past 2 yrs. A Karma and RR. Thats the Pisgah Death March, Snake Gap TTs, FW 50(twice), 12 and 24hrs, etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[Asahi]

I'm most intrgued by bolt ons after hearing a bit more. What suggestions do you have? I don't mind an allen or 2 since I carry a multitool when I race anyway.

Heck duck one of the tire I wasted was at the Snake TT and you heard it blow on the way up the hill. The other was at montgomer bell in Nashville when riding on a flat section I rolled over a rock and slid down it and ruined tire #2. I probably ought to give non UST tires another go.

Caveat: I will never ride oak Mtn on anything other than a UST tire again.

 

[DIRT BOY]

Ok...

2004 Attitude

Syntace F99 stem - 105 mm (Weighed 102 with steel bolts)
Great!

Is an XT cassette lighter than a SRAM 990? I don't care for the shimano XT cassette but have considered an XTR.
Yes XT are XTR aree lighter and shift better. I tried running SRAMs on both the Road and MTB, and Shimano is better!

XTR QR Skewers - ControlTech Race Skeweres, other no no name bolt-ons or Extralite Aliens.
www.Oddsandendos.com - Speed-Cific Bolt-ons
www.sales.light-bikes.com
There are other brands and site for generic Bolt-Ons as well as the CT ones.

Thomson Elite Seatpost (31.6 x 350) _ Go Extralite, Ultimate, Ax-Lightness or other lighter posts.
You can see the Extralite on my site. Do a search for Ultimate on this board and they are a Euro brand. Ax will cost major $$$ but light.

Duckman gave the saving on the Extralite. I have sold over 70 with only 3 minor complaints and issues early on.

I hate to give up my Terry Fly. Can someone suggest a lighter but moderatly padded seat with a cut out.
Again Duckman coverd this.

Hope Seatpost Collar - ti bolt?

!!!

 

[DIRT BOY]

Well after reading reviews about the CL Hubs...

i just kinda felt like going with them I also hate Torx Bolts. For me CL is a easier, better and smarter system. Nothing wrong with 6 Bolts. It's slighty lighter and more options!!
The ww in my said go 6-Bolt, but I just felt lke these were nice, more user friendly and different.

The Maguar Adpaters are 43g total. DT Swiss 30g. Both work great!!

I am not sure on the XTR rotors are 16-118g. magura rotors 109g. So with the adpaters they are heavier, but I prefer the looks of them Also I am not sure if XTR rotors will work with Magura brakes. Also I would have to buy the XTR ones.
If HOPE comes with those 2 piece rotors in CL and they fit....
Still might get them if they work with magura brakes. I will save 19-20g per end .