(Bike) Weight Loss?
Discussion
I own two bikes - a 2021 Orange Clockwork, which is just about the cheapest Orange you can buy, and a Ellsworth Evolve C.
I bought the Orange as the Ellsworth doesn't really like the horribly sticky mud that we get in the UK during Winter. It's a great bike but really feeling the weight of the thing!
Toying with the idea of replacing some components to lose a bit of weight but wondering where to start - wheelset perhaps? Or is it not worth the effort on a low spec bike?
I bought the Orange as the Ellsworth doesn't really like the horribly sticky mud that we get in the UK during Winter. It's a great bike but really feeling the weight of the thing!
Toying with the idea of replacing some components to lose a bit of weight but wondering where to start - wheelset perhaps? Or is it not worth the effort on a low spec bike?
Worth going tubeless? Yes, always, but the weight saving will be minimal or non-existant, unless you combine going tubeless, with fitting a lighter carcass tyre.
Without looking, I'm guessing the Maxiis are approaching 1kg per wheel.
A pair of light weight (non-tubeless) tyres might get you 1 kg off.
Without looking, I'm guessing the Maxiis are approaching 1kg per wheel.
A pair of light weight (non-tubeless) tyres might get you 1 kg off.
If both bikes run the same size wheels buy a fabulous wheelset for the Ellsworth and hand me down the Ellsworth wheels to the Orange. Continue the upgrade path that way, until the components on the Orange are so good they demand a new frame, then re build the Orange back with the original bits and you now have 3 bikes!
I tend to like the idea that the winter bike should be a bit heavier and more sluggish than the summer bike because:
1) It keeps the summer bike feeling amazing.
2) I tend to go out less and for less time in the winter, so fitness wise you get more bang for your buck in terms of work out riding a heavy bike in crap conditions, think of it as resistance training.
3) No point putting great components on when they realistically have a short life span.
I tend to like the idea that the winter bike should be a bit heavier and more sluggish than the summer bike because:
1) It keeps the summer bike feeling amazing.
2) I tend to go out less and for less time in the winter, so fitness wise you get more bang for your buck in terms of work out riding a heavy bike in crap conditions, think of it as resistance training.
3) No point putting great components on when they realistically have a short life span.
Wow, I didn't realise anyone actually bought Ellsworth bikes! I just can't get over their rear triangle aesthetics!
Be careful if going to thinner tyres as more likely to puncture on a HT, and the ability to run lower pressure can aid with comfort when riding,
Any scope to trim the seat post down so it's got enough depth for your max height but no unnecessary extra?
Be careful if going to thinner tyres as more likely to puncture on a HT, and the ability to run lower pressure can aid with comfort when riding,
Any scope to trim the seat post down so it's got enough depth for your max height but no unnecessary extra?
Scabutz said:
Wheels and tyres probably the biggest weight saving, but you are going to have to spend a chunk to get anything meaningful. Is it worth it? I've never been a weight weenie on bikes as Im such a massive f
ker myself it seems pointless.
I'm not sure its worth it myself. Spend £1000 to save a couple of kilo? Don't bring two full water bottles, bring one. Don't eat a fry up that morning. That's 2kg saved already!ker myself it seems pointless.I think the tyres make a much bigger difference if you're looking at the weight in an effort to improve speed on the flats/climbs?
Stick Legs said:
If both bikes run the same size wheels buy a fabulous wheelset for the Ellsworth and hand me down the Ellsworth wheels to the Orange. Continue the upgrade path that way, until the components on the Orange are so good they demand a new frame, then re build the Orange back with the original bits and you now have 3 bikes!
27.5 on the Orange and 29 on the Ellsworth sadly.joshleb said:
Wow, I didn't realise anyone actually bought Ellsworth bikes! I just can't get over their rear triangle aesthetics!
Be careful if going to thinner tyres as more likely to puncture on a HT, and the ability to run lower pressure can aid with comfort when riding,
Any scope to trim the seat post down so it's got enough depth for your max height but no unnecessary extra?
Be careful if going to thinner tyres as more likely to puncture on a HT, and the ability to run lower pressure can aid with comfort when riding,
Any scope to trim the seat post down so it's got enough depth for your max height but no unnecessary extra?
I wouldn't have bought it new, I bought a second hand package of wheels, frame and seatpost for the square root of naff all! It's genuinely a great bike though, I love it.cml24 said:
Scabutz said:
Wheels and tyres probably the biggest weight saving, but you are going to have to spend a chunk to get anything meaningful. Is it worth it? I've never been a weight weenie on bikes as Im such a massive fker myself it seems pointless.
I'm not sure its worth it myself. Spend £1000 to save a couple of kilo? Don't bring two full water bottles, bring one. Don't eat a fry up that morning. That's 2kg saved already!ker myself it seems pointless.I think the tyres make a much bigger difference if you're looking at the weight in an effort to improve speed on the flats/climbs?
Simes205 said:
The biggest and quickest weight saving is eating less.
Ahh, but you see I'm the original skinny sod, so not much gain to be had there unfortunately!Sounds like a bit of a non-starter then, which is a shame. Orange is a good bike but I can very much feel the extra weight compared to the Ellsworth
As above the tyres are quite heavy. The Deore cassette is a heavy lump compared to say XT, they're not cheap though so wouldn't replace until worn out.
The Judy silver forks are packing some weight too as they use steel uppers, so there's probably about a pound of weight to be saved there, but again not cheap.
The Judy silver forks are packing some weight too as they use steel uppers, so there's probably about a pound of weight to be saved there, but again not cheap.
Stick Legs said:
If both bikes run the same size wheels buy a fabulous wheelset for the Ellsworth and hand me down the Ellsworth wheels to the Orange. Continue the upgrade path that way, until the components on the Orange are so good they demand a new frame, then re build the Orange back with the original bits and you now have 3 bikes!
I tend to like the idea that the winter bike should be a bit heavier and more sluggish than the summer bike because:
1) It keeps the summer bike feeling amazing.
2) I tend to go out less and for less time in the winter, so fitness wise you get more bang for your buck in terms of work out riding a heavy bike in crap conditions, think of it as resistance training.
3) No point putting great components on when they realistically have a short life span.
I tried that by upgrading my T130s and telling my wife I’ll use the left over bits (wheels, brakes, cars stem etc) to build a winter bike.I tend to like the idea that the winter bike should be a bit heavier and more sluggish than the summer bike because:
1) It keeps the summer bike feeling amazing.
2) I tend to go out less and for less time in the winter, so fitness wise you get more bang for your buck in terms of work out riding a heavy bike in crap conditions, think of it as resistance training.
3) No point putting great components on when they realistically have a short life span.
The Alloy Santa Cruz Chameleon frame I wanted was only available in carbon. It spiralled there in after , went for a 29 in much wheels and in fact the only thing I kept from the upgrades were the brakes which I then upgraded to Hope brakes a month later.
Not the cheapest custom build!
It’s lighter than my T130 though!
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