Upgrade ideas please..

[hughjayteens]

I have been riding my current steed for 6 months now but am getting the upgrade itch and would like to lop some weight off is possible. I do mainly XC with a little bit if mild DH but am quite a light rider so think I can sacrfice strength for weight quite happily.

Spec is as follows

2004 Klein Palomino FS (love it!)
Maverick DUC32 fork (love em!)
Bontrager Race Lite Front wheel
WTB Speed Disk rear wheel on Shimano Deore 8spd hub
Bontrager Jones ACX Tyres (awful in mud!)
Bontrager Sport seat post
Selle Italia SLR saddle
Answer carbon riser bar
XT front mech
Deore rear mech
Deore shifters
Hayes Sole Hydraulic disks
Bontrager Sport chainset
SPDs

I am think that maybe a change to 9sp would be nice, and that changing the cranks at the sametime to maybe an XT Hollowtech would be nice?

Where should I start saving weight?!

Cheers

C

[neil_cardiff]

*whispers* XTR

Seriously though, it sounds like that bike is already at the correct compromise - to save further weight you'll need to spend big bucks or sacrifice strength - which as you mention, you won't want to do.

I'd start at the wheels - not only do lighter wheels help the bike accelerate better, you can save an awful lot just by using lighter tyres and tubes. However you will lose some puncture protection.

A XT CHainset is a great buy if you go for the Hollowtech II model, however, it may not lose much weight.

SOmething to near in mind though - a little here and there eventually adds up to quite a bit over time...

Edited by neil_cardiff on Wednesday 6th December 12:16

[hughjayteens]

Ha ha - XTR is very alluring but it is sooooo much more expensive than XT and seems to save bugger all weight!

The rear wheel is easy enough to do but the front would be a pain as the Maverick fork has it's own hub so I'd need to get it rebuilt. Did you mean wheels or tyres BTW?!

[neil_cardiff]

hughjayteens said:

Ha ha - XTR is very alluring but it is sooooo much more expensive than XT and seems to save bugger all weight!

The rear wheel is easy enough to do but the front would be a pain as the Maverick fork has it's own hub so I'd need to get it rebuilt. Did you mean wheels or tyres BTW?!

Both, but tyres and tubes are easiest and likely to net you the most gain per buck.

[beyond rational]

I don't think you'll find much lighter tyres than ACXs if they are the 2.1 folding version, tubes might save you a few grames, any rotational weight you can lose is advantageous as the bike will handle and brake slightly quicker. No idea on your skewer, but maybe there is a saving there?

When people used to ask how to save the most weight for the least money, we told them to buy a lighter multitool

Edited by beyond rational on Wednesday 6th December 12:49

[neil_cardiff]

beyond rational said:

I don't think you'll find much lighter tyres than ACXs if they are the 2.1 folding version, tubes might save you a few grames, any rotational weight you can lose is advantageous as the bike will handle and brake slightly quicker. No idea on your skewer, but maybe there is a saving there?

When people used to ask how to save the most weight for the least money, we told them to buy a lighter multitool

Edited by beyond rational on Wednesday 6th December 12:49

And have a poo.

[Jwb]

Change the frame to a Maverick ML7.5.

[busta]

Go rigid and single speed.

Ok, so it wouldn't work with your frame but think of all the weight you'd save getting rid of those heavy gears and springs!

Busta