Bike Weight and Recommendations
Discussion
Trying to find a lightweight bike for Mrs g7jhp circa 12kgs (26.5lbs) at a reasonable price and I'm surprised how hard it is to find the weight of bike models. Looking for a MTB or Hybrid as it will be mainly paths or dirt tracks.
One thing that annoys when buying bikes is manufacturers who don't state the weight of a bike.
Those who sell their bikes as lightweight state an approx figure e.g. IslaBikes but a lot don't.
It just disappoints when you get to a showroom to find the bike you've highlighted weighs a ton.
Any recommendations?
One thing that annoys when buying bikes is manufacturers who don't state the weight of a bike.
Those who sell their bikes as lightweight state an approx figure e.g. IslaBikes but a lot don't.
It just disappoints when you get to a showroom to find the bike you've highlighted weighs a ton.
Any recommendations?
How much £££s is 'reasonable'?
My first thought when seeing the word hybrid was Boardman, who have weights for all their bikes on the website. 11.2kg for a medium & £500 on Boardman website. Halfords also list the womens Boardman hybrid, 10kg & on offer for £400.
You're not looking hard enough.
My first thought when seeing the word hybrid was Boardman, who have weights for all their bikes on the website. 11.2kg for a medium & £500 on Boardman website. Halfords also list the womens Boardman hybrid, 10kg & on offer for £400.
You're not looking hard enough.
Your Dad said:
How much £££s is 'reasonable'?
My first thought when seeing the word hybrid was Boardman, who have weights for all their bikes on the website. 11.2kg for a medium & £500 on Boardman website. Halfords also list the womens Boardman hybrid, 10kg & on offer for £400.
You're not looking hard enough.
It's more the lack of weights across websites. My first thought when seeing the word hybrid was Boardman, who have weights for all their bikes on the website. 11.2kg for a medium & £500 on Boardman website. Halfords also list the womens Boardman hybrid, 10kg & on offer for £400.
You're not looking hard enough.
Weight is a pretty big factor when buying a bike.
Lugging a heavy bike up a hill or along a muddy track kills the enjoyment.
Thanks for the recommendation!
It's only an issue if you make it an issue. If its for general pootling around, then I don't see the point in worrying about half a kilo here and there. Also some bike manufacturers don't even state a weight. Giant is one of those and they make soome great bikes. I have a heavily updated Defy with new wheels and groupset. I have no idea how much it weighs
Also, at £500, its going to be heavy and running entry level components.
Also, at £500, its going to be heavy and running entry level components.
smifffymoto said:
As a general rule you would lose weight first then lose weight off the bike,how ever as this thread is about a bike for your wife I would just stump up the cash and never mention weight again for fear of trouble.
she's 5'4 and tiny already, which is half the problem with a heavy bike!We are in the same position as we had two bikes stolen from our bike rack last weekend -( b*stard, aarghh!), anyway...
It depends on your budget and what you want, my shortlist for a hybrid (£750-£900) is below, I like the idea of the belt drive internally geared hub on the Canyon but can't decide.
Canyon Urban 5.0 (10.7kg)
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/bikes/bike-detail.htm...
Boardman Hybrid Pro (9kg)
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes...
Cannondale Quick Disc 2 (I think 10.5kg)
https://www.chevincycles.com/cannondale-2018-women...
It depends on your budget and what you want, my shortlist for a hybrid (£750-£900) is below, I like the idea of the belt drive internally geared hub on the Canyon but can't decide.
Canyon Urban 5.0 (10.7kg)
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/bikes/bike-detail.htm...
Boardman Hybrid Pro (9kg)
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes...
Cannondale Quick Disc 2 (I think 10.5kg)
https://www.chevincycles.com/cannondale-2018-women...
Edited by Lanby on Wednesday 24th January 15:33
All the weight in that Carrera will be in the stock wired tyres and cheap coil sprung fork. Get rid of those and half the problem is fixed.
I bought my lad a base model Specialized Hardrock about 4 years ago and even the 15" frame model was about 13 kg. By the time I'd switched the handlebars (steel ~1kg!) to ali, ditto the seatpost and then ditched the 2.3kg steel sprung forks and dodgy tyres the bike was about 10kg.
I bought my lad a base model Specialized Hardrock about 4 years ago and even the 15" frame model was about 13 kg. By the time I'd switched the handlebars (steel ~1kg!) to ali, ditto the seatpost and then ditched the 2.3kg steel sprung forks and dodgy tyres the bike was about 10kg.
It can be frustrating, however, its difficult to compare like with like due to frame sizes varying of the same model and often the weight quoted is without pedals which can be misleading.
Even those manufacturers who quote a weight can be different when you weigh it yourself after purchase.
The best guide is to judge the frame material and group set level - clearly the higher the groupset the lighter it will be. Wheels on a complete bike will often be heavier and a new pair can save quite a few grams.
Personally I would say anything under 10kg is a light bike perhaps 11kg for a mountain bike and be careful you don't end up adding too much weight with tools & spares and unnecessary additions after purchase you'd be surprised how much these add.
Even those manufacturers who quote a weight can be different when you weigh it yourself after purchase.
The best guide is to judge the frame material and group set level - clearly the higher the groupset the lighter it will be. Wheels on a complete bike will often be heavier and a new pair can save quite a few grams.
Personally I would say anything under 10kg is a light bike perhaps 11kg for a mountain bike and be careful you don't end up adding too much weight with tools & spares and unnecessary additions after purchase you'd be surprised how much these add.
Many manufacturers don't quote weights due to the unscrupulous behaviour of some such that theirs appear heavier even though they aren't.
Most quoted weights don't include pedals for starters, that will usually add 300-400g and sometimes up to 500g.
As a bit of a weight weenie I've had a Carrera which was down at 9.6kg (only original part was the frame, but I did built it up from a bare frame) and most those parts are now on a full suss which I've got down to 9.8Kg (both on a sensible budget).
With some sensible used purchases it would be easy enough to get that carrera to that target weight for circa £300-400, to buy a bike that that weight you are probably looking at circa £800-1000.
Bikeradar.com reviews nearly all list their own measured weight, so maybe have a look on their for reviews of some bikes you are interested in.
Most quoted weights don't include pedals for starters, that will usually add 300-400g and sometimes up to 500g.
As a bit of a weight weenie I've had a Carrera which was down at 9.6kg (only original part was the frame, but I did built it up from a bare frame) and most those parts are now on a full suss which I've got down to 9.8Kg (both on a sensible budget).
With some sensible used purchases it would be easy enough to get that carrera to that target weight for circa £300-400, to buy a bike that that weight you are probably looking at circa £800-1000.
Bikeradar.com reviews nearly all list their own measured weight, so maybe have a look on their for reviews of some bikes you are interested in.
g7jhp said:
Thanks for the ideas all.
So if I kept the Carrera it would seem a good idea to xhange the fork and wheels.
Any suggestions on fork and wheels?
Ideally low weight at reasonable cost as its more about lightening than performance.
A used RS SID or Reba would be a nice upgrade, as for wheels have a look around, Superstar are usually worth a look, I built my own set, all new for £180, they came in at 1432g.So if I kept the Carrera it would seem a good idea to xhange the fork and wheels.
Any suggestions on fork and wheels?
Ideally low weight at reasonable cost as its more about lightening than performance.
You also want some decent folding tyres such as Nic/Ron/Ralph from Schwalbe and with either a lightweight tube or tubeless, those together would be a near 2kg saving. On top of that a lighter saddle such as a Charge Spoon (about 100g lighter than stock Carrera for circa £25), a chinese ebay carbon seatpost will also shed you about 200g (for about £15). Also consider 1x gearing as that is an easy 300-500g saving.
^^^ Yep to all that.
I used a set of RS Rebas for £200 during a Planet X clearout and then I gave him my spare XT wheels with Racing Ralphs.
When he outgrew the Hardrock I put all the stock parts back on and switched the trick bits to a Ragley Marley. Today, with a Reverb post and basic 3 x 9 Deore group that bike weighs 11.2kg. It would be 10.9kg with a std post.
I used a set of RS Rebas for £200 during a Planet X clearout and then I gave him my spare XT wheels with Racing Ralphs.
When he outgrew the Hardrock I put all the stock parts back on and switched the trick bits to a Ragley Marley. Today, with a Reverb post and basic 3 x 9 Deore group that bike weighs 11.2kg. It would be 10.9kg with a std post.
Not really worth upgrading a basic 2012 MTB, unless you have SH parts or got very good deals, you could spend the cost of the bike new and the main thing that weighs a lot is the frame.
Most bike sites don't list weights as they vary so much across the range due to size of frame etc and variations in components
If you aren't riding more than simple tracks consider a hybrid with suspension, as per the pinnacle above
Or find a shop with a decent selection and feel them out
Most bike sites don't list weights as they vary so much across the range due to size of frame etc and variations in components
If you aren't riding more than simple tracks consider a hybrid with suspension, as per the pinnacle above
Or find a shop with a decent selection and feel them out
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