Thursday, January 18, 2018

Building a lighter bike (lighten up your bike)

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 18, 2018
Image result for caad12
                                                       Light frame:   alum or carbon?  Some alum
                                                       frames are lighter than carbon.

Parts that make most impact on weight;

After being in the bikers world for more than a decade, more or less I now know how to have a lighter bike. Some measures are cost effective. Some are not.  The biggest weight contributors, they more or less make up 25% of the bike weight are:

       1. Frame and fork -  from 1.5 kg to 2.5 kg

       2. Group set:    from         2.00 to 3 kg

       3.  Wheel set   from          1.3 to 2 kg+

With regards to other parts:   stem, head set, bars, gains can be minimal.  So for you to aspire for lighter bike, think again....

     1. Frame and fork:

        Alum frame +  alum fork       1.4 kg say Mosso and fork   .5 =                  1.9 kg

        Alum frame +  carbon fork    1.4 kg say Mosso  and carbon fork  .4 =      1.8 kg

                                                   1.1 kg   say  CAD 12  and carbon fork .280  =  1.380 kg

With the new CAAD12, Cannondale seems to be throwing down the gauntlet to the competition in high-grade alloy. The numbers are compelling: the frame weighs just 1098g, which is 52g lighter than the CAAD10, while the fork – based on Cannondale's new EVO design – weighs a mere 300g. More expensive CAAD12 models get the HM fork, a scarily light 280g.

      Carbon frame + carbon fork   1.1 kg    +   .4 kg                                     =  1.5 kg

      Superlite  carbon frame + carbon fork         900 gms.   + 400 kg            =  1.3 kg

       Take note:

       1.  That carbon is not necessarily lighter or sturdier;  some alum are lighter than carbon and lasts longer and dont disintegrate on impact. Such is the strength of brands like Cannondale.  Alum frame that is lighter than carbon

     2. Carbon fork gain is limited to only 100 grams.  It has something to do with the steerer


Image result for fulcrum racing quattro
                                                    Fulcrum Racing Quattro Alum wheelset
  2. Wheel set:

       Generic wheel set  local                                                                       -    2.2 kg

       RS   10                                                                                               -   1.845

      RS    11                                                                                               -   1.750

      Fulcrum 7                                                                                            -   1.845

      Fulcrum Quattro   350 mm                                                                   -   1,700

     Zipp                                                                                                     -   1,300

     Campagnolo Bora 2                                                                             -   1,300

     1.  Most of the entry level wheel set are from 1.8 kg to 2.2 kg. The 1.5 kg weight is in the territory of carbon fiber.

     2. Sometimes the wheel sets are heavier for being aero say 500 mm. But experts say that at 35 to 40 kph aero counts. Being slick can save you  up to 50 watts of power and that means a lot in racing.  Weight give you momentum and inertia to move forward.  For a 200 grams difference the price difference is staggering P30 up to 150t.  Only millionaires and riders with sponsors can afford it.

3. Group sets:

Image result for dura ace 9100
                                    Durace is the most expensive P68,000 now but the lightest
                                    at mere 2,000 grams same as Campy Rekord and SRAM red

   The lightest group sets are SRAM red, Campagnolo Rekord and Durace.  Around 2.000 kg total weight

          SRAM and Campy would cost just about even P120 to P130t (may nagbebenta sa Toyota Shaw P80t only  paluugi) at sa Sabak  P30t only for SRAM red)

          Ultegra 6800 and 8000 weigh about 2,550 grams,  6800 is sells for P17 k,   8000 for P30k

          Shimano 105 is 2,700 grams is availablefor P13,000 only.  For 4,000 difference the difference in weight is 200 grams.  Ultegra 6800 is value for money and is slightly lighter than  8000 GS.

The  value for money:

1. Cannondale frame say CAAD 10 to 12 with carbon frame

2.  GS Ultegra 6800

3.  Wheelset -  fulcrum quattro (lalabas daw si Christy ng tig P15,000 soon)



2.  Analysis of  weight  of  my Current bikes:

     Estimated weight:

         1.   Fuji SL 10 super  light:

                Frame                          -  700 grams
                Carbon Fork                -  400 grams
                Campy GS                    2,000 grams
                Cosmic Wheelset          1,400 grams
                ITM drop bar                   400 grams
                Ritchey Seat post cf          300 grams
                Selle Italia saddle              300 grams
               Exustar cf pedals                 88 grams
               ITM stem  cf                     200 grams
               Conti Tires                        500 grams
                         TOTAL               6,288 grams    =     13.833 lbs

                         Estimated price      P200,000+

       2.  Mosso 710 Alum bike with 105 group set:

             Frame                              - 1,400 grams
             Fork                                      500 grams
             105 GS                              2,750 grams
             Wheel set RS 10                1,845 grams
             Truvativ seat post                  400 grams
              Leopard saddle                    500 grams
              Laplace drop bar                 400 grams
              Laplace stem                       350 grams
             105 pedals                           300 grams
             Maxxis tires                          600 grams
                         TOTAL                 9,045 grams      =   19.899 lbs  almost 20 lbs
                                                                                     lighter than most bikes which weight 23 lbs

           As you can see, there will be difficulty in upgrading the bike

   3.   Freccia Celeste  (Current weight)

             Frame                              1,234 grams
             Carbon fork                        400 grams
             Wheel set generic            2,000 grams
              Ultegra 6600                  2,800 grams
              Saddle  Selle                     300 grams
               ABR stem                        400 grams
               Alum Seat post                400 grams
               Alum drop bar                 350 grams
               Pedal exustar                   400 grams
              Conti tires                         500 grams
                              TOTAL         8,784 grams     =     19.324

        Planned upgrade for Freccia Celeste

             Drop bar Toseek             230 grams           (-120 grams)
             Stem   CF                        200 grams          (-200 grans)
              Quatrro Wheelset         1,700 grams          (-300 grams)
              CF seat post                   200 grams          (-200 grams)
                                       WEIGHT SAVINGS      (-820 grams)
                                       Net weight 7.964 grams   17,520

            If we buy Ultegra 6800  less        100 grams

                                       Net weight  7,864  =        17,300.

                                       Buying a 1,500 grams wheel set will save another 200 grams but will set us back                                          by say 23,000 php

          Total expenses for upgrade:

                            Toseek cf parts              -      3,500
                            Wheelset                             15,000
                             Repaint + decals                  2,000

                                   Total                            20,500/800 grams savings  = 25,00/gram      

      More weight savings:

                        Upgrade to 6,800        

                        From 2,800 grams to only 2,557 grams    243 grams at cost of P17,000/243 =                                             P69.95/gram  

                                         7,864 - 243 =    7,621 grams  =    16,766 lbs

I can even make the bike lighter by buying a Campagnolo Bora 2 carbon wheelset P23,000

                                        Weight  1,300 grams   -  savings  vs Quattro    -  400 grams

                                       7,864 - 400 grams  =     7,464  grams =    16.420.00  lbs

                                       Cost/gram saved     =     P57.50

                     Great option:

                                      Toseek parts                                   4,200.
                                      Bora Wheelset                               23,000
                                      Repaint                                            2,200

                                     No more quattro upgrade

                                        7,964 grams     -   400 grams   =     7,564 grams  x 2.2  16,640
                                                                 

Of course, light bikes do not make you a fast biker, a fast biker makes the light bikes go faster.

Upgrade your bike, upgrade your ride too -practice sprint, TT, fast pedaling, developing strength by going uphill on heavy gears.  Race at times with colleague.  Practice long rides, bust your lungs from time to time, race with kapadyak. The more you will be proud of your bike, and enjoy your passion

OTHER RELATED ARTICLES

8 ways to make your road bike lighter - from Bike Radar

Chopping off a kilo from your bike without destroying your bank 
acount   from Road Cc

Reducing bike weight: on bar tapes, interior,cables from Bicycling, 


                   
           


     

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