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just some guy:



--- Quote ---Dear Lennard,
Does bike weight really matter?

I’m about to invest in a better bike now that I’m taking riding more seriously, and I’m looking at the different options depending on the frame materials.

I happen to be an engineer, so I wondered how much bike weight actually matters when climbing. Say that I’m going up a climb that can be as steep as 20 percent in a given moment, the role weight plays can be calculated using basic math (see the graph, where w= bike weight and d= weight drag, as if someone is pulling you from behind the bike).

The actual weight drag difference between a heavy steel bike (like mine, at 29 pounds) and a top of the line “lightweight” carbon fiber bike (say 17 pounds?) is actually just a couple pounds, and in a very steep climb. In lower grade climbs the weight drag is just a fraction of a pound.

So… unless a rider is planning to lift the bike over his/her shoulders, I don’t see the extra $2K investment justified in the bike weight alone. (I can just carry less water when climbing.) I guess inertia plays a role in competitive situations (a lighter bike helps provide faster acceleration… I guess we can calculate if this actually matters as well!!).

Every place I look recommends “getting a lighter bike if you live in a mountainous area.” Is this a myth or am I overlooking anything?
—Miguel
--- End quote ---
answer here plus the links made in the answer in under

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/05/bikes-and-tech/technical-faq/tech-faq-does-bike-weight-matter_220429

Dear Miguel,
The lighter bike will climb faster if you put out the same power. Whether the amount faster it is matters enough to you to spend the big dollars is the question.

liked that.............

weight on the Alpe

http://www.training4cyclists.com/how-much-time-does-extra-weight-cost-on-alpe-dhuez/

http://middleagecyclist.blogspot.se/2011/09/weight-matters-study.html

weight or inertia of course it makes a difference but does it matter enough for a average punter and here a question I ask myself why do you ride ?- fitness , lose weight or to be under 40 world Champion or even over  - if it is the 1st 2 then weight or increased inertia is positive.

so ask your LBS for heavy components - something to think about

L'arriviste:

--- Quote from: just some guy on May 23, 2012, 07:59 ---
answer here plus the links made in the answer in under

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/05/bikes-and-tech/technical-faq/tech-faq-does-bike-weight-matter_220429

Dear Miguel,
The lighter bike will climb faster if you put out the same power. Whether the amount faster it is matters enough to you to spend the big dollars is the question.

liked that.............

weight on the Alpe

http://www.training4cyclists.com/how-much-time-does-extra-weight-cost-on-alpe-dhuez/

http://middleagecyclist.blogspot.se/2011/09/weight-matters-study.html

weight or inertia of course it makes a difference but does it matter enough for a average punter and here a question I ask myself why do you ride ?- fitness , lose weight or to be under 40 world Champion or even over  - if it is the 1st 2 then weight or increased inertia is positive.

so ask your LBS for heavy components - something to think about

--- End quote ---

All that science is way too complex for me. But the one thing none of these sources mention is psychology. I think that accounts for a strong proportion of the argument in favour of less weight. You think you have even a small advantage and you ride to that effect. ;)

Let's also look at the inverse - though again I lack the scientific nous to answer the question - in terms of safety on long and technical descents, do lighter bike weights matter there too?

just some guy:

--- Quote from: L'arriviste on May 23, 2012, 08:09 ---All that science is way too complex for me. But the one thing none of these sources mention is psychology. I think that accounts for a strong proportion of the argument in favour of less weight. You think you have even a small advantage and you ride to that effect. ;)

Let's also look at the inverse - though again I lack the scientific nous to answer the question - in terms of safety on long and technical descents, do lighter bike weights matter there too?

--- End quote ---

much more complex

more weight of bike equals - faster speed

but more weight would also mean greater friction - downward force - as they talk about in F1 which may mean better cornering

then there is the flex or stiffness of the heavier bike v´s lighter too look at

weight distribution would also need to be looked at

just some guy:
I agree re placebo effects

but then it depends on the question you are asking

is it to get fit, lose weight or ..

if it is the lighter equals easier - negative  O0

just some guy:
there is some stuff to consider in this video

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