Thoughts On Weight From A Fever Addled Brain

Weight- It's a big deal, a hotly contested subject, and gets folks all in a dither. I've read many opinions on weight, from a total dismissal of the subject to folks who are so into getting the lightest bike they will sweat the finest details to achieve their goals. I've seen folks spend exorbitant amounts of money to prove a point, then sell the bike almost immediately afterward.

My take is that the truth is somewhere in the midst of all that debate. Having the lightest bike is not good, and neither is having a really heavy bike that is hindering your enjoyment of the ride. Like anything requiring balance in life, it is not easy to find the place where weight, (or lack thereof), is at a place which neither hinders you nor causes concern for parts breaking, loss of handling performance, or a credit card drained to the limit.

One of the best examples of this was back in 2008 when I was doing a lot of riding on my OS Bikes Blackbuck. Now the Blackbuck isn't the lightest steel frame on the planet, but it isn't a porker either. Pretty good, I'd say. Right in the ball park for a eccentric bottom bracket equipped 29"er.

I used that basic platform for testing all sorts of rigid and suspension forks on one bike. So- the wheels, components, and set up had to remain the same, (or as nearly the same as possible), for the duration of the test. The wheels I used were the stock set off a Raleigh XXIX+G and were not light. Nope. They were in excess of 2000 grams for the set, as I recall, but those Joy Tech hubs just rolled super smoothly. Plus, the WTB rims were stout and stayed stable all throughout that year.

The following year I was finished with the fork testing, so I removed those "old, heavy wheels", and put on some different, high dollar, lighter wheels. You know what? I didn't go any faster, nor did I like them better than those cheesy Raleigh wheels. But I do remember liking the feel of that bike very much back then. No matter that it weighed more than many other "blingy" single speeds out there.

So what was the deal? I think it had a lot to do with every component I set the bike up with for that year after the fork test. They all worked in concert and put me in a position to really get the most out of the Blackbuck. You know, I should build it back as close I can the way it was then! But the point is, I didn't need lighter weight. At least I don't think so.

But then again, I've had a low grade fever and wicked head cold the past few days, so I might be crazier than usual!

Thoughts On Weight From A Fever Addled Brain

Weight- It's a big deal, a hotly contested subject, and gets folks all in a dither. I've read many opinions on weight, from a total dismissal of the subject to folks who are so into getting the lightest bike they will sweat the finest details to achieve their goals. I've seen folks spend exorbitant amounts of money to prove a point, then sell the bike almost immediately afterward.

My take is that the truth is somewhere in the midst of all that debate. Having the lightest bike is not good, and neither is having a really heavy bike that is hindering your enjoyment of the ride. Like anything requiring balance in life, it is not easy to find the place where weight, (or lack thereof), is at a place which neither hinders you nor causes concern for parts breaking, loss of handling performance, or a credit card drained to the limit.

One of the best examples of this was back in 2008 when I was doing a lot of riding on my OS Bikes Blackbuck. Now the Blackbuck isn't the lightest steel frame on the planet, but it isn't a porker either. Pretty good, I'd say. Right in the ball park for a eccentric bottom bracket equipped 29"er.

I used that basic platform for testing all sorts of rigid and suspension forks on one bike. So- the wheels, components, and set up had to remain the same, (or as nearly the same as possible), for the duration of the test. The wheels I used were the stock set off a Raleigh XXIX+G and were not light. Nope. They were in excess of 2000 grams for the set, as I recall, but those Joy Tech hubs just rolled super smoothly. Plus, the WTB rims were stout and stayed stable all throughout that year.

The following year I was finished with the fork testing, so I removed those "old, heavy wheels", and put on some different, high dollar, lighter wheels. You know what? I didn't go any faster, nor did I like them better than those cheesy Raleigh wheels. But I do remember liking the feel of that bike very much back then. No matter that it weighed more than many other "blingy" single speeds out there.

So what was the deal? I think it had a lot to do with every component I set the bike up with for that year after the fork test. They all worked in concert and put me in a position to really get the most out of the Blackbuck. You know, I should build it back as close I can the way it was then! But the point is, I didn't need lighter weight. At least I don't think so.

But then again, I've had a low grade fever and wicked head cold the past few days, so I might be crazier than usual!

Friday News And Views

Random Red Ball and Leaves

Lights; It's that time of year when night riding starts to become a necessity if you want to get some decent ride time in during the week.

Guess what? I don't have a decent light system.

I did get one once, plugged in the battery to charge the lights, and then never got around to using them, well.......because it was summer! So, bad me......I lost the light part. Yep! Got the battery, the charger, the helmet mount, but no stinkin' light head. (I know, I know........way to go Guitar Ted!) I've looked everywhere, but.......nuthin.

So, I am looking for a light system. Here's the thing though- I don't need two billion lumens that burn out in 3 hours. I want a light that will light up the gravel roads, and do okay on single track, and last more than 3 hours, not cost me an arm and a leg, and be easy to use. That's what I want. LED of course, although I hear now that "older eyes" see better with yellower light. hrrumpf! I may have made my fair share of trips around the sun, but I ain't claiming old just yet!

Pacenti TL28 Rim

Pacenti TL28 Rims: Got a news flash yesterday about Kirk Pacenti's newest rim design, the TL28. This one he's doing all on his own, but you might recall that Kirk also helped design the Velocity P-35 rims.

You can check out more about these here, but essentially these are aimed at the XC/Trail rider looking for a tubeless ready rim at a lightweight that isn't skinny. These are targeted to come out at about 438 gms each, (for the 29 inch hoops, 650B and 26"ers will also be available), so that's right in the ball park for lightweight aluminum XC rims. What I find interesting is the 28mm outer/ 23mm inner rim widths. This is a bit unprecedented for aluminum rims, and seems to be pushing the limits to my mind, but we'll see. The other nice thing is that these will be made with single eyelets, so for those looking for a lightweight 29"er rim with eyelets, this should fit your needs.

You'll need to add some Stan's yellow tape and a valve stem, but these should go tubeless just fine. (Assuming the bead seat diameter is pretty tight.)

I'm told these will be available in a bit more than a month through Kirk Pacenti's website, and should go for about $85.00 each.

Stupid Light

How Low Can You Go? Well, pretty dang low, that's how low. What am I talkin' about? Weight, that's what.

I got this Origin 8 Paladin in for testing, and it came all built up, but it was a rather questionable build.

Not that the parts were bad, or sketchy, or even negative, it's just that for a frame and fork like this...... Well, it just begs to be slathered in the lightest stuff. So, with that in mind, the Blunt laced to XT hubbed wheels with rampage tires came flying off, and the old Edge wheels with American Classic hubs I have went right on there. BAM! Three pounds less later, the bike was getting respectable. However; I could throw on some recently acquired Bontrager 29-1 tires at 530 grams each, and BAM! Now the bike weighs 19.1 pounds. Yes- as light as some road bikes.

And the funny thing? I could ditch the alloy seat post, the alloy handle bar, the heavy rubber grips, and the boat anchor brakes and probably lose two more pounds! And that's not even considering that the bike is kitted out with X-9 components in the drive train.

Now, that's all amazing to think about, but I am not going there. I've never had a sub-20lb mountain bike, so I'll need to get acquainted with that first. Then we'll see how I feel about something way below 20lbs.

Okay, that's it, I am out! I stayed up way too late watching some special on George Harrison, so I am whacked. Have a great weekend, and ride your bicycles!

Friday News And Views

Random Red Ball and Leaves

Lights; It's that time of year when night riding starts to become a necessity if you want to get some decent ride time in during the week.

Guess what? I don't have a decent light system.

I did get one once, plugged in the battery to charge the lights, and then never got around to using them, well.......because it was summer! So, bad me......I lost the light part. Yep! Got the battery, the charger, the helmet mount, but no stinkin' light head. (I know, I know........way to go Guitar Ted!) I've looked everywhere, but.......nuthin.

So, I am looking for a light system. Here's the thing though- I don't need two billion lumens that burn out in 3 hours. I want a light that will light up the gravel roads, and do okay on single track, and last more than 3 hours, not cost me an arm and a leg, and be easy to use. That's what I want. LED of course, although I hear now that "older eyes" see better with yellower light. hrrumpf! I may have made my fair share of trips around the sun, but I ain't claiming old just yet!

Pacenti TL28 Rim

Pacenti TL28 Rims: Got a news flash yesterday about Kirk Pacenti's newest rim design, the TL28. This one he's doing all on his own, but you might recall that Kirk also helped design the Velocity P-35 rims.

You can check out more about these here, but essentially these are aimed at the XC/Trail rider looking for a tubeless ready rim at a lightweight that isn't skinny. These are targeted to come out at about 438 gms each, (for the 29 inch hoops, 650B and 26"ers will also be available), so that's right in the ball park for lightweight aluminum XC rims. What I find interesting is the 28mm outer/ 23mm inner rim widths. This is a bit unprecedented for aluminum rims, and seems to be pushing the limits to my mind, but we'll see. The other nice thing is that these will be made with single eyelets, so for those looking for a lightweight 29"er rim with eyelets, this should fit your needs.

You'll need to add some Stan's yellow tape and a valve stem, but these should go tubeless just fine. (Assuming the bead seat diameter is pretty tight.)

I'm told these will be available in a bit more than a month through Kirk Pacenti's website, and should go for about $85.00 each.

Stupid Light

How Low Can You Go? Well, pretty dang low, that's how low. What am I talkin' about? Weight, that's what.

I got this Origin 8 Paladin in for testing, and it came all built up, but it was a rather questionable build.

Not that the parts were bad, or sketchy, or even negative, it's just that for a frame and fork like this...... Well, it just begs to be slathered in the lightest stuff. So, with that in mind, the Blunt laced to XT hubbed wheels with rampage tires came flying off, and the old Edge wheels with American Classic hubs I have went right on there. BAM! Three pounds less later, the bike was getting respectable. However; I could throw on some recently acquired Bontrager 29-1 tires at 530 grams each, and BAM! Now the bike weighs 19.1 pounds. Yes- as light as some road bikes.

And the funny thing? I could ditch the alloy seat post, the alloy handle bar, the heavy rubber grips, and the boat anchor brakes and probably lose two more pounds! And that's not even considering that the bike is kitted out with X-9 components in the drive train.

Now, that's all amazing to think about, but I am not going there. I've never had a sub-20lb mountain bike, so I'll need to get acquainted with that first. Then we'll see how I feel about something way below 20lbs.

Okay, that's it, I am out! I stayed up way too late watching some special on George Harrison, so I am whacked. Have a great weekend, and ride your bicycles!

So, Just How Light Is That?

We're constantly wowed by the latest, greatest bicycle part that comes down the pike when it comes to weight. Even complete bicycles are amazingly light these days. The thing is, I wonder how jaded we have become when it comes to weight, and more specifically, materials technology. That we can even trust this gossamer weight componentry is, to me, nothing short of a miracle.

Still, as consumers, we seem to go, "Ahh......so what. This could be lighter." As if we expect it will never stop. For example, I remember when Bontrager came out with that 118 gram titanium bar. Whoa! That was nuts. How could you ride that? It was so much lighter than the 150 gram plus bars we were using then, it was unbelievable. Of course, that bar was super skinny because it was super short. But now, a 120 gram XC bar that is fairly wide is no big deal.

Or for a better example, how about this.....

Check out the fork. It is a Spanish made, single leg type rigid fork that weighs 668 grams with the triple clamps.

For a bit of perspective, that is similar in weight to one Salsa Gordo 29"er rim, or three Thomson stems. That is flat out amazing.

I mean, try making a single leg fork for a mountain bike that is rideable out of a Gordo rim. Ya know what I mean? That's insane.

So when things like this get shown, folks don't say, "668 grams? Are you nuts? Prove it works." No, they want to know who to send the credit card info to and if it takes more than three days to get, they will be upset. Really. It's just wonky out there.

One has to wonder where the line will be drawn in terms of what is safe that will work, and also, why. I mean just that: Why? Don't get me wrong- I love great performing, lightweight, durable, trustworthy parts as much as the next mountain biker, but there comes a point where it goes over the lines. The line of safety, the line of controllability, and the line of costs. The line of practicality, the line of reliable performance, and the line of wisdom also must be considered. Why mess with that stuff?

I don't know. I suppose there is always a fool and his money-will-part thing going on out there to some degree. I suppose some folks will always want to push the limits which will make our "reliable, trustworthy" parts even better. I suppose I should just keep my mouth shut and ride.

Speaking of which- I really wish I could do that safely right now, but it is below zero here, and not just a little bit. I guess I could, but my "common sense" and "better judgment" say otherwise.

Which might be a good thing to employ when it comes to these lightweight wunder-parts out there.

So, Just How Light Is That?

We're constantly wowed by the latest, greatest bicycle part that comes down the pike when it comes to weight. Even complete bicycles are amazingly light these days. The thing is, I wonder how jaded we have become when it comes to weight, and more specifically, materials technology. That we can even trust this gossamer weight componentry is, to me, nothing short of a miracle.

Still, as consumers, we seem to go, "Ahh......so what. This could be lighter." As if we expect it will never stop. For example, I remember when Bontrager came out with that 118 gram titanium bar. Whoa! That was nuts. How could you ride that? It was so much lighter than the 150 gram plus bars we were using then, it was unbelievable. Of course, that bar was super skinny because it was super short. But now, a 120 gram XC bar that is fairly wide is no big deal.

Or for a better example, how about this.....

Check out the fork. It is a Spanish made, single leg type rigid fork that weighs 668 grams with the triple clamps.

For a bit of perspective, that is similar in weight to one Salsa Gordo 29"er rim, or three Thomson stems. That is flat out amazing.

I mean, try making a single leg fork for a mountain bike that is rideable out of a Gordo rim. Ya know what I mean? That's insane.

So when things like this get shown, folks don't say, "668 grams? Are you nuts? Prove it works." No, they want to know who to send the credit card info to and if it takes more than three days to get, they will be upset. Really. It's just wonky out there.

One has to wonder where the line will be drawn in terms of what is safe that will work, and also, why. I mean just that: Why? Don't get me wrong- I love great performing, lightweight, durable, trustworthy parts as much as the next mountain biker, but there comes a point where it goes over the lines. The line of safety, the line of controllability, and the line of costs. The line of practicality, the line of reliable performance, and the line of wisdom also must be considered. Why mess with that stuff?

I don't know. I suppose there is always a fool and his money-will-part thing going on out there to some degree. I suppose some folks will always want to push the limits which will make our "reliable, trustworthy" parts even better. I suppose I should just keep my mouth shut and ride.

Speaking of which- I really wish I could do that safely right now, but it is below zero here, and not just a little bit. I guess I could, but my "common sense" and "better judgment" say otherwise.

Which might be a good thing to employ when it comes to these lightweight wunder-parts out there.