Lightening my 29er

[Eggyolkeo]

I'm riding a Kona Dr Dew for my commute, and as you see it, weighs 11.4kg. I'd love to lose more weight, but am I really fighting a losing battle with that frame?

Alum frame with cro-mo forks
Sun ME-14 rims
Amoeba Scud stem/bar/seatpost (surprisingly light)
Hayes Sole brakes
Drivetrain is predominantly Deore LX spec (105 cassette)
23mm gatorskins

I don't think going carbon on the cockpit will yield much, as like I say the Scud components are very light. All I can think of are a new wheelset and maybe the cranks?(they are Truvative).

Could this hit the sub-10kg mark or should I start at the heart of the thing, the frame, and go from there?

Any other tips or comments would be appreciated.

PS I want it light because I like light bikes! - and I want to keep disc brakes as they feel great.

[Christo]

As light as you think they are, you can save weight by moving from the SCUD products - they look good - I have some myself but really, they're not that light. I have alloy drop bars that are lighter than my SCUD carbon ones.

Carbon fork will save a bit, decent ones with an alloy steerer from Ted's Footscray (VIC) for sub $200 too.

Did you mention wheels or am I just blind? Because there's a good spot to save weight. Oh yeah, you mentioned the rims -you can save more there, single speed will save plenty o' weight.

I guess it comes down to how much you want to spend really - you could easily get below 10kg if you have the $$$...

[triples]

Wheels for sure. If you have a fat wallet you could change bars, stem, pillar.

Also your rear light is on upside down:p

[tjb]

Wheels for sure. If you have a fat wallet you could change bars, stem, pillar.

Also your rear light is on upside down:p

You mean smaller, lighter ones with less rim and shorter spokes, with smaller tyres too ? ;)

[triples]

You mean smaller, lighter ones with less rim and shorter spokes, with smaller tyres too ? ;)

No I mean a lighter wheelset. Why would you put a smaller wheelset on the bike?

[n plus one]

I think the Sun rims are only 420 grams so your weight loss should be focussed on hubs and spokes. Are the tyres kevlar beaded for a start? Use leccy tape instead of rim tape and lighter tubes. Saddle and pedals look like bricks - probably close to 500g weight saving to be had there alone. Might as well get an alu or even carbon fork if the rest of the frame is alu already. How many gears do you really need - what about going 1x9.
That should get you under 10kgs easy.

[LTR]

Shimano Pro Carbon Fork - $320 = 500g+ weight saving
Lighter wheeset? Mavic Speedcity - $649 = 600g weight saving
Seat - $100 = would save half the weight of your current one

That will do for now. Should get you closer to 10kg.

[Eggyolkeo]

Hey this is exactly the feedback I was after, cheers guys.

I'll start to do some research on a few components, probably the only one I'd be stuck on is a recommendation for a seat. let me know if you've had success with anything particular, otherwise might head for a fizik.

PS yep tires are kevlar bead, but might try that leccy tape trick and lighter toobs. I'm assuming road cleats are lighter than mountain ones as I have, or should I just go for a lighter mtb pedal? (chosen as I sometimes use cleats on my mtb too so can save on shoes).

[n plus one]

I'd go lighter mtb pedals for a commuter, roadie shoes are a pain for that stuff.

[Christo]

I'm assuming road cleats are lighter than mountain ones as I have, or should I just go for a lighter mtb pedal? (chosen as I sometimes use cleats on my mtb too so can save on shoes).

Just go lighter MTB ones... I hate having incompatible pedals on different bikes...

[chie]

Imaybe the cranks?(they are Truvative).

Try some Middleburn RS8s, pricey but very nice

[Eggyolkeo]

Think I've found some new Mavic Speedcity wheels for $350, nice.

My Amoeba stuff I think is ok, the stem is 140g, bars are 160g and seatpost 215g.

I'll start with the wheels and a saddle, and will also replace drivetrain components with lighter ones as they wear. Cranks I'll look into as well, as I think that's another weak link hey.

Again thanks, I'll update the thread with bike weight as I apply the changes.

(edit just been on weight weenies, the Middleburn cranks would save me 300g)

[LTR]

Id be getting that shimano carbon fork too! $320 and 400g+ weight saving! Bargain!

[Eggyolkeo]

Actually I searched the net and couldn't find them, does anyone have a link at all?

[LTR]

http://twentynineinches.com/images/Interbike%202007/profork2.jpg
Weird that there is no info on them anywhere!

Basically, they are 50g heavier than a $850 Pace Carbon Rigid.
At my shop (Brunswick Street Cycles - 03 9416 1133) we retail them at $320 for the disc model.
They are sub 800g.
I just checked; Shimano are out of stock with them until 31/3/08.