Originally Posted by
AWillZ
My friend contends that a 180 lb rider on a 20 lb bike is the same as a 185 lb rider on a 15 lb bike and I say not even close, 5 lbs of rider weight is far less significant than 5 lbs of bike weight.
The amount of WORK being done climbing a hill will be exactly the same in both scenarios. Basically, the rider needs to move 200 lbs of total weight to the top of the hill in question. In my experience the feel of the bike under the rider will be drastically different when comparing two bikes 5 lbs apart, but that won't change the scenario being discussed though.
Originally Posted by
AWillZ
I also contend that a 16.5 lb bike with 1500 gram wheelset is going to be an advantage over a 15.5 lb bike with 1750 gram wheelset.
The wheel question is more difficult to answer. Light wheels are an advantage when accelerating the bike because there is less inertia. Once up to speed the difference is a wash, or maybe in favor of the heavy wheels since they will hold speed better.