8bits

So I was wondering the average weight of a fixed alumnium track bike?

Does it really make it a big difference between a 7.5Kg (16.5lbs) bike and a 8.5Kg (18.7lbs) bike on the streets (without accounting stiffness, component quality)?

UCF Eric

No, my bike is well over 20lbs and I have no issues with it, granted it's steel.

Jaytron

No, it doesn't matter for this.

vw addict

no, buy bike, ride bike

*ha /\ beat me to it...

Leukybear 

It helps more if you lost 2lbs yourself

Jandro 

This. It costs less, too. In fact, it will probably save you money.

frantik

a 1-2kg difference in the frame will not be very noticeable. A single 500ml waterbottle full of water weighs .5kg/1 pound.. i don't notice the difference when i ride with a full bottle vs an empty bottle

Lilcphoto

In my experience with my leader @ 18lbs putting on an extra 2lbs in the wheelset really made the bike feel like a slug. That being said, I think it all depends on where the weight is on the bike. I don't think you'd feel the extra half a pound in your seat+post vs a lighter weight set, but you would definitely notice a half a pound difference in your wheelset (rotational weight).

I will say that my Aluminum Leader @ 18lbs feels a lot quicker than my 18lbs Steel Kilo did, but I can't quite make a comparison between a bike I started with and a bike in which I knew what I wanted.

kimolop

what alot of people kind of forget is that the weight you have to move is the bike plus the rider. It really comes down to how much easier is it to move 180lbs vs 185 lbs. Not much of a difference. That being said, I agree that it makes more of a difference where the weight is. Lighter wheels do make the bike "feel lighter".

yummygooey

If anything, spend your weight weenie money on a good lightweight wheelset.

Leukybear 

This^ go for carbon. Win - win hands - down I'll say. You'll significantly reduce your build weight PLUS you'll lose pounds yourself from having to skip some meals to pay for them!

frantik

yeah.. ride-wise, the wheelset will give the biggest difference probably. though even then tire pressure could have even more effect

if you have to carry your bike up and down stairs then it's worth it to go for a lighter frame

8bits

I was aiming for a Mavic Ellipse wheelset...I never considered a carbon wheelset because I would use it mainly on harsh streets...would a carbon wheel handle constant ruff pavement?

akdmx

I'm in the same boat and would also like to hear people's input on durability.

Also, is there any sort of consensus about the best bang-for-the-buck carbon wheel?

Leukybear 

Yes carbon can handle it; roadies like me and numerous others often have no choice but ride over poor pavement sometimes.

Reynold's carbon track wheelsets are your best bet. But as far as the bang of a dollar goes, you need quite a bit of those things for a set.

yummygooey

I'm just ballparking in my head, but I think Kinlin rims with double butted spokes to a lightweight front road hub and a low flange rear track hub will get you at least 3/4 lb (1lb = approx. 450g) lighter than Mavic Ellipses, which have a claimed weight of 1895g. You could probably do this build for less than the cost of a new Ellipse set, too.

8bits

after checking out the price for carbon wheels and falling off my chair I think I'll stick with aluminium for now
really tho is that even justifiable (as in cost Vs benefit) to buy and use it on the streets?!

@yummy weight was one aspect of me wanting a ellipse wheelset, the hub quality, spokes...and at U$450 it isn't all that bad

yummygooey

I'm saying you can build a lighter wheelset with comparable or better quality components for $100 less than that $450, even if you went crazy with your spoke selection (if you do the labor yourself).

That being said, the Mavic Ellipses definitely are nice wheels and are unique in their design compared to what you could build yourself.

cc700

everyone's wrong. there is a 1kg difference (1.2lbs) between the two.

and light wheels are great but they aren't going to make all the difference. it's just part of the difference.

it matters 1kg on the street and each bike will explode and kill you depending on how many curbs, kids, puppies, and cars you hit.

there is a difference though because that extra weight will directly correlate with how many chicks huff your dongus.

vw addict

ding ding ding, winner!

Jaytron

Yes, and yes.

vw addict- beat me to it this time.

jwbioman

@cc700

1 kg = 2.2 lbs

hairnet

Considering my bike is 25lbs and I keep up just fine...


But the bike is so big that it feels light despite being heavier than others