BikeArkansas

Most of my riding is on a geared road bike (Cannondale Super Six). This is a very lite bike which I enjoy when accelerating or climbing. This year I have been riding more with a group that takes their single speed bikes on many rides. It has been fun, but I notice the difference in weight. My mostly stock Jamis sputnik weighs about 5 pounds more than the C'Dale. Do many SS riders work at reducing the weight, or just ride the stock models? It appears weight reduction would be expensive.

Nagrom_

You can get a SS really light, its just gonna cost you a lot of money. A cheap(ish) and really effecting start:
Wabi GX Wheelset

At under 200 dollars, you can more than likely drop a LOT of weight when compared to the stock wheelset.

Jaytron

I'll agree with Nagrom here, wheels will be a great first upgrade. Because it's fairly easy to shave a bunch of weight, and it's all rotational weight, so it'll feel much better.

Ultraspontane

Wheelset, then crankset.

Jaytron

This is not sarcasm, but how much can somebody expect to lose when upgrading their crankset?

JesusBananas

Wait, Sputnik of what year? Older Sputniks were generally nicer.

For example
'09 Sputnik: Reynolds 631 frame + carbon fork, 18.9 lbs complete
'12 Sputnik: Reynolds 520 frame + chromo fork, 22 lbs complete

The difference just between these two bikes is already three (!) pounds.

May I ask how much your Cannondale and your Sputnik weigh, respectively?

Soil_Sampler

tires and wheels.

Ultraspontane

You can lose up to over 100 years old.

Kayce

A very higher end aluminum bike is going to be lighter than a lower end steel bike. It is just how things work in the bike world. You can reduce the weight on the Jamis. But to make the comparisson is odd. Or to take the info of your low end single speed, and extrapolate for all single speeds is wrong.

Humenbean

A friend of mine started riding with Carbon Fiber shoes and says he loves it. They aren't a ton lighter, but he said it just feels lighter- likely placebo effect, but it does. Also much more responsive, less work.

Dannihilator

Carbon fiber shoes won't have any effect on bike weight.

Wheels, cranks.

BikeArkansas

My Jamis Sputnik is a 2009 model (59 CM). With pedals, seat, water bottle holders, etc. the bike is a little over 21 pounds. With the same equipment the Cannondale Super Six (60 CM) weighs 16.5 pounds. I am not sure where the 18.9 pounds came from. Maybe it was stripped when weighed.

The Alex DA 22 wheels are very heavy. I just looked up some info to find they weigh over 2000 grams. Wheels and crank would make a difference.

Also, I called a friend of mine that works at a bike shop. He has his 57 CM Jamis Sputnik (2009) down to 16#. He said he changed to some Stan's wheels and Sram crank. He also changed out almost all the cockpit. He did not want to discuss the money spent. Guess I should have called him before I posted this. I forgot he has the same Sputnik I have.

Street rider

A new fork would help, a little farther down the line after the wheels and such. And bars/stem

Santaria

I eat oatmeal and grapenuts for like 2-3 days. Generally that helps me lose anywhere from 4-6 pounds with high mileage running.

Scrodzilla

Lighter tires can cause a significant difference as well.

Dcv

reynolds 853 steel frame, light wheels, carbon crankset, 16.11 lbs. i think the wheelset made the biggest difference.

nightfly

The Sputnik is a very light frame and came with a carbon fork in 2009. You can definitely get it down in weight with lighter components. I've got a Redline 925 that I'd like to put on a diet but I'm pretty sure the frame is what is making it heavy so am hesitant to start dropping money on components.

Muffin Man

I can loose 200 grams off my cranks if I change them to force cranks on my roadie...

JesusBananas

Yea, I definitely wouldn't bother, since it's chromo frame + fork and not anything special (like Reynolds 631, for example). My 925 is purely a utility bike, which means fenders and racks and all that, so weight weenieism would be totally pointless for me.

adriano 

1) carbon fork
2) kinlin wheels
...
384938) crankset

broakland

pumping Helium in your tires helps

also: lose a bit of weight. 1 pound = 454 grams. Thats the weight 2 Phil Wood high flange hubs!

GMJ

Just put a lot of Dura Ace on it.

vinfix

Besides the wheels, tires, & a carbon fork, a carbon seatpost & lighter saddle are easy, also lighter pedals. Maybe a lighter chain, a DuraAce cog? If you go fixed, rather than singlespeed, remove the rear brake.

carleton

How is the process of reducing the weight of a Fixed Gear bicycle any different than reducing the weight of a Road bicycle?

STP

You have too many spokes.