radroad

Don't forget to drill out the water.

Wildwood 

I know I have 1 bike under 20 pounds, including pedals & cage. Maybe 2.

I lose the weight weenie contest with a smile when descending rough pavement at speed.

My wheels have lots of spokes as well.

Dave Mayer

I was riding my lovely 979 yesterday; the frame is a great foundation for a weight-weenie C&V bike. Diminishing returns: I was thinking about the alu (yes alu) expander bolt on the Cinelli stem. It makes me nervous.. perhaps too much risk for minimal weight savings.

However, the Mavic GEL 280 tubular rims are fantastic, in terms of reducing static and rotating weight. Shaves up to 2 pounds over any clincher wheelset. Ride great too. With these wheels, the 979 feels more responsive than any of the Uber expensive modern carbon bikes (with clinchers) that I own.

squirtdad

I wonder how long the carbon chain rings last. and everything in general

I was happy that my team miyata came in at 21....which is just under factory spec

noglider 

I don't know about carbon fiber chainrings, but I do know that an alumin(i)um cassette is stoopid.

cudak888 

Not a bad point...if that was the point. They didn't make anything clear other than "this thing is insanely light."

-Kurt

JohnDThompson 

Back in the early 80s, one of my co-workers at Trek built himself a 12# lugged steel road bike, using all the fancy-pants weight-weenie components of the era: Zeus 2000 cranks and freewheel, Regina titanium chain, Huret Jubilee derailleurs, CLB Professional brakes, Hi-E hubs and rims, Clement track tubulars, etc. The frame was Columbus KL. He was a machinist and did things like drilling out the dropouts and milling flutes into the steer tube.

Whatever turns your crank.

J.Higgins 

This bike in the OP has no soul. A sweet C&V bike, built using traditional methods, which is also light, is a joy to behold. It is the frame-builder's crowning achievement. Gossamer and fluff does not a bicycle make.

madpogue 

Wonder where that bike is now. No doubt it still has its soul.

jadocs

Guarantee I could break it.

cudak888 

Probably broken too; just took a bit longer to crack than its CF counterpart.

-Kurt

since6

I figure that the ultimate "weight" bike will been when I lose 50 lbs and my bike will weight -25 lbs, course if I can lose 100 lbs then I'll have an ultra light bike at -75 lbs.

In both cases I will have to carry tethering cord in order to keep the bike from drifting away when I stop.

canklecat

Those weight weenie bikes started from a practical application -- autumn hill climbing season in the UK, and comparable short, steep climbs in regions where such hills exist. It's among the few competitions where some venues don't require helmets. Every gram counts.

It's a thing. And for many of us, it's closer to real world conditions than anything we'd see in the grand tour and multiday races.

Here in North Central Texas, some of my best times on terrain favorable to my size and conditioning aren't far off from some local pros a third my age (I'm 61). But add a few more hills, mostly short, steep climbs on roller coaster routes, and I'm gasping for oxygen while those 20something guys with Team Elevate at flying by a twice my speed.

It's so specialized and difficult that even climbing experts like Phil Gaimon struggle to compete with the guys who specialize in short, steep climbs.

Laugh if you like, but even in your best condition and minimal functional body weight, there isn't a steel frame classic bike on the planet that could compete with the carbon fiber and titanium featherweights in that particular specialty.

And, sure, as with any hobby, there will always be some wannabes who can afford the most extreme equipment but lack the skill to use it. That doesn't negate the functional purpose of the ultralight bikes with the right riders.

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gaucho777 

+1 on disappointment for not getting a ride report.

If you can't say anything nice...As far as modern cages go, I don't hate the look of those bottle cages. No complaints re the tanwall tubulars either.

I'd rather have levers from Drillium Dude.

Tires not glued for added weight savings.

Fwiw, I also dabble in weight weenie-ism, but I'm not obsessive about it. I like to preserve a semblance of period-correctness with most bikes, and a lot of lightweight vintage gear I find appealing just for being a bit more rare and esoteric than what you might find on a stock racing bike.

T-Mar

While weight weenie bicycles are an interesting exercise, they do violate the 6.8kg minimum weight regulation of the UCI and are therefore only legal in non-sanctioned events. The UCI imposed the minimum weight limit for good reason, citing durability, safety and cost. For the same reasons they have a minimum limit of 12 spokes for mass start road races and anything with less than 20 spokes has to be approved by passing UCI testing. Given the advent of disc brakes in road racing and the added stresses to stays and blades, I suspect there be similar structural testing imposed on the frames.

Steve Whitlatch 

I really wanted to hate my Carbon Fiber Cannondale Super Six Evo that I was kind of talked into building. Not really weight weenie at 15.5 lbs, Ultegra with tubulars, no Carbon components. I just can`t hate it. The only other carbon bike I really rode was a friends old USPS Trek that felt dead and lifeless. The Super Six feels very alive and handles better than any bike I have owned. Holds the line on fast tight turns like a dream. Rides smoother than any steel bike I have owned too. It really feels like a super bike. Agile and fast. Am I really faster on it? Not really so far, I am really out of shape compared to last year, but it feels good anyway.

dunrobin

That bike was purpose built...nice to see the owner is an avid cyclist.
I'll be building a superlight this week...without the weight weenie mods...why? Happenstance, really. Bought a new frameset at an auction for a fraction of retail, and wanted to try sram etap.
Btw, I have a 2012 specialized venge built out to under 15lbs and riding it feels like cheating...:-)
I have no interest in selling my vintage collection but modern can be a fun ride...:-)

Nemosengineer 

Some C&V weight weenie fun, Hi-E hubs, Microlite freewheel, and Huret Jubilee. A work in progress.






: Mike