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How to weigh a bike?

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Old 05-28-20, 08:16 AM
  #51  
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Originally Posted by ivangohome
I can't disagree! But I have these odds and ends here that I'd rather put to work for the money.
I use a digital bathroom scale. First I get on it and weigh myself, writing down the result (on disposable paper so I don't have to look at the number when done!!!.

Reset the scale if it needs it, then grab the bike. Holding it, step on the scale again.get off and write down that number.

Subtract the two numbers. The bike weight is the difference between the two. Most modern scales are good to 1/10 lb or to show lb and ounces, so for me that's enough resolution. I don't expect to get grams accurately when I'm putting nearly 100 kg on the scale.

Write down the bike weight and throw away the scraps of paper, to destroy the evidence.
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Old 05-28-20, 08:28 AM
  #52  
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Originally Posted by hillyman
Just make up your own weight. I suspect cyclist are as big of liars as fishermen
Certainly cycle makers are!
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Old 05-28-20, 08:29 AM
  #53  
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Here's a thought project for you: what do you learn by knowing how much the bike weighs? In what magical ways does your life change?

I can honestly say I have no accurate idea what any of my bikes weigh. Some are over 20lbs. One is probably under 20lbs. I don't think any of them crack 30lbs.

If I had the precise numbers written down, nothing would change. Bike weights and miles ridden do seem to come out as inversely proportionate on BF, though.
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Old 05-28-20, 08:46 AM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by DrIsotope
Bike weights and miles ridden do seem to come out as inversely proportionate on BF, though.
OUCH

It's like know horsepower of your car, it's something to talk about. But you are correct that it doesn't change anything. If you like the bike will you like it more?
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Old 05-28-20, 08:51 AM
  #55  
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Originally Posted by GlennR
Is there really much difference between 30 and 31 pounds?
Uhm, no, that was my original point with my first post saying to use the bathroom scale. I was just answering a post regarding using Google to figure out how how many ounces in a pound. Which is totally unnecessary considering 1. No need, and 2. It's not rocket science so I could do that calculation in my head or at the most use a calculator.

So I agree, there is no difference in my opinion between 30 and 31 pounds.
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Old 05-28-20, 08:52 AM
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I like a bike for how it rides. Unless the weight is so high that it's noticeable (which for me seems to be in the low-30s-- I had a sluggo C-Dale hybrid that was like 34lbs dry) I don't care. Whatever one of my bikes weighs, add at least 5lbs for water (sometimes more in the summer,) then 215lbs of meat to make it move. The weight of the bike? Two categories: too much, and just fine. Luckily, everything in the stable is just fine.
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Old 05-28-20, 10:15 AM
  #57  
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I think I would cry if I knew how much my Surly LHT weighed.
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Old 05-28-20, 11:10 AM
  #58  
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Originally Posted by phughes
I think I would cry if I knew how much my Surly LHT weighed.
Never weigh a Surly.
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Old 05-28-20, 11:14 AM
  #59  
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Originally Posted by Kapusta
Never weigh a Surly.
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Old 05-29-20, 05:28 PM
  #60  
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You could buy a luggage scale which even has a hook to hang from and a big hook to hang a wheel on. They’re cheap.
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Old 05-30-20, 07:39 AM
  #61  
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How about the scale at your local truck stop ?
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Old 05-30-20, 10:49 AM
  #62  
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
Makes it easier to wash in the shower.
Heck no, that's where I store my wheels.
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Old 05-30-20, 10:58 AM
  #63  
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Originally Posted by ivangohome
What's the best makeshift scale for weighing a bike? Kg or lbs, doesn't matter.

I ask as I have recently acquired a good-condition Supercycle Hooligan Downhill MTB, and I suspect it's in good-condition because no one can ride it due to the weight.
hold it in your hands, step on a bathroom scale, step back on the scale without the bike in your hands , before or after ..

subtract the without from the with.. simple Math,
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Old 05-30-20, 12:25 PM
  #64  
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Originally Posted by msu2001la
...wheel it into an LBS and ask them to weigh it.
I like that idea, will do next time I go there!
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Old 05-30-20, 07:15 PM
  #65  
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Originally Posted by phughes
Is it really difficult to stand on a scale and lift the bike? I never found it to be a problem.
It actually has an advantage. If you use a hanging scale that is not calibrated absolutely, say it weighs a couple pounds too heavy, then your result will be off by that much. if your bathroom scale is similarly off, when you weigh yourself+bike and subtract yourself, the inaccuracy cancels out. Bathroom scales do not have precise resolution though (maybe 1/2 lb at best?). But to that precision, it is an accurate measurement,
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Old 06-01-20, 11:24 AM
  #66  
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Originally Posted by ivangohome
What's the best makeshift scale for weighing a bike? Kg or lbs, doesn't matter.

I ask as I have recently acquired a good-condition Supercycle Hooligan Downhill MTB, and I suspect it's in good-condition because no one can ride it due to the weight.
Use your bathroom scale. Weigh yourself then weigh yourself holding your bike. The difference is the weight of your bike.
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Old 06-01-20, 01:01 PM
  #67  
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Originally Posted by Road Fan
I use a digital bathroom scale. First I get on it and weigh myself, writing down the result (on disposable paper so I don't have to look at the number when done!!!.

Reset the scale if it needs it, then grab the bike. Holding it, step on the scale again.get off and write down that number.

Subtract the two numbers. The bike weight is the difference between the two. Most modern scales are good to 1/10 lb or to show lb and ounces, so for me that's enough resolution. I don't expect to get grams accurately when I'm putting nearly 100 kg on the scale.

Write down the bike weight and throw away the scraps of paper, to destroy the evidence.

My bike is so light, I weigh less holding it.
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Old 06-01-20, 01:04 PM
  #68  
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Originally Posted by ivangohome
I like that idea, will do next time I go there!

Another thing you can do is drop it from a known height and measure how high it bounces. Probably won't tell you anything, but sounds like a fun afternoon.
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Old 06-01-20, 07:32 PM
  #69  
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Me thinks, THE WINNER ! ! !
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Old 06-01-20, 09:00 PM
  #70  
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Did someone suggest Archimedes method? You measure how much water is displaced when you submerge the bike. Then you need to estimate material densities of the various components on the bike, subtract empty volume inside the frame and wheel tubes. I think it would be an interesting project for an engineering class.

Last edited by vane171; 06-01-20 at 09:04 PM.
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Old 06-02-20, 04:09 PM
  #71  
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My bathroom scale has a display that reads out to one tenth of a pound. This would imply a level of precision that it really doesn't have. I can get on and off repeatedly and the numbers are all over the place, varying by almost a pound. I have no idea as to the accuracy. Regarding the fish scale, I've never caught a fish that weighs as much as my bike, so needless to say, my fish scale doesn't go high enough. Maybe if you live on saltwater....
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