sodsbodkings

I'm looking for a bike under 20 lb (9 kg). I need to carry this bike up and down stairs, etc. so I really want as light a bike as possible without dropping an entire month's wages. Ideally $1000 USD and below, but I'd go as high as $1500 USD.

Can you recommend anything?

Gresp15C

Just to give you a point of reference, my single speed bike weighs 22 pounds using completely generic components, so it's not unthinkable to shed even a couple more pounds without breaking the bank. Accouterments such as gearing unavoidably add weight. This might be an interesting topic for the single speed forum.

Gresp15C

i should add that a simpler bike is also easier to carry up and down stairs, e.g., with fewer cables and attachments. Your local terrain will determine whether a single speed is enough.

sweeks

This may seem ... odd, but you *could* consider This Bike. I had a Strida 2 as my first folding bike about 18 years ago. Though it eventually wasn't up to my requirements, I put 1,000 miles on it in a multi-modal commute (heavy rail and folding bike). It was a very fast fold, and was easy to stash on a train. The riding position was a bit strange, but I got used to it quickly. It looks as if the basic design is the same, but the execution has improved a lot.
Submitted for your consideration.

tyrion

Not an answer to your question but selection of bikes is very limited right now. For used bikes, look for an aluminium frame with high end components.

Priority #1 is that the bike fits you.

sodsbodkings

thats understood - i am willing to wait. i'm looking for specific brand and model recommendations.

I have a few steep hills to climb. I'm thinking that means I need at least 9 speed.

Gresp15C

Ah, that's going to be harder for me to answer. My 9 speed bike is 25 pounds. The single speed is my lightest bike. From what I've been able to tell, the hard thing about affordable bikes is that very few people post their weights. In the past, REI consistently reported the weights of their bikes.

SapInMyBlood

You can definitely climb hills on a single speed it's just way less comfortable. People have done the Tour Divide on a SS

As for light bikes, there's not much off the shelf that will be under 20lbs for $1k. Used bikes however will get you there easily. Look for bikes with a 105 / Ultegra groupset, 25-28mm tires and a carbon fork if not also carbon frame. I picked up a Specialized Roubaix with ultegra groupset for $1k last year ... about 17.5 lbs

Look around, look up reviews for the bikes you find (Google + Youtube)

With that being said, 17lbs vs 23lbs isn't honestly a massive difference.

sweeks

Exactly. If you lose six pounds, the rolling package is identical.

sodsbodkings

it is to me.
also, i do not have bike mechanic skills, so i can't modify a bike. so, off the shelf is what i want.

squirtdad

that is going to be difficult......

not sure is this will show up, but search at REI for bikes 12 to 20 lbs all in the $3000 to $3800 range https://www.rei.com/c/road-bikes?ir=...2%20to%2019.99

4 show up in 20 to 25 pound range $1000 to $2000

this salsa is 25 lb and $1000 https://www.rei.com/product/128510/s...laris-700-bike

this rei bike is 23.2 and $2000 https://www.rei.com/product/159860/c...es-adv-23-bike

bottom line your expectations are not reasonable

IMHO best bet for 20 or under and under $1000 is to find a vintage high quality steel frame and put good components on it. Bikes like an 84 team miyata or an 84 torpado super strada speced out at right around 20 lbs (i have had both and been close to 20lbs without a weight weenie build)

Darth Lefty 

A used road racing bike from the last 20 years will get you there for your price. If it’s got a hollow aluminum crank spindle or Ultegra components, that’s a good clue that it was expensive enough.

So will a $350 single speed, nearly. with a carbon fork and wheelset upgrade, definitely.

Classic steel racing bikes are mostly over twenty unless you eschew the leather saddle and add tubulars

GhostSS

Wabi Lightning is a 17 lb steel fixed/singlespeed that sold for around $750-800 back in the day (EDIT as a frameset only) , now they're about 1300 (EDIT as a complete bike). If you can snag one used you can probably meet your weight and money requirements.

https://wabicycles.com/products/wabi...ng-se-frameset

https://wabicycles.com/products/wabi-lightning

Trakhak

Thanks to so many people being fixated on steel bikes (see some of the replies in this thread), you might be able to find a good used aluminum bike in your price range. Going aluminum instead of steel is an easy way to get a lighter bike for a given budget.

fietsbob

A 1 speed will be lighter..


nothing is lighter than a part not installed..

squirtdad

not true.... aluminum is not always lighter than steel by any means.....just light carbon is not always lighter than aluminum. there is a directly relations between bike cost and frame weight no matter what material the more expensive the bike the lighter the fram and focusing on the frame alone makes no sense, as it is only a portion of total weight components have to be considered again more expensive components are lighter. so options are find light bike new and pay the price or find light bike used and pay less money than new

Gresp15C

Indeed some makes also offer a carbon fork in the slightly more upscale offerings.

chas58

I have two commuter bikes by specialized:
1) $600 (new) Single speed (Langster). Its old, but only weighs 19lbs and is fast. I do hills on it, but you have to be riding regularly to wanna do hills single speed. ;-)
2) $250 (used) Allez. Its old, but in great condition and fast enough that I've set some of my personal records on it in spite of having a highfalutin carbon bike.

greatscott

I'm not 100% sure, but darn near it, but I think the Cannondale CAAD Optimo Sora is the lightest bike for under $1,000, I think I read it weighs 21 pounds for the 56 size, it is however $50 more than a $1,000 but it's still a great buy and includes Sora groupset, it is an aggressive geometry making this bike a great entry level racing bike.

https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bik...d-optimo-sora/


Another option is the Tommaso Monza Endurance, comes with Tiagra components and weighs about 1 1/2 pounds more than the Cannondale, it does have a slightly more relaxed geometry.

https://www.amazon.com/Tommaso-Endurance-Aluminum-Carbon-Shimano/dp/B00VIMV6TI

If you really want to save some money that Schwinn Fastback 2 is a great option and only weighs a pound more than the Tommaso, but of course it doesn't have as good of components (Sora) as the Tommaso but it will save you $350.

Of course a lot of bikes are sold out, so good luck in finding anything.

Of the lot I would chose the Cannondale, it's a pretty good bet that your city where you live or one nearby sells Cannondale, of course they will have to backorder it.

jay4usc

you should consider single speed then. Look at wabi bikes. they under 20lbs and under $1500

mtr999

my Fuji Roubaix 2019 is 17lbs, the bike actual msrp is $1800 but i got on sale at 60% off, totaled out the door $800 ish shipped free this past April. Yes you can get ultegra components, carbon fork and the bike is 17 lbs, but you have to look for deal mostly spring time when the last year model is being pushed out for newer year model. Another way is like others suggest looking for a used one, but if you have patient you can get respectable brand with 50-60% off, only have to watch for deal. Have you tried riding 21-22 lbs bike, they are not heavy at all and not that hard or difficult to get like 16-17 lbs bikes. State bicycle, Motobecane Super Mirage, all under $1000. If you want Fuji, or higher names like Giant, Specialized, it is gonna be very hard to find for $1000.
Most of16-17lbs bikes are race-oriented built bikes.

WinterCommuter

what kind of riding do want to do?

the overly simplistic answer is, get a track bike. It should no problem to come in well under 20 pounds and also under $1000. That said, if your ride is long, windy, or hilly a single gear track bike might not fit the bill.

grolby

??? 23 lbs is 35% heavier than 17. It’s a big difference and one that you don’t need to be a massive bike nerd to notice. The difference between my road bike (coincidentally, 17 lbs) and my cyclocross bike is 3 lbs and the cross bike feels substantially heavier when taking it up my cellar steps, as I must do any time I commute by bike. Otherwise solid advice.

Phil_gretz

Not enough information in the original post to make a sensible recommendation. What's the practical difference between <20 lbs and 22 lbs for carrying the bike up and down stairs? How old is the OP and what are his/her physical characteristics? I'm not really sure I could offer a guess based on not knowing.

Also, the OP says that he doesn't have mechanical abilities. That's a problem for any solution that isn't purely turnkey. Even a used bike needs a qualified mechanic to go over fasteners, bearings, cabling and controls, rims and the like to get it into top shape.

Riding environment. Again, the OP says nothing about this except that he believes that he needs 9 speeds. Based on what? Terrain? Fitness? Best guesses?

My answer for a lightweight bike that's fun to ride and can be built up for under $1000? Fixed gear.

My 1979 Peugeot PXN-10 weighs in at 21 lbs with tubular tires and a heavy-ish Brooks B-17N. But it only cost me ~$600 all in. Fabulous riding bike.

My 2016 Motobecane Gran Premio was stock at $900 delivered from Bikes Direct. It's modified now, but I'd wager that it came in at 21.5 lbs in the 56 cm frame. There are some compromises in the components (FSA crank, Tektro calipers), and I had to rectify them over time. It's a hair under 21 lbs now and a very capable rider.

cyccommute 

Look for a Jamis Ventura. The Ventura A1 has a claimed weight of 21lb for $1200 and the Ventura A2 weighs 23 lb for $900. These are about the lightest, cheapest multi gear bikes I can find.