Originally Posted by
SurferRosa
I like the no bar tape trick. That's gotta save several grams off a 30+ pound bike.
About 34 pounds according to a friends scale, but I weigh about 215, so the bike is a much smaller percentage of the total bike/rider weight than it would be for a rider 50 to 100 pounds lighter than myself. I usually ride around with a large messenger bag with tools, food and one or two bottles of water, so my total bike/rider weight is often probably 260 or more pounds, so having a 20 pound bike costing thousands is simply not necessary.
In hot weather a bare handlebar makes a nice heat-sink with the wind blowing over it to keep your hands cool. If i am riding in 90 degree weather the last thing I want to do is hold onto grips or tape that is keeping my hands hot.