Building my bike up without any particular focus was great fun. I’ve ended up with something that resembles a dirt jump bike. Sure it looks tough but dirt jumping isn’t really what I’m going to be doing on it (far from it actually!).
When I builts a Cannondale mountain bike up (1992 or so) I built it frame up and weighed every single part on kitchen scales. The bike came to 11kg’s which was a feat back then. I’ve been a little upset that a lot of components I’ve put on the Specialized build are heavier than the old OEM items. Whilst is makes sense that the kids these days do some hardcore shit, and need stronger components (thus heavier) it’s fair to say I won’t be doing 20ft jumps any time soon.
I am glad though that the weight weenie movement is still alive and well. I’ve been studying these 2 sites:
Weight Weenies – Be sure to check out their “listings” page for weights on everything.
Light Bikes – Be sure to check out their awesoem “gallery”.
Amazing that you can get a dual suspension bike down to 6kg’s. My specialized monster thing is 13kg’s as it is now, and that’s 1kg heavier than it was stock with 21 gears! The front forks weight in at 2.6kg’s (made to withhold dirt jumping), the fat 2.5 front tyre alone is 1.2kg’s!
Perhaps I’ve found a new direction for the bicycle? I’m already thinking of going back to a rigid front fork (maybe carbon to help soak up some bumps) and also thinner/lighter tyres. In any case, going for a ride today at Centennial Park (the off road walking trails, let’s see if I can get the rangers to chase after me like they used to when I was a kid lol), really looking forward to it!