The goal of cyclists around the world is to have the lightest bike possible and the reason seems obvious. Most people believe that a lighter bike means greater speed and ease of climbing hills without the added weight. However, several studies have shown that losing approximately 500 g (1 lb) only saves you a few seconds at most when climbing a hill. However, that time can make a difference in close races and long-distance excursions.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Replace Heavy Parts
Step 1. When buying a new bike, get one with the lightest frame possible
This forms the base of the bicycle and the most expensive part you can buy. In general, to have a new frame it is necessary to buy a completely new bicycle. Unless your old bike already has excellent brakes, pedals, gears, and handlebars, it is rarely profitable to buy a new frame and transfer everything. When buying a frame for the bicycle, there is a definite hierarchy when it comes to weight.
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Carbon fiber:
The gold standard for lightweight bikes is carbon fiber, but unfortunately it's a bit brittle. You'll often see it on mountain bikes because technology has advanced over the years, so you should be careful if you decide to buy a second-hand one. Racing, triathlon and high-end bikes are the ones that use carbon fiber almost exclusively.
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Titanium:
this material is stronger than steel but much lighter. It is another high-end alternative often found on mountain and road bikes.
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Aluminum:
It is a strong and light material, and it is the most common that you can find when buying any bicycle.
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Steel:
It is strong but heavy and is the most common material in older bikes, which are the least focused on lower weight.
Step 2. Change wheels to reduce weight easily and immediately
Perhaps the cheapest solution is to get lighter wheels. In this way, you will not only reduce the weight, but the bike will be noticeably more aerodynamic. Wheels with fewer spokes or those made of a thinner material will help to lighten the weight. What is considered an “upgrade” will depend on what you currently have, but generally speaking, there are some foolproof upgrades that will always come in handy:
- Carbon fiber wheels
- Tubular wheels
- Aero wheels
Step 3. Make sure you are using the correct tires
Mountain bike tires, which are large and bulging, will cause difficulties when riding up a paved hill. If you normally ride streets instead of trails, buy a set of "cross" tires, which are lighter, have less friction, and can accommodate light trails.
Step 4. Opt for double crank front gears
Check out the chainrings, which are the large metal gears next to the right pedal. If you have three, consider purchasing a "compact crank", which will come with two chainrings. Although you will have fewer gears, you will reduce the weight of the bike.
If you still want to keep the gears but reduce the weight, you could remove an additional gear at the back, known as a cassette. However, many drivers find that after 1 to 2 weeks of using a compact crank they forget that they ever had a third ring
Step 5. Choose a streamlined handlebar
Carbon fiber bars or special aero bars, such as triathlon bars, will reduce weight and dampen some of the vibrations in your hands during bumpy trails. However, remember that carbon fiber is a bit brittle, so if you crash, be sure to take your bike to a local bike shop for inspection.
Step 6. Remove all unnecessary equipment
There are many accessories that people put on their bikes that unfortunately only add weight to it. Get rid of unnecessary saddlebags, lights, fenders, fenders, pumps, decorations, and reflectors, especially if you're driving on a dry day outside of town.
- If you're going for a short walk, leave any extra water bottle holders, although you should always have at least one bottle of water with you unless you can get it during the race.
- These accessories will only help you to reduce a few grams of the total weight, so they are not worth removing if you are driving on busy roads.
Step 7. Wear a pair of streamlined shoes and a helmet
While these accessories are typical for runners, lightweight shoes and aerodynamic helmets reduce weight, give you speed, and give you a professional appearance; however, they are expensive. You can also replace the pedals with special ones for racing and wear lightweight shoes that adhere to them.
Step 8. If you have a mechanical background, consider adapting your bike to be a racing bike
This procedure is not suitable for the cardiac, as it involves the reduction of every possible gram. Pro rider Jack Pullar is probably the most extreme example, ripping off the seat cover and punching holes in it, then cutting the bottom of the handlebars, all in order to reduce weight. While you should be careful, here are some of the racing bike modifications you can make:
- You can cut the seat tube 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) below the point where you set it.
- Cut off the ends of all the wires and the sheathing.
- Remove the bottle holders and bolts.
Step 9. Keep in mind that you will generally reduce grams, not pounds
Unless you're willing to spend about $ 15,000 on a pristine, high-end bike weighing just 5kg (11lb), you'll never be able to cut that amount. For example, using a lighter set of gears and gears will only reduce the equivalent of a third of the weight of an iPhone 4. You won't notice the difference. For example, if you want to participate in the Tour de France, you will need the lightest bike possible. If not, go for a few bigger, cheaper upgrades, and try to build leg strength instead of making the bike lighter.
If you've got some really good wheels and you still want a lighter bike, get a carbon fiber seat or some light and small pedals. They won't make a big difference, but they will lighten the bike
Method 2 of 2: Carrying Light While Hiking
Step 1. Keep in mind that you should carry as little equipment as possible during long excursions
Going on a bicycle tour Cycle tourism consists of traveling with all the necessary equipment packed in saddlebags (small bags that adhere to the bicycle). Because you will be traveling long distances, every gram you can reduce will make a big difference in your legs and lungs. Among the essential things you should not skip are:
- Water bottles and purification tablets
- Hand pump
- Extra tubes and a tube patch kit
- Brakes and cables for additional changes
- Multipurpose bike tool
- Head torch
- First aid kit, especially if you will spend time away from the cities
Step 2. Consider getting front saddlebags to distribute the weight evenly
You should always use rear panniers first, but front panniers will reduce stress on vital parts of the bike and help you climb hills. While they won't reduce the weight of your bike, they will add stability to the rear tire, frame, bike mount, and rear brakes.
However, don't use an extra set of saddlebags as an excuse to store more stuff. Simply rearrange your supplies into four bags instead of two
Step 3. Be sensible about your accessories
Do you really need a separate dishwasher detergent, shampoo, soap and laundry detergent or will a multipurpose camp cleaner do? Instead of carrying a hardcover book, buy some paperbacks, remove the covers, and burn or discard the chapters you have finished reading. Little tips like these will make packing easier and prevent you from carrying unnecessary weight.
- While a full-size bike pump could inflate the tires more easily, a manual one is much lighter.
- Instead of carrying dishes, pack a lightweight plastic container. In this way, you can store the leftovers, use the lower part as a container and the upper part as a plate.
Step 4. Get used to dirty laundry
Cycling is not glamorous and don't expect to be well dressed. You should have 2-3 pairs of shorts and sweaters, a lightweight waterproof jacket or pants depending on the weather, and a clean set of clothing to put on after driving. If it will be a cold night, a pair of pants, a hat and gloves will be light and easy accessories.
- Never wear cotton clothing as it is heavy and will absorb water like a sponge, making it heavier.
- Set up a saddlebag for dirty clothes and one for clean clothes and reuse dirty clothes as often as possible before changing into clean ones.
Step 5. Whenever possible, buy food every day
Unlike hikers, smart tour cyclists don't carry all of their necessary food supplies for each day. If you plan to hit at least one city every 1-2 days, you can lose a lot of weight by shopping for your groceries at the end of the day. If you stop near or in a city each day, buy dinner that night and breakfast the next day, and check a map. If you will arrive in a city sometime in the morning the next day, buy your lunch late and eat it on the side of the road and then repeat the process the next day.
- Make sure you always have 3-4 high carbohydrate snacks on hand (eg granola, protein bars, fruits, cereals, etc.). If you travel long distances, you will need to eat something every 30 to 60 minutes.
- Always have a light "emergency meal" in your saddlebag. Bring granola, dry rice or pasta, beans, etc. In case you can't find a place to stop
Step 6. Buy some light camping gear
The same lessons that backpackers learn, who carry everything they need in their backpacks, can help you reduce the weight on the wheels. Lightweight tents, sleeping bags, and mats might not be very essential for a cyclist, but they will still make a big difference. All brands of camping equipment provide lightweight alternatives, although here are some ideas to get the most out of the things you already have.
- Divide the weight of the tents among several riders. While a 1 or 2 person tent will definitely be lighter, dividing a 4 person tent between 4 riders could be even better. Divide the tarp, poles, tent, or ground cover between each rider to reduce weight per person.
- Foam pads, including foam mattress covers, are extremely light, although they can be bulky.
- Use the lightest sleeping bag you can get. For example, if you are traveling along the coast during the summer, a winter sleeping bag is probably too heavy for your needs.
Step 7. Get rid of unnecessary things
If you really want to lighten the weight of your bike and make it as efficient as possible, you should remove all accessories that are not very important for safety or comfort. Get rid of all the reflectors on the spokes of the wheels, the ones located on the front and back of the bike, the stand, the trims, etc. However, if you are traveling on busy roads, a light and some reflectors will compensate for the minimal increase in weight.