DaveB, I got the new bike

[Mich the Tester]

But there are still enough club riders out there who think they are and will spend the money. Just read some of the cycling magazines and the adverts they carry.

Some guy here in Holland who owns a bike shop tested himself and his mates over 50 kms a number of times using decent bikes that weigh 9kg and bikes that weigh 8 kilos but cost a lot more. Biggest average difference in performance was less than half a minute; the really important weight difference is the rider himself.

For the unititiated, saving weight on the bike can cost about 1 euro per gram.

[lukemg]

'I were right about that saddle tho'

[mudskipper]

Some guy here in Holland who owns a bike shop tested himself and his mates over 50 kms a number of times using decent bikes that weigh 9kg and bikes that weigh 8 kilos but cost a lot more. Biggest average difference in performance was less than half a minute; the really important weight difference is the rider himself.

For the unititiated, saving weight on the bike can cost about 1 euro per gram.

This is the one that made me go WTF - 140 squid for an 18g water bottle cage - you're going to stick a friggin' bottle of water in it! Water = 1g per ml - average bottle holds 500ml.

Campagnolo Record Carbon Bottle Cage | Evans Cycles

[DaveB]

Some guy here in Holland who owns a bike shop tested himself and his mates over 50 kms a number of times using decent bikes that weigh 9kg and bikes that weigh 8 kilos but cost a lot more. Biggest average difference in performance was less than half a minute; the really important weight difference is the rider himself.

For the unititiated, saving weight on the bike can cost about 1 euro per gram.

And then you start getting into ceramic bearings, hollow cast components and low friction lubricants.

$$

[Mich the Tester]

'I were right about that saddle tho'

Yep, that's another thing you need to provide yourself. Note the groove for the protection of blood flow to the male implement;

:: BBBParts 2011: Welcome! ::

[Mich the Tester]

And then you start getting into ceramic bearings, hollow cast components and low friction lubricants.

$$

It would perhaps make the difference of winning and not winning for top flight professional racers (who don't have to pay for their own bikes), but seeing as half the club racers I see around our way are fat lardy arses they'd be better off just shedding a few pounds around the waist. But of course they'd prefer to show off their custom configured carbon Pinarello or Merckx and look all snooty at the bloke on a cheaper bike who's just overtaken them and farted as he went past.

[DaveB]

This is the one that made me go WTF - 140 squid for an 18g water bottle cage - you're going to stick a friggin' bottle of water in it! Water = 1g per ml - average bottle holds 500ml.

Campagnolo Record Carbon Bottle Cage | Evans Cycles

I use the cheapest plastic one I could buy, weighs almost nothing and when I break it I'll buy a new one.

[doodab]

the really important weight difference is the rider himself.

Indeed. I am of the opinion that if I can comfortably loose as much as the bike weighs I should ride it more instead of worrying about getting a new one.

I don't perceive massive functional differences with the more expensive stuff, it's fractions of a % that only make a difference if you're competing at a level where fractions of a % make a difference. I suspect Chris Hoy could outrun me on a Grifter.

I fully understand choosing ones own saddle and pedals mind. Very personal choice.

[Mich the Tester]

Indeed. I am of the opinion that if I can comfortably loose as much as the bike weighs I should ride it more instead of worrying about getting a new one.

I don't perceive massive functional differences with the more expensive stuff, it's fractions of a % that only make a difference if you're competing at a level where fractions of a % make a difference. I suspect Chris Hoy could outrun me on a Grifter.

I fully understand choosing ones own saddle and pedals mind. Very personal choice.

Seeing as Chris Hoy's about 15 stone he's probably almost capable of picking up his own grifter if he falls off, which would make him phenomenally strong.

[Mich the Tester]

This is the one that made me go WTF - 140 squid for an 18g water bottle cage - you're going to stick a friggin' bottle of water in it! Water = 1g per ml - average bottle holds 500ml.

Campagnolo Record Carbon Bottle Cage | Evans Cycles

I'll tell you what though, if Campagnolo could make water weigh less they'd do it, and they're probably among the few people clever enough to work out how.

'Let's take another look at the design of this atom; surely we can remove some unnecessary stodge.'