All cyclists in the world try to make their bike as light as possible and the reason is pretty obvious. Most people believe that the lighter the bike, the faster the speed will be, as well as less effort on the climb thanks to the reduced weight. However, several studies have shown that by eliminating half a kilogram of weight from the bicycle, the advantages in terms of climbing times are limited to a few seconds. In any case, these small details can make all the difference in a "head to head" during a speed race or in competitions over long distances.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Replace the Heavy Parts
Step 1. When buying a bike, opt for the lightest frame you can afford
The frame represents the structure of the bike and also the most expensive element. Buying a new frame usually means buying a new bicycle; Unless you have excellent quality pedals, brakes, shifters and handlebars on your previous vehicle, it is not cost effective to just buy a new frame and transfer these old components. Remember that there is a precise “hierarchy” regarding the weight of the frame.
- Carbon fiber. This is by far the best material for lightweight bicycles, but sadly it is also quite fragile. You will never see a mountain bike with a carbon fiber frame, while it is very popular for racing, triathlon and high-end models.
- Titanium. It is a sturdy metal like steel, but much lighter; titanium is another solution for high-end road and mountain bikes.
- Aluminum. It is a strong and light material; aluminum frames are the most popular and when you buy a bicycle it is very likely that it is built with this metal.
- Steel. Frames built with this metal are very strong but heavy. It is the most common choice for mountain bikes, where weight is less of an issue than road models.
Step 2. One way to quickly reduce weight is to change wheels
It is also the least "painful" solution for your wallet; by changing the wheels you will not only lighten the bike, but you will also make it more aerodynamic. Models with few spokes or built with ultralight materials will help you in your intent. This change can be considered an "improvement", based on the model in your possession, but in general you can't go wrong if you opt for:
- Carbon fiber wheels.
- Tubular tires.
- Aerodynamic wheels.
Step 3. Make sure the right tires are installed on your vehicle
The mountain bike ones are large and serrated, if you use them on asphalt you will get tired in a short time. If you find that you use your bike more on the road than along dirt paths, buy a set of multi-purpose tires that are lighter, generate less friction, but are still suitable for use on undemanding dirt roads.
Step 4. Switch to a crankset with two changes
Look at the front shift gears - these are the large sprockets next to the right pedal. If you see three, you might consider purchasing a "compact crankset" with only two gears. You will have fewer gears to use, but the bike will be lighter.
If you don't want to give up the three gears, but still want to lighten the bike, then you can combine the compact crankset with an additional rear gear (to be added to the sprocket set). That said, it should still be pointed out that after a week or two of riding a bike with a compact crankset, most riders forget they ever had three front gears
Step 5. Purchase aero handlebar
Those made of carbon fiber or with an aerodynamic profile (such as triathlon ones) can reduce the overall weight of the bicycle and absorb most of the vibrations generated on uneven roads, preventing them from transferring to the hands.
Step 6. Remove non-essential items
People mount many useless accessories on their vehicles which often only increase the weight. Get rid of unnecessary tail bags, lights, mudguards, mud flaps, pump; remove decorations and reflectors, especially if you use the bicycle on dry days and out of town.
- If you are about to take a short ride, remove the extra bottle cages, although you should always have one, unless you know for sure you will find water along the way.
- Sometimes these details allow you to eliminate only a few grams from the total weight and it is not always worthwhile to remove a reflector that could protect you while traveling on busy streets; therefore, carefully consider whether or not to remove certain accessories.
Step 7. Put on a helmet and aerodynamic shoes
Though intended for pro riders, the lighter Lycra liner and aero helmets cut weight significantly, make you faster and give you a pro cyclist look. However, they are expensive items. Remember that you can also replace the normal pedals with racing ones to be able to attach the ultralight shoes.
Step 8. If you have good mechanic skills, you can consider minimizing the structural weight of the bike
This is an operation not suitable for those who are afraid of damaging their vehicle, since it will be necessary to remove any excess gram from the bicycle. Professional racer Jack Pullar provided perhaps the most striking example of this work: he removed the seat cover and drilled holes in it, then sawed off the ends of the handlebars, all for the sole purpose of reducing the total weight of the bike.. While caution is required, the most common mechanical modifications are listed below:
- Saw the seat tube so that only 3-5 cm of the seat tube enters the frame.
- Cut off the unnecessary ends of all cables and their sheaths.
- Remove the bottle cages and their bolts.
Step 9. Remember that all these operations allow you to lighten the bicycle in the order of grams and not kilograms
Unless you're willing to shell out 8,000 euros for a brand new, high-end 6kg bike, know that you won't be able to cut overall weight much. Replacing the rear derailleur and front derailleur with a lighter equivalent model allows you to reduce weight equal to 1/3 of an iPhone 4. You won't notice the difference, but if you are about to participate in the Tour de France, you obviously want the vehicle. as light as possible. If not, stick to only the major modifications that are affordable and work hard to make the legs stronger, not lighten the bike.
If your bike already has nice wheels, but you want to reduce the weight even more, buy a carbon fiber seat or smaller pedals first. They won't make a big difference, but the vehicle will weigh less
Method 2 of 2: Prepare the Bike for Touring
Step 1. Remember that you need to carry the bare minimum when planning to go on long bike rides
The term "cycle tourism" means traveling by bike carrying everything you need to live in the bags attached to the vehicle. Since you will cycle long distances, every kilogram you can shed makes a difference for your lungs and legs. Below you will find a list of the bare essentials that you cannot omit:
- Bottles and tablets to purify the water.
- Hand pump.
- Spare air chambers and patching kits.
- Spare cables for brakes and shifters.
- Multi-purpose tools for the bicycle.
- Flashlight with headband.
- First aid kit, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time away from cities.
Step 2. Consider attaching bags to the front wheel as well to balance the weights
You should always use the rear bags first, but adding a pair of them at the front will allow you to reduce the strain on some vital elements of the bike and even help you climb uphill. While this will not make the vehicle lighter, the frame, wheel, rear brakes and even the rack will benefit and you will have more stability.
However, don't use this extra pair of bags as an excuse to carry more items. Simply redistribute the contents of your “luggage” into four bins instead of two
Step 3. Pack smartly
Do you really need a separate dish soap, soap, shampoo and shower gel, or can you opt for an all-purpose cleaner for camping? Instead of reading a hardcover book, buy the cheap version and rip or burn the chapters as you read them. Small details like these help you minimize items and avoid unnecessary weight.
- Although a full-sized hand pump is the most convenient tool for inflating tires, choose a small, portable one, which is much lighter.
- Instead of carrying the plates, pack a small set of plastic tupperware containers in your bag. You can store leftovers, use the bottom as a bowl and the lids as plates.
Step 4. Get used to dirty laundry
Cycling is certainly not a high fashion holiday, so don't expect to always be impeccable. You should bring two or three pairs of cycling shorts and jerseys, a lightweight waterproof jacket and pants, depending on the weather you will be experiencing, and a set of spare clothing to wear after your bike ride. If it gets cold at night, bring along a pair of pants, gloves and a hat, all of which are useful and lightweight.
- Do not bring cotton clothes, as they are heavy and get soaked in water like sponges, becoming even heavier.
- Reserve one bag for dirty laundry and one bag for clean laundry, and reuse the dirty clothes as many times as you can before putting on the clean ones.
Step 5. Whenever possible, purchase the food you need only for that day
Unlike backpackers, smart cycle tourists don't carry their food supplies every day. If your trip involves crossing a city every 1-2 days, then you can greatly reduce the weight you carry by purchasing meals in the late afternoon. If you stop by a city every day, buy what you need for dinner and breakfast the next day in the evening, and check the map to find out how far the next city is. If you are in a small town in the morning the next day, buy your lunch later and eat it on the side of the road. Maintain this habit.
- Make sure you always have 3-4 energy snacks, rich in carbohydrates (bars with muesli and proteins, fruit, dried cereals and so on) with you. When cycling long distances you need to eat every 30-60 minutes.
- Make sure you always have an emergency meal in your bag, such as muesli, rice or pasta, beans, and so on, in case you can't find a place to stop for food.
Step 6. Purchase ultra-light camping gear
Take advantage of the same knowledge as backpackers who carry everything they need with them and avoid weighing down the bike. Super light tents, sleeping bags and mats may not be essential enough for a touring cyclist, but they make a big difference in making the trip less tiring. Each brand of camping gear offers its own “ultra-light” models, but below you will find some good tips to get the most out of what you have.
- Divide the tent among several cyclists. Although a 1-2 person tent is much lighter, if you can divide the various elements of a 4 person tent over 4 bikes, the weight distribution will be even better. Everyone can carry the poles, the fabric, the ground cover or the plastic sheet separately, reducing the weight for each person.
- Foam mats, like the ones you sometimes put on top of the mattress, are extremely light yet bulky.
- Use the lightest sleeping bag you can find. If you plan to cycle along the coast of Puglia in the summer, for example, you may find that a sleeping bag designed for -15 ° C is too heavy for your real needs.
Step 7. Get rid of unnecessary things
If you really want your bicycle to be as light and efficient as possible, then know that accessories that are not vital to safety or comfort can be eliminated. The reflectors on the spokes, those positioned in front and behind the bike, the stand, the decorations and all the elements of this kind can be disassembled. If, however, you plan to use your bike on busy roads, it is worth keeping the spotlights, the weight of which is minimal.
