Frame weight

DirtTurtle said:

The frame i ride is chromoly TT tubing(high grade chromoloy but still heavy i know). The frame weighs in at either 1.4 or 1.5kgs, i know it aint that light but is it extremely heavy. Im upgrading to ultegra components and lighter wheels, i absolutely love the feel of the frame but was just wondering at that weight would i seriously need to be looking at a new frame for racing.

I raced on a steel frame for the past few years (recently switched to aluminum) and allthough I never weighed it as a bare frame, I'm guessing it was in the 1.5-1.6kg. Built with Record components and Eurus wheels it was 18lbs 4oz , (with pedals, cages etc). Not lightweight by any stretch, but neither am I... :eek:

DirtTurtle said:

The frame i ride is chromoly TT tubing(high grade chromoloy but still heavy i know). The frame weighs in at either 1.4 or 1.5kgs, i know it aint that light but is it extremely heavy. Im upgrading to ultegra components and lighter wheels, i absolutely love the feel of the frame but was just wondering at that weight would i seriously need to be looking at a new frame for racing.

You don't "need" a sub-kg frame for racing, and 1.4-1.5 kg isn't heavy for a frame. In fact, depending on your size, weight and strength, it could be just right for you.

Saving 0.5 kg with a new CF wonderframe might make you feel a lot faster, but the real difference is very much like losing 0.5 kg of bodyweight. Try leaving a small water bottle at home to get the idea.

Of course, if you've got the hots for some new race equipment, that's a different story. In that case, getting a whole new bike could be smarter than spending a ton money to upgrade the old dog. If you think your frame is heavy now, it's going to feel even heavier when you put on the lightweight wheels and components 😉

Hmm im only going ulteg not sure about weight would be 20+ atm i pressume. Might start looking for job for new frame, getting new rims and groupy so i get improved functionality and bridge the gap before i can get the frame.

DirtTurtle said:

The frame i ride is chromoly TT tubing(high grade chromoloy but still heavy i know). The frame weighs in at either 1.4 or 1.5kgs, i know it aint that light but is it extremely heavy.

That's very, very light for a steel frame. In fact, it's so light that I'm wondering if you have weighed it accurately.

Retro Grouch said:

That's very, very light for a steel frame. In fact, it's so light that I'm wondering if you have weighed it accurately.

It's likely right. I had a handbuilt Paramount OS with True Temper tubing, built up with Record and Race X Lite wheels. It weighed 17.5 lbs, here on Earth, at an altitude of about 2300 ft MSL.

I havnt weighed but just going on old mans heresay. He had a m8 working in metalurgy when he built it, he had analysis done on it and it very high grade. Also aero tubing which give different strength. Weight is exluding fork.
Im 6ft 62kg so weight isnt to bad, but one question to ask is weight on the bike even to weight on the body, ie is 5kg on a bike a lot more than carrying 5 on your body?

weight is weight, unless it's revolving.

kant314 said:

weight is weight, unless it's revolving.

Eggzachary! To have frame and components make a meaningsful difference with a pound or two we'd have to assume you are at your optimal bodyweight and maximized output efficiency. I love when clydesdales debate the weight variance between ultegra and dura ace.

I have a custom-built steel frame that weighs in at 3.1 pounds (1.4 kg)... Built up with lots of good components, it came out to 18.1 pounds. And it's just about perfect for me. 🙂

kant314 said:

weight is weight, unless it's revolving.

Weight is weight even if it's revolving.

FreeHueco said:

I have a custom-built steel frame that weighs in at 3.1 pounds (1.4 kg)... 🙂

hmmm, that's pretty light for steel. What's it made out of and what size is it?

My 58cm Cervelo Superprodigy, made with Columbus Ultrafoco is 1670g, totally bare, and my 4 'best & light' alu frames are 1430g, 1508g, 1546g and 1550g. I'm no weight weeny, but it's interesting to know