Re: [CR]953 steel tubing

(Example: Humor:John Pergolizzi)

Date: Sat, 3 Mar 2007 07:24:02 -0800 (PST)
From: Donald Gillies <gillies@cs.ubc.ca>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]953 steel tubing

Not many traditional quill stems were below 300 grams in weight.

steel headset 140gm 1.3mm steerer 200gm? traditional 1-A stem 300gm

TOTAL: 640 grams

integrated headset 60gm thin steerer 100gm? light ahead stem 140gm

TOTAL: 300 grams

so I'm guessing that a modern integrated headset saves almost 2/3 of a pound of weight, but not a full pound of weight. With 210 gram bars (vs. 300 grams traditional bars), a modern bike does have almost a 1-lbs weight advantage in the steering column.

I wonder if this advantage has a multiplier, like the 2x multiplier on the wheels ("1 lbs off the frame feels like 2 lbs off the frameset") ?? Does a lighter steering column give a more 'nimble' and less 'mack-truck-like' road feel?

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA