I think that someone may have touched on this, but a phrase that sticks i n my mind is "an ounce on the rim is worth a pound on the frame", but I s uspect that most people focus more on the weight of their bikes than on red ucing revolving weight on the wheels, which will generally give a much mo re noticeable result than a reduction of a few ounces (or even pounds, if you're not a race-tuned greyhound) in the frame or accessories. Any way , too much lightness can be a disadvantage - wasn't it Jean Robic who was losing out on the descents against heavier riders, so his manager gave h im a water bottle filled with lead at the summit, and took it back at the bottom?
To demonstrate that the obsession with lightness isn't a recent thing, re fer to:
http://smg.photobucket.com/
for a photo of Evelyn Hamilton holding a complete 13lb Buckley bicycle with one finger in the mid-1930's. The relevant catalogue page can also be see n.
Neil Foddering
Weymouth, Dorset, England
> From: douguk2007@hotmail.co.uk
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 22:05:28 +0000
> Subject: [CR]Bike Weight
>
> During a conversation the other day the subject of bike weight arose .
> I've often wondered why when someone viewing my bike/s tends to
> pick it up and pose the question , how much does it weigh. I am never
> able to answer, simply because I do 'nt know because I 've never checke
d.
> Over the years I have never been "weight conscious" my main aim has
> always been to build up up frame with whatever parts I choose or are
> available at the time . I loosely classify my bikes as lightweights but
> when one considers some of the steel and chrome accessories we
> build up with they are far from light!
>
> So what is it that makes some folk expect their or other persons bikes
> to be as light as possible. It surprises me the lengths some will go to
> lighten a machine for few ounces/grams. Where are the benefits ,what
> is to gained I wonder ? Does any effort to reduce weight really alter
> the the riding qualities or speed of our classic lightweight machines.
> I have my doubts!
>
> Doug Smith
> North Dorset
> UK