Lighten Your Bicycle
69Prioritized Weight Reduction
The following is a list, in order of priority, representing the components on a bicycle which, based on their relative weights, contribute most toward climbing speed. To determine the best choice for your bicycle and your style of riding I have also included a link to the most popular site for listing of bicycle components and their actual weights.
Tires, Tubes, Rims, Spokes, Shoes, Pedals, Chain, Cranks, Cassettes, Hubs, Bottom Bracket, Frame, Forks, Brakes, Handlebars, Saddles, Stems, Seatposts, Skewers, Rear derailleurs, Bottle cages, Headsets, Front Derailleurs.
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/listings.php
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Makes sense. Clearly those parts with rotational weight should be the first to go, since not only do you have to haul their weight up hill, but you also have to turn it, which makes the impact even greater. But I would think that at least on a road bike, it easier to save weight with lighter tubes rather than tires. However on a mountain bike, lighter tires definitely can save a full pound. You also didn't mention shifters. If you're truely doing a hill climb race, where uphill is all that counts, you could switch your front shifter from an integrated STI shifter/break lever to just a brake lever, then use a down-tube shifter. That can save a bunch of weight if you can find a light, pure break lever. Happy climbing!
You are right. The tubes count too. As for the shifters, I would group them with all the remaining parts as weight saving opportunities. Thanks for your comments.
Coach Levi says:
2 years ago
That's a great page for weight weenies to "build" their perfect bike!