Going ultralight, help identifying a 5.2kg beauty

Bedfordshire Clanger wrote:

Excellent news, I recommend Snake Pass either as an out and back flying down to Ladybower or as a loop returning via Edale. The climb out of Edale (Mam Nick) is brutal in the middle but mercifully short. Long Hill from Whaley Bridge towards Buxton is another good long drag. If you take the right at Sandy Lane down into Goyt Valley there's a nice descent and then your choice of climb, following the valley up to the Cat and Fiddle or up the side and over the tops to Macclesfield.

I hate that arrow-straight section into the goyt valley. It's worth it though, to go up long hill first, and follow the stream along the valley and up to the Cat and Fiddle. Then right, down, left and absolutely kick the shit out of it on the fast section to Wildboarclough!

ilovemytinbred wrote:

Maybe we are splitting hairs a bit. I totally agree that there is a lot of pretty average stuff about that is just painted pretty. But I do believe that good companies are making superlight frames that are superstiff too, Cannondale is just one example. I also think that there is a general trend for normal priced frames to be lighter than 5 years ago without having to be a poor quality ride.

Definitely true, it's nice that prices seem to be stable enough while good quality frames remain available to a larger market.

My other half got a Slice recently, it's ridiculous! He took 20 or so seconds off his PB with it too.

If I ever win the lottery I'm buying myself an Impec though. Mmmm. Just because they look weird.

Sticking to my original Wyndy post though - those SL frames seem pretty sh1t hot for the price!

700c wrote:

I've been thinking about this and I think there's more to it than objective, scientifically measurable gains in terms of grams, stiffness,.aerodynamics etc of equipment

The relationship between rider and equipment is so important, confidence and even the knowledge that you've shaved a few grams, or invested a load of cash, can have a bigger effect psychologically than the numbers may suggest.

Similarly, knowing you have form, or having beaten competitors previously, will have am impact too.

I reckon there's a PhD paper or two in this!

Definitely agree!

God I'd love to meet the people that get employed to write these papers!

ilovemytinbred wrote:

It is only 6.8kg because they put weights in it. I dont really get the idea that weight makes any difference to the handling if it is a decent frame. An aero frame/wheels will give you much bigger problems as they catch the wind.

Weight will make a difference based on the grade and spec of carbon weave used to create such a lightweight frame. It's not necessarily the idea that a light frame will have you blow over in the wind (although it does make a spot of difference if you're a light rider) - like aero kit would. But more the fact that there is an ever increasing demand to cheaply manufacture off the peg superlights - many times to the detriment of frame stability.

This in turn will affect any action where you require a degree of required stiffness to weight ratio, such as climbing or sprinting.

Sh1t carbon makes for sh1t handling, don't let the pricetag fool you either - many top end manufacturers skimp on grading.

If we're talking about steel or alu the same rules apply it's just a different process. The new steel lightweight revolution is incredibly interesting, I was reading up on the manufacturing processes and the way they're doing things at the moment is incredible.

As a bike freak I get excited when a passionate manufacturer creates something that pushes boundaries - BUT at the same time, every time a manufacturer discounts quality for $$$ - somewhere, a puppy dies.

[edit] might see if I can overuse the word "incredible" any more...

ilovemytinbred wrote:

Cannondale supersix Evo is less than 700g and is not exactly a noodle. Peter Sagan seems to manage ok and he is going to stress it a bit more than us.

Peter Sagan also has exceptional control skills!

UCI sanctioned full build is 6.8kg - the Evo can be built at less, personally I wouldn't ride it at less unless I was hiring it in the Alps for a sportive or holiday - I don't have the power or experience to hold something that light upright when the wind starts having a hissy.

Also the Evo is on the cusp of top end when it comes to price - so you would expect them to weave in a reasonable stiffness to weight ratio.

700c wrote:

Mooleur - agree completely.

PS really keen to cycle the isle of Man TT route. Looks fantastic, but wouldn't take my deep rims though! Can't do the sportive this year unfortunately, so will have to organise something myself

It's hideous! In a good way, I've done the full route once (actually on that sportive!) and it is super challenging, just the mountain really - it's baron and windy and soul grinding, by the time you get to it you've already put your legs through some pretty rolling terrain so it's a tough old slog to the finish line.

Definitely not one for deeps although I think Kennaugh might have used his aero wheels when they did a TT round it last time?! (I'd have to check the photos)

Coming down the mountain is the best bit, I'm an OK descender and have clocked well over 50mph on good days

Let me know if you're ever over, can take you on some nice routes!

mooleur wrote:

I'm slightly perplexed as to how a post about lightness geekery has morphed into... oh sod it.

I bought 1 bike. Lost 20kg in 1 year. (80 to 60)

For the price of one bike I gained the weight advantage of ~three by riding it.

Only feasible way forward now is to congratulate myself by buying a superlight frame.... maybe.

That I would agree with.

People get all excited about equipment and aerodynamics before they do the basics.

abudhabiChris wrote:

That I would agree with.

People get all excited about equipment and aerodynamics before they do the basics.

Yup!

For an average rider, those gains won't be seen until they race. And then, they're generally not an average rider any more.

I don't even race on aero wheels and I'm stilling running a 105 set for the road bike.

The science is interesting but it often unfortunately clouds good judgement.

First off, congratulations on your weight loss - that's a huge amount in a year. Can I ask how tall you are? I'm finding it a total pain in the backside trying to get from 88kg to 80 - even at the end of my last half ironman prep I never went lower than 86.5. I'm bang on 6 ft. I reckon if I lost 20kg i'd be in danger of folding in half if it rained.

With regard to the bike question, ignore anyone mocking your interest in buying a lighter/better one. If you want it, and can afford it, do what you want and get something you'll enjoy owning. Haters gonna hate, and all that. My particular fetish if I were to get a new road bike would be a Look 695...mmmmmm