Loosing Weight

Over the years of biking we begin to refine our ways. At first one's thinking is on the other end of the technique and style spectrum. Something to the effect of making the longest brake skid while still in grade school. Sooner, or perhaps later, we learn better ways to effectively handle ourselves on the trails without trying to look like the cool kid. However, some little voice inside us still wants to play it "cool" and go for the bling factor and yet retain practicality. While we may feel like Jekyll and Hyde though the process, we can obtain both a bling factor and practicality.

It is hard not to know how much our bike weighs (down to the gram) with all the emphasis on weight these days. Many of us as kids would never have thought to weigh our bikes. Even then only the obsessive-compulsive disorderly type would bother with individual parts. Achieving an optimal weight can be traced back to the road bike crowd but the principles are cared over into the lycraphobic group.

Recently, I have had the opportunity to build up a Gary Fisher Sugar2+. I was thrilled that I could eventually be riding a sub 30 pound bike rather than a 35 pound beast of a hardtail. You can imagine my eyes when I weighed the Sugar at the scale stopped at 27.8lbs. There was a reason we called the green Sugar PEG (performance enhancing gecko). Sadly, as you can see, the swing arm broke and supply is rather limited for a replacement.


The next phase was the depressing one: trying to find a frame. Searching for a frame is a bit like searching for a spouse. You want to make sure you get one that you can afford and yet one that leaves you smiling for years. My search ended when I found a Gary Fisher Roscoe frame for less than I was budgeting. After another buildup period and several hundred over budget due to extras, I can proudly say I was complete and happy. Well, that is until I weighed the bike at 30 pounds. Sure, I didn't have the lightest of items, but it all adds up. With everything in working order I could not find myself justifying the expense to save a few pounds when I, myself, could cut back on a few tacos too. That is, until, the fork broke.

Keep in mind I have been using a RS Psylo fork from 2002 on my 2010 frame. The fork itself was designed for 125 travel and weighing in around 2200 grams. You probably think I was nuts for running it, but it was what I could afford at the time. Throughout the life of the fork I have noticed some fluid at the lockout topcap. This fork is a fluid dampening and does not rely on air pressure. After further review, the fluid leaks out of the PureSystem lock rod assembly due to an elongated hole. With this recent discovery and some other crown concerns, I decided it was the time to pony up for a front end build.

Here is where I stand now. A Psylo at ~2200 grams, Kenda Nevagel StickE at ~1200 grams, and WTB SX24 wheel at ~1000 grams. Thats a total around 4400 grams or 9.7 pounds. You can imagine my desire to thin that down a hair or two. I have some new numbers for the front end that will really push me into the sub 30 pound camp. The fork is a 150 Talas at 1424 grams, Bont XR4 at ~609, and a NukeProof Generator front wheel at ~945 grams. This brings my new front end at around 2983 grams or 6.57 pounds. I will have more accurate weights when the wheel and tire are in the garage of course. But a savings of 3.13 pounds is outstanding! I will provide pictures and updates and the build progresses. Until then, have fun riding as I am without a working bike.