This was probably covered in the past, but I think a new discussion is in order:
Say the weight of the rider + bicycle is 70 kgs.
In one case the rider weights 62 and the bike 8, and in another the rider weights 63 and the bike 7, and in another the rider weights 64 and the bike 6.
Lets assume the rider’s power/efficiency/position doesn’t change. Say he just ate a really big meal before he took off.
Which would be faster? I’m assuming they’d all be the same, so that brings me to my next question: what’s the point of making super-light bicycles if you could just drop 1-2 kgs and get the same effect (assuming the former is correct).
Rotational weight is more significant than static weight when you are accelerating or climbing, but for the most part, weight is weight.
I would imagine that if someone had a big enough meal to put on a kilo, then went riding hard, they would be significantly slower as they would be stopped at the side of the road throwing up…
Which would be faster? I’m assuming they’d all be the same, so that brings me to my next question: what’s the point of making super-light bicycles if you could just drop 1-2 kgs and get the same effect (assuming the former is correct).
The lighter bike would be faster, especially if the weight was saved in rotating parts. You would probably need a timing system that measures accurately in the 1/1000’s of seconds though.
That being said there are several reasons to make lighter bikes…
Lighter is faster (with the above caveat).
If you can lose a few kgs AND have a lighter bike, you will be all that much lighter.
Even if you can lose a few kgs, assuming your wallet can handle it, it’s easier to lose weight by giving a credit card number than counting calories.
An extension of the above point, light bikes (and light bike equipment) tend to look cool, and while few of us will ever be pro-caliber riders, buying and having cool stuff they use gives enjoyment (enjoyment being the reason those of us who don’t ride for a paycheck, ride). Almost everyone gets enjoyment out of buying, and having cool stuff (even though many will deny it).
And perhaps most importantly, the topic helps support hundreds of internet forums by promting repeated, equally pointless posts about it.
