I have a 2013 Speed Concept and was wondering what some have done to save weight on these bikes.
Easy way to drop 200 grams:
http://www.tririg.com/store.php?c=clamps
Keep in mind though, never sacrifice aero to save weight, even for very hilly courses. If you want to shave grams do it with things that don’t affect aerodynamics. Also remember weigh has very very little impact on performance on 99% of triathlon and TT courses.
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Replace all the bolts with TI
Carbon rail saddle
Lighter cable housing
electrical tape for bar tape
less water bottles/storage on the frame
lightweight grouppo.
All that is going to net you not much… but sometimes being a weight weenie is cool.
fill with helium
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250 less calories a day…
Unless you are sub 5% body fat losing even 2-3lbs will be easier and cheaper then doing so with a bike.
Meh… not worth the effort/cost IMO. What goes up, must come down. It might make you a little slower uphill, but you’ll get most of the energy back downhill. Remember, it’s not a road race with points for hill climbs or a hill top finish. The finish is usually the same elevation as the start and it’s a solo TT … unless it’s a Florida 70.3 or IM… but there’s not hill there anyway.
I have heard that the paint itself weigh over 1lb. So you could strip it and just apply a light clear coat to the carbon fiber.
You can replace hardware, but some of that hardware can increase your risk of failure.
A lighter helmet is over 1/2lb less than a heavier one.
There’s wheels, but again, aero trumps weight. Disc wheels weigh at least 1lb more than a deep section rear wheel.
Bottom bracket, hubs, cranks are the heaviest components.
There are lighter brakes, but here aerodynamics and durability are more important.
Tires & tubes can save weight, but they also impact durability and aero.
+100 on being more disciplined in your diet and getting to your ideal weight. Keep in mind that the ideal weight for IM may be a little heavier than for 70.3 and Olympic Distance.
Others have given solid advice. My own strategy is that if I ever get below 6% bodyfat I’ll drop the $ on dropping weight from my SC. Until then, it’s 21lbs of aero.
What does it weigh with race wheels on it?
What race wheels are you using?
I would just put a carbon rail saddle- unless your favorite saddle does not come that way.
You already have a carbon bike with carbon bars and carbon seatpost.
And I would eliminate all the unneeded doo-dads and such that many triathletes put on their bikes.
It should look like a bike- not a Christmas tree.
Bikes are so light these days anyhow. 18 lb is not terrible for a fast bike.
FWIW my fastest tt bike weighed 21.5 lb. I even rode fast on it on hillclimb prologues 