What does a very light bike feel like?

[Fishbike]

Over on the classifieds there is a thread about a fairly light parlee originally claimed to be 10 pounds but apparently actually 14 and change. But uber light bikes do exist. Anyone ride one? What does it feel like?

[weisan]

It depends on how much you weigh.

[Bentley]

This should be moved to General Discussion, really not for Classifieds

[ultraman6970]

Doesnt matter how light it is, I weight so much that is irrelevant to have a light bike 4 me.

[mktng]

it feels amazing. until you realize it doesn't make you a better or faster cyclist. just a poorer one. :P

[weiwentg]

Originally Posted by mktng

it feels amazing. until you realize it doesn't make you a better or faster cyclist. just a poorer one. :P

You lose weight off the bike and your wallet simultaneously.

[RAS72]

I have a weight weenie (13lbs racer) and a tank (21lbs gravel).
I prefer the tank.
It just rides better. But it may also be the way i ride these days - slow...

[bicycletricycle]

In my experience they feel really great the first time you pick them up or when you have not ridden it for a while. After a couple rides they feel the same. They always feel awesome when carrying them up the stairs.

[polyhistoric]

Different tools for different purposes. My WeightWeenie Parlee is like a bottle rocket going up the hills. On the other hand, for gravel, rutted road, touring riding, I prefer the stability and security of a little more weight on the bike.

Lightweight bikes are fun - but I couldn't imagine it being my only cycling experience.

[Clean39T]

Decent going up, except for the inevitable creaks and wet-noodle feeling.

A nightmare going down, especially over rough roads.

The best riding light bike I've been on was an Emonda SLR - it was 13-ish without any compromise parts. It still felt unstable descending, or maybe not planted is a better descriptor.. But it was solid climbing.

I've been riding and enjoying steel bikes for most of the year though. I have very little desire to go back to a light bike, or carbon in general. And I now more notice the feel of steel dancing on a climb than I do it's weight drawing me backwards. Riding my Sachs out of the saddle up some climbs yesterday in the 39x23/25 was pure bliss. It probably weighs 19lbs.

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[Clean39T]

I should add that my experience is mirrored in the car world. I'm coming up to the end of my lease on a decked-out BMW i3. The car is very light, perfectly balanced, and goes 0-45mph faster than anything I've experienced. But driving it on anything other than glass-smooth pavement is awful. It skips around like crazy hunting for traction and can't hold a line. That's exactly my experience with light bikes..

Give me a row-your-own five-series any day over this (except can you please buy the gas?).

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[mmelito]

Originally Posted by Clean39T

I should add that my experience is mirrored in the car world. I'm coming up to the end of my lease on a decked-out BMW i3. The car is very light, perfectly balanced, and goes 0-45mph faster than anything I've experienced. But driving it on anything other than glass-smooth pavement is awful. It skips around like crazy hunting for traction and can't hold a line. That's exactly my experience with light bikes..

Give me a row-your-own five-series any day over this (except can you please buy the gas?).

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+1 Great explanation that hit home.

[KarlC]

Originally Posted by Clean39T

Decent going up, except for the inevitable creaks and wet-noodle feeling.

A nightmare going down, especially over rough roads.

The best riding light bike I've been on was an Emonda SLR - it was 13-ish without any compromise parts. It still felt unstable descending, or maybe not planted is a better descriptor.. But it was solid climbing.

I've been riding and enjoying steel bikes for most of the year though. I have very little desire to go back to a light bike, or carbon in general. And I now more notice the feel of steel dancing on a climb than I do it's weight drawing me backwards. Riding my Sachs out of the saddle up some climbs yesterday in the 39x23/25 was pure bliss. It probably weighs 19lbs.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I love the feel of my Speedvagen steel dancing up a climb, Its much more noticeable than other steel frames I have tried. It gives back a sense of energy that makes you want to keep going.

Have you ever had a chance to try a light weight steel frame and build, done right it could be the best of both worlds ?

.

[Steve in SLO]

Echo what Clean says.
In addition, it seems the weight of the wheels, especially rims and tires, makes a big difference on how to move a bike rides. More mass on the outside leads to a smoother feeling ride when power input is nonlinear (ie, virtually everybody’s pedaling stroke), and to more stable–feeling descending due to more centrifugal force.

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by KarlC

I love the feel of my Speedvagen steel dancing up a climb, I much more noticeable than other steel frames I have tried. It gives back a sense of energy that make you want to keep going.

Have you ever had a chance to try a light weight steel frame and build, done right it could be the best of both worlds ?

.

Well, yes, kind of - and will be working on another.. But given my component preferences, I don't think I'll be edging down under 16-lbs anytime soon.