Just had a chat with a framebuilder who changed my mind about chasing weight

Ran into an old guy at the co-op who said he's been building bikes for 40 years and never once weighed a frame. He told me 'ride feel matters more than a half pound off the scale' and honestly that hit me because I've been obsessing over grams on customer builds for no reason. Has anyone else backed off the weight weenie stuff after hearing someone out?

3 comments

3 Comments

brianreed10d agoMost Upvoted

His point about never weighing a frame really sticks with me. I think the whole weight weenie thing got out of hand when people started drilling holes in brake levers and using tires as thin as paper tubes just to save a few grams. The real ride feel comes from how the frame flexes and absorbs road buzz, not from a number on a scale. A bike that's too stiff and light can beat you up on a long ride, while a slightly heavier frame with good compliance will let you ride all day without feeling wrecked. I've seen guys spend thousands to drop a pound, then slap on a heavy saddle bag and lights and undo all that work anyway.

lily_torres3110d ago

Is it just me or does this perfectly describe how we do the same thing in every other part of life too? I swear, people will spend a fortune on carbon fiber water bottles to save 20 grams but then pack a whole extra pair of shoes for a weekend trip. It's like we get so focused on one tiny detail we forget the big picture. My cousin spent six months dieting for a wedding, lost like 30 pounds, then showed up in a suit that was three sizes too big and looked terrible anyway. We all chase these little numbers and forget what actually matters, like how the ride feels or how comfortable you are in your own skin.

jakewhite10d agoMost Upvoted

Yeah I mean I used to be all about shaving grams but this honestly made me reconsider everything.