Trek releases all-new aerodynamic Émonda

maybe, but in the tour on a descent those seconds would more than be made up by the better braking and aero benefits.

 

But that is not what Trek is claiming. They are marketing a 15s gain up Alpe d'Huez . My point is that going up Alp d'Huez, lower weight of a non-disk gruppo will be more than 15s faster.

But that is not what Trek is claiming. They are marketing a 15s gain up Alpe d'Huez . My point is that going up Alp d'Huez, lower weight of a non-disk gruppo will be more than 15s faster.

In their testing, weight is pretty much a constant. It's the UCI limit. Sure, the lower priced models would benefit from weight savings.

Trek mentioned in the press call that they were not doing a rim brake version because they simply were not selling enough rim brake bikes to justify building them.

In their testing, weight is pretty much a constant. It's the UCI limit. Sure, the lower priced models would benefit from weight savings.

 

Trek mentioned in the press call that they were not doing a rim brake version because they simply were not selling enough rim brake bikes to justify building them.

Thats a relief.

Now I can't be tempted to get one! Rim brakes or bust!

# RIMBRAKESMATTER

In their testing, weight is pretty much a constant. It's the UCI limit. Sure, the lower priced models would benefit from weight savings.

 

Trek mentioned in the press call that they were not doing a rim brake version because they simply were not selling enough rim brake bikes to justify building them.

From 2021, we are going to see more and more brands following suite. It’s a matter of time before all the big brands do not offer a rim brake bike, just like 26” disappeared; rim brakes will be next.

As a COLNAGO Purist - This would be my 2nd choice - TREK all the way

But that is not what Trek is claiming. They are marketing a 15s gain up Alpe d'Huez . My point is that going up Alp d'Huez, lower weight of a non-disk gruppo will be more than 15s faster.

Ligther isnt always faster, testing we have done with a heavier overall bike has been faster in some cases on the climbs due to aero dynamics. Same with tyres and tubes, the lighter the tube and tyre combo doesn't always result in a better rolling resistance. 

Ineos Pinarellos are all over 7kg race weight

They still ride tubbies

From 2021, we are going to see more and more brands following suite. It’s a matter of time before all the big brands do not offer a rim brake bike, just like 26” disappeared; rim brakes will be next.

Rim brakes may be the future but to get a light disc brake bike requires a 2nd morgage on the house!

To get under 8kg you are going to spend +R100 000-00 for an Ultegra specced bike.

In a few years maybe they'll cure the brake rub, rapid pad wear, brake squeal and flexy wheels. 

till then

#RIMBRAKESMATTER

Ineos Pinarellos are all over 7kg race weight

They still ride tubbies

 

 

 

Rim brakes may be the future but to get a light disc brake bike requires a 2nd morgage on the house!

To get under 8kg you are going to spend +R100 000-00 for an Ultegra specced bike.

 

In a few years maybe they'll cure the brake rub, rapid pad wear, brake squeal and flexy wheels.

 

till then

#RIMBRAKESMATTER

Edit: I do have to sell my beloved Madone SL6 Disc though. That was a beast but the wrong side of 8kg and around R73k. 7.8kg with its raci g wheels on.

Under 8kg with decent spec at under R80k shouldn't be too tough to find.

It's interesting to note that they have moved away from BB90 to the T47 standard.
I think that many people will applaud that.

Ineos Pinarellos are all over 7kg race weight

They still ride tubbies

 

 

 

Rim brakes may be the future but to get a light disc brake bike requires a 2nd morgage on the house!

To get under 8kg you are going to spend +R100 000-00 for an Ultegra specced bike.

 

In a few years maybe they'll cure the brake rub, rapid pad wear, brake squeal and flexy wheels. 

 

till then

#RIMBRAKESMATTER

Easier to lose a kilo of body-weight than find an extra R50k

Easier to lose a kilo of body-weight than find an extra R50k

For some people its the other way around

 

To get under 8kg you are going to spend +R100 000-00 for an Ultegra specced bike.

 

 

#RIMBRAKESMATTER

My R60k 6.8kg bike disagrees with you.

(agree with the rim brake comment though. You wont get a under R100k light disc bike I reckon)

My R60k 6.8kg bike disagrees with you.

Is it a disk bike?

Is it a disk bike?

Nope.

I see now I don't think I read properly.

Nope.

 

I see now I don't think I read properly.

I wonder what the TCR disc weighs in at. the top end one supposedly comes in at 6.5kg but thats $11000.

My R60k 6.8kg bike disagrees with you.

 

(agree with the rim brake comment though. You wont get a under R100k light disc bike I reckon)

Typo, I meant you won't find a under 8kg disc brake bike for under R100K.

for rm brake bikes you could be in the R50k region which is much more attainable to the general public.

I'cant get much lighter than I am when at race weight (2kg lighter than I current am) So bike weight is quite important. If I weighed 90kg it may not be such a big deal but then I'd probably NEED those disc brakes anyway

Imo UCI 6.8kg is overdue for a review.

Weight of frames have almost halved in the 12 or 15 years it has been in effect. The pro teams add weight in the form of power meters, heavy saddles etc to get up to 6.8

It would be interesting to see what options the pros go for if the limit was set at say 5.0kg.

It would be interesting to see what options the pros go for if the limit was set at say 5.0kg.

It's pretty easy to already be at 5kg's with(out) a worldtour budget. I reckon pro's would still use what works for them, also considering most are not weight weenies.

I also think even a 5kg weight limit is daft. They should rather implement some sort of technical safety limit based on proper engineering standards. The weight limit was introduced as a safety thing.

A stadard like that should be easy to do, since frames and wheels must be "UCI certified" before they can be raced.

Imo UCI 6.8kg is overdue for a review.

Weight of frames have almost halved in the 12 or 15 years it has been in effect. The pro teams add weight in the form of power meters, heavy saddles etc to get up to 6.8

 

It would be interesting to see what options the pros go for if the limit was set at say 5.0kg.

Technologically the bikes can be lighter but the problem is then they don't last. 7,5kg bikes are cracking and theres more of that the lighter the bikes get.

The UCI set the weight limit at 6,.8kg because the inent was to keep the sport fair in allowing riders from all backgrounds to be able to acquire a competitive bike.

5Kg bikes can be built bu they cost more than my Golf VII.

The 6.8kg weight limit is one of the UCI  rules I don't think is ridiculous as 5kg bikes don't make the sport better. We're already in the place where pro teams can barely afford to stay in the sport so I don't think the bikes should be more expensive.

Technologically the bikes can be lighter but the problem is then they don't last. 7,5kg bikes are cracking and theres more of that the lighter the bikes get.

The UCI set the weight limit at 6,.8kg because the inent was to keep the sport fair in allowing riders from all backgrounds to be able to acquire a competitive bike.

5Kg bikes can be built bu they cost more than my Golf VII.

The 6.8kg weight limit is one of the UCI rules I don't think is ridiculous as 5kg bikes don't make the sport better. We're already in the place where pro teams can barely afford to stay in the sport so I don't think the bikes should be more expensive.

100%

Weight limits have also allowed power meters, cameras etc to be popped on the bike to give us viewers and extra dimension.

I don't agree in the blanket sub 7.5kg bike cracking thoug. There are many many more factors involved in frame failure than just weight.

100%

 

Weight limits have also allowed power meters, cameras etc to be popped on the bike to give us viewers and extra dimension.

 

I don't agree in the blanket sub 7.5kg bike cracking thoug. There are many many more factors involved in frame failure than just weight.

Sure that true. The margin for error is just geometrically smaller as there's less material carrying the load. Get a wrinkle a three layer lay-up i going to be more problematic than in a 4 or 5 layer lay-up of slightly cheaper material.

i have no issues with the Pro tour bikes being lighter as they only use bikes for a season.

There are already problems in the Spur Schools league with kids pitching up with R100K+ bikes competing against kids with R15k bikes weighing 2-3kg more. The weight limit makes the spend less advantageous. So they're talking about a weight limit on the bikes for that league. Would actually be a good thing for the sport if they can implement it well. There are nuances that need to be ironed out considering that school kids all hit puberty at different ages.

I just think it simplifies thing if weight limits are extended beyond just road cycling

Technologically the bikes can be lighter but the problem is then they don't last. 7,5kg bikes are cracking and theres more of that the lighter the bikes get.

The UCI set the weight limit at 6,.8kg because the inent was to keep the sport fair in allowing riders from all backgrounds to be able to acquire a competitive bike.

5Kg bikes can be built bu they cost more than my Golf VII.

The 6.8kg weight limit is one of the UCI  rules I don't think is ridiculous as 5kg bikes don't make the sport better. We're already in the place where pro teams can barely afford to stay in the sport so I don't think the bikes should be more expensive.

You are not correct on several issues.

the 6.8 kilogram minimum weight limit set by the UCI which restricts all bikes used in competition to this weight. This regulation was established in 2000 as a means to ensure manufacturers don't push the structural integrity of bikes and so that teams are competing on a relatively similar machines.

 

It was not done to achieve any kind of spend parity.

With financial pressure now, it may become an issue.

Where is the source that 7.5kg bikes are cracking? I don't see it or hear of it in the bunch.

A 5kg bike needn't be all that expensive. I can easily drop more than a kg off my 6.8kg race bike with less than R20k spend and the total will still be well under R100k

From the UCI horse's mouth:

UCI Technical Collaborator Johan Kucaba if the UCI still believes that a bike lighter than 6.8kg poses a significant safety risk to riders. He explained:

“The rule 1.3.019 has been introduced and has been created as many other rules of the UCI Technical Regulation by an ergonomist expert in cycling. This specialist, with the advice of other experts, has defined that 6,8Kg is the minimum weight acceptable for a bicycle, for an essential reason that is the manoeuvrability of the bicycle. Of course, technical risks related to composites materials have also been considered, but the primary reason of this rule is the manoeuvrability. We therefore believe that bicycles of 5 Kg (for example) pose significant risks of manoeuvrability.”

What does “manoeuvrability” refer to? Mr Kucaba further explained:

“Manoeuvrability is the property of the bicycle has to be driven properly, correctly. We all know that different bicycles offer different performance, particularly in terms of manoeuvrability, and we believe that a bicycle of 5Kg would be very bad even dangerous to manoeuvre, to drive. The weight has a role in manoeuvrability of a bicycle because it mainly brings stability to the bicycle. The UCI is therefore concerned about it because the safety of the riders would be directly affected.”

 

Sure that true. The margin for error is just geometrically smaller as there's less material carrying the load. Get a wrinkle a three layer lay-up i going to be more problematic than in a 4 or 5 layer lay-up of slightly cheaper material.

i have no issues with the Pro tour bikes being lighter as they only use bikes for a season.

There are already problems in the Spur Schools league with kids pitching up with R100K+ bikes competing against kids with R15k bikes weighing 2-3kg more. The weight limit makes the spend less advantageous. So they're talking about a weight limit on the bikes for that league. Would actually be a good thing for the sport if they can implement it well. There are nuances that need to be ironed out considering that school kids all hit puberty at different ages.

 

I just think it simplifies thing if weight limits are extended beyond just road cycling

The theory is corect - as we approach zero weight the risk of failure increases. I just don't think 7.5kg is the line where you cross into "only use for 1 season" territory. Modern methods of void reduction, cnc controlled lay ups, cfd stress modelling etc have driven that weight down.

Either way nobody will ever know the actual number is so the discussion is a bit moot.

I have a 7.25kg Giant arriving soon - I weigh 81kg and love to sprint for anything that has a number, picture or village name on it so I will be a pretty good test case for your theory. I add something to my will about letting you know if you were right :-)

Oh and a minimum weight is a great idea for the spur league!