Coach Rob and I have been talking ‘shoes’ recently, after he bought a new pair for the Haute Route next summer.
If you think these are red, wait till you see his bike! Anyway, these shoes are only 221 grams each, a ‘full’ 79 grams lighter than mine. It got me thinking of implementing yet another fun and expensive weight-loss program for my Bianchi and me.
So, to start with, it’s obvious I’ve got around 150 grams to gain in footwear. I can probably get these shoes (or something similar) for €300, so €2/gram.
The shoes I’ll think more about, but the saddle is changing, no question. I’m still riding the stock seat that came with the Infinito, which is unacceptable and far too cushy for an elite event like the Haute Route. I haven’t decided on the saddle yet, but here’s one I’ve got my eye on: the Fi’zi:k Antares 00, in the future to be known as ‘the thing that makes my ass hurt all the time’. Damage = €235. Savings = 124 grams, or €1.90/gram.
The most obvious ways to lose weight on a bike are:
- Change the frame itself (I can’t do this yet without risking marital harmony significantly).
- Upgrade the wheel set (done this year)
- Ditto for the transmission (accomplished with the wheels)
So I need to look more closely for those extra grams I’m carrying around.
This pedal (Look KEO Blade Ti) would save a whopping 80 grams, but more importantly, I think, give me a much large surface area for more efficient transfer of power (notice the justifications starting to come out already…), not to mention more stiffness than my Look Classics have. €245. €3/gram.
I’d be curious to hear what anyone else has to say on the matter (as long as you keep the ‘lose weight, fatty’ comments to yourselves). Weight weenies, shower us with your knowledge!
