Extreme Weight Saving Bike Hacks!

[@gcntech]

Would you copy any of these hacks in the name of saving weight?

[@PoulHansenDK]

Of course, have done so already. My Cannondale six13 is 5.9 kg but still with 2x shifters, so could loose another 100 g, costing nothing. It cost me around 800£ including sell off of the replaced parts. It has no bartape(-25g), no hoods(-30g), Nokon wires, 19mm tubs Toyo Jet(167g), no padding saddle(116g), Elita One seatpost(107g), July 21F rimbrakes(242g), Lifeline Ti QR all of them are reasonably priced, so you can build a light bike, without going crazy with expensive parts.

[@joeylopezphd]

My question is do they weigh their cloths and their own weight? I always see people obsessing over grams in a cassette and wonder if they measure the grams of food they are eating before riding. Or even more heavy the fluids they intake. As someone who is overweight I don’t obsess about my bike’s weight, granted I don’t go out of my way to make it heavy. Anyway, fun video!!!

[@david131092]

@@joeylopezphd I’d weigh myself 4times a day & only take on 500ml of water 2.5 hours before the race with an espresso to make sure I have enough time to expel the water before my start. So yes - everything is considered not just bike weight. I even used waterproof hair wax to stop the rain weighing my hair down - no lie

[@michael.knappitsch]

@@david131092 haha, cheers to your lightweight waterproof hair wax!

[@joeylopezphd]

@@david131092 that’s awesome to hear!!! Love how hardcore people get.

[@TheSamwhyte]

Ollie - “Just standard Dura Ace brakes - nothing fancy going on here.” Me - looks across at my Claris clamps like a resentful spouse snoring on the armchair 😡😫

[@davomoto42]

Me: *Cries in Tektro dual pivots*

[@binitbob]

Small whimper: just worn out my shoes as I had 2 staedtler erasers and some zip ties holding them to my seat stays. 😪 RIP Cycling Crocs. 🤣🤣🤣

[@GCNuser123]

apologies! i meant within the context of the national hill climb. lots of bikes were using lighter exotic options!👍🏼

[@Not_Sure_]

Claris is just fine. That's all you need. Who needs 11 speeds for going up a 20% grade ?

[@rolandoinductivo8013]

😂😂😂

[@georgzwiebel9585]

Friend of mine got the ultimate weight weenie method figured out. He left his bike unlocked in front of the pub and lost 7,9 kg of weight.

[@woojinbloo44]

hahahahahaha

[@fender1000100]

What an idiot. Its like the people that spend 10k on a carbon bike. Then lock it down with a £30 lock. There's no end to the stupidity.

[@armandoserna9692]

😂😅🤣😅😂😂🤣😅🤣🤣🤣😂🤣SAVAGE

[@mlee6050]

I can't imagine having such a heavy bike, I build my bikes for a few grand (£2-4k) and under 7.8kg Trek Emonda ALR with axs dropper and discs estimate is 7.795kg

[@pineapplej7310]

​@@mlee6050 nobody cares

[@wilfdarr]

Motto of this video: “No UCI = Seriously cool stuff”

[@GunganWorks]

Just wait until you discover the world of recumbent streamliners.

[@iancuk]

Moral of the story 😅

[@bubblesezblonde]

This is what cycling should be about. I love how the riders trick out their bikes. One of your best Dr Ollie!

[@luisrosano3510]

I have the same black cannondale frame but with 105, mavic wheels, and 56cm. It was my lighweight bike ever. Thank you Ollie.Great video. Cheeers.

[@孙小天-w4j]

How much does it weigh? Around 7.5?

[@matthi2358]

13:58 yoooooooooooooo surprised to see a Hongfu bike!! I have an older model of that. very light weight and good bike.

[@tomrace3057]

Loved this video - a real enthusiasts' event, no rules, just a love of the sport, and a fantastic contrast to the TdF and other big events. The only thing I would have liked is more of the actual riding action - maybe a view of the course with Ollie riding and commentating (gasping) and some of the competitors' runs. But hey, that's quibble, and this is all about the tech. Thanks guys!

[@Protoman888]

there are vids on youtube of the actual event

[@mikekent9488]

I have cycled down the hill - that was scary enough for me. Some poor soul was cycling up it at the same time and I felt for them. Great video

[@nms789]

Ollie: ... NO UCI weight limit ... Drillium: Let me introduce myself ...

[@alavroff01]

3:39 guy has disc brakes and puts a tiny ass light to save 5g lmaoooooooooooooo

[@DrJRMCFC]

15:47 Very, very cool. He must have been an incredible athlete

[@pauldarling330]

Full carbon, Ultegra up front, Campy record on the back. 5K wheel set= "Budget"

[@LCNismo]

Yep, some of us can afford those parts. Sounds like broke people problems

[@cloroxbleach9222]

@@LCNismo not wanting to spend 5k on a wheel set does not mean being broke, i don't think anyone could ever be more out of touch than you note: nothing wrong with spending a lot on bikes, but spare a thought for people who are ACTUALLY broke and can't get cash out for even cheap(er) entry level bikes to even pick up cycling

[@danemery8312]

Never been a 5k wheelset. They're alloy fulcrum's.

[@choof_worm]

It is a video about a 5kg bike what did you expect full alloy/titanium buuld and no expensive parts. Like be realistic

[@pauldarling330]

@@choof_worm I am realistic. Realistic is not calling such a thing "budget"

[@jenniferfleck2235]

3.11 on that old bike in 1966. It makes you wonder what he would have done on a modern lightweight bike today with that gusting 22mph tailwind and rain on Sunday. Crazy!

[@philipstark999]

also after making the bikes 3kg lighter its only saving 10 seconds off... what a shame

[@jamie152]

I was there watching the lads at the top attempting to climb back down the muddy paths in their spds, shivering their asses off in skin suits while it was hammering it down, very British event.. GUTS AND GLORY! well done to all! Oli would love for you to cover another hill climb season like you did a few years ago?

[@hymen0callis]

Even as a recovering weight weenie, I still like to see such content. Far more interesting than the umpteenth pro bike with SRAM AXS or Dura Ace Di2.

[@DrJRMCFC]

Hill climb bikes….. oh yes. When i was a kid a would wait for Cycling Weekly to come out after the hill climb championships to see all the bikes. Same with the ten mile championship in the years before the bikes became essentially identical. Great film… more please

[@BasementArthurSpooner]

That's one of the great things about the HC season is that various people with the same goal of a light bike take different directions and end with something's truly unique. All aero bikes, TT bike and triathlon bikes look the same.

[@chrisbeh]

This video brings back memories 4 years ago in another channel staring Ollie as well

[@framedge]

Fabulous video. Thanks as always to GCN. Pure biking adoration.

[@merckxy54]

Great vid of the traditional British hill climb. Good to see Malcolm Elliott presenting the prizes!

[@aliancemd]

Ollie is geeking out about lightweight again. Back to his roots :)

[@AccFinEco]

Awesome vid! I would have to say it was one of my favourite for a while. Great to see a national even but what unsponsored riders themselves are riding. Would love to see more vids like this.

[@dcv9460]

Very Cool custom bikes! 🤘🤘🤘

[@patrickpaulo34]

1:53 those disk break screeching 🤣🤣🤣

[@mbal4052]

Fantastic article, even after the aero and disc brake evolutions who isn’t excited about these lightweights 😍

[@joshgross8741]

Disc brakes suck. And so do new shimano cranks... This guy is looking at the best money can buy and it is not anything they have been selling for quite some time. Infact the SuperSix Evo Nano that won was from 2012.

[@steve.b.23]

When are we going to see the inaugural "GCN Presenters Winnats Pass Hill Climb Challenge"?

[@xandershawvlog]

Ollie, it would be great if you could do a video on how to do a genuine budget HC build. This is what I need for next season as I’m currently doing it on a Trek Emonda SL or my TCR Advance 3 both 9kg.

[@mlee6050]

Ouch, I am looking at Trek Emonda ALR with axs dropper and discs estimate is 7.795kg for similar price to Trek Emonda SL7 or bit less

[@zukzworld]

Dr. Ollie, your last bike proves that it is not the tech or the bike, but the human on that bike that matters. Thank you for the video, great show as usual.

[@jascollinscork]

Fantastic video Ollie……. Great to see it! Like Giving yer national hill climbing a voice!! FairPlay GCN for leaving yer best Regular Tech correspondent at it 👌🏻

[@QoraxAudio]

1:54 Love the squealing brake sound in the background! 😂

[@Raznov]

I also own a Rose with Ultegra and Pirelli's 4S, I should be able to do this too, easy! Well, I'm 86Kg and 1,92m, so I guess some training is required too.

[@jefferycampbell2243]

Amazing the lengths the climbers go to for weight savings. Looks like the women's winner even shaved her head (16:15).

[@BasementArthurSpooner]

Won by a second so clearly worked.

[@cb6866]

Thanks Ollie...very cool ! Peace

[@cb6866]

@Qi Wei I do. Very much

[@cb6866]

@Qi Wei The Alps , the Grand Canyon Yes

[@cb6866]

@Qi Wei That’s the home of mountain biking. Very cool. Some day. I actually have a buddy that lives nearby

[@cb6866]

@Qi Wei I worked in Germany , years ago. I was in the states , at home

[@cb6866]

@Qi Wei nope US

[@DamnitsAdriel]

GCN mentioning Hongfu bike.. Well that is something unusual..

[@luda9201]

"Just standard Dura-Ace, nothing fancy going on there" dura ace is more expensive than all the money ive spent on bikes in my entire life

[@GCNuser123]

apologies! i meant in terms of exotic super lightweight calipers! lots of the bikes here run them!

[@luda9201]

@@GCNuser123 love you work ollie, you should compere next year :)

[@DavidCharlesLane]

Good to meet you on Sunday Ollie at the hillclimb - and my son's 5.2kg spare bits bike did make it to the top

[@GCNuser123]

great to hear!

[@simonalexandercritchley439]

See how good things can be without the UCI.That rider 51 years ago is / was a legend.Well done Ollie ! good report.

[@marcalvarez4890]

UCI weight limit should be 5kg flat. Its 2021, bikes should be CRAZY lightweight.

[@Numeriwar]

They can save several hundred grams riding bare foot with flat pedals

[@MrBunnylow]

thanks for all the info. really appreciate it.

[@pierrefidiman7500]

Love the light stuff 😍

[@abedfo88]

Ollie almost self combusting there when he had to say "hong-fu"

[@colnago6501]

I was sucked into the weightweenie arms race and took a Scott down to sub 6kg - the thing was HORRENDOUS to ride anywhere other than uphill! Super light bikes might get you bragging rights but they're twitchy as hell. These days most of my bikes are in the 7kg range and they're much more fun on the road.

[@roydarnell3683]

Making a bike light does not make it twitchy. Handling is determined by the geometry and position of the rider on the bike.

[@oreocarlton3343]

@@roydarnell3683 he probably used light flexy parts

[@Jeff-bd4gg]

Not necessarily. A sub 7 kg bike is pretty easy to achieve, especially with rim brakes. You only need to swap out a few components on an average stock build to get below 7kg.

[@xandershawvlog]

@@Jeff-bd4gg please tell. I want to kot my Trek Emonda SL5 for this on a shoestring for next season.

[@truthseeker8483]

@@Jeff-bd4gg Probably not with a steel frame though

[@shanew634]

Cool episode and some great bikes.👍

[@onelastlap9302]

Cool to see the winners bike, rim brakes and mechanical gears still get it done! Would love to come compete in this one day

[@richaw6689]

Brilliant Ollie!

[@ytyehyeh]

The bike at 3:58 could do with a little trimming of that rear derailleur cable. How much is there beyond the binder bolt, 5 or 6 cm? Might shave off a few mg. The bike at 8:48 has it much shortened, for example. The rear wheel/tire at 7:11 has got substantial radial runout as seen relative to the brake caliper. It won't save weight, but might save a bit of rolling resistance to get that nice and round.

[@MrAyley7]

7:16 the infamous UNO Lightness Stem! 🤘🏼

[@BasementArthurSpooner]

Why infamous?

[@bebopman5]

The OG who is rolling with drilled out Rival levers and etap blips is wylin, but I like it tho

[@ragwort3369]

I love that old fixed wheel. I was wondering why more people don't ride fixed on these events. I use one for the hilly commute to work sometimes and, while it can be hard work getting it up hills, it's almost always faster than my geared bikes on the same ride.

[@normanlindsay4835]

Won the 1981 Scottish champs on a fixie. Rode most hillclimbs in those days on a fixie.

[@Arie_vds]

14:29 What an epic story and legendary rider! Please look into that guy and do a short piece on him?

[@harislade6676]

"Just a Hong Fu" . Best frame there.

[@david131092]

I’m glad you & I both agree

[@442484184]

It's good that channels like GCN start mentioning frames like this. Got my carbon wheel from China, they have been excellent, and build quality is on par with wheels from big brands, and costs 5 times less.

[@abedfo88]

@@442484184 the vast majority of carbon bicycle components are made in china anyway. Buy from a legit company and you are getting ridiculous bang for your buck.

[@humstrumbangtwang]

Excellent. More please.

[@alainpryt9641]

Super présentation des vélos il sont magnifique 👏👏👍👍👍🚴🏻‍♂️🇫🇷

[@tedomir8388]

6:24 those bearings o.O

[@Stealthsuit25]

Love these races!!

[@ericpmoss]

How many gears do the riders generally use? I wonder if a Classified hub running a single cog in perfect chain alignment and no derailleurs would give a usable two-speed. Then one could be wireless, too.

[@elisgomer7164]

The National was often (and until about 1990, pretty much exclusively) won by fixie riders, so you don’t need that many gears; I’ve often wondered whether they might be due a revival.

[@Tristanmcgiven]

Ollie : Durace brakes nothing fany Me : with my tektro brakes

[@truthseeker8483]

Haha!

[@axelv5136]

In north of France (close to UK) we have a 800 meters climb with 14% average and a 28% max if you want to try the KOM (pro UAE has it) sorry my english

[@wazirtan6801]

wow that trigon frame 29 look really awsome

[@DenZEL_Vertigo]

I don't understand any "fun" of these skinny bikes) But I like to watch these videos)))

[@jakou31]

3:39 LOL :'D

[@RichChh]

Ollie! When are you going to attempt this challenge?

[@Evaso_CC]

Rapid Rich is a legend of DIY tuning and hill climbing

[@miafrench9688]

A must have!!

[@petinka721]

Ollie the GOAT of weight and aero saving!

[@alainpryt9641]

Très belle vidéo bravo 👏👏👏👍🚴🏻‍♂️🚴🏻‍♂️🚴🏻‍♂️🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷

[@markbentley4343]

I am surprised no one else apart from Bell thought of putting on a 4S tyre and lowering the pressure to stop the back wheel slipping. Andrew Feather especially - he seems astute and you’d think he’d have thought of it

[@markbentley4343]

@Qi Wei 16,000km this year, so yes 🙂

[@wayfarin]

That's the best rear light setup I've ever seen. Completely non waterproof but hilarious none the less.

[@maitrivihara]

I has to pause the video to pick up my jaw off the floor. Damn! Steel bike... Weighing over 2...perhaps 2.5 kgs more and slower by just 10 seconds. Hot damn! The man was a beast.

[@d-vngwenya4043]

Thanks for this about to buy my first road/gravel bike (not sure which yet but thanks to this video I'm definitely buying simpler & cheaper

[@HumaneNewt]

Anyone know what frame it is at 13:50 ?

[@Marco-vp8wl]

Do they have to have a rear AND front brake? Just for hillclimp a front brake would be enough and would save some weight

[@adamh7888]

Contador Everesting bike was amazing

[@gmivisualsjason3729]

Excellent

[@dmbiscuit]

What are the red brakes on Bithja Jones' bike?

[@jameswarner8038]

An interview with peter the old record holder would be great

[@GCNuser123]

unfortunately he passed away last year. but yes, it would have been.

[@Volkmannx]

Admiring the minimal rear light!

[@boycaoimhin]

So interesting that the record was held by someone riding an older heavier bike. Kind of confirms the notion that there's no such thing as a 'fast bike'. It's mostly about the person

[@u.e.u.e.]

I liked the LED-"Taillight". 🤪😅

[@jbaillie]

Tom Bell's brakes are Fouriers BR-DX01 Ultralight CNC brakes. Looks like Bithja Jones' and Rapid Rich's bikes may actually be wearing them as well. They're ridiculously light for the price (much more affordable than, say, Ciamillo or EE) but man they are a nightmare to adjust and only so-so at stopping a bike.

[@BasementArthurSpooner]

Got both the identical planet X CNC and forged versions of these brakes. And they are shit at stopping 🤣 but super affordable and lightweight so great for a HC bike.

[@maddoc68]

Rose x-lite team rules. Best of my bikes ever, smokes everything for a fraction of the prize 😍

[@Numeriwar]

At Rose they ve never opened a Sram manual and dont use torque wrench, cant even align a hole in the frame with a screw. Clearly one of the worst brand ever...

[@maddoc68]

@@Numeriwar SRAM Is crap anyhow

[@sergion1406]

Best event best bikes best everythonv in this episode!

[@williamko4751]

Rim brake, welcome back.

[@leebender7463]

red headed kid in the background (on the right) at 9:55

[@antondubas9368]

15:29 - Lenkervorbau😁😁😁😁😁😁😂

[@stoatystoat174]

The old champion bike was gorgeous

[@ChipZilla69]

Me sitting here two stone overweight thinking hmmm, maybe I should take the wrapping off my handlebars.

[@tychoMX]

Ahh, those zero gravity brakes. Lovely to look and worked pretty well - as long as all the rims were the same width. Fricking pain to adjust for wheel changes, even the centering needed to be modified with a crescent wrench.

[@roryfollinpiano2161]

Winnat’s is my next project, the beast hill of my area. Done Mam Nick around the corner, now for Winnats

[@tameemz3595]

On the topic of weight, I just got my Wilier cento10SL Rival e tap with factory carbon wheels. I upgraded it with a factory Alabarda integrated cockpit, bike weighs 19.2 pounds without pedals or cages. Its heavy. Im an amateur cyclist, less then 2 years (maybe 1 year of consistent riding). I do not and will not be racing, just ride for hobby. Whats your guys opinion on this? Is it good that my first years riding will be on a heavy bike as this will build more strength and endurance? Spend $$$$ to drop another pound or two? Switch to an ultegra mechanical or Di2 Groupo to save over a pound? I love it, its plenty stiff, and I would hope its aero based off its looks.

[@johnsmithers284]

Just ride it. My bike is 29 pounds

[@eyenoball]

now i just miss ollie's old drilliumed hill climb-winning bike

[@joncannings8317]

Glad you have your car keys in hand at the start mate, pesky pick pockets everywhere

[@luda9201]

We wanna see weight-weenie ollie in the race next year

[@gcntech]

We'd love to see that, too!

[@iwansukmairawan6940]

Mantap euy nanjak trekna iraha atuh mamang bade ameng ka bandung urang katanjakan gantole ah. Diantos pisan mang.

[@ariffau]

The amount of views is a testament that lightweight has a massive following 😃

[@sergion1406]

Best bikes ever!

[@BasementArthurSpooner]

What was the weight of that rear light? 😲🤯 I like my 3g light on my HC Bike more as it's waterproof 🤣 maybe I'm not as commited to cutting weight as I thought I was.

[@stevemawer848]

People in the know would have called that last bike a Freddie Grubb, no need for the formality of "F H". :-)

[@pyroromancer]

i added 3 900 gram baskets with 10 liters of water in each basket and iron cast fenders and rims to train with

[@markbentley4343]

Let’s all go back to rim brake and save 600g each AND save money!

[@11-inch]

You think weightweenism can save you money? oh boi do i have news for you

[@Boopop1024]

I'm not convinced having to replace a whole wheelset on my winter commuter every year is a saving on just having to replace a pair of brake rotors.

[@danc1829]

@@Boopop1024 every year 😂😂😂 what are you using as brake pads a grinder lol. I've got some zondas that are 6 years old now with around 15k on them (winter wheels) still got plenty of life in them. Also a set of reynolds assault for summer a 2017 wheelset with over 30k on them. tracks aren't showing any wear at all. (they have brake wear indicators...) comments like this make me laugh if you're honestly wearing through rims yearly... You're doing something extremely incorrect.

[@manutavano]

@@Boopop1024 A pair of cheap winter wheels can cost you way less than a pair of new rotors

[@Boopop1024]

@@danc1829 I'm not doing anything wrong, thanks, standard shimano brake pads, wash the bike once a week after 90 miles of riding. Meanwhile I've got rims for my summer bike that are also years old.