Making our lightweight XC bikes EVEN LIGHTER

[@paulw575]

The gopro automatic lens clearing setup you used worked flawlessly Syd 👍

[@alanclark9913]

The "Go-Pronytail" lol

[@TrailFeatures]

Sweet looking rigs! I've always noticed that lighter wheels just make a bike feel like a rocket ship so those berd spokes are likely gonna make a huge difference in a race.

[@russellzauner]

buck a gram! I want kevlar/nomex spokes because where I'm at the forests seem to always be burning

[@garydecker3281]

Love that Syd and I feel the same about being a weight weeny! I have said many of the same things about weight vs. performance and the just take a dump thing. But I also understand as I did and my daughter, Abbie, still does race XC. She was thrilled to get a pic with you both after your race, Macky, at Nationals.

[@ianmangham4570]

I just bought my first front air shock after 50 years of bike riding, its unbelievably AWESOME, it's a beautiful looking rockshox 32mm Stanchions recon SL 120mm,my bike's like a magic carpet ride 🤣🤘🙏🇬🇧

[@allydidier791]

I love the little edits throughout the videos like the accidental pun and accompaning graphic!

[@caseyas8572]

One of my two or three favorite parts of riding is seeing wildlife and it's always a thrill to see a large velvety deer. I had really good luck sneaking up on deer this year.

[@MTB_Rider_96]

Wow, that's about as light as possible. My FS Trail bike is 25.45 lbs. and I thought that was light. Great video!

[@mikieson]

good lord..that dropper post is borderline terrifying LOL!

[@andrewmcgaha9629]

Love, love, love New Mexico. That trail looks amazing.

[@thepedalsadvocate7389]

Great vid guys! The technology in these bikes is incredible.

[@brettjohnson9453]

I'm interested to hear if you feel that the price to drop about a KG was worth it after the race. Especially if you base that on retail pricing

[@letour32rr]

Also, I have the drop lock and it’s definitely a learning curve when reaching over for split second decisions to lock like a unexpected punchy climb or dropping the post when seeing a drop you see at the last second.

[@glennpace9783]

Good luck at BCBR!! You'll love the interior of BC if you haven't already been there.

[@dreadsanddirt5966]

Haha...it was so validating to see Syd's hair in the shot toward the end. My dreads end up in front of the lense all the time and I never use that footage. I will from now on use it, hair be damned 😀

[@mirekbns]

The weight weeny won in the end ;-)! Nice bikes, holy crap.

[@Jacob99174]

Man, I love your stock of parts. I WISH I could find that many parts, and just grab and install as please

[@teeterboy3]

Yay!! You’re coming to Canada!!! 🇨🇦

[@6godgforce861]

this what we called relationships goals ❤

[@davidchavez81]

Do you see the cloud at 13:51? It looks like Macky, helmet and all looking back at him.

[@graffix11us]

I was wondering what you had on top of your bars in the last video, looked like it was asking to be broken off. Nice work on getting that weight down. I was really happy to get to 25 with semi meaty tires. It really does change the feel of the ride. How crazy is the difference in carbon rail saddles, not sure that agrees with physics but they somehow drop like 90% of the weight!

[@ScutuRC]

4:36 - yes, the metric system make sense! :)

[@thewisconsingravelcyclist]

Awesome video ! Cool to see how you go through and build up your bike for racing and riding !!!

[@richardhaselwood9478]

Nice stuff. I'm pretty sure my XC hardtail weighs more than those :) Also, I'm pretty sure, minimum insertion depth for a seatpost is 10cm, ask the guys at Niner.

[@BourbonEnthusiast]

Especially since Syd's alternative recommendation at 09:50 would have been free.

[@d-nicebikes]

Great upgrades to shed a couple of pounds. Don't think I have seen anyone locally running the lightweight wheels, but those look awesome.

[@sydandmacky]

They're amazing!

[@Oldmtbdad]

Shop looks great!!

[@williammorris6097]

My Lightcarbon frame build with XT and XTR components and amazon carbon seatpost, seat, and flatbars along with a uno stem and lightcarbon wheelset weighs in at 22.29 pounds (with pedals) and only cost me $4600 to build from scratch. I've podiumed in my first race on it and will be taking it to Thailand this winter to race. And oh yes I'm 5 ft 7" and down to 138 pounds. Not bad for 65 years old. those Thai competitors are really thin and very light!

[@mlee6050]

What length stem you got? I didn't measure my cheap mountain bike before it was stolen

[@findtherightbeat]

Hi Syd and Macky, I'm curious about the tire setup Macky used here and was hoping to ask about it. Thanks!

[@sydandmacky]

What aspect were you curious about?

[@jasonlewis6914]

Only has my niner air 9 aluminum hardtail for 4 months. I got it to about about 26lbs. After upgrading the wheels industry nine trail 1/1 . Titanium seatpost carbon saddle and handlebars.all ti bolts

[@sydandmacky]

Sounds like a sweet build!

[@juanhidalgo7043]

Oof, I decided to buy the ibis Exie with xx1 axs and Xtr built with enve wheels and Chris king hubs ceramic bearings and exxis rekon race. Crazy 23 lbs. I would say the bike is too twitchy. I would say for racing XC short track ok. For fun no really. The sweet spot weight it will be around 27-28 lbs. but I would say rider weight also plays a big role, like me 138 lbs at 5’7”.

[@mrvwbug4423]

23lbs is pretty good while still having usable suspension travel. I know the top build on the Supercaliber is 19lbs, but that's with 50mm of rear travel and 90mm front with a SID so only a tiny little damper. If I recall the 23lb Exie has a Fox 34 with Grip 2 damper, so fully featured fork.

[@sgtkurry]

I love my exie. But I don't have a ton of elevation. Though I do agree with you that the exie is a bit twitchy and not so great down technical features.

[@MoOutdoorsandReviews]

great video, cheering for you guys in your upcoming race

[@markhaneklaus282]

Just sanded the (original) paint from a "Niner RDO" rigid fork, which took ages to remove like hundreds of layers of paint. Did not weight the difference but it must be like one KG of paint on a 800g fork. So you will fly on your paint free frames that is for sure

[@tomassanesson902]

Awesome build and awesome trail 🤘👍❤❤❤

[@Montblanc1986]

I run the XTR race pedals on my enduro bike. The stiff shoes don’t contact the trail portion of the trail pedals nor will they snag the ground as easy. 100 grams lighter too.

[@karllued]

So, I was the only registered rider in the 60+ 12 hour endurance XC race at Oak Flats, Tejeras, NM, this Saturday. Now there is another registrant, Gary Johnson. Any advice? I have a Pivot Mach 4 SL, with Roval Control carbon Wheelset. I changed the rear cogs to XTR, and have taken about 1.5 lbs off the stock bike. I never climbed Mount Everest, and never before a broken leg was completely healed, so there is that.

[@sydandmacky]

Good luck! I think for 12 hour races, it's generally the person who fuels the best that wins, so just focus on "Eating Wins Races"!

[@dk-michael]

That dropper post i'll be afraid of. It's like a nutcracker.

[@Pesmog]

I have the same Fox Transfer short travel dropper on mine. If you are a guy you really can do some painful damage if you press the release button with your legs bent!! Another drawback with this seat post is that it is either up or down so you cannot select an intermediate position. However, it is very light.

[@MAEBikr]

From Penticton - Stages Naramata and Apex -ride them all the time. I would add a longer dropper for the mice (Naramata)

[@vehicle-stuff]

You have less than 12kg of full suspension bikes. I'll be happy to get that on my hard tail. I know a professional race is a different thing and every advantage matters. But still. Good luck to you both! Hope you make your best race

[@mlee6050]

I wonder what is possible, going by my list, it isn't xc but enduro and weight be sub 9.6kg (wheels look be 1330g)

[@Atxcmtb]

I ran the drop lock for a long time and it’s okay, I would say just file down your levers a bit on the drop lock so that the knurling doesn’t wear through gloves, I’ve gone through four glove sets in under a year at the thumb due to the lever(although I do use lockout a lot)

[@kipphartman7573]

Tips for racing in the Mudd

[@burrellbikes4969]

What’s really cool about this episode is that you have shown that you don’t need a crazy light bike to compete in races. Fitness is a far better way to improve. You’ve won National titles on that HT. Doesn’t seem to have held you back at all.

[@nicebike1342]

Yes! Nice video 🎉

[@stevenb.182]

Check out Syd's biker's tan......tan arms and white hands, thanks to gloves !!! 😀

[@Matthew_Xc_Mtb]

I love watching your videos they make my day

[@bradsanders6954]

Neat! Thanks! Ive been playing with a 2021 Intense Sniper/100mm travel, making it lighter as I go. Its under 25lbs now with Speed Tuned carbon wheels/Ti railed seat/Renthal bars/sometimes no dropper post for gravel rides/composite flat pedals are light.....but more will be done.......... I like it much better than my gravel bike on gravel rides, really fun downhill...........there is no doubt its pricey to make bikes light...................life is short make it fun! Carbon rail seat goes on soon....XTR crank maybe at some point....The Sniper with slack front geometry really likes to go fast downhill!

[@sydandmacky]

Sounds like a sweet build!

[@nissemeys4766]

Syd's hair just waving across the camera XD

[@howlieboy]

Have you ever considered eewings titanium cranks or is the ~80 grams savings over carbon not worth $1k?

[@hakanskogstjarna5180]

Exciting bikes! The discussion about weight is always interesting as long as there is some common sense in it. As for you, being professionals as you are, going xtr and what not is not much of a discussion and those spokes are just next level. But as Syd says, you can loose quite a lot from your body as well. However, that does not always pan out. Over the last year I've lost some kgs in weight. Does that make my bike feel nimbler or quicker? No. But I can go faster and longer. I changed saddle, and inner tube and tire on my front wheel and lost about 200 - 300 grams. And That I could feel directly! It's a tricky business ;-) Oh, and I love the content! Keep it up!

[@coreymclernon]

You don’t run tubeless?

[@tamserenity]

So how do you two like having a permanent base? I have been digging your workout/bikeshop space.

[@sydandmacky]

LOVE IT!

[@neeloy]

Have the same dropper. Once you get used to that fast satisfying THUNK other droppers will feel slow and puny in comparison

[@mister_ray]

Makes sense to take weight off bike and also body. Way more time is spent climbing than descending. The WC XC racers are on 18 lb full suspension bikes.

[@bricesechrist6438]

How are they able to drop another 5lbs off these bikes? That seems insane and less than the weight of my carbon frame and wheels gravel bike.

[@xandercl1819]

@@bricesechrist6438 they aren’t none of the bikes in world cups are that light besides the hardtails.

[@mrvwbug4423]

Only sub 20lb full sus is the Superclaiber and it barely qualifies as a full sus with only 50mm out back. 18lb XC bikes are usually hardtails. And given their diet and training regimen I doubt they're going to lose weight without losing muscle. They're both very tall for XC racers, and Macky's single speed training definitely builds a lot of muscle which you need to race single speed.

[@dirtwheels6679]

Those USWE packs stay in place. I love mine for the ebike or my dirt bike.

[@mrshadow8244]

If you want a lighter bikes, you just need to change that super heavy frames :) Here you have some frames weight, unpainted but with the rear shock mounted and hardware; Specialized S-Works Epic EVO - 1,659g - 120mm shock without brain Giant Anthem Advanced Pro - 1,735g Orbea Oiz OMX - 1,740g Specialized S-Works Epic - 1,869g -100mm with brain Scott Spark RC HMX SL - 1,870g -120mm integrated shock Cannondale Scalpel Hi-Mod - 1,910g Trek Supercaliber - 1,933g - 60mm shock Santa Cruz Blur 4 - 1,933g Canyon Lux CF SLX - 1,922g Merida Ninety-Six RC - 2,064g Canyon Lux Trail CF - 2,276g -120mm shock

[@notpablo8369]

Syd & Macky are Niner athletes

[@kentsinclair]

Mackey’s helmet has strong 90s bowl cut vibes from all of our childhoods.

[@sydandmacky]

🤣

[@GeekonaBike]

As a recovering Gram Winnie, I got say 'be careful

[@slimjim4ever]

I have the Bontrager Droplock & I don’t like the fact you have to push really hard to lockout & unlock. As for the dropper I went with Bikeyoke Divine SL. It’s got 125mm drop and lighter than Fox Transfer SL.

[@budycelyn]

i see what you are doing syd, pendulum hair trying to hypnotise people into riding bikes,, kudos

[@mnihon]

A lockout for those golden locks might be a good idea 😂

[@nickash5]

So this is what XC bikes look like today. 😃

[@Casual_BackPacking]

it is not a bicycle , it is YOUR ADVENTURE STEED gaursh darn it

[@macombiam]

assuming you are running tubeless, do the bike weights include the sealant?

[@sydandmacky]

Yup!

[@Rzagski]

I’m on a 2013 Cannondale Scalpel 1. I’m old and the bike still functions well enough for few so cal over the hum races I do. It’s 26 lb and an XL size. Probably better if I drop 5 lbs than my bike………….just saying.

[@philr696]

Nice. I wonder if the Specialized dropper designer got a new job at Fox.

[@Hertzultra]

Remove the seats saddles and wheels and what you will have left is a really really super light cycle frame

[@mikieson]

ok SYD,time to tie the hair back LOL!!

[@epicmountainbikeclips5573]

Quick question why do you guys have fox 34s on an xc bike

[@sydandmacky]

It's stiffer and performs better for an extremely minimal weight penalty over the 32 and since we want our bikes to handle and descend really well, it's worth it to us.

[@boneheadmck]

Been following your channel as BC Bike Race will be my first MTB race. Very useful content.

[@radek5690]

Now start drilling holes where you can sacrifice metal without desttoying the stength of the part. Good luck!

[@draftwood]

Check out the Orbea squidlock integrated dropper/lockout. I believe its the lightest out there and intuitive to use.

[@sydandmacky]

Interesting. I prefer the shifter-style lever for the dropper, but like how low profile the Squidlock is!

[@emusp]

Maybe color code your dropper/lock levers to make it easier to differentiate. Gold color for dropper, Fox blue for locker.

[@bpisan]

Really curious on your guys' thoughts on the DropLock lockout/dropper levers.

[@sydandmacky]

Have gotten used to them over the past few weeks since filming this video and love them!

[@ramonparker3164]

What tires are you guys running?

[@joshfoster6669]

Can’t wait to copy your builds (at a slightly lower price point) and get my bike as light as I can!

[@mlee6050]

I know the feeling, I wish I had all the money, then I could build a 10.35kg XC and 11.4kg Enduro, so know thinking to build Enduro but not splashing out money for the ultra weight saving stuff on my bikes

[@gerrygadget]

Which trail is that? Is there a good trailhead or parking area near there? I've been meaning to get up to Los Alamos for a day trip, looks like a fun trail both ways, love the slabs and boulders.

[@sydandmacky]

We rode walnut canyon and school house canyon in this video. You can park at the south bayo parking lot by the roundabout and make a loop by riding dot grant to perimeter to schoolhouse. Ride technical perimeter if reeeeeally like janky rocks 🤣 all the trails are on trailforks!

[@astroboy10765]

is that a wahoo Roam with the screen in landscape? How did you do that? With kind regards!

[@sydandmacky]

It's the Stages Dash, which you can run in landscape or vertical

[@astroboy10765]

@@sydandmacky thnx!

[@lagwall]

Seriously though... how crazy did the hair drive you when you were editing this video? LOL

[@sydandmacky]

There might have been some light profanity 😁

[@nissemeys4766]

That dropper is more explosive on the bike than most sprinters 😂

[@millerj826]

What shoes is Mackey wearing on the ride?

[@sydandmacky]

Those are the PEARL iZUMi x-alp gravel: bit.ly/3ROPx9d

[@franciscocabral7104]

Okay can I ask you how much the word the bird Wheels cost wise shipping and see receiving and how much was it for them to go down your wheels how much you put the string across from the spokes where we built you will when the new space you know what I mean

[@sydandmacky]

Check out their website for prices (bit.ly/3cNEs9o) and the code "sydandmacky" will get you 10% off.

[@trpblr]

and roughly speaking for us non sponsored folk, how much did you spend per g of weight reduction? by the way, love the channel a ton of great how too videos

[@sydandmacky]

As sponsored riders we didn't pay for the equipment so that's not something we calculated

[@mustclime5311]

love your videos

[@joemccann8116]

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on a SID or Step Cast forks, and why you didn't go with one of those?

[@sydandmacky]

We are both running Step Cast 34s and love them!

[@joemccann8116]

Awesome, great to hear! I must have missed that they were SC, looked like regular Factory 34s.@@sydandmacky

[@Cassienope]

​@@joemccann8116 the step is on the inside of the legs now so they look much more like a normal fork.

[@sydandmacky]

Yeah, as @Rhitter mentioned, it's less obvious from the side now. But from the front and inside you can see the notch.

[@rob6310]

How did you reorient your wahoo display?

[@sydandmacky]

It's the Stages Dash (link in the video description)

[@andrevoz9819]

Would going to a wireless shifter (Eagle AXS) and dropper provide any benefit or additional weight loss? It would require 2 batteries and ensuring each battery is fully charged before each race/stage....just curious if you thought or have looked into that?

[@warrenfaneco342]

I think they are sponsored by Shimano

[@andrevoz9819]

@@warrenfaneco342 Thank you, I didn't realize they were sponsored by Shimano.

[@michiganstate149]

AXS is heavier

[@peterjrmoore3941]

I just got a second hand moots mooto - but w significant upgrades - i think the lighter Nox wheels (albeit no Berg spokes!!) make a HUGE difference in acceleration. (Also has Gemini Propius bar/stem combo, fixed Moots Ti post, Sram xx derailleur, Fox 32 sc fork etc). Taking a dump to lose a few lbs doesn't take the weight off the rims, unfortunately! i'm rn in search of a saddle. I wrote to Velo coz they don't specify cross section dimensions of rails. My seat clamp only works w round 7mm. Any suggestions? and are there any carbon saddles w the thinner round 7mm rails ? thanks

[@sydandmacky]

The only carbon rail saddles I've ever seen have been fairly beefy, so you may have to go for a aluminum or ti. Sounds like an awesome build!

[@peterjrmoore3941]

@@sydandmacky thanks - it is awesome - and your videos are great !

[@aqp88-56]

Nice video. Having a steel framed Hardtail liberated me from Weight Weenines! But i dont race XC where less is definently more! Only thing I ever worry about is weight of shoes , and no excessivey heavy tires (no more than 1000g per tire) .... good luck in your next races . Btw Syd.... I wonder how much your hair weighs ? maybe be a Macky style cut would shave a few grammes?👍👍

[@rascal1234]

I have that same dropper on my XC bike. It is smooth and fast, but having only 2 positions is annoying.

[@mgmatiasek]

Congrats on the lighter bikes! Jealous! I got a stock ripmo, where would I get the most bang for my buck to shave some weight out of it? Wheels? I run heavy rubber (maxis assegai)... what else?

[@sydandmacky]

Based on our experience, wheels and tires are the biggest savers!

[@mgmatiasek]

@@sydandmacky thanks 🙌

[@jacksoncope7998]

What lock out lever did you guys have before?

[@sydandmacky]

The Fox one. But we had to mount it on top of the bars because we had a dropper lever in the normal position that it would go in

[@Paganiproductions84]

My newer XC Hardtail a has weight of 11,80 kg bone stock Orbea Alma M30 Size large whit 29er wheels and whit Maxxis 29,2,40 tires may older xc hardtail schould be around 11,6 kg stock weight 12,8 kg whit alu frame lots of upgrades Orbea Alma H20 Size Medium whit 29er 2,20 tires

[@davewillard3380]

What computers are you running that allow for “landscape” mode?

[@sydandmacky]

Stages Dash (discount code for Stages in the description)

[@noonster55]

I have come to find that it cost about $1000.00 per pound loss to make your bike lighter. At least that's what it cost me every time I want to make a bike lighter. I just spent $2000.00 making my Specialized Epic Evo Comp almost 2 pounds lighter. I can't really notice the weight difference however, I do think the ride feels a little better. Maybe it's the carbon wheel-set with the lighter XTR cassette, or the carbon bars.

[@davidtt8372]

All new Syd hair cam only had me a little nauseous.

[@E.T_rode_bikes_As_well]

Remove the remote lockout option and it goes even lighter!

[@jerryspeedbumps512]

I've been drooling over those berd spokes for a long long time. What's the engagement stats on the xtr rear hub?

[@sydandmacky]

Not sure, but we've never noticed it which says to me that it's plenty tight enough 😁

[@damienbradley9209]

For as hard as you all ride, I'm surprised you stuck with 23mm ID rims

[@charlesloeffler333]

FYI: western points are counted on just one side not both

[@alanclark9913]

I like what you did here :) By the way I feel like it's been too many years since I said thanks for the free content, love your channel!

[@charlesloeffler333]

I thought the reason to reduce weight is actually to reduce the inertia of the bike. Weight more or less translates to mass which is inertia but there is also rotational inertia in the wheels. Both hinder acceleration, but mass on the rims contributes to both. Therefore, shouldn’t you put more effort into reducing the mass of your wheels and maybe their diameter to further drop that component of inertia?

[@mrvwbug4423]

Wheels is an area where you need to compromise. They didn't build the wheels as light as possible because they still wanted some durability, but they still shed a fair bit of weight off the wheelset with the Berd spokes and XTR hubs. Diameter is going to stay 29 inches because the larger diameter wheel rolls over rough terrain smoother than a smaller wheel, taking less effort to pedal over rocks, roots, etc. 29er wheels also roll faster due to the larger diameter. The tradeoff is slightly slower acceleration and slightly less nimble.

[@NallePu83]

SCOTT SPARK RC SL HMX SL FRAME Frame incl. Shock 1870g

[@jayswavely6371]

My hardtail weighs 26 pounds. I like beefy tires and I just can't do XTR stuff. It is just too spendy.

[@samueldegonia7258]

Broke my carbon rails-be careful. It was a long ride back standing up all the way.