Why the Weight of YOUR Mountain Bike Doesn't Matter

We all want the lightest bike, right? Well, maybe not. In this video essay, Henry compares light weight and heavy mountain bikes. Can a lighter weight bike sometimes undermine performance?
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[@pinkbike]

Hi everyone, thanks for tuning in. Sadly, Henry hurt himself before filming the second part of the video so there wasn't quite as much riding footage towards the end as we would have liked - and lots more hobbling about. His only other job during the whole shoot was putting his three-month-long excel evening course to good use and nailing that spreadsheet at 11:40, which he's adamant he did. Others may well disagree.

[@Matthew_Xc_Mtb]

Henry sacrificed

[@jakemercado7154]

intense 951 xc

[@strongerthanyouallday]

Lol ahhahaahahahahahaahahahaa

[@eph8334]

Prob could handle the corners on a heavy bike

[@TheCHrizzzzzzooo]

@@eph8334 😂😂😂

[@Biker790]

Henry is massively underrated as a presenter. I feel like I don't see him on screen as often as some other presenters, but he kills it every time.

[@reneh.6551]

Yes, in terms of quality content and details...

[@armandutan5901]

I wonder why he got booted from GMBN...

[@rpattinson]

Agreed - more Henry please. His subtle UK only jokes are great too.

[@sufyanm4661]

@@armandutan5901 I think he left

[@chickenclips]

he's good, he just needs to talk louder. Sometimes it feels as if he's trying to whisper MTB lies

[@TeddyParker]

Henry Quinney, yet again, single-handedly saving this platform.

[@K.V.P14]

Breath of fresh air compared to the other cringe fest! Just my opinion 🤷

[@brainpaint43]

Ben cathro is my favorite addition to pinkbike but Henry is great

[@TeddyParker]

@@brainpaint43 Absolutely. If anything I wish Cathro could do these types of things without PB but that's a pretty tall order so if PB is what it takes absolutely... PB Racing all the way. Sleeper Co, Cathro, Quinney... Just so good. Imagine if they made their own platform lol

[@paulbigbee]

Henry, Ben and Christine. If they’re doing a video, even if it’s not in my particular area of interest or riding, is gonna get me to watch.

[@brainpaint43]

@@TeddyParker ive already watched almost all of ben cathros own youtube channel!

[@user-xq5rp9fm1p]

Time is one thing, and yes, 30 sec is not a big deal, but energy and resource expenditure definitely can be. When I pedal a 34lbs bike 3000+ ft in altitude, definitely notice the difference compared to a 27lbs bike. I'm not fatigued, cramping, or waining in concentration when it comes time to pointing the bike down the mountain and risking getting into an accident. To each their own, and hence why I weight weenie...

[@noahthegildedone5917]

I hear you, and I'm not at all disputing the validity of your statement. I've done the weight weenie with a super light XC bike when I weighed 165lbs. Now my riding weight is 190lbs and my enduro bike is 40lbs! (It is also my "XC" bike as it is my only bike lol) All I have to say is that you're body adapts to the situations you constantly expose it to. If I really feel the need to lighten the load, I'll just lose 10lbs of fat🤷🏾 #problemsolved I do plan to get in better shape, but climbing with a heavy bike is a great way to do that. (Better than the gym IMO)

[@casestudymtb]

Everything about this is perfect. Henry's in fine form doing video editorials, and I'm here for it.

[@HS-iu2nv]

Couldn't agree more. My personal favorite: the soap box is still on his foot in the next shot.

[@OverMotoren]

Wow. What a production. It's not even the contents, it's making this story which takes up a fair bit of research and writing and after that, filming it. I can only imagine the amount of time and effort this took. Well done, very well done.

[@hectorlmges]

I’m a light 60Kg guy and on my DH Scott Gambler on ski lift days I don’t mind weight at all. On my XC bike for looong days pedalling on the other hand it’s another history… I upgraded with lighter parts and faster rolling tires and it is night and day. Maybe for people over 90Kg the difference in bike weight is less noticeable but for light people it is.

[@shaun1900]

Nah I'm 90kg's and the difference between my 12kg and 15.5kg bike is noticeable, mostly, I think in the rotational mass of the heavier wheels and tyres and brake rotors - but it is much calmer and safer on the decents.

[@oliverjacobs8594]

@@shaun1900 im 47kg and I can't even imagine how horrible it would be to ride xc with anything over 13kg.

[@5gvaccinator343]

I m almost 90kg, and I feel 700g removed from the wheels very well. So, weight is a factor. Even just keeping up with your friends is hard with burlier tires. Ps. For some reason, jumping is way easier for me with burly maxxis assegai and tubes. Tail whips and other tricks come more naturally with way heavier wheels.

[@shaun1900]

@@oliverjacobs8594 that's why as a fatty I have an XC dual suspension bike at 12kg's and an 8.5kg hardtail bike both with cages, pedals and I fully appreciate the weight saving, must be more pronounced for a featherweight.

[@User-re9so]

@@5gvaccinator343 well yes. This comes down to rotating and unsprung mass. If you get a heavier seatpost, shock, stem or stuff like that, you barely gonna notice it.

[@E.T_rode_bikes_As_well]

Henry still carries whole Pinkbike metaverse on his back. Protect this man!

[@PowerTime847]

Every once in a while pinkbike creates content that is really really good!

[@gmas135]

Not the case this time though

[@howarddavies136]

Henry looks soooooooo much more at home on PB than GMBN. This video is the most natural and comfortable I've ever seen him.

[@bk83082]

As someone who started in the mid 90s, and miss those days a lot, this video sums up a lot of why I don't really identify with the direction the sport has gone. I'm not a weight weenie, I ride a 4130 cromo hardtail, but I don't prioritize "performance" as much as I do fun and engagement. Bikes designed to winch me up a 30 minute fire road climb and then fully soak up any obstacle on the way down leave me feeling a bit "meh" compared to a 15-20 mile trail through the woods that has an element of exploration along with a variety of terrain to negotiate rather than blast through it with 170mm of travel. I'm not telling anyone that they are having fun the wrong way, just that what this video addresses seems like it's already very much catered to.

[@seano218]

I agree fully. The industry needs to calm down and stop focusing on one area.

[@TimothyM]

This is one of the best MTB tech videos I've seen in quite a long time. I absolutely love this format! Witty and informative 😁

[@ZFit11]

Comparing mountain biking back in 1996 to today, it does amaze me how much has improved by letting go of being a weight weenie and packing on the pounds! Yes, it makes uphills more of a challenge, but the stability on corners and downhills puts a much bigger smile on my face (compared to fear)! Great video, Henry!

[@Matthew_Xc_Mtb]

Me as a xc rider reading the title 😭💀

[@strongerthanyouallday]

Cry!

[@sepg5084]

​@@strongerthanyouallday 50 lb. Bike = best bike.

[@jamest4016]

Me with a Magic Mary 2.6 super downhill on the front of my hardtail 😎

[@jasonkroll2735]

The heavy bike riders i c struggling up hill.. Gravity and brakes takes care of downhill.

[@jamescourier1545]

My XC race bike weighs less than 23 lbs, ready to ride. Lighter IS better in the XC world.

[@kevinanthony8925]

As someone who has ridden everything from xc racing to downhill, I couldn’t agree more. I broke so many light parts back in the xc days it was ridiculous. Then went on to 20 years of DH. The last few years I’ve mostly been riding enduro. On my 4th enduro ride on a brand new bike, I tore a knob off the rear single ply tire causing a complete failure of the tire. Two rides later, I put a huge dent in the rear rim. After that I went to double down tires and Cush core. Couldn’t be happier. The bike is a little heavier, but performance is way up!

[@WilliamrikerNCC1701]

Great vid and perspective on how important weight is (or isn’t). Always enjoy Henry’s deep dives into this type stuff.

[@rlsedition]

It seems to me Henry was supporting the notion that different trails require different bike solutions. No question the kinds of trail in this video are not "average", but more downhill focused and technical. Of course those trails demand heavier, more robust components to optimize the experience. It all depends on where you ride and what you like about mountain biking, as always.

[@ericpeysar2593]

“Some say …” …. Loved the nod to the best show to come out of the UK ever. The BBC should be paying Pinkbike promotional fees. Such a well done video. Love your work Henry.

[@jonahdewitt8464]

I too freaking loved this, hope it becomes a recurring joke

[@jbs3691]

One of the best PB videos I have seen in a while. Great work in both content and production quality. Well done Henry and team!

[@krusch75]

Spot on. Many manufacturers sell bike with lightweight tires to keep weight down as a selling point. And as soon as someone buy the bike they also by heavier tires. Bad economy and not enviromentally friendly as many just throw stock tires in the trash. Should be industry standard to set weight without tires. Or have 1200x2 (front and rear) grams as industry standard spec for total weight

[@versustires5494]

Excellent work Henry! This is both entertaining, informative & something we've been been trying to tell anyone who would listen for quite some time. Thank you for using our tires to help illustrate such an excellent point.

[@TheShift1313]

I want to try a heavier casing tire to try to save my rims. Will def check out your products

[@topspot4834]

I ride most DH (bike parks) so I'm not overly concerned with weight. That said, I prefer a lighter ride, but tires and suspension have more to do with that than anything, and for any DH rider that's gonna be a lot more important than weight. Still like throwing it around a bit though, so I prefer it lighter, it's just not something I obsess over anymore.

[@anthonywalters7434]

On note of the Versus tires, I run the Trail casing and I’ve never had issues with the casing being too weak. On my old Maxxis EXO+ set I managed to stretch the tire’s sidewalls while riding in Asheville NC on a 4 day trip. The Versus tires have had no such issues at all.

[@richardaltman7468]

Agreed. I replaced my worn maxxis with trail casing versus tires and found that I could lower the pressure due to the tires stiffness. Found them harsh if I didn't reduce pressure.

[@anthonywalters7434]

@@richardaltman7468 yeah, I have to run at most 23 psi out back compared to 27 on my old Minion DHRII

[@richardaltman7468]

​@@anthonywalters7434 Me too. I'm at about 18 psi front, also. Never had a problem at that low pressure.

[@mcl40000]

i might not agree with everything said on this channel but i admire the work to a point where i´d wish this crew would cover more hobbies or news. this is well researched, written, filmed and performed. real journalism! thx a bunch.

[@josh33172]

I like the video, but we have to be honest about one thing: Our goals. Climbing has completely different requirements than descending. If you want a bike that does both adequately, you need to balance those things out. If climbing is just a means to be able to descend, by all means..but if climbing is more important or just as important, you then also have to consider what your goals are as a rider, and how much you can budget for it. Its all good advice, but the argument is more centered around descending than climbing. I own an older (original) Ibis Ripley LS, carbon with carbon wheels and other bits but has a DVO Diamond 140. I did this to exend the capabilities but its still wicked fast and fun on the trails, but its a trail bike. The most important aspect is that the fit and setup is absolutely dialed. I'm using GX drivetrain....it could be XO, but it doesn't need to be. I don't skimp on the bits that really make a difference in performance and feel, and the other stuff its kind of whatever. If you have a big enduro bike, your goals should absolutely be different to maximize what the bike is made for and I believe for a big bike that has a bias for descending should be built bigger and stronger....and in reality should have a bit more weight to it.

[@diamondbracelette]

Yeah most of these conversations seem to revolve around a very specific style of bigger, flowy mountain riding. The kind that's funner to film perhaps. Versus techy gnar fests with lots of sequential climbing to string together less epic descents. Not to mention repetitive techy session work to solve tricky spots and skill building. Certain types of New England riding for example. I'm open to a heavier more capable bike for whatever descents I do have, and certainly for whatever bike park days I might rarely have. But with admittedly being a bit behind the times (28.5lb "enduro" rig), I find it hard to imagine that my type of riding would benefit from a 35 lb chunker. But maybe I'm wrong!

[@josh33172]

@@diamondbracelette I moved from S. Florida which unsuspectingly is better suited for mid-travel bikes than XC bikes assuming you're not having one bike for MTB and gravel. It can absolutely use more travel as where the trails lack climbs, they make up for it with technical features. However I now live in Belgium, and its actually the opposite aside from a few destinations down in the Ardennes where you can actually get benefit from a LT MTB. To the point where my 140/120 Ripley was simply overkill for the trails here. XC/Gravel bike is practically all you need for 90% of the riding here. Vertical feet climbing/descending really isn't the metric for the bike...its how technical the singletrack is..

[@steveloyd2723]

Thanks for the video... great to think away from mainstream marketing. I'd offer that for some people optimizing for stable, high-traction, downhill performance is their goal, but others enjoy that "spritely" ride as you describe it. A lighter cassette, wheel and tire moves more quickly up and down over the trail and the more supple tire casing provides a high-traction super smooth experience. While it really isn't about optimizing speed for many of us, the feeling of the bike does matter, and light weight components are necessary for a "spritely" ride that can not be experienced with heavier components.

[@jamiehamilton3253]

100% agree with you! Especially regarding downhill performance and gear longevity. Also as a lighter rider (I'm 73kg geared up) I've noticed, for me, a slightly heavier bike allows me a bit more calmness and stability through really fast rough terrain. I don't get knocked about as much. Hence my Commencal Meta AM ticks pretty much all my boxes. And even downsized which is another story for Alice and her rabbit hole. 🤘

[@sandy_knight]

Yup, sounds like a sensible choice. Personally I haven't looked at the weight of anything MTB for over a decade, the only exception is a few bits on my DJ bike, mainly tyres. You don't want to compromise strength but when you run >60psi you can get away with a lighter tyre and the extremities of the bike are the best place to save weight if you want to improve manoeuvrability.

[@back40canoe]

I totally agree with you. I have switched to WTB Tough Casing tires and am now experiencing much better performance.

[@bigslacker666]

This has been a thing for a while now, especially with modern geo, especially STA that lets you winch a big bike up. My Evil Insurgent is near 38 lbs and does mostly park and shuttle, but I've done 40+ mile rides on it. That said, there is an argument to be made for very light downcountry bikes like the Epic Evo that can climb like XC but still rip downhill within reason. Just depends on what riding you're doing.

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

Henry out here saying what I've been telling people for years. Thanks champ!

[@chrisward7582]

As someone who doesn’t push their bike to the start of every downhill section I can honestly say that there’s nothing more depressing than riding a 30lb bike around your local trail. Larger wheels, larger frames and larger forks are all designed for larger people who expect an uplift. This video and modern bikes are completely skewed towards downhill thrills. Ride your bike like a normal person and you’ll never have more fun that with something like a second hand 26” specialized s works epic. 21lbs and an absolute pocket rocket! I’ve never had so much fun on two wheels :)

[@randypratt6304]

Tire rolling resistance can have a much greater impact on climbing speed than tire weight. There can easily be a 15 watt/tire rolling resistance difference between a trail tire and an XC tire. This would add about 2 minutes to the climb time in your example.

[@jonahdewitt8464]

And on a technical climb or flat, you’d gain more time because xc minded tires are easier to accelerate after a tight turn or steep section.

[@erictrelz3519]

I enjoy Henry's presentation style and in-depth analysis. He is correct, when discussing trail or enduro bikes, weight is not a high priority. Thanks for addressing this issue and providing me with facts to ponder when building a new bike.

[@peterj.2114]

I recently went from riding a 13kg hardtail to a 16.5 kg full sus and within a week i was used to the weight and it feels completely fine on the climbs. What I'm noticing alot tho is everything else that the bike offers. I live in a fairly flat area but nonetheless there's a lot of fast short enduro, drops and gnarly bits. The new bike just puts the hardtail to shame and it's been an absolute blast. I was worried a bit before purchase and I'd say if you're on the fence, the weight really doesn't matter :) Great video. Thanks.

[@Joefulford22]

The script and delivery in this video is excellent. Very well done.

[@haydenstacpoole7987]

Great video Henry! The guy cops it, I rate his honesty and objective viewpoints. Bike design and build HAS to be relative to the intended use, strengths and weaknesses of the rider. Good common sense logically explained with that British tone of humour we've come to love, well some of us have😉 Keep it up Hendo

[@pierrebroccoli.9396]

Me, thinking horses for courses. If you ride in some MTB heaven like Canada - pork it up but when you don't have the extended elevation pointing down - well I like a lighter setup but would love to ditch the 12 speed for a wide range 9 or 10 speed 11 to 46 would do. The dinner plate 12 speed has my derailleur cage scooping up the forest plants on my rides through natural trails. Maybe I just need to fix a bucket back there and have my MTB double up as a berry picking machine?? A lot of forest undergrowth where I ride.... I do like a sturdy frame and geo for the short but rowdy descents I fly down. Tires - under 1kg for me per tyre. More than durable enough. Great video though Henry, always fun to watch and Mike in the mobile Dutch Oven - classic.

[@stevenh766]

When did mountain biking become synonymous with downhill / enduro riding? XC and pedaling uphill are now the asterisk or afterthought?

[@masonjohnson5583]

Love this video and it sums up the topic perfectly, 99% of the disagrees in the comments(especially on the pinkbike website) completely missed some main points u made in the video. Best Pinkbike vid of 2023 so far, love how u stir the pot for people who complain about everything.

[@jokermtb]

for my local Michigan terrain, my trailbike - a GT Sensor - is kitted up with heavier duty enduro spec wheels, bigger 2.5 and 2.4 Assegai/dhr2 tires, 35mm RS tubed 140mm fork w/ RS Super Deluxe air shock, platform pedals shorter stem wider bars, tall stack height, Saint Brakes.....it's essentially a downcountry freeride bike for my modest terrain. It's a heavy pig compared to what my friends ride, but it's a beast on our local trails. It's all related to your local terrain and how many sidehits you roll into your rides

[@SubversionGarage]

Where on the bike is more important than the amount of weight. An extra pound in the BB is practically unnoticeable compared to the same pound added to the wheels

[@scottpetersen7698]

That was a network quality or better video! Smart, informative, witty, great timing, well written. 10 out of 10 more of that please Henry!

[@MichaelLargent]

I've always preferred heavier tires. Now I have the justification. 😅 They ride so well and I never have flats.

[@SpineShank7]

Always great to see Henry presenting

[@richardsmith3350]

Great video, thanks. I run eddy current tyres, inserts, 36 hole hubs, straight gauge spokes, 220mm brakes, 9 speed gears, coil springs. I couldn't care less about climb times, strava stats or racing. Just like a nice burly safe feeling on steep decents. We have so many different styles of bikes now it's crazy. I guess there are two different kind of riders 1. Adrenaline junkie, free riders who chase a feeling. 2. Competitive fitness style guys who want to measure a performance gain.

[@99MrJ99]

Totally. Im riding a 60lb ebike now for dh and it handles better than my enduro did. The weight is a marketing tool for sure. Unless your a top level pro you do not need a light bike, you just need to adjust your riding style a bit for weight differences if it is significant.

[@ptrkowalski]

It’s like watching David Atemoborow but about MTB bikes. Love it!

[@mickpowell8503]

Great vid, I'm so old and fat now, the weight of the bike matters no one jot. I have a Stumpy, a Scott Hardtail and a Cube Stereo 160 Ebike that weighs a ton and in the Alps, going down trails, the Cube is so planted and solid that it feels the safest bet. Happy riding.

[@rubbersidedown5620]

Another big thing I've found about having thicker DH tires and inserts is the added weight of the tire makes them track better and are much less likely to get deflected which makes those gnarly chutes that much less sketchy.

[@StuartPlumbley]

Love to watch Henry, always makes informative and fun videos. However, I'd probably disagree with sticking linkglide on, if your focus is descending, then perhaps uplifts are being used quite a bit, not sure a standard drivetrain won't last just as well. On an emtb however, linkglide looks like a great idea and I would definitely have used it had I not had a set of wheels with a xd freehub

[@GF-cb8rr]

Henry was the best thing to happen to Pinkbike well since Pinkbike.

[@NZMtbGuy]

Hands down, one of the best videos you guys have bet made….

[@Larpy1933]

Best PB video ever. Thanks MR. Q.

[@o2boutdoors]

This was good info. I do have to say that I was riding a 23-1/2 lb. bike in the late 1990's, and I loved it for the tight, twisty, XC trails that are my favorite kind of riding. My preference would be to not count grams on things like tires that improve durability and performance, but I'm happy to give up big rotors and suspension travel for less weight and a lower center of gravity.

[@corail53]

I mean pinkbike has been at the forefront of praising and pushing the light weight everything for years. Got to love bike journalism - do this one year, oh not that is wrong and do this other thing the next year.

[@DW-10]

I’m glad heavy isn’t always bad on the trails, because light is nearly always terrible on the wallet. I have a 2019 Trance. Now has 35mm rims, enduro 2.6 tyres, coil shock, longer dropper and heavier cassette. It now weighs about 15kg for a 150/140 trail bike. But feels “better” on the ups and downs. I noticed the wheels/tyres more than the rest, but the cost/benefit is in their favour.

[@rickywoods3101]

How do you like that coil shock? Input one in my trance but I got the rockshox ultimate with the hydraulic bottom out because our bikes have a more linear rear suspension.

[@DW-10]

@@rickywoods3101 I got the DVO Jade X with a progressive spring. I really like it. I haven’t experienced any harsh bottom outs. I looked at the RS but there was a 12 month minimum wait due to COVID at the time. Went for the DVO due to the 3 position compression adjustment (mainly to get an easy firm/climb setting). It also has an adjustable bladder which can firm up or soften the overall feel of the shock.

[@beautiifuldecay]

“Some say this is intellectual property of Top Gear” Give this man a raise😂😂😂😂

[@jptothetree]

Pinkbike's production value is through the roof these days! Fantastic 🤘🤘

[@MrUnl0rd]

Great video! I've often wondered why some folks pay through the nose for the highest performing lightest bike when they don't race.

[@letsgo_inc]

I agree. I've found that simply upgrading with quality parts takes out significant weight. Replacing a SX cassette with E13 Helix R, swapping powerspline crank to dub NX took my hardtail from 32-33 lbs stock to 29 lbs. This includes upgrading to 200mm 4 piston rotors and enduro casings. My FS is 36 lbs stock which people say is heavy. Doesn't ride heavy and a 50T will get me up anything. If you really care that much about climbing to count grams, go to the gym and get some fitness which is what I have done/ am doing.

[@h20s8804]

This was actually really well done. Optimize the bike for what you want to do. You're not picking only between 2 extremes. My group mostly wants to do 3-5 hr rides with looooooong logging road climbs and long singletracks. It cannot be overly heavy but it has to be capable on the down.

[@parker6711]

What bike are you riding for these types or rides?

[@roilev]

You'd spend 10% of the time going downhill. Why optimize for these 10%? Of course lighter bike will make your trip shorter and more pleasant

[@h20s8804]

@@roilev It's much more than 10% on the descents. The climb is for getting to the descent. The bike can't be too big and heavy for the climb, and to wispy light and short travel for the descent. The answer is more bikes! Not one to do it all.

[@zizusaid]

@@roilevThe whole point is to go downhill...

[@roilev]

@@h20s8804 Then take the lift. The trail and classic "cross country" means enjoying the ascends as much as the descends. Esp. since they are the biggest part of the ride. And yes, I've pushed a heavy double crown DH bike uphill, for the descends. And I have pushed a gravel bike down steep single tracks.

[@mariorudovsky7222]

weight is a myth. a heavier bike will come to you only at the beginning, then you will get used to it, just like the light ones, the wow effect will last for a few days, then it will be just something you got used to. If we talk about the weight of bikes in individual categories, it doesn't matter if your enduro bike has a kilo more or less. Today, 15.5 kilos or 16.5 kilos doesn't matter. As with a trail bike 14 or 15, it doesn't matter. The amazing thing about these days is that there are so many different bikes and components that you can very precisely tune your bike to where and how you ride if you think about things a bit.

[@ricusmate]

Bunny hops? Distance and height when jumping? Jibbing and tricks? Speed and stability are second to me. I use downhill casing front for corner support and better damping.

[@diamondbracelette]

Jibbing and flicking? You mean you're not just non-stop SENDING it??

[@garykerr]

My Kona weighs in at about 36lbs with DH casing tires, coil shock and a bash guard. The climbs are tough, but I just ride with people who aren’t as fit as me in order to help my ego, and the descents are amazing! This video was a good counterpoint to the prevailing narrative about saving weight at all costs, and I agree the prioritizing what is important to you as an individual rider is key, but also, if the industry was not constantly striving to minimize weight on some front, would things bloat out of control, necessitating a counterpoint video asking for lighter parts?

[@Edwordless]

I didn’t hear you talk much about how weight affects downhill handling, jumping, etc. I got a serious enduro e-bike recently that is 20 pounds heavier than my MTB, and it is really nice jumping and flying down hills. Feels planted and more stable. I ride ride dirt bikes as well, and my big KTM weighs in around 250 pounds, all due to a big motor, heavy suspension, and durable parts. It seems like added weight is mostly benefit down hill, and probably a huge cost for all mountain riding and up hill grinding. However, just like with dirt bikes, any weight disadvantage for climbing can be easily offset with a motor, and you can have the best of both worlds!

[@packingadventures]

Great to hear someone finally pointing out the obsession of mtb brands with elite racing weight saving products... I will happily pay premium for components that will last me longer, and will have me more time on the trails not on the bike shop. Thanks Henry 👍👍

[@j.albertogratacos2076]

Thank you for coming forward with this piece of intel! I personally sacrifice weight on many decisions on the bike in favor of performance and durability. For instance, I have a bashguard/chain guide, I use downhill brakes and large rotors, my rims, although carbon, are relatively wide and burly, I use inserts, I have a bell, 38 mm forks...

[@nikonboy07]

I hate how every manufacturer is currently trying to make their bikes as ugly as possible. Everything is black/grey//dark green … yuck. Go back 10 years ago and you could pick the brand without even seeing the name on the frame☹️Trek’s 2012 Slash was one of the best looking colourways ever dreamt up. Kona’s Abra Cadabra was another good looking ride. Marketing departments desperately need a revamp.

[@gabandkisheeemp7600]

100% agree!i have a heavy gt trail bike and im 56kgs.i am really confident in going down and riding in gnarly features but going up the hill is really heavy for me.i tried my wife’s trek hardtail going up is really quick and easy but going down its scary for me because it feels i’m too light and the rock will likely toss me out easy

[@energ8t]

Heavier bikes: - Cheaper - More robust - Better suspension action (sprung weight) - Better workout climbing (I had a CC guy (who was purposely riding without a saddle) criticize my bike weight on a climb. I said “better workout and more fun on the DH” and he paused then said… “oh yeah”😂) I prefer lighter cheap carbon rims and heavier tires (reduces overall spin weight from heavier tires and carbon can be self-supportive if you lose spokes; speaking from experience)

[@ajandlucy]

Not sure what Henry is on about bikes have been getting heavier for years, the obsession with weight I would say is done for most riders in terms of grams, kilos a different matter

[@TalkingWayTooMuch]

hands down the biggest upgrade to my "all mountain hardtail" has been swapping thin-walled XC tyres to Enduro tyres. So much more grip and damping, yet on the uphill a lot slower. The weight is not the problem here, but the high rolling resistance: concerning the weight: me+bike > approx100kg, so +1kg (both wheels combined) we're talking like ~1%. But the rolling resistance sucks up like another 20%.

[@Cg-fh5re]

Like the video. For me as a normal non professional biker, weight on my tours plays still a role: I carry up to 3 hours on a tour and there certainly feel a kg more or less on the shoulders…

[@curtvaughan2836]

Transition makes nice bikes, noting you have a Spire. I have a Sentinel alloy which I really love riding - great mix between downhill ability and efficiency with climbs and flats. Probably weighs a bit less than the Spire, with slightly less massive forks. I wish Transition made a Spur in alloy, as I really like its more nimble spec's. Great video, and good, honest presentation.

[@LastAphelion]

I've been wondering how good a long distance pedaler the new Smuggler is vs Spur, it does have an alloy model

[@dho]

I actually disagree with this opinion actually. I have a few points to make about why having a bike that's light matters. 1: Manipulating the bike: A lot of trail riding involves rowing the bike, throwing your bike, and shifting your balance between left and right side. The heavier the bike, the harder all these motions become. Imagine you need to row a 40 pound weight 100 times in a given ride. If you cut down the weight 5 pounds, obviously the difference is noticeable, and it's much more pleasant to manipulate a lighter bike. This kind of rule applies for any single motion you apply on the bike. Some you'll feel the weight of more than others. When you're in the air, this effect is definitely multiplied. Trying to jump a full power ebike playfully is just super tough, and not very fun. 2: Rolling resistance: Rolling resistance plays a huge role in the perceived speed and "weight" of a bike. As you go into enduro bikes, it's super normal to ride assegais, downhill casings, and other tires that just roll really damn slowly. Even if the bike only weighs a few pounds more than a trail bike, the tire difference will suck away so much energy on the climbs. This difference isn't accounted for in the numbers that were shown in this video about the climbing speed of two bikes. If you factor in an extra 15-20w of power loss due to heavy duty tires, you're easily down another minute or two in a 20 minute climb. 3: Lighter/medium duty forks have gotten much better in the recent past, and are only getting better. There's a lot of hate for the 120mm SID fork, but it's really impressive for what it does for its weight, and it's a promising trend. Trail bikes are becoming more and more capable, and you can get away with riding big features with less fork and less tire, because of excellent geometry and suspension tunes. My final point is that it really depends on where and what you ride. People are smart and will slowly find the right balance for themselves. I bought an enduro bike 2-3 years ago, and now I mostly just ride my Spur because it's super fun, fast, and I can get away with it on my local trails. ymmv.

[@NDemanuele1]

I preach this to my Roadie buddies - they never listen!! 🤣😂 Previously I had an Ibis RIpley and loved it to death. Eventually I sold it for a Ripmo. As Henry explained here, I noticed the extra weight of the Ripmo contributed to more support on descents and climbed just about as well. Also, I was shocked to find out on my first ride at my local trails I had 18 new PRs without even trying! I attribute these PRs to a longer wheelbase and I believe I unknowingly go faster due to the increased stability - it's very misleading!...LOL. However, I think the different Geo makes a huge difference.

[@sfade6217]

Great food for thought when specing your bike. The one thing missing i think is you may reach top slower on heavier bike you probably taxed your body more therefore lessening your range and shortening your rides due to fatigue.

[@mathieusoucy7904]

Cathro, Henry and Matt Beer stepped up Pinkbike content so much. I also really liked Alicia....

[@noahthegildedone5917]

I just weighed my bike in it's current form last week...40lbs! 2lbs heavier than I thought, and I wouldn't change a thing. *Shout out to Versus Tires too! That's what I'm rolling right now and I 100% love the gravity casing* Anyways, I've said for years that the weight keeps the sus more active and it's true. I'd put my bike against any Enduro rig out there when it comes to descending. Keep feeding me that balanced perspective that's not scared to stray from the status quo Henry!

[@pierrevuylsteke2974]

As a Norco Shore owner I couldn't agree more with what being said in the video !

[@158158cow]

Much like cars and motorcycles - ergonomics aside - weight is the biggest characteristic noticed by any pilot. I feel that the rider’s weight and terrain ought to be paired with a substantially robust mountain bike setup. I’m 185lb in PNW and added 4.5lb to my Reign. Inserts, coil suspension, CC link, 4-pot brakes. Wouldn’t change a thing!

[@sergiolandz6056]

its very simple, if you do XC racing, go as light as possible, if you like enduro, you need some chunk but not too much, and downhill northshore style you can go with a nice big couch.

[@martinfindlay6709]

He's the Clarkson of biking, great comparison, very educated & interesting to listen to, could watch him over &over again ;😉

[@terryfinch9319]

Brilliant video one of the best pinkbike has put out for a while

[@koreanmtnbiker2931]

Unless you climb a mountain for 1hr 10mins every time you go ride. My 35lb Nomad and I sweat. Henry, your my hero!!!

[@sripavanv]

Henry has knowledge and the skill to deliver in a fine manner

[@tobiass6092]

my enduro weights just about 17kg as a XL with 500mm reach. full 29er. and i even think about getting a coil fork and some downhill castings instead of my DDs. i weight just about 75kg for a 1,9m and i dont feel heavy on the uphills. the bike is so sticking to the ground with that coil back and that weight. love how stable it rides and that i dont have to worry about stuff breaking down cause everything is more on the overkill side.

[@AlanJeffreyMcClainJr]

Best intro ever! But was Henry alive to see videos like this on VHS? I’m curious what research was done so that Henry could bring the 80’s back on camera! 😂

[@Ghostina1]

Henry!!! Love to see you again. Cheers from Bavaria 👌🆗👍

[@yengsabio5315]

I find my mountainbiking to be more stable on a reasonably heavy bike than on a light one. Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines! #RideOn #KeepBiking

[@JeremyFacer]

Say it with me everyone “HEAVY IS THE NEW LIGHT!”

[@johndef5075]

🤣

[@rabrumf]

I swapped to a Box 2 prime 9 and love it. I did think about going with the Box 9 speed eMTB specific rear mech. Maybe that would have worked out fine as well.

[@petergottschalk726]

There needs to be a segment where you explain that we have to be thankful to bike industry to make the heavier bikes more and more expensive 😏

[@cosmicheretic8129]

I concur as I have a 34 lb carbon trail bike with 150/130mm of travel. Definitely biased toward downhill riding. Fit for purpose as they say. My e-bike is also build heavy with linkglide 10 speed, coils at both ends and heavy tires on stout e-enduro wheels. With the e-bike of course weight is a non starter but damn is it planted!

[@tylerlougheed214]

"some say" LOL love it!

[@roberttwong5811]

He is a great presenter. Dry Brit sense of humor with obscure references to illustrate his points

[@rickymarumade]

Always glad to see Henry on pinkbike

[@lynguist]

nice format, i do like the elaborated opinion piece style of it

[@MrTonka]

Worth it just for the Top Gear references. And sope box.

[@impaledface7694]

100% depends on trails and goals. I always enjoy riding undergunned compared to overgunned and my trails just aren't that hard nearby. If I find harder trails I can take out my 160mm hardtail or dh bike more often. Otherwise my 100mm xc bike or 140mm trail bike will be my go to. I also prefer the right tires for the environment. Weight matters some, but really it's rolling resistance. Lower rolling resistance tires just allow so much speed to be carried on rolling terrain.

[@twowheeler1000]

Holy shit, never expected Henry here. Way to go!