A lightweight bike would be nice

I'm with Skunkworks on imagining the perfect lightweight fixed.

But I would recommend thinking in metric rather than imperial. After all your counting grams...

Oh and wheels def. are the most noticeable when it comes to weight.
The open pros also have the advantage of a nice ride quality.

If it were my fantasy bike it would be an exotic alloy frame, wheels built on strong rather than uber light hubs, with open pro rims and a lightish tyre. Stems, seatposts, cranks all have to deafault to stiffness/strength before weight i'm afraid.... I still think you could have a useable yet light feeling ride.

I'm getting more and more obsessed with stiffness. Its not like I've ever felt flex anywhere on a bike*. But the first time you ride a component with less flex then the last. You just cant go back.

(*except climbing out of the saddle on my BJ. Flexs the front end to hell)

lowpug

hence why i have a serotta ti frame, open pros on goldtec hubs, thomson stem and seatpost, dura ace caliper, sram carbon levers (one concession to weight)

I own three road bikes (one steel, two aluminum), a single-speed (steel) and one fixed gear (steel). So yes, a lightweight would not see that much use.

But I'd still love to have one.

And none of the above are that expensive -- I usually go with the components that give the most bang for my buck. The imaginary completed lightweight would be the sole entry in the 'man, you are an asshole' category. Maybe.

a single-speed (steel) and one fixed gear (steel).

Its my steel fixed and my steel SS 29er's, that I consider lightweights.
The steel 29er weighs well under 9Kg.
The steel fixed weighs under 8Kg.

Neither are record breakers, but I wanted them to be based on steel frames. Its all about balancing the qualities you want.

lowpug

hence why i have a serotta ti frame, open pros on goldtec hubs, thomson stem and seatpost, dura ace caliper, sram carbon levers (one concession to weight)

Sounds spot on – basically that is what I'd build. I have the wheels already, just a flexy noodle fuji frame holding them together ruining things.

By the way Skunkworks, what do you consider light? Less than 6, 7 or just able to lift and fling over the shoulder with the most casual of movements.

heavier the bike - fitter you'll get.

that is all.

By the way Skunkworks, what do you consider light? Less than 6, 7 or just able to lift and fling over the shoulder with the most casual of movements.

I think sub-7 would be nice. I really don't know. Have to weigh the ones I now have. I think the lightest at the moment is one of the roadies, at 7.7 or so kilos (w/o pedals).

I think the 'lightest bike possible' phase is something that everyone goes through. I used to be like that too, until I realised there's much more important things, like looks. Whats the point in having a super fast, super light bike if it isn't shiny as fuck!

Sub 7 should be totally do-able, even with strong components. Start saving and build it!
Everybody should have something superlative at one point in their lives.

I think the 'lightest bike possible' phase is something that everyone goes through. I used to be like that too, until I realised there's much more important things, like looks. Whats the point in having a super fast, super light bike if it isn't shiny as fuck!

I don't care about looks that much. I'm more of a rats and banged up, Mad Max-y vehicles type of a guy.

Sub 7 should be totally do-able, even with strong components. Start saving and build it!
Everybody should have something superlative at one point in their lives.

And yeah -- a sub-7 kilo ride shouldn't be that hard to accomplish. Just need to find sites that have the weights of different components listed.

Not fixed but, weight saving taken to extremes.

http://ultralightcycling.blogspot.com/

"I don't use much toiletries....I know the sweat will dry out in an hour, leaving the dry, crisp layer of salt that I lick off and replenish the electrolytes that were lost."

Tasty

I don't care about looks that much. I'm more of a rats and banged up, Mad Max-y vehicles type of a guy.

And yeah -- a sub-7 kilo ride shouldn't be that hard to accomplish. Just need to find sites that have the weights of different components listed.

Have fun.

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/listings.php

I think sub-7 would be nice. I really don't know. Have to weigh the ones I now have. I think the lightest at the moment is one of the roadies, at 7.7 or so kilos (w/o pedals).

A decent target.

Sub 7Kg could be done without sacrificing stiffness, and without buying some of the silly money weight weenie components.

I also feel (IMHO etc.) that if you get the stiffness right. Such a bike would feel far lighter.

Frame = Dolan Seta
http://www.dolan-bikes.com/track-bikes/frame-sets-track/dolan-seta-framesets
Seatpost = KCNC Ti pro light
Stem = KCNC Sc wing
front hub = Crit VR road hub (http://www.superlight-bikeparts.de/)
Rear hub = royce
Rims = Klinin XR 200 (http://fairwheelbikes.com/kinlin-xr200-clincher-rim-p-1214.html)
Bars = KCNC Sc Force. (http://www.burls.co.uk/shop/kcnc-sc-force-scandium-road-bars-318mm-os-440mm-p-84.html)
Saddle = SLR Ti
Spokes = SAPIM CX-ray rear, DT Revolution front.
Inners = Latex
Tyres = veloflex corsa.
Crankset = Rotor Agilis (or 3D) (partly as you can buy them separatly), with SS chainring (need some bodging here for chainline).
BB = Token tiramic Ext BB.

That'd be pretty dam light, not too pricey, and dosent contain any dodgy cheap carbon.

Anyway, wouldn't it make more sense to invest in the highest quality bearings etc rather than just concentrating on weight?

...But the first time you ride a component with less flex then the last. You just cant go back.

Sort of think this is true, although there's a part of me that wishes I was riding steel again whenever I'm having a bad-pothole-or-road-surface-day on my aluminium and carbon number!

Are Open Pros particularly light?

I'm surprised no-one has used the expression 'rotational weight' yet ...

Are Open Pros particularly light?

I'm surprised no-one has used the expression 'rotational weight' yet ...

If you want alu clinchers with a lasting braking surface. They are pretty impressive.

rotational mass wise.

Lightweight stem/bar combos can be dodgy though.

I like a stiff cockpit.

I bit vertical compliance is'nt to be sniffed at either.

A decent target.

Sub 7Kg could be done without sacrificing stiffness, and without buying some of the silly money weight weenie components.

I also feel (IMHO etc.) that if you get the stiffness right. Such a bike would feel far lighter.

Frame = Dolan Seta
http://www.dolan-bikes.com/track-bikes/frame-sets-track/dolan-seta-framesets

I already have the frame and fork (Principia track from chainreactioncycles.com). So no need to spend on those. I am pretty sure the damn thing is stiff as hell. At least that's the usual word on alloy Principia frames.

Rims = Klinin XR 200 (http://fairwheelbikes.com/kinlin-xr200-clincher-rim-p-1214.html)

*"For these rims, we do recommend higher spoke counts (e.g. 24 front, 28 rear) for riders over 55kg (120 lbs), and do not recommend them at all for riders over 85kg (190 lbs)."

• 
  Might be too fragile, those rims.
  

I already have the frame and fork (Principia track from chainreactioncycles.com). So no need to spend on those. I am pretty sure the damn thing is stiff as hell. At least that's the usual word on alloy Principia frames.

Lovely.