The real difference between 531 and 501 frame weight

stevesey

Dirt Disciple
I've been looking out for a 531 frame on ebay so I can build a 9-10kg bike and return my Raleigh Record Sprint to standard (at some point - 21 speed at present).

However in researching weights of parts - I started to think about the frame itself and what the difference in weight between - 501 and 531 was - of course there are different varieties of 531 to add to complication. But looking at various peoples weights I found on t'internet and this http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vinta ... ening.html - it seems a "like for like 501 vs 531c" difference is just 250g (of course either could have gas pipe stays which will impact the difference).

Looks like you really need 531pro or Columbus SL to make a more significant difference (and to be sure you really need to weigh your purchase beforehand).

Lets ignore the discussion about this sort of weight difference not making any real difference (especially when it's not the @ the wheel rims) as this is partially about the fun of building a relatively cheap sub 10kg bike by careful part selection. Won't necessarily be high end parts as there is a big weight difference when you look at some of the part specs so careful selection saving 100g's here and there can add up to 1kg without splashing to much cash.

What was my question? Does the like for like comparison above make sense? And has anyone actually weighed a 501 frame (couldn't find any real weights for 501 frames - several for different 531s).

At present I'm thinking of just waiting for the right frame to pop up, whilst upgrading the RRS some more (then doing a big swap when a frame appears).

Discuss :)
 
I think it's better to lose any 'weight' in the wheels. You may have a frame with all the characteristics that you like that may be heavier than someone else's frame and their opinions of what a frame should be.

The most fun I had was one of the oval tube 501 raleigh frames whereas I found some high end frames to be too flexible.

It's all part of the fun
 
Re:

Thanks - yes so many variations - http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/reynol ... ochure.jpg says 250h basic difference to 531c as well. Leaning towards gathering as the bits and using them on current RRS - whilst waiting for the right (531pro/Columbut SL etc) frame.

Yes wheel weight losing is in hand - picking some up today - they are tubed and tyre'd so will do a side by side comparison on the kitchen scales (when SWMBO isn't looking). Then can see how different they feel.
 
My Raleigh m trax frames are quite a bit lighter than my Raleigh 531c frame, the M trax is made of optima tubing which is lugless tig welded 501, cracking frames IMHO.
 
Re:

Picked up my wheels today £50 for a pair of Bontranger wheels, Road R1, tyres and a 12-32T 10s Shimano cassette (And for £50 who puts ebay items on to end at 11am?) Came off a year old Trek Lexa, weekend rides only, frame was left in the car overnight and nicked. They look all in good order and pop onto the RRS quite nicely (rear slightly spread already). Ok they are bottom of the range Bontranger wheels - but kitchen scales say 600g saving over the RRS originals. Have some 9 speed shifters, so need a 9 speed cassette, handle bars & stem so I can swap them all onto the RRS and add to the increasing pile of bit to be replaced when I find a suitable frame. I'm going off topic...
 
i have just finished re commissioning a Claud Butler Sierra which is 501 throughout and had the same thought so fitted a nice pair of sprint and tub rims and god forbid a set of Carbon drops and matching stem and its ended up being a great bike to ride and quite light as well
 

Attachments

  • seirra.jpg
    seirra.jpg
    109.8 KB · Views: 3,944
Re:

The difference between Cro-Mo forks to proper 531 forks is around 200g (the Record Sprint wasn't full 501 from memory), so I would think you'd save more than 250g going to a full 531c frame
 
I weighed my raleigh sirocco frame which is at least 23.5" maybe 24. Weights were:
Frame plus headset cups - 2153g
Forks - 874g
Total frame, forks and headset was 3227g.
The sirocco has plain steel forks as does the record sprint, and I would guess the stays are too
 
My painted but otherwise bare Bertin C 37 in Reynolds 531 in a 60 cm ctt size weighs 2,088 grams for the frame and 757 gm for the fork. The Reynolds catalogue lists the 531P tubeset at 1,700 gm and 531C at 1,800. The 501SL tubeset is listed at 1,875 gm and the standard 501 at 2,025 gm. That's about 175 gm difference for the lightest and 225 gm difference for the "heaviest" sets when compared. Hope that helps.
 
Back
Top