Things weighing less or more than expected?

[BlackCat]

Back story; as a teen I loved searching and buying bits to make my bikes lighter and I still love a light bike. I’m a bit of a closet weight weenie and have enjoyed weighing stuff I’ve bought over the last 4 years.

Latest bike is a completely original titanium diamondback with a Ritchey Vector titanium saddle that I’d like to preserve and not use due to its condition. Im unable to find a worse condition replacement titanium so decided to purchase a cro mo version (thank you @raidan73 lovely saddle) even though it’s a heavy item.

The weight difference surprised me….i feel I’ve been had all these years!

Anyone else had items they are surprised aren’t heavier/lighter than presumed??

229g titanium and 246g Cro-mo.

Funny you should mention that… I picked up a complete bike earlier this year with a similar steel railed Vector and instantly whipped it off for a Ti tailed Bontrager.. but as I (scientifically) weighed them both up in my hands.. they felt pretty much the same - which was confirmed by the scales. I think the Ritchey saddle in question has hollow rails, which goes some way to explaining it…

However… to complete the explanation, I think you need to reflect on how heavily marketed titanium was as an elite material for “Team” riders and other such badasses back in the ‘90s - and how heavily we all bought into that. The titanium premium was probably more to do with this marketing (and therefore manufacturer margin), than all the supposed real world space-age lightness hoo ha.

That said. I frickin’ love titanium.

 

[wynne]

I never understand why people want titanium bits when standard aluminium versions are arguably more functional and lighter. This is especially true of headsets - an alloy one will easily conform if there are any discrepancies in sizing. Same goes for freehub bodies. I know people will say that Shimano alu freehub bodies get chewed up so I can see a logic (but that's Shimano's poor design to start with...)

 

[bikeworkshop]

Shimano alu freehub body?
If you exclude da7800...

modern xtr and da are titanium, and others are steel.

Softer metal fhbs like hope require the higher end cassettes that are mounted on an alloy carrier.

A cheap cassette on an alloy freehub body is a recipe for chewing.

 

[wynne]

I should have said Shimano HG pattern. Though decent ones like Bitex have steel anti-bite inserts now.

 

[bikeworkshop]

7800 had deeper splines, as did 2nd gen campag whatsitcalleddrive to reduce point loads on alloy.


Other manufacturers must have assumed that the short service life of an aluminium fhb was acceptable for the 60g(?) saving.

I've seen a pair of £600 ultegra wheels worn out in 2000 miles (ahh rim brakes in wet, hilly locations) so lightweight now takes precedence over longevity in the race world.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Aluminium alloy makes sense where you want light and stiff.
Brake levers, seatpost, handlebars, stem, cranks, gear and brake - components.

And its relative softness makes it ideal for pressed in components.

Ti makes sense where you want a little flex without the fatigue.
Frames... that's about it!

You might argue for ti bars and post, but the "give" is better located in the tyre, fork and saddle.

 

[BlackCat]

Aluminium alloy makes sense where you want light and stiff.
Brake levers, seatpost, handlebars, stem, cranks, gear and brake - components.

And its relative softness makes it ideal for pressed in components.

Ti makes sense where you want a little flex without the fatigue.
Frames... that's about it!

You might argue for ti bars and post, but the "give" is better located in the tyre, fork and saddle.

Or indeed.. saddle rails..

 

[bikeworkshop]

Or indeed.. saddle rails..

A steel tube should be superior to a ti rod in weight and flex.

Did anyone make a saddle with tubular ti?

 

[wynne]

7800 had deeper splines, as did 2nd gen campag whatsitcalleddrive to reduce point loads on alloy.
View attachment 907661

Other manufacturers must have assumed that the short service life of an aluminium fhb was acceptable for the 100g(?) saving.

I've seen a pair of £600 ultegra wheels worn out in 2000 miles (ahh rim brakes in wet, hilly locations) so lightweight now takes precedence over longevity in the race world.

I had a pair of FIR deep section cross tubs on those DA hubs. Taller splines was a good idea - but only if you were going to follow through on it. Shimano abandoned it soon after and stopped making compatible cassettes. That was the point at which I abandoned Shimano.

 

[ferrus]

I have to say, Ti forks are the best upgrade I’ve made. I like them so much, they’re fitted to several bikes including a road bike.
The basic Chinese ones save a load of weight @ 550g-ish but might be slightly flexy for hard riders. For my tame requirements they’re absolutely fine and give a lovely comfy feel.
But the super-sturdy Lynskey’s are in another league. At 950g they’re the weight of a heavy steel fork but the ride quality is really superb; they’re at least as comfortable as a Ritchey Logic but much stiffer and direct, and they improve the harder you ride.