Stripping The Weight From Racing Bikes

Road racing is a very competitive sport, one where being lighter than everyone else can win you the race. Pro cyclists are on very strict diets and watch their weight very carefully, but the racing bikes also need to pretty trim. Time trial bikes have seen the weight drop off them as the years have gone by, in fact by around 10g per year. This may not sound a lot but it the racing world it’s huge. So which products are on the shelves right now that can make you and your bike lighter than ever?

Carbon fiber shoes. When it comes to cycle clothing, light and strong is the key. Cyclist like their shoes to be a solid as possible so that non of their energy is lost through shoe flex. Traditionally there has been a tossup between using hard materials which were usually heavy or lighter ones that softer and not as effective. Solving this problem are the latest carbon fiber designs that have only recently been developed. These shoes boast superior strength without having any of the usual weight

Titanium spokes. Spokes may look pretty small and insignificant but the combined weight of all of them can make quite a difference. Carbon fiber spokes are available but their strength is not that affective when they so thin, so they are made thicker and have an impact on aerodynamics. The preferred option is now titanium spokes Zipp wheels now use and can be made to the same size steel ones, but are around half the weight.

Carbon fiber bikes. The ultimate in performance racing is the bike made almost completely from carbon fiber. These bikes have ultimate strength without being bogged down with excessive weight. Its a very comfortable ride as well according to those lucky enough to have had a go.where carbon fiber does currently slip up is the price of the stuff. Most people can not even afford the shoes, let alone the bike…for the time being at least.