One of the main factors many riders consider when shopping for a bike is weight. A bicycle’s weight determines many things, from your speed to your stability and control when riding, and so on.
So, how much does a bike weigh? Well, a bicycle can weigh anywhere from 17 to 80lbs. This depends on several factors like the type of the bike, the material used to make the bike, and its components, to name a few.
Below is a comprehensive guide on how much different bikes weigh, why bike weight matters, and more!
Does Bike Weight Matter?
Many sources online encourage cyclists to get lighter bikes. But does bike weight really matter? Well, there is no straight answer to this question. So, let’s look at how bike weight matters in relation to portability, speed, cost, and safety.
- Portability
People ride bikes for many reasons. It could be as a hobby, as a sporting activity, or as a means of transport, to name a few.
Someone who cycles to work may need a lighter bike than someone riding for recreational purposes. This is because they may need to carry it to a particular storage place compared to the other person who just goes to store it at home.
Again, your location of residence may also determine whether to get a light or heavy bike. If you live in an apartment that requires you to climb a flight of stairs to get to your house, getting a lighter bike would be the option as it will be easy to carry.
- Speed
Lighter bikes may be faster than their heavier counterparts, especially when riding uphill. This is because the extra weight from the wheels and other components increases inertia which decreases speed during acceleration.
However, heavier bikes are faster than lighter ones when going downhill because they experience a greater gravity force.
- Cost
It’s no secret that lighter bikes are more expensive than heavy ones. This is mainly due to the material used to build components like the frame and handlebars. Materials like carbon fiber are more expensive, so the higher the quality of carbon fiber used to make a particular bike, the higher its price tag will be.
But is the price worth it? Well, yes and no. While the bike will be light, other factors like your physical fitness and overall body weight will affect your cycling speed. So, if these factors aren’t in your favor, you may not experience a significant increase in your cycling speed.
- Safety
As much as most cyclists believe it, lighter isn’t always better when it comes to bicycles. As we briefly mentioned before, most lightweight bikes are made with carbon fiber material.
While this material is light, it doesn’t bend. This means that it shatters when the bike is involved in a violent collision. And when it shatters, it most likely hurls the rider to the road, putting them at a higher risk of obtaining more severe injuries.
So, it’s important to keep in mind the type of terrain you’ll be riding on when choosing a bike. Twisty and bumpy trails require a heavier bike as it is more stable. Sure, you’ll feel that pressure when accelerating, but at least you’ll be safe.
How Much Does a Bike Weigh?
As we mentioned earlier, one of the factors determining bike weight is its type. Let’s look at how much different kinds of bikes weigh.
1. Road Bike Weight
So, how much does a road bike weigh? An average road bike weighs about 18 pounds. However, this weight may vary depending on the frame material, size, and the number of components on the bike.
Road bikes are generally lighter than most other types of bikes. This is because they are designed for paved terrains with little to no bumps to overcome.
2. Mountain Bike Weight
How much does a mountain bike weigh? An average mountain bike can weigh anywhere from 26-32 pounds depending on the frame material and size and the components on the bike. The type of a mountain bike is also another significant factor that determines the weight. For instance, a full-suspension bike weighs more than a hardtail bike.
Mountain bikes are a bit heavier because they need to be stable enough to ride easily over bumpy trails.
However, more and more mountain bike manufacturers are making their mountain bikes lighter. This is because they are known to be faster, especially when going uphill, and easier to maneuver when riding on twisty trails.
3. Electric Bike Weight
How much does an electric bike weigh? The average bike weight of an e-bike is approximately 45-50 pounds. However, some electric bicycles weigh as little as 30 pounds and as heavy as 70 pounds.
Electric bikes are heavier than most other bicycles because they operate on electric motors powered by batteries.
4. BMX Bike Weight
How much does a BMX bike weigh? An average BMX bicycle weighs about 23 pounds. Weight is a crucial factor pro stunt cyclists consider when choosing a BMX bike. Generally, lighter BMX bikes are better because they enable them to perform their tricks more easily.
5. Fat Bike Weight
The average bike weight of a fat bike is about 30-36 pounds. However, some fat bikes weigh as little as 22 pounds. The extra-wide rims and tires on fat bikes are what make them heavy.
6. Beach Cruiser Weight
So, how much does a beach cruiser bike weigh? A standard beach cruiser bike weighs between 35 to 40 pounds. Beach cruiser bicycles are heavier because they have large handlebars that prevent the rider from stooping. They also have wide tires for a smooth ride.
7. Folding Bike Weight
An average folding bike weighs between 25-30 pounds, although some weigh more or less than this range depending on the frame material and other factors.
Typically, folding bikes need to be lightweight, allowing riders to carry them easily once they fold them in.
8. Kid’s Bike Weight
The standard bike weight of a kid’s bicycle is about 18 to 26 pounds. Why this heavy? You may ask. Well, kids’ bicycles are designed to be heavy to withstand damage caused by children tossing them too often.
Unlike adults, kids aren’t keen enough to put a stand on their bicycles once they’re done riding. That is why these bicycles are made with heavy material to withstand damage when the bikes fall.
Children are also on a learning curve, making them prone to often falling when riding. So, kid’s bikes are designed to be heavy, making them more stable for children.
9. Recumbent Bike Weight
Recumbent bikes weigh between 50 and 80 pounds, although some weigh less.
Recumbent bikes are heavy since they’re designed to support users’ weight as they ride in a more reclined position. This means they don’t concentrate too much on supporting themselves or holding a particular position when using the bike.
10. Trials Bike Weight
How much does a trial bike weigh? The average bike weight of a trial bicycle is about 20-30 pounds, although some weigh more than that. Usually, trial bikes are lighter in weight to allow riders to throw them at tight angles when riding.
Frame Component: Carbon Vs. Steel Vs. Aluminum Vs. Titanium
A bike’s frame significantly determines its overall quality and, of course, weight. Let’s look at how much bikes with different frames weigh.
1. Steel Bike Weight
Steel bike frames are considered the heaviest of all types of bicycle frames. Typically, a steel bike frame weighs about 4-5 pounds. That is 1-2 pounds more than an aluminum frame. Steel bike frames weigh more than the others because they are denser.
However, there are different variations of steel material used to make bike frames, and they differ in weight. For starters, there’s Chromoly steel which is heavier and more robust than stainless steel.
Then there’s the Reynolds 531 alloy steel, where the 531 represents a combination of steel, manganese, carbon, and molybdenum in the alloy. This material is slightly lighter than its other counterparts because it is mixed with other lightweight materials.
While steel bike frames are heavy, they are more durable. Unlike other bike frame materials, steel can withstand a lot of damage without losing its structural integrity. What’s more, steel can withstand sudden impacts from accidents without cracking.
Steel bike frames are also safer than other types of bike frames. Normally, a steel frame doesn’t just shatter without warning. Instead, it begins to crack and bend, allowing you to repair it before it gives away. A steel frame is also easy to fix as any bike repairman can quickly weld it.
2. Carbon Fiber Bike Weight
Carbon fiber is a very light material because of its low density. A carbon fiber bike can weigh as little as 15 pounds. However, its unique hexagonal crystalline structure makes it stronger and more rigid while maintaining its lightweight.
Carbon bike frames are known to offer smoother rides because of their vibration damping qualities. As we mentioned earlier, they are very durable. For starters, they are more corrosion-resistant than other bike frames. What’s more, they can withstand the damaging UV sun rays, making them more long-lasting. This material can also withstand impacts but not as much as steel.
However, the main downside of carbon fiber bikes is that they are expensive. This is because carbon fiber material is made by weaving tough carbon strands together into a thick hard epoxy. This is quite a complicated process, which explains its high cost.
3. Aluminum Bike Weight
As we explained earlier, aluminum bike material has a lower density than steel hence its light weight. An average aluminum bike weighs approximately 18lbs.
Like carbon fiber material, aluminum has a very high strength-to-weight ratio. This means that it is durable while still maintaining its lightweight. Aluminum bikes are also more affordable than carbon fiber ones.
However, they are stiff, meaning they don’t absorb impacts and shocks from bumpy sections in terrains, making rides uncomfortable. They are also not as durable. Many aluminum bikes easily shatter when they encounter violent impacts.
4. Titanium Bike Weight
Titanium bikes are generally lighter than steel but slightly heavier than carbon fiber and aluminum ones. An average titanium bike frame weighs about 3lbs, with some weighing 2.5lbs. This is approximately 1-1.5lbs more than an average carbon fiber frame. Again, the weight of this material lies in its density.
Titanium offers impressive shock-absorbing qualities, offering more comfortable rides. They are also very durable and less brittle.
It’s essential to keep in mind that titanium bikes aren’t made from pure titanium. Most of these bicycles are made from titanium alloy material, a mixture of titanium with other materials like aluminum and vanadium. So, different titanium bikes may vary in weight, flexibility, and durability.
Other Factors That Influence Bike Weight
Apart from the bike frame, there are several factors that affect a bike’s weight.
- Bike Components
Bike parts such as the gears and wheels significantly affect a bicycle’s weight. Let’s begin with the wheels. You’ve probably heard that the lighter the wheels are, the better. Well, this is all because of inertia.
Inertia is the resistance of an object to change in its motion. Your body, your bike in general, and the wheels all have inertia. However, the wheels’ inertia effect is magnified because they’re rotating. So, the more mass your wheels have the more resistance (rotational inertia) there will be to make them rotate.
Another bike part that significantly influences a bike’s weight is the gear. While bike gears provide more flexibility depending on the terrain you’re riding on; they may also increase your bike weight.
The size of your bike tires also increases or decreases your overall bike weight.
- Bike Accessories
Bicycles come with extra components like bike lights, racks, and fenders, to mention a few. These accessories also significantly influence your bike’s overall weight. For instance, a rack can add an extra 1-2 pounds to your general bicycle weight.
Bike Weight Vs. Rider Weight
Which is better; losing body weight or buying a lighter bike? Both are recommendable, but losing your body would be more effective when it comes to speed.
Let’s take an example. Losing about 6 pounds of your body weight will result in an increase in speed compared to losing 6 pounds of your bike weight. This is because your body experiences air drag or resistance more than your bike does. So, losing a couple of pounds will result in less air drag and more cycling speed.
Your weight also influences your power-to-weight ratio (PWR). So, the lower the weight, the higher the PWR and the higher your cycling speed, especially when climbing. So, what is a power-to-weight ratio?
This is the amount of power your body produces while cycling in relation to your body weight. Usually, it is expressed in watts per kilogram. To calculate your PWR, all you have to do is divide your output in watts by your weight in kilograms. So, if your output is 250 watts and you weigh 70 kilograms, your PWR will be 3.75 watts per kilogram.
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It is important to keep in mind that this ratio isn’t static. This means that it changes with the cycling duration and the intensity. For example, a cyclist can have a PWR of about 5.5 watts per kilogram for 30 minutes. If the rider continues cycling for 60 minutes, it may drop to 3 watts per kilogram.
An individual’s PWR may also vary depending on intensity for a particular period. Usually, this is measured using the Functional Threshold Power (FTP.) This is the highest average power output a rider can maintain in 60 minutes.
Generally, the level of power-to-weight ratio at FTP is dependent on a cyclist’s physical fitness. So, the more physically fit you are, the higher PWR at FTP you’ll have. And as you may know, being physically fit requires you to lose a couple of pounds.
So, while making some changes to your bike to make it lighter is great, losing your body weight is even better.
Does Bike Weight Affect the Speed?
Well, at some point, yes, it does. Riding a heavy bike uphill will require more effort than riding a lighter one. As we explained earlier, a heavier bike (and wheels) has more inertia, requiring the rider to use more effort to accelerate.
However, there are other factors that can affect your speed apart from your bike weight. Let’s look at a couple of them.
- Clothing
As we have explored earlier, your body weight plays a critical role in how fast you ride your bike. Well, your overall weight is also determined by the clothes you wear.
So, wearing a lot of clothes, especially heavy ones, will automatically increase your body weight, affecting your cycling speed.
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- Body Weight
We’ve already seen how body weight can influence your cycling speed. A lower body weight not only reduces the air drag when cycling but also increases your PWR, which increases your speed.
- Leg Strength
When it comes to cycling, your legs mean everything. That is why it is essential to focus on building up your leg strength, especially in your quads. Having strong legs will increase the energy and power you put into riding as you propel yourself forward.
- Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics plays a significant role in how fast you ride. The less air resistance your body experiences while riding, the quicker you’ll ride. There are several ways to enhance your aerodynamic position while cycling. The most common one is investing in drop handlebars.
Drop bars make your bend a little and tuck your elbows out, enhancing your aerodynamic position and ultimately increasing your speed.
Factors to Consider When Determining the Perfect Bike Weight for You
Just because many sources recommend getting a lighter bike doesn’t mean that it is suitable for all circumstances. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing the ideal bike weight.
- What Will You Be Using the Bike for?
Identifying the main purpose of your bike will determine whether or not you need a lighter bike. For instance, if you’ll be using your bike for long-distance rides, getting a more lightweight bicycle is recommendable.
- The Type of Terrain You Will Be Riding On
Hilly terrains require a lighter bike that won’t need much effort to pedal when accelerating. But if you’ll be riding on flat roads, spending that extra money on a more lightweight bike won’t be necessary. Your speed on a heavy bike won’t be too different than on a lighter bicycle when riding on flat terrain.
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Tips On How to Make Your Bike Lighter
Here are some tips for making your bike lighter.
- Invest in Latex Inner Bike Tubes
The best way shed weight off your bike is to focus on the wheel. Your bike wheels’ weight significantly influences your bike weight as they experience more resistance (inertia) when riding.
An excellent way to reduce your wheels’ weight is to get latex inner tubes. These inner bike tubes are thinner and more flexible than their butyl counterparts, reducing the rolling resistance and increasing your cycling speed.
- Get Lighter Tires
Like the wheels, the lighter your tires are, the less rolling resistance they’ll experience. While it may cost some extra bucks, getting more lightweight tires is recommended.
- Switch to Bike Components Made From Lightweight Material
This is another excellent way to shed weight off your bike. Switching to handlebars and saddles made from a lightweight material like carbon can go a long way in making your bicycle lighter.
- Go for a Paint-Free Bike Frame
Did you know that paint can add as much as 200g of weight to a bike frame? So, another great way to reduce your overall bike weight is to switch to a paint-free frame.
Luckily, many bike frames like carbon fiber ones come in raw versions, meaning it doesn’t have paint.
- Switch to Velo Plugs
You may require rim tape to protect your latex inner tubes from being damaged by the spoke holes in your rims.
Most rim tapes are made from rubber or plastic, which may add some weight to wheels. So, a better alternative to these tapes is Velo plugs. Like rim tape, these plugs still protect the inner tubes from being damaged by the spoke holes, and they are very lightweight.
- Switch to Lightweight Handlebar Tape
This is another overlooked way to shed weight off a bicycle. Apart from using less tape, it’s recommendable to use a lightweight one.
Conclusion –How Much Does a Bike Weigh?
While bike weight is a vital factor to consider when choosing a bicycle, it shouldn’t be the center of your attention. Also, focus on the bike’s overall quality and stability because a bike may be lightweight but has missed the mark when it comes to stability and general quality.