The Great Weight Debate.

Over the past few weeks myself and my teammate, Sloane, have been discussing the pros and cons of using lighter weight bike parts to help with endurance racing success over e-mail. I can tell you right now, that the bike set ups that the Cateye Enduro Team is running this year is NOT the lightest available. But then again, it is not that heavy.

This is a loaded question. The Cateye Team runs non-stock bikes, meaning we get parts from specific sponsors...Giant, Fox, TruVativ, Maxxis, Hayes Brakes, Cole Wheels, SRAM, etc, etc, etc. Then we build them up. This year we got some nice parts to spec our bikes, but they are NOT the lightest available from our sonsors. For example, we run SRAM X9 versus X0. And, we run aluminum Truvativ Team components versus the carbon stuff. Did you know that the TruVativ Stylo Carbon GXP crankset weighs more than the almuminum? Just something to think about.

I am a firm believer in "peace of mind components" instead of the ultra light weight geek stuff. I would rather take a weight gain to get fool proof / race it and forget about it parts. For example, Ergon grips. They are not the lightest grip on the market, but what you gain in comfort and performacne is worth the weight gain. The same goes for FOX shocks. They are a bit heavier than Rock Shox or Manitou products, but FOX is soooo smooth and stiff. Once you go FOX you'll never go back. I also run low end SRAM chains and their mid range cassettes for longer durability.

For Maxxis, we have a choice on tires. They offer their eXCeption seriesof tires which are lighter in weight. The down side...higher chance of a sidewall cut. I have not had this problem, but it is something to think about when choosing between tires.

I even had this discussion briefly with Mike Curiak after Trans-Iowa. He ha the same mental thinking on this matter that I do. He has done long enough event for a long time, and has witnessed first hand how light weight parts will not hold up over the long haul. He says to find the happy median between the two. I AGREE!

So, when the next time you sit down to spec a bike or buy new parts for your bike, think about this. Do you want to keep replacing parts? Do you want to have to fix a snaped carbon seatpost out in the boonies? The list goes on and on.

So, what are your thoughts on this matter? Speak to me people. The people of the industry are listening.

Tonight...Road group ride...on the Giant NRS Air if I get a specific part I have been waiting for [insert evil laugh here]