Hi all,
Been years since I've been on here! Need to lighten my Merida Race light and I'd like to do it on a budget if possible. Where are the heaviest parts that can be swooped out for sensible priced kit? Have already sorted the saddle. As this isn't crazy expensive to begin with I don't want top of the range kit.
Thanks, Tim
Advice for Merida 904
Moderator: robbosmans
If you list the parts on your bike I'm sure it will be easier to get feedback on what parts to replace
Simplest things are tyres, tubes, replacing rim tape with veloplugs, and light skewers, just changing these items often saves 250 - 400g off what is supplied with the bike
Bottle cages, titanium and alloy bolts to replace any stainless steel, and lighter cables like Alligator iLinks knock off other easy weight, as well as going with light bar tape like Lizard Skins DSP or Deda tape also cheap and easy
Seat post, stem and handlebars are also areas where you can lose reasonable weight.
Probably the biggest impact will be wheels, but this depends on what is already on the bike and how much you intend spending.
Cheers
Ozrider
Simplest things are tyres, tubes, replacing rim tape with veloplugs, and light skewers, just changing these items often saves 250 - 400g off what is supplied with the bike
Bottle cages, titanium and alloy bolts to replace any stainless steel, and lighter cables like Alligator iLinks knock off other easy weight, as well as going with light bar tape like Lizard Skins DSP or Deda tape also cheap and easy
Seat post, stem and handlebars are also areas where you can lose reasonable weight.
Probably the biggest impact will be wheels, but this depends on what is already on the bike and how much you intend spending.
Cheers
Ozrider
Ozrider - Western Australia
Parlee Z5 XL (6055g/13.32lbs) Trek Madone 5.9 (7052-7500g)Jonesman Columbus Spirit (8680g)
Chase your dreams - it's only impossible until it's done
Parlee Z5 XL (6055g/13.32lbs) Trek Madone 5.9 (7052-7500g)Jonesman Columbus Spirit (8680g)
Chase your dreams - it's only impossible until it's done
Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓ Broad Selection ✓ Worldwide Delivery ✓
www.starbike.com
Very helpful, thanks for that! Spec below:
Headset: BC pro Neck
Bars: FSA Gossamer Ergo Oversize
Stem: Merida Pro Oversize
Shifters Shimano 105
Chainset: Shimano R565 50-34
Bottom Bracket: attached
Cassette: Shimano CS-4600-10 12-28
Chain: KMC X10 10s
Front Brake: Shimano R561
Rear Brake: Shimano R561
Rims: Fulcrum Racing comp
Front Hub: Fulcrum Racing comp
Rear Hub: Fulcrum Racing comp
Spokes: Fulcrum Racing comp
Tyres: Vittoria Rubino Slick 23 60 KV Front Vittoria Rubino Slick 23 60 KV Rear
Seatpost: Merida Pro 2 31.6mm
Headset: BC pro Neck
Bars: FSA Gossamer Ergo Oversize
Stem: Merida Pro Oversize
Shifters Shimano 105
Chainset: Shimano R565 50-34
Bottom Bracket: attached
Cassette: Shimano CS-4600-10 12-28
Chain: KMC X10 10s
Front Brake: Shimano R561
Rear Brake: Shimano R561
Rims: Fulcrum Racing comp
Front Hub: Fulcrum Racing comp
Rear Hub: Fulcrum Racing comp
Spokes: Fulcrum Racing comp
Tyres: Vittoria Rubino Slick 23 60 KV Front Vittoria Rubino Slick 23 60 KV Rear
Seatpost: Merida Pro 2 31.6mm
I have one of these as my training bike and i understand why you want to shed some weight off it. The title 904 Race Light is a little bit ironic however it comes with a good groupset for the price and its a decent starting point.
Just yesterday i changed my wheelset for Pro-Lite Bracciano's (Front 618g / Rear 864g), teamed it up with lighter tubes and tyres and knocked off almost a kilo - 986grams according to my scales. The wheelset cost $410AUD and after a 60km this evening I am super impressed. Great bang for your buck factor. The standard wheelset is super heavy. Tonight was the first time that I actually looked forward to some hills, I am a chunky track sprinter and usually hate any hills bigger than a track banking.
I have also ordered a 145g Deda carbon seatpost for $71 and a 190g Bioflex Carbon Saddle for $46.
I am going to switch over the bars soon because i don't like them, I dont imagine that i will save much weight on them, maybe 100g or so.
Just yesterday i changed my wheelset for Pro-Lite Bracciano's (Front 618g / Rear 864g), teamed it up with lighter tubes and tyres and knocked off almost a kilo - 986grams according to my scales. The wheelset cost $410AUD and after a 60km this evening I am super impressed. Great bang for your buck factor. The standard wheelset is super heavy. Tonight was the first time that I actually looked forward to some hills, I am a chunky track sprinter and usually hate any hills bigger than a track banking.
I have also ordered a 145g Deda carbon seatpost for $71 and a 190g Bioflex Carbon Saddle for $46.
I am going to switch over the bars soon because i don't like them, I dont imagine that i will save much weight on them, maybe 100g or so.
Thanks for the tips! Do you know how much the standard wheels weigh out of interest?mif it's any use this is what I know so far (still looking!)....
The Merida Race Lite 904 2012 Features are:
Frame: Hydroformed 6066 aluminium with smooth welding and X-Taper head tube
Weight?
Fork: Carbon fibre with tapered steerer
Weight?
Headset: BC pro Neck
Weight?
Bars: FSA Gossamer Ergo Oversize
292 grams
Stem: Merida Pro Oversize
Weight?
Shifters Shimano 105
490grams
Chainset: Shimano R565 50-34
Weight 940grams?
Bottom Bracket: attached
Cassette: Shimano CS-4600-10 12-28
310 grams
Chain: KMC X10 10s
268 grams
Front Brake: Shimano R561
Weight?
Rear Brake: Shimano R561
Weight?
Rims: Fulcrum Racing comp
Front Hub: Fulcrum Racing comp
Rear Hub: Fulcrum Racing comp
Spokes: Fulcrum Racing comp
Tyres: Vittoria Rubino Slick 23 60 KV Front Vittoria Rubino Slick 23 60 KV Rear
300grams. 300grams.
Seatpost: Merida Pro 2 31.6mm
?
The Merida Race Lite 904 2012 Features are:
Frame: Hydroformed 6066 aluminium with smooth welding and X-Taper head tube
Weight?
Fork: Carbon fibre with tapered steerer
Weight?
Headset: BC pro Neck
Weight?
Bars: FSA Gossamer Ergo Oversize
292 grams
Stem: Merida Pro Oversize
Weight?
Shifters Shimano 105
490grams
Chainset: Shimano R565 50-34
Weight 940grams?
Bottom Bracket: attached
Cassette: Shimano CS-4600-10 12-28
310 grams
Chain: KMC X10 10s
268 grams
Front Brake: Shimano R561
Weight?
Rear Brake: Shimano R561
Weight?
Rims: Fulcrum Racing comp
Front Hub: Fulcrum Racing comp
Rear Hub: Fulcrum Racing comp
Spokes: Fulcrum Racing comp
Tyres: Vittoria Rubino Slick 23 60 KV Front Vittoria Rubino Slick 23 60 KV Rear
300grams. 300grams.
Seatpost: Merida Pro 2 31.6mm
?