mattr":21owc1mp said:
Oh, i also weighed about 9 stone when i was riding the 19lb torus... last time i rode it i was nearer 13 stone, and you could certainly tell the frame/forks/bars/stem etc aren't as direct as modern kit (the build as it stood then weighed nearer 24-25lbs, with coil forks (not air) and some bog standard mavic wheels/schwalbe tyres and a pretty much complete 950/1/2/3 groupset).
At the time, my best bike (2009 carbon hardtail 26er) was better/more capable in every way, and lighter than the torus had ever been (just under 19 lbs).
But thats not really the point and that excess 4 stone really changes how a 'light' bike behaves, it changes how many bikes ride. What was light and nimble becomes bendy, noodley and frustrating. Your carbon frame would have had different geometry and would have been built to a wider range of rider and for more aggressive terrain - your 9st former self may even have not have liked the new carbon.
Adding Rockshox DH forks and a Hope hubs/ Hydraulic front brake in 1995 really changed how my bike behaved, risers and the shorter stem took away the 'arse up head down' early 1990's MTB look. The lighter wheelset meant the it felt faster as it spun up quicker (and stopped far far better!) despite being quite a lot heavier with the then shiny new fork. But the frame never changed.
It was a totally different bike barely 18 months from its purchase.
Revisiting that build in 2008, it was still a competitive ride and build but the scene had already changed so much since 1993, it wasnt relevant to the sport of MTB at that time except maybe a few older XC races.
In 2021, it has no relevance at all and is now just an old curiosity or 'look! one of those old nutters on a Zaskar!'
Making old bikes light - to what end? You will hate it around any 2021 bike park, they are designed around modern bikes and the modern bikes are designed around the bike park, each getting more aggressive each year. Riding an older geometry MTB can end up as just a horrible chore.
If you're out riding in the countryside, it hasnt really changed that much and older bikes ride perfectly well and can be more comfortable in certain circumstances
BUT, you will have the modern riders passing you as if you are stood still, and expect the odd look of sympathy/ concern when they see your bike.
Your bike? Can see loads of potential to knock a few grams off that, saddle, bolts, all sorts!
and heres my 1993 Zaskar at a healthy 24.9lbs in 2011 - dont know exactly what it weighs now but theres definitely more titanium
