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Dec 8, 20234 min read

Top lightweight bike components for Weight Weenies

A short guide for Weight Weenies on upgrading to ultra lightweight bike parts. How to kick-start a lightweight bike build.


Hey there! 

Lukas and I regularly get asked by other cyclists what the easiest way is to reduce weight on a bike and get a performance edge. Most often the requests come in from people who have already upgraded to a pair of carbon wheels and want to know where to go next. Fear not. We’ve put together this short guide for fellow Weight Weenies in search of gram-shredding upgrades for their road bike and where to get the best bang for buck.


Why upgrade to lightweight bike components?

For serious cyclists, every gram saved can potentially make a difference, especially in races or competitive scenarios where small advantages matter. The Weight Weenie philosophy is that less is more, backed by studies that show that a lightweight bike is faster and handles better:


  • Improved speed. Studies from aerodynamic specialists consistently show a profound impact of reduced bike weight on speed. Upgrading to lighter bike components saves weight and reduces the force needed to propel your bike forward. This means you can accelerate quicker and sustain higher speeds with less energy expenditure. 

  • Better bike handling. It’s not just about speed, it’s also about control. The research carried out by manufacturers shows how reduced bike weight improves overall handling. Lighter bikes respond quicker to your input, like shifting the weight of your body, which makes turns effortless and climbs easier and more efficient.

  • More comfortable. Upgrading will often mean replacing an alloy part with carbon fibre. There is plenty of research out there (see e.g. Zhong Yan et al,  2019) on the damping properties of carbon fibre. 


Weight Weenies lightweight bike components

Lukas's lightweight custom bike build. Learn about how we built a custom bike from scratch here.


What are the best Weight Weenie upgrades?



Litebike lightweight carbon seatpost 27.2

Build a seatpost out of carbon and you’ve got the perfect bike component for soaking up noise vibrations from the road making your ride smoother and more comfortable. And we all know this is what counts over longer distances. If you’re trying to cycle your first 100km, 200km or even planning to tour over a couple of days, a lightweight carbon seatpost will make a big difference.


Our Mach ^2 carbon seatpost 27.2 is engineered from high-grade carbon fibre. It’s a perfectly balanced blend of lightweight and tough, whilst retaining just the right amount of compliance to keep you fresh on the toughest rides.


“Carbon seatposts are not cheap, however after two x 3 hour rides I would certainly say the Litebike post is great value for money.” - David


Still unsure? Check out our in depth guide on whether to upgrade to a lightweight carbon seatpost. > link here.



Litebike superlight carbon handlebars

Introducing the Litebike x Pro superlight carbon handlebars. The ultimate handlebars for cyclists looking for optimal performance and comfort. These handlebars are engineered to provide an exceptional riding experience, whether you're participating in endurance events or simply enjoying your daily ride.

 

Crafted from high-grade carbon fibre - the Litebike x Pro balances lightweight design with remarkable durability. The advanced carbon fiber composition ensures outstanding stiffness, offering you precise control and responsiveness, enhancing your overall riding performance.


Read our behind the scenes on how carbon handlebars are created. > Link here.




UNO Kalloy stem review

Introducing the UNO Kalloy x Litebike stem. 

 

When it comes to lightweight bike stems the UNO Kalloy is the undisputed holy grail and a Weight Weenies classic. Light, strong and affordable. It’s one of those rare products where Keith Bontrager’s famous aphorism: “Strong. Light. Cheap. Pick two.” doesn’t apply.


The first thing that stands out about the Kalloy UNO is how light it is. It’s made from 7075-AL aluminum and with titanium bolts comes in at 90g. Our UNO Kalloy stem is a very simple design free of logos, which makes it the perfect choice for people who want that stealth look.



Ride now inner tubes

The Tubolito alternative. No compromises.

 

Sustainable, performance engineered RideNow TPU inner tubes for road bicycles. The perfect combination of light, strong and fast. Made for rim brake and disc brake wheelsets.

 

We’ve now done thousands of miles on RideNow tubes and love how they perform. TPU has been shown to be more puncture resistant compared to other materials. Due to the lower rolling resistance and because a pair will save around 200g over regular tubes, we reckon this is one of the most cost effective upgrades you can make. 

 

“Your RideNow tubes are very good and from my point of view very easy to fit. I have used other brands, but these are better in that they appear a more consistent thickness and hold their shape better for fitting.” - Mike 


Hear stories from cyclists upgrading to TPU inner tubes. > link here.


Weight Weenie savings:


Weight weenies bike components

*compared to a typical part on a £1,500 bike.




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From the community:

Fantastic customer service

Fantastic customer service.

I added a note asking if the purchase could be sent out in time for the weekend and it turned up next day, very impressed - thank you

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great product and service, follow up e mails to make sure im happy with it is a nice touch, the seat post is well made and looks really good on the bike, size is perfect when measured

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  • Why is weight so important?
    Reducing weight is the most noticeable upgrade you can make. Lightweight bikes accelerate faster and are more responsive to the power you generate, helping you reach your performance potential. Lightweight means going faster and further, for longer. We help cyclists reach their goals - from competitive racers to weekend riders.
  • Do lightweight parts mean compromising durability?
    Most of our bike parts are made from carbon fiber which is lightweight, stiff for optimal power transmission, and flexible in certain dimensions making cycling more comfortable. We put every part through rigorous testing by us and our small team of cyclists. This means you can be confident that our parts will perform for thousands of miles.
  • How come your bike parts are so lightweight for the price?
    The cycling industry is full of gimmicks, poor quality parts and expensive marketing. We are flipping the switch. We work directly with the same manufacturers producing parts for the top cycling brands, avoid the marketing gimmicks and expensive packaging, to bring you top quality products at a fraction of the cost.
  • Are your products sustainable?
    We aim to set the industry standard for high quality bike parts that last. We are the opposite of fast fashion. We are slow fashion - for bikes.
  • Is your packaging recyclable?
    We use biodegradable packaging for all our products wherever possible. We reuse packaging that comes to us too.
  • How long will it take for my order to arrive?
    We aim to deliver all UK mainland deliveries in 1-3 working days.
  • How can I track my order?
    We use Royal Mail’s tracked delivery service. You will get an email with tracking information so you can keep tabs on where your order is and exactly when it will arrive.
  • Do you ship to Europe?
    Yes. Please choose your country at the check out. We charge a flat fee of £8.50, roughly €10.00, for shipping. This is less than it costs us but we don't believe in Ryanair-style add-ons! You may need to pay some taxes on delivery.
  • What’s your returns policy?
    We’re only happy if you’re happy. You can return any part you bought from us within 30 days and we will give you a full refund. Please return the item in its original condition, with any labels attached.
  • Do your handlebars have external cabling?
    Yes. Our handlebars are easy to install for the home mechanic. The cabling is externally routed in a groove running along the bottom of the bars.
  • Are your handlebars DI2 compatible?
    While some customers have fitted DI2 this requires drilling extra holes and we wouldn't recommend it unless you are an experienced mechanic. Please get in touch if you have any questions.
  • Can I fit your carbon handlebars with an alloy stem?
    Yes, our carbon handlebars can be fitted to an alloy stem, such as our super light UNO Kalloy x Litebike.
  • Will the tubes fit my bike?
    Our TPU inner tubes are size 700 x 18-32c and fit a standard bike wheel. Unless you cycle a Brompton you probably have a standard wheel. 18-32c means the tube will inflate to fit a range of tire widths between 18 mm and 32 mm. Our Litebike Performance 50g tubes are suitable for disc and rim brakes. Our RideNow 35g tubes are also suitable for rim and disc brakes.
  • Are your inner tubes difficult to install?
    TPU inner tubes are a performance product and should be installed carefully. This includes cleaning the rim and inflating the tube to a max of 8psi before installing in the tyre. Anyone can install TPU inner tubes at home, but if you are fitting them for the first time it's worth following the instructions on the box carefully.
  • You also sell RideNow gravel TPU tubes. How are these different?
    Our RideNow gravel tubes are sized 700 x 32-47c. This means the tube will inflate to fit the full range of tire widths between 32 mm and 47 mm.
  • Can TPU inner tubes puncture?
    Like with butyl and latex tubes, TPU inner tubes can puncture. However, studies have shown that TPU is more puncture resistant than other materials. You can take steps to reduce the chances of getting a puncture, for example by cleaning your tyre to remove any debris and not inflating the tubes above 8psi outside the tyre.
  • Are TPU inner tubes sustainable?
    TPU is made from renewable sources like plant-based oils and non-toxic chemicals, making it an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based synthetic rubbers and plastics.
  • What are the benefits of a waxed chain?
    You will go faster. Studies have shown you will save up to 7 watts. You will save time cleaning. Wax repels dirt. You will help the planet.
  • How do I wax my own chain? It sounds complicated.
    Chain waxing can be done at home with an old slow cooker and a few other household items. Once you have done it once it’s easy to repeat. If waxing is not your thing, but you’re still after the performance benefits of a waxed chain, we sell a small selection of top quality, pre-waxed chains. We wax them ourselves in our workshop.
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