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Current bikes too heavy? What the readers say!

Ludwig Döhl

 · 07.02.2018

Current bikes too heavy? What the readers say!Photo: Georg Grieshaber
Current bikes too heavy? What the readers say!
Telescopic seatposts, wide tyres and large wheels are great fun on the downhill, but have driven up the weight of current mountain bikes. What our readers say!

Our trail bike test from BIKE 3/18 got the ball rolling. The touring full-suspension bikes with 120 millimetres of travel cost around 3000 euros and weighed an average of 14 kilos. We have compared many trail bike test groups of the last 5 years and found out: Trail bikes have become on average 1.3 kilos heavier while prices have remained the same. There's no question that current bikes perform better on the descents than they did five years ago, but is the industry still meeting the demands of customers with such heavy bikes? If you want to buy a new, lightweight bike today, you simply have to spend more money.

The proof: We looked through old booklets to document the development of average weights (vertical axis, in kilograms). All the comparison groups are trail bikes (which used to go by the name of all-mountain sports) between 2000 and 3500 euros. At the historic low of BIKE 3/13, there were still many bikes with 26-inch wheels in the test field. Since then, large tyres, wide rims and telescopic seatposts have pushed the weight of the test groups upwards. The current average of 14 kilos must remain the end of the line if trail bikes are to continue to be fun on tours. Photo: BIKE Magazin The proof: We looked through old booklets to document the development of average weights (vertical axis, in kilograms). All the comparison groups are trail bikes (which used to go by the name of all-mountain sports) between 2000 and 3500 euros. At the historic low of BIKE 3/13, there were still many bikes with 26-inch wheels in the test field. Since then, large tyres, wide rims and telescopic seatposts have pushed the weight of the test groups upwards. The current average of 14 kilos must remain the end of the line if trail bikes are to continue to be fun on tours.


We asked for your opinion and created an online survey. In addition, numerous readers sent us their opinions on this controversial topic by e-mail. Are current mountain bikes too heavy? We investigated this question in BIKE 4/18 (in newsagents from 6 March) and carried out a fact check. And this is how 1701 participants voted in our survey.

Bikes have been getting heavier and heavier for five years. Why is that? We asked and did a fact check. You can read the results in BIKE 4/18 - on newsstands from 6 March.Photo: BIKE Magazin Bikes have been getting heavier and heavier for five years. Why is that? We asked and did a fact check. You can read the results in BIKE 4/18 - on newsstands from 6 March.

Results of the online survey on MTB weights

The conclusion that 64 per cent of bikers draw from bikes that are too heavy is: it is better to continue riding the old bike. However, 22 per cent are not satisfied with this and opt for tuning to reduce the weight of their bike. 17 per cent spend more money to get a lighter bike.

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Here are the results of our online survey, in which 1701 people voted. It shows what consequences bikers draw from bikes that are too heavy: 64 per cent don't buy a new bike, preferring instead to continue riding their old one. 17 per cent spend more money to get a lighter bike. The rest tune their bikes themselves to save weight.Photo: BIKE Magazin Here are the results of our online survey, in which 1701 people voted. It shows what consequences bikers draw from bikes that are too heavy: 64 per cent don't buy a new bike, preferring instead to continue riding their old one. 17 per cent spend more money to get a lighter bike. The rest tune their bikes themselves to save weight.

Voices: What our readers say

Andreas Hönigl I'm a classic touring/trail biker and ride the current Simplon Kibo aluminium model with 27.5-inch wheels, Sram X01 Eagle and Magura MT 8. I bought the Kibo years ago when it had just come onto the market as an introduction to the fully world. 26 inches, triple Shimano XT and Magura MT4. Weight including pedals: 12.4 kg, price: approx. 3,800 euros. I was very happy with the bike until last year, but I wanted to take advantage of various benefits. In order to achieve half the same weight with the new model (12.2 kg), I had to dig deep into my pockets this time and came up with a price of around 5,100 euros. And I even did without the telescopic support, as it would only have pushed the weight up again and also the price. To be honest, I'm not happy with this development. In my opinion, there are enough downhill-orientated bikes out there, there's no need to push the touring class into it.Photo: Privatfoto Andreas Hönigl I'm a classic touring/trail biker and ride the current Simplon Kibo aluminium model with 27.5-inch wheels, Sram X01 Eagle and Magura MT 8. I bought the Kibo years ago when it had just come onto the market as an introduction to the fully world. 26 inches, triple Shimano XT and Magura MT4. Weight including pedals: 12.4 kg, price: approx. 3,800 euros. I was very happy with the bike until last year, but I wanted to take advantage of various benefits. In order to achieve half the same weight with the new model (12.2 kg), I had to dig deep into my pockets this time and came up with a price of around 5,100 euros. And I even did without the telescopic support, as it would only have pushed the weight up again and also the price. To be honest, I'm not happy with this development. In my opinion, there are enough downhill-orientated bikes out there, there's no need to push the touring class into it. René Georgi I ride a 2012 Cube AMS with 120/110 mm travel and a weight of 11.7 kilos at a price of 2250 euros at the time. I've ridden the bike on three Alpine crossings, many weekend tours and many of my home routes. The weight, which is suitable for touring, and the geometry, which is not too sporty, represent a great compromise between uphill and downhill suitability for me. I'd love to buy a new bike, but I'm put off by what I find from the manufacturers. In favour of 29-inch wheels, 2.6 tyres, telescopic seatposts, chain guides, wide rims and more and more suspension travel, many bikes are only fitted with a single drivetrain in order to get anywhere near 13 kilos. And that with a carbon frame at a "slim" 4000 euros upwards. But then I can't cross the Alps on the bike, I'd at least have to swap the drivetrain. Innovation and development or not, but what has happened on the MTB market in the last 3-4 years doesn't strike a chord with me at all. The bikes may have become very potent, but for a sportsman who wants to have fun uphill and downhill, the offer is getting thinner and thinner.Photo: Privatfoto René Georgi I ride a 2012 Cube AMS with 120/110 mm travel and a weight of 11.7 kilos at a price of 2250 euros at the time. I've ridden the bike on three Alpine crossings, many weekend tours and many of my home routes. The weight, which is suitable for touring, and the geometry, which is not too sporty, represent a great compromise between uphill and downhill suitability for me. I'd love to buy a new bike, but I'm put off by what I find from the manufacturers. In favour of 29-inch wheels, 2.6 tyres, telescopic seatposts, chain guides, wide rims and more and more suspension travel, many bikes are only fitted with a single drivetrain in order to get anywhere near 13 kilos. And that with a carbon frame at a "slim" 4000 euros upwards. But then I can't cross the Alps on the bike, I'd at least have to swap the drivetrain. Innovation and development or not, but what has happened on the MTB market in the last 3-4 years doesn't strike a chord with me at all. The bikes may have become very potent, but for a sportsman who wants to have fun uphill and downhill, the offer is getting thinner and thinner. Konstantin Vierneisel I swapped my Focus SAM weighing 14.5 kilos (enduro) for a Storck Adrenic Platinum weighing 11.4 kilos (all mountain). A lightweight bike is simply much more fun on tours, despite the lack of a dropper post. But for great bikes you have to be prepared to pay a little more.Photo: Privatfoto Konstantin Vierneisel I swapped my Focus SAM weighing 14.5 kilos (enduro) for a Storck Adrenic Platinum weighing 11.4 kilos (all mountain). A lightweight bike is simply much more fun on tours, despite the lack of a dropper post. But for great bikes you have to be prepared to pay a little more. Christian Przibilla Affordable complete bikes are simply too heavy at the moment. The increasingly downhill-orientated design, both in terms of geometry and the robustness of the components, is driving up the weights and is not in line with the normal use of most bikers. My solution: I build my bikes myself. My enduro bike weighs 12.85 kilos, the hardtail only 9.85 kilos. I have deliberately avoided unnecessary weight drivers such as the Boost standard or a telescopic seat post for the hardtail. Photo: Privatfoto Christian Przibilla Affordable complete bikes are simply too heavy at the moment. The increasingly downhill-orientated design, both in terms of geometry and the robustness of the components, is driving up the weights and is not in line with the normal use of most bikers. My solution: I build my bikes myself. My enduro bike weighs 12.85 kilos, the hardtail only 9.85 kilos. I have deliberately avoided unnecessary weight drivers such as the Boost standard or a telescopic seat post for the hardtail.
Gerold Geiger Of course, I realise that I'm a bit out of the ordinary here with my 26-inch vintage bike. But this is the bike I ride most often in the forest. I don't want to start an endless discussion about "suspension travel instead of riding ability". Or maybe I do? In my opinion, however, we should think about the question of how many assistance systems people need to get around. And about the purpose of the vehicle. Keyword: SUV for the crowded city centre. For me, it is simply a challenge to master all the singletrack trails in my home town of Munich on a bike without suspension. You need to pay more attention, you have to choose your line carefully in root passages, and your arms and legs have to cushion the rest. I have to brake earlier or more sensibly, the saddle simply stays where it is. I fully realise that a bike like this probably makes little sense in the Alps. But I don't ride there after work either. Oh yes, and it's all about the weight. Only the brakes are uncompromisingly lightweight, the only carbon part is the fork. Total weight: 9.0 kilograms.Photo: Privatfoto Gerold Geiger Of course, I realise that I'm a bit out of the ordinary here with my 26-inch vintage bike. But this is the bike I ride most often in the forest. I don't want to start an endless discussion about "suspension travel instead of riding ability". Or maybe I do? In my opinion, however, we should think about the question of how many assistance systems people need to get around. And about the purpose of the vehicle. Keyword: SUV for the crowded city centre. For me, it is simply a challenge to master all the singletrack trails in my home town of Munich on a bike without suspension. You need to pay more attention, you have to choose your line carefully in root passages, and your arms and legs have to cushion the rest. I have to brake earlier or more sensibly, the saddle simply stays where it is. I fully realise that a bike like this probably makes little sense in the Alps. But I don't ride there after work either. Oh yes, and it's all about the weight. Only the brakes are uncompromisingly lightweight, the only carbon part is the fork. Total weight: 9.0 kilograms. Stephan Huber I own a Rocky Mountain Element from 2001 with a ready-to-ride weight of 10.78 kg including pedals. Thanks to its low weight, the Rocky climbs every mountain superbly and is also fun to ride downhill. Compared to the purchase prices of today's fullys, it was a bargain and still offers everything I need. I don't know of any current bike that is anywhere near as light as my Rocky and doesn't have an astronomical price tag. The wheel chaos, where it's not just about the size of the wheels, but also the width, not only has a negative effect on the weight, but certainly also on the price of the current bikes. As a buyer, I'm opting out and won't spend €3000 or more on an 08/15 touring fully weighing 14kg (still without pedals!), because I don't want to lift weights in the mountains, I want to ride my bike. The current touring fullys have become the (heavy) SUVs among bikes, although many cyclists would be more efficient on a compact bike. I am aware that there are also downhill-orientated riders, but they are probably not interested in heavy bikes either.Photo: Privatfoto Stephan Huber I own a Rocky Mountain Element from 2001 with a ready-to-ride weight of 10.78 kg including pedals. Thanks to its low weight, the Rocky climbs every mountain superbly and is also fun to ride downhill. Compared to the purchase prices of today's fullys, it was a bargain and still offers everything I need. I don't know of any current bike that is anywhere near as light as my Rocky and doesn't have an astronomical price tag. The wheel chaos, where it's not just about the size of the wheels, but also the width, not only has a negative effect on the weight, but certainly also on the price of the current bikes. As a buyer, I'm opting out and won't spend €3000 or more on an 08/15 touring fully weighing 14kg (still without pedals!), because I don't want to lift weights in the mountains, I want to ride my bike. The current touring fullys have become the (heavy) SUVs among bikes, although many cyclists would be more efficient on a compact bike. I am aware that there are also downhill-orientated riders, but they are probably not interested in heavy bikes either. Markus Feichtner Everyone can choose for themselves whether they want a telescopic seat post and wide tyres or not. For me, these components contribute to improvements in comfort and safety. One extra kilo doesn't bother me. That's why I don't support this lightweight discussion at all, but rather try to reduce my own body weight. Even then the riding pleasure increases.Photo: Privatfoto Markus Feichtner Everyone can choose for themselves whether they want a telescopic seat post and wide tyres or not. For me, these components contribute to improvements in comfort and safety. One extra kilo doesn't bother me. That's why I don't support this lightweight discussion at all, but rather try to reduce my own body weight. Even then the riding pleasure increases. Tino Schneider I rely on a 29er fully with wide tyres, 150/130 millimetres of suspension travel, an aluminium frame and a dropper post. This brings the bike down to 14 kilos, and I still regularly ride tours of 50 kilometres and 1200 metres in altitude. I'm happy to accept the extra weight for the downhill fun and, above all, for the better durability.Photo: Privatfoto Tino Schneider I rely on a 29er fully with wide tyres, 150/130 millimetres of suspension travel, an aluminium frame and a dropper post. This brings the bike down to 14 kilos, and I still regularly ride tours of 50 kilometres and 1200 metres in altitude. I'm happy to accept the extra weight for the downhill fun and, above all, for the better durability. Sven Jacob My Scott Genius 930 turns five this month. Back then, I fitted one of the first Reverb Stealth with 150 mm travel, bringing the total weight to a ready-to-ride 14.1 kilos. So I'm pleased that the bike industry is now catching up with me and that I'm no longer so far ahead of my time ;-). Of course it's heavy. Two kilos less would be better. But I've also put on weight in the last five years. It's more worthwhile losing that weight than tuning the bike. And it's cheaper. The main thing is to have fun cycling and I've had that every single minute of the last five years on this bike. So always take it easy.Photo: Privatfoto Sven Jacob My Scott Genius 930 turns five this month. Back then, I fitted one of the first Reverb Stealth with 150 mm travel, bringing the total weight to a ready-to-ride 14.1 kilos. So I'm pleased that the bike industry is now catching up with me and that I'm no longer so far ahead of my time ;-). Of course it's heavy. Two kilos less would be better. But I've also put on weight in the last five years. It's more worthwhile losing that weight than tuning the bike. And it's cheaper. The main thing is to have fun cycling and I've had that every single minute of the last five years on this bike. So always take it easy. Rene Ebner I bought a Canyon Spectral AL 6.0 last season. An important reason for my decision was the weight. It was the only aluminium bike in the 2000-3000 euro price range that weighed less than 13 kilos. A carbon frame was out of the question for me, as it would have exceeded my budget and a mate had already wrecked a carbon frame. If I were to buy a new bike this season, I would probably have to compare all the bikes in the price range to find one under 13 kilos and otherwise switch to carbon. Tuning makes no sense for me! Because if I buy a bike and then start replacing the components with lighter ones, I might as well go for another one.Photo: Privatfoto Rene Ebner I bought a Canyon Spectral AL 6.0 last season. An important reason for my decision was the weight. It was the only aluminium bike in the 2000-3000 euro price range that weighed less than 13 kilos. A carbon frame was out of the question for me, as it would have exceeded my budget and a mate had already wrecked a carbon frame. If I were to buy a new bike this season, I would probably have to compare all the bikes in the price range to find one under 13 kilos and otherwise switch to carbon. Tuning makes no sense for me! Because if I buy a bike and then start replacing the components with lighter ones, I might as well go for another one.
Martin Hebr In 2016, I bought the lightest bike I could afford from the dealer round the corner. I want to ride a hardtail because I think that my riding technique limits me more than the material. On the other hand, I keep seeing bikers happily cruising down the tarmac roads on their fullys. So I primarily save the material weight with my hardtail. I tuned the Merida for trail riding: a 30 mm short stem, wide Syntace W35 rims, Kindshock LEV dropper post and 2.3 inch tubeless tyres. This brings me down to 12.2 kg. If I want to go lighter, I lose weight myself. I am absolutely happy with my bike, I don't long for any other bike.Photo: Davide Mincione Martin Hebr In 2016, I bought the lightest bike I could afford from the dealer round the corner. I want to ride a hardtail because I think that my riding technique limits me more than the material. On the other hand, I keep seeing bikers happily cruising down the tarmac roads on their fullys. So I primarily save the material weight with my hardtail. I tuned the Merida for trail riding: a 30 mm short stem, wide Syntace W35 rims, Kindshock LEV dropper post and 2.3 inch tubeless tyres. This brings me down to 12.2 kg. If I want to go lighter, I lose weight myself. I am absolutely happy with my bike, I don't long for any other bike.
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