How to optimize the weight of your racing bike?
Weight is the enemy! Such is the doctrine in the world of road cycling, even if it's not the only factor at play. Here, we'll look at how much weight you need for each type of bike, how to improve it, and what the limit is if you're entering the competition.
![Cyclist carrying his lightweight racing bike.](https://ucarecdn.com/b794e935-ae28-4268-b085-5efb418cf042/-/format/auto/-/preview/120x120/-/quality/lighter/V%C3%A9lo%20course%20poids%20couv.webp)
A road bike can go down to under 7 kg, enough to carry at arm's length! (©Citroën)
Understanding racing bike weight and performance
How much does a standard racing bike weigh?
The racing bike of a beginner cyclist focuses more on comfort in order to get used to the position and invite improved performance. The frame is aluminum, as are the wheels, crankset and cockpit. Within the Wilier Triestina brand, the GTR exemplifies the weight of an entry-level racing bike, between 9 and 10 kg. The higher-performance Filante SL model weighs over 7 kg, while the ultimate Filante SLR flirts with 6.8 kg.
What's the ideal weight for a racing bike at your level?
Every cyclist is unique. An amateur will be happy with an aluminum racing bike weighing less than 10 kg for comfortable Sunday riding (wider wheels, for example), while an initiate will prefer a lightweight bike weighing less than 8 kg, or even 7 kg, for regular climbing.
Please note that frame size, and therefore weight, will vary according to your size. You can't do anything about it, because your riding position, comfort and performance depend on it.
Main features of racing bikes weighing less than 7 kg
A racing bike weighing less than 7 kg has a carbon fiber frame. Depending on the type of fiber used, for stiffness or comfort, this one-piece molded part weighs less than 1 kg, and sometimes less than 700 g, like the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SLR (685 g).
Carbon material is used in virtually all components:
- The fork,
- wheels,
- Saddle post,
- The coat hanger,
- Handlebars,
- The pedals,
- The cranks.
![The carbon frame makes for a lightweight racing bike.](https://ucarecdn.com/7a5eb89f-04be-4106-996a-6abc77af62b7/-/format/auto/-/preview/120x120/-/quality/lighter/V%C3%A9lo%20route%20cadre%20carbone%20Trek%20Madone%20SLR.webp)
The carbon frame of a Trek Madone SLR lightweight racing bike (©Trek)
The feat of lightness has enabled the widespread use of hydraulic disc brakes, which are heavier than pad brakes but more efficient in view of the speeds reached by cyclists. The wheels are streamlined for aerodynamics - as are the aerodynamic handlebars - with tires thin tubeless tires (700x26 mm) to reduce rolling resistance. Chain-and-derailleur drivetrains usually feature 12 speeds, with Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo the best-known brands.
Weight optimization for cyclists
How can you reduce the weight of your existing racing bike?
If keeping your weight as low as possible is your primary goal, here are a few tips.
- Frame: this is the main part of the racing bike, so you don't count on this and the gain would be minimal.
- tires They are an important component, with several hundred grams to be nibbled away by switching to a width 2 or 4 mm narrower. On the other hand, don't forget that this will limit comfort and versatility on uneven surfaces.
- Wheels: if they're aluminum, switch to carbon wheels to save a few hundred grams, and preferably profiled to improve performance,
- Crankset and cranks: switching to carbon, or another model, can save a few dozen grams.
- Drivetrain: SRAM Red or Force, Shimano Ultegra or Dura-Ace, some are lighter than others, and avoid AXS or Di2-type electronics weighing around 100 g more.
- Seatpost: in carbon with integrated structure, it's ideal, and 3D-printed seats now save a few grams.
How much time can you save by losing weight?
The power-to-weight ratio is an essential parameter in racing bikes. If an amateur rides at 3 W/kg, a professional rides at between 6 and 7 W/kg. For a constant ratio of 7 W/kg, one kg less on a bike corresponds to a bike that's one second faster on a 20 km ride on the flat, and -8 seconds faster on a 10 km course with 500 m of ascent, according to this online calculator. The weight gain is therefore interesting for climbing the Col de Tourmalet, but less so than on the flat, where aerodynamics are more important.
![Cyclist on a lightweight racing bike, climbing a hill.](https://ucarecdn.com/35045dda-381d-48ec-9c5f-0a25eae88630/-/format/auto/-/preview/120x120/-/quality/lighter/V%C3%A9lo%20course%20performances.webp)
The weight gain is more beneficial on inclines than on flats (©Unsplash/markusspiske).
Let's take a concrete example, since some brands don't hesitate to use precise figures to bait the customer. The Trek Emonda SLR reports a gain of 60 seconds per hour on the flat and 18 s/h on an 8% gradient compared to the previous model. Indeed, the optimized aerodynamics play a big part, indicating "182 g of drag saved", more than the lower weight.
Weight of professional racing bikes
What is the UCI limit of 6.8 kilos and why is it important?
In competition, the Union Cycliste Internationale regulates rules such as the minimum authorized weight of racing bikes. Riders are not allowed to ride bikes weighing less than 6.8 kg, a figure that has been fixed for over 20 years. It's a way of levelling out performance, putting the human rather than the bike first.
![Cyclist competing in a race.](https://ucarecdn.com/69c5aef3-24c3-45dc-967d-5383ba062b85/-/format/auto/-/preview/120x120/-/quality/lighter/Comp%C3%A9tition%20v%C3%A9lo%20course%20UCI.webp)
In competition, the minimum weight is 6.8 kg (©Th G/Pixabay).
Good to know: the 6.8 kg includes pedals, power sensor, bottle cage and handlebar extenders. However, the UCI weight limit does not include accessories such as water bottles or on-board computers. This information is essential if you're going from a Sunday ride to an official event - one gram less and you're out!
The average weight of a bike on the Tour de France and the professionals
Of course, all manufacturers are vying with each other to get as close as possible to the 6.8 kg limit imposed by the UCI. Such is the case with the Cervélo R5 of Dane Jonas Vingegaard for the 2024 edition, even lighter than the one that weighed 7.195 kg when he won the Boucle in 2023.
![Two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard and his ultra-light road bike.](https://ucarecdn.com/edd4f3d7-167c-40e4-bfa4-c76f18adcce3/-/format/auto/-/preview/120x120/-/quality/lighter/V%C3%A9lo%20route%20Jonas%20Vingegaard%20vainqueur%20Tour%20de%20France.webp)
Two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard and his 2024 road bike weighing less than 7 kg (©Jumbo-Visma).
However, the Colnago V4Rs of arch-rival Tadej Pogacar weighs in at 7.27 kg, thanks to tires 's wider, more comfortable tires on a variety of surfaces (including this year's unprecedented gravel stage). In general, the weight hovers around 7 kg on the Tour de France (and other Giro or Vuelta events), varying according to the cyclist's size and profile.
The weight of an electric racing bike
How heavy is an electric road bike?
An electric racing bike weighs several kg more than an equivalent muscle bike. The difference is due to the motor, battery and electronic components (controller, display, controls, cables, torque sensor, etc.). The best light and powerful electric road bikes weigh between 10 and 12 kg.
To give you an idea of the weight of one brand, the electric Bianchi E-Oltre weighs 11 kg. That's 4 kg more than the mechanical Oltre RC with the same Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 transmission.
![The Wilier Centro Hybrid electric racing bike.](https://ucarecdn.com/68023954-0302-4100-848b-87b27fe71c37/-/format/auto/-/preview/120x120/-/quality/lighter/V%C3%A9lo%20course%20%C3%A9lectrique%20Wilier%20Cento%20Hybrid%20poids.webp)
The Wilier Centro Hybrid electric racing bike.