I just received a email from a lodge-go-er about how to lighten thier bike (the one for discussion was 30.5 lbs). My mountain bike (Leader) is around 21 lbs and this is my thoughts on how I seated up the ol rig. Here is my check list from most important to least:
- Rider, muscle to weight ratio is most important and also the cheapest.
- Rotating weight is most important. If your wheel set has brass nipples their weight is magnified by the wheel size.
- Wheel sets can dramatically lighten your load but most costly.
- Tires, I use Stans no-tubes (Google search it) which eliminates the tube and rolling resistance. Rubber and knobs add up.
- Crank sets are also important not only in weight but also a part of rotation (don’t give up weight for stiffness).
- Fork. Do you have a 5 lb monster or a nice 3 lb (more expensive) one. Forks are the most dramatic in weight difference.
- Human interface devices. Bar, stem, seat post, and seat. Off the shelf parts are heavy for a reason, so they don’t come back for warranty. You can lose a pound by just getting high end stuff for your bike that the manufacturer cut corners on.
Well that is my quick and dirty … I invite you to comment on my thoughts.
Boneshakerbike 
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