Specialized Carve SL SS - Weight Shaving?

[fishrising]

So, picking up a Specialized Carve SL XXL Singlespeed to replace my C'dale Trail 3 singlespeed, as I am feeling too compact in the cockpit. Need to stretch out, and unless I go custom, the Specialized feels best. Given it's price point versus a custom frame, I feel like I have room to shave weight and still end up at just the same general cost of a custom frame.

Where to start shaving weight? Keeping in mind I am 6'7" barefoot and 235ish lbs naked...

1st up, Stan's ZTR Arch EX's. What's next?

Carbon bars?
Carbon seat post?
Carbon stem?
Saddle?

What else?

What would you recommend, if this frame and fork were your starting point? Any point in new brakes to shave weight?

Thanks!
Ben

[SlowPokePete]

So, picking up a Specialized Carve SL XXL Singlespeed to replace my C'dale Trail 3 singlespeed, as I am feeling too compact in the cockpit. Need to stretch out, and unless I go custom, the Specialized feels best. Given it's price point versus a custom frame, I feel like I have room to shave weight and still end up at just the same general cost of a custom frame.

Where to start shaving weight? Keeping in mind I am 6'7" barefoot and 235ish lbs naked...

1st up, Stan's ZTR Arch EX's. What's next?

Carbon bars?
Carbon seat post?
Carbon stem?
Saddle?

What else?

What would you recommend, if this frame and fork were your starting point? Any point in new brakes to shave weight?

Thanks!
Ben

Go for the carbon bar, maybe the stem.

I would pass on the seatpost at your weight/size...

SPP

[johnny the boy]

i've got my 19" down to 20lbs...
arch ex wheelset w/ 3.30 hubs & super comp spokes
enve sweep bar
syntace p6 alloy seatpost
syntace f109 75mm stem
endless 20t cog
esi extra chunky grips
xt brakes w/ 180mm & 160mm ice tech xt rotors
phenom expert 155mm saddle
arundel carbon dave-o cage
straitline seat collar
shadow conspiracy headset bearing cap

[davesauvageau]

Haha, the Shadow headset cap is sweet, I have a Shadow HS on my BMX bike and I'm glad to see it on a MTB! That's a pretty stealthy looking bike, if I rode aluminum I would look into it!

[fishrising]

So, what if you had over $1000USD in store credit at your LBS after the new bike and new Stan's Arch wheels, what would you go for? Again, given my weight and size...and wanting to shave weight with this frame/fork set...

And I already have a Garmin 800 and GoPro3.

[Glynn Sluder]

Are the Arch's enough wheel for 235#? I would think Flows. How about the Hope SS/Trial hub?

Guy your size could use a Easton Havoc 750 carbon bar, definitely upgrade the brakes with some of that credit, those like "johnny the boy" has on his ride would be great.

[johnny the boy]

So, what if you had over $1000USD in store credit at your LBS after the new bike and new Stan's Arch wheels, what would you go for?

another bike, duh!

[fishrising]

Nah, not another bike. I'm good for now.

Arch weight limit might be too close, good point. I haven't ordered them yet.

[cbrock450]

Second vote on ditching the idea of arch ex rims. I hate to break this to you but you can't be a weight weenie when you weigh that much. I can't be one either. I tried and broke tons of stuff. I would get carbon bars but definitely pass on carbon stem and post. I would consider a titanium post for ride quality but not for huge weight savings.
I would go for the wtb i23 rims on some nice beefy hubs. Hopes are nice!
It's fun shaving weight off bikes but when it starts breaking it is no fun.

[serious]

Yeah, I am afraid that shaving a couple of pounds off a bike when you weigh 235, won't do a damn thing for you, except risk an unfortunate equipment break at a critical time.

[fishrising]

All good points, so how about upgrading components to better quality components then?

Here is the list, outside of wheels:

Carbon bars
XT brakes? Or other?

Any point to other headsets or bottom brackets?

Crank?

Or what about a squishy fork to be able to swap to?

[Psunset]

my xt brakes actually weighed more than the elixir1's i replaced.
and i'm hefty also...i trust the arch ex rims.

[febikes]

Dropping two pounds of bike weight is not going to make your bike ride any better or increase the enjoyment of a day in the woods.

On the other hand, adding weight to your bike can often make riding more fun.

Places to add weight:
1) Big Tires
Roll some 2.4" tires for more off road capacity

2) Big bar ends and an aluminum bar
Getting out on the horns feels good for climbing. Carbon bars often don't play well with big bar ends.

3) Quality "man-rated" parts
A broken part on the trail is never much fun

4) Bigger ring / cog combo
36/22 is nicer then 31/17 because it rolls better. Also, go with beefy rings, cogs, chain because that is where you transfer massive power.

You can often actually add 1 or 2 pounds and have a bike that rides better especially for bigger guys. With single speed you will often still be lighter than most geared dual suspension rigs.

GO BIG!

[fishrising]

My current SS is running ardent 2.4s and my moonlander is running 4.7s.

I will probably opt for Ardents on this too if they fit.

Will look at some of the other beefy stuff though.

[pulsepro]

Definetly get Flows on some Hope (os similar) hubs. Use the extra coin to buy a few sets of nice tires and ride!

[rideorange525]

The Flow EX wheels would be much better or i23s on a good hub. Probably no weight savings but stronger and wider. especially on the Rigid SS if you run a wider rim your tires will have a wider profile and you can run lower pressure.

My XT brakes were only slightly less weight than the stock, but MUCH better, those Elixir 1s sucked! The Magura's are much lighter, if you're looking for weight savings.

The stock cranks aren't anything special and I added a set of RaceFace Turbine cranks which were lighter and stiffer.

a Thompson Seatpost will drop 100 grams and ride nicer.

Easton Havoc bars will be 60+ grams lighter and ride way better and be much wider!!!

Check out this Thread, lots of people with some upgrades here!
2013 Carve SL (Singlespeed)

[Natedogz]

Go for the carbon bar, maybe the stem.

I would pass on the seatpost at your weight/size...

SPP

x2 but I would pass on stem too...good quality heavy duty cf bars like some Easton. Good quality aluminum or ti seatpost, cf stem spacers, KMC lightweight chain...

[Sologear]

Dropping two pounds of bike weight is not going to make your bike ride any better or increase the enjoyment of a day in the woods.

On the other hand, adding weight to your bike can often make riding more fun.

Places to add weight:
1) Big Tires
Roll some 2.4" tires for more off road capacity

2) Big bar ends and an aluminum bar
Getting out on the horns feels good for climbing. Carbon bars often don't play well with big bar ends.

3) Quality "man-rated" parts
A broken part on the trail is never much fun

4) Bigger ring / cog combo
36/22 is nicer then 31/17 because it rolls better. Also, go with beefy rings, cogs, chain because that is where you transfer massive power.

You can often actually add 1 or 2 pounds and have a bike that rides better especially for bigger guys. With single speed you will often still be lighter than most geared dual suspension rigs.

GO BIG!

Your "Bullbar" looks intresting, is it helpful when climbing?

[febikes]

Your "Bullbar" looks intresting, is it helpful when climbing?

Yes, I am a huge fan of big bar ends. They help a lot with climbing and long days especially in terms of overall comfort and enjoyment. Sure they add weight but I think the weight is worth it. Ultra light and narrow bars work for some people but I prefer a nice wide and extended grip.

[fishrising]

So, I ordered:

Stan's ZTR Flow EX 29r wheels on Stan's 3.30 hubs, black spokes, red nipples
XT Brakes
XT Crank 180mm
Crank Bros Cobalt 11 Carbon Bar 9* 780mm
Crank Bros Egg Beater 3 pedals red

Saddle, stem and seat post to come after I ride it a bit and decide what I need to alter fit wise.

[Doug S]

I would add a nice dropper post.

[fishrising]

Stage 1 complete for my Specialized Carve SL SS!!!!!
XT Brakes 160r/180f
XT 180mm Cranks

Stage 2 coming soon (on order, to be delivered hopefully next week):
Stan's Flow Wheels
Crank Brothers Carbon Handle Bars
Crank Brothers Egg Beater 3 - Red

Stage 3 coming pretty darn soon (to be ordered, hopefully next week or week after):
Longer Stem with more rise (want my seat and bars on the same level plane)
Carbon seat post - mfg tbd (or thompson setback I have if it fits)
Red cog
Lighter seat
Red skewers and seat collar, Crank Brothers two stage

[Gregon2wheels]

Check the Carve SS thread on this forum. Someone measured the 2013 Carve wheels and reported that they are only a few grams heavier than the Arch EXs. Race Golds (not rated for your weight or mine) would be a big savings.

EDITED TO ADD: Since you've already ordered the new wheels, let us know what the old wheels weighed. Are you riding a 2013 or 2012?

[fishrising]

This is a 2013. I am ordering a scale, so when it gets here I will weigh each tubed, stock wheel, with stock tires. And then I will weigh each tubeless, Arch, ardent 2.4 front, ardent 2.25 rear and see. Gonna be a week probably by time I can do that.

Got it on it for 9.2 miles, 1114ft climbing this morning, felt pretty good. 32x20 is a bit tougher for me to turn compared to the 33x22 I was used to. But I thinking jumping up to 180mm cranks from 175mm helped a bit.

I have dial in the tire pressure now.

[OneBadWagon]

Nah, not another bike. I'm good for now.

Arch weight limit might be too close, good point. I haven't ordered them yet.

Don't listen to this. Unless you ride extremely rocky trails or jump to flat often, I wouldn't hesitate to ride the arches. I rode a set of Arches most of last year at ~280+ lbs, and I finally managed to fold one in a jacked up G-out (rigid fork, so the front wheel had nowhere to go, totally my fault). Replaced it with an Arch EX, and haven't had any further problems.