New Mountain Bike Frame Or Not?

setup is
Frame: GT avalanche
Fork: Rockshox SID
Handle bar: FSA XC180, 560mm
Stem: FSA XC170, 90mm, 6degree bend
Grip: Element lock-on
Headset: Canecreek aheadset, intergrated
Spacer: Aluminium
Saddles: Velo
Seat post: ABR tower, 27.2mm diameter
Seat clamp: GT quick release
Pedals: Shimano deoreXT
Rim: Mavic XC717
Hub: Shimano deoreXT
Spokes: DT revolution
Tires: Kenda kozmik lite II
Crankset: Shimano deoreXT
Front derailleurs: Shimano XTR
Rear derailleurs: Shimano deore XT 'shadow'
Cassette: Shimano deoreXT 11-32
Chain: KMC X9 gold
Shifter: Shimano deoreXT rapidfire shifter with shimano cable and XTR housing
Brake caliper: Avid BB5
Rotors: Avid plygon front 160mm, avid G2 clean sweep rear 160mm
Brake lever: Avid speed dial 7 with shimano M system cable
thinking of making my bike lighter.
thought of a new frame but my frame is only 1yr plus old.
should i change my frame or change any parts that can make my bike lighter? all the XT are 08 and XTR are 07

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9 Comments »

MtBikr said:

Per dollar spent you won’t save much weight on parts, based on your component list, you’ll end up spending a lot of money only to gain a few grams on each item. The best deal would be a frame. I don’t recall the Avalanche frame as being all that light. By shopping around you should be a able to find a frame that is considerably lighter than the one you have now.
EDIT:
In the new April 08 issue of MBA R.C. answers this same question. If you are not happy with your frame and want to save some weight or want one with different handling characteristics get the frame. One other key point, getting a new frame will motivate you mentally and saving a few pounds on a frame will only enhance your riding.

# 27 February 2010 at 12:38 am

sy greenblum said:

Dude. You have a nice bike. Unless you have got money sitting aroun everywhere i would keep the frame. You would only be able to shave off a couple pounds anyway. Before i bought a new frame i would buy and iron horse hardtail to ride if i really wanted a light bike. Just my opinion.

# 27 February 2010 at 1:25 am

Roberto said:

I agree with the general concensus…
Unless you don’t like your bikes geometry, you will spend a lot of money to save just a bit weight where you would notice it less.
Usually you should look at wheels and tires, maybe crankset and pedals to try to save weight where it is more noticeable. I think that the 717 rims you have are pretty good, you could go lighter with Stans Olympic rims or others, maybe check the tires as well, but again, your component list is pretty good.

# 27 February 2010 at 5:34 am

Andrew P said:

listen to the last two guys, and go train harder! Lose some body weight? Lighten your rotational mass but dont get carried away with weight shaving just ride. Its not like there is going to be a 20mph difference. Its all in yer head.

# 27 February 2010 at 12:01 pm

Kimber H said:

Hey GT,
-You already have a very slick bike! As the others already have said, use the bike and enjoy it for a few more years. The only part I would change would be the Avid BB5 Mechanical brakes. You could save some weight, get better modulation and feel with Shimano’s XTR M975 Hydraulic brakes.
-Or just take a big poop before you ride! That should shave off at least 5 pounds off your total weight! Hee Hee!
Kimber

# 27 February 2010 at 2:05 pm

M R said:

New frame is in order – My pick is a Scott Team Issue Alum frame – super light and strong.

# 27 February 2010 at 4:31 pm

Ride!Urb said:

I agree…I wouldn’t drop the cash on a new frame. You have a very nice setup, and even though the frame isn’t superb, it’s not bad at all. Plus, the weight savings won’t be all that huge…and not extremely noticeable when you ride. You also need to factor in additional costs if some parts on the bike won’t transfer to a new frame, which is common (seatpost, front derailleur, cables, etc….sometimes a headset).
I think if you really wanted to shave some weight, you should get some expensive lightweight wheels (but the ones you have are great), and you could ditch the BB5′s for some light hydraulic brakes. I love my BB7′s, but the calipers are pretty weighty. Doesn’t bother me, but if you want to save weight, that’s one thing that stands out.
Something else you could consider is buying the cheapest level of a new bike that you like, then swapping frames with the parts you already have on the Avalanche….then you could assemble the new cheap parts with the old frame and sell that bike to offset your costs.
Just remember, your fitness and riding skills are really what make you fast…..not weight. Even something as drastic as 4 or 5 pounds can be negligible to a good rider.

# 27 February 2010 at 5:35 pm

porkerco said:

I would say get a new frame.

# 27 February 2010 at 11:16 pm

Rise Above said:

How much does it weigh now?
I’m not familiar with each of those components so the only glaring thing I see might be the wheels. What kind of usage do you subject the bike to?

# 28 February 2010 at 12:47 am