Point3: Unbranded Gravity 29er Point 3 Frame & Fork Tora TK

Gravity Point 3 Frame and fork

After I built this bike up from parts. I wondered how much it weighed. I searched the internet to find what the average weight for a hard tail 29er. I seen some unbelievable weights from 20 lbs and less to 35 lbs. I then decided to get my parts list and do some research. One of the key points that makes sense is the components/parts/spec and weight truly does determine the price of the bike.  I also found that most all popular bike frames are made in Taiwan or China and usually only by a handful of frame manufactures. Kinesis is one of the largest frame manufacturers overseas http://www.kinesis.com.tw/frames/S1025-2013.php. USA made frames definitely have their niche and produce some really sweet rides. Intense cycles comes to mind.



I tallied up the components and weights in five groups:

• Frame 
• Front End 
• Drive Train
• Front Wheel
• Rear Wheel

I'm sure it could be argued to divvy the components up separately but, I did it this way so to section off areas of the bike to see where I might be able to shave some weight.

A critical decision point, value versus cost. Race bikes usually are not intended to be super durable as the team sponsor has the dough to replace parts as needed. The primary focus of most race bikes is to make the bike light as possible and handle extremely well for the rider and that bike is tuned to the rider. Of course the bike must hold up to a number of races in succession but, how many Clydesdales race in comparison to a normal racer on a circuit. I would be afraid to ride a bike that costs 8k as I could not afford to fix the stuff I broke as a weekend warrior I'm 5' 10" @ 220lbs.

Analysis

Frame

In my build the frame accounts for 19.75% @ 5 lbs for the weight of the bike.  The frame only being at 4.18 pounds is not super heavy nor super light. This frame less the fork was around $144.00 after selling the Tora fork for $125.00. I could save a 1/2 a pound by purchasing a better frame I would love a Niner frame!

Had I known then what I know now I would have likely purchased a Sette Razzo 29er Alloy Hard-tail Frame @ $199.00 and weighing in at 3.5 lbs saving a 1/2 pound however, the chain-stay is .20" longer than the Gravity.

Front End

Wow, I could not believe that the front end less wheel and brake accounted for 22.66% of the bikes total weight @ 6.69 lbs. The over weight component here is the Fork when combined with the front wheel and etc. it would account for nearly 40.28% of the total bike weight at 11.89 lbs. The recon weighs in at a hefty 4.8 lbs. For 270.00 this shock performs flawlessly. I could shave 1 lb by changing to a Recon Gold tk for another $100.00. I would have to sell my recon silver first and likely would end getting maybe $150.00 for it on eBay. So in reality it would cost another $219.00 to loose a pound.

Drive Train

This is a hard area to cut weight first off I could go with clip-less pedals  but, then I would need to purchase clip-less shoes which ups the cost to save the maybe 1/4 pound weight  the shoes and egg beaters are considered in weight versus cost. For me that is not worth it. I could switch out the current FSA Crank-set for a Shimano SLX M665 Crankset w/ Bash Guard 8/9 Speed and save a 1/2 lb for around $200.00

Front Wheel

Right off I could replace out the slime tubes and go tubeless and loose nearly a pound for each wheel (14.4 ounces). If I did the ghetto setup it would barely cost anything other than gorilla tape and a used 26er presta tube and slime in a bottle. If I used Stans tubeless kit for $65.00 it would relate to shaving nearly two pounds of rotational weight for front and rear. If I were to change out my Easton EA70XC wheelset for Stans ZTR Arch EX 29 Black the new purchase price would be $595.00 plus shipping and tax. I could save nearly a 1/2 pound. The Easton wheel-set would need to be sold on eBay maybe getting $175 - 200.00 meaning I would still need to come up with nearly $400.00 not worth it to me at least now. I could shave a bit of weight with the Hayes brakes but, they perform flawlessly and are not part of the rotational weight of the wheel. When looking at weights of brake sets you are talking about ounces and grams in my opinion if you have a good brake set why change it for a few grams?

Rear Wheel

Basically the same story as the front wheel with exception to the cassette. Right now I run the 29er specific cassette which is already lightened up quit a bit plus has a 36 tooth cog. Here is another spot where there is very little difference in terms of weight unless you have the bottom of the barrel cassette. The SLX derailleur works flawlessly to save a few ounces/grams to go to XT does not interest me at least yet. Where else can I shave rotational weight? Tires. Over the current tires I have now I could shave 50-150 grams per tire.If I wanted to spend $65-85.00 per tire. Does this make sense for a weekend warrior who never races? To ride on a tire that has no protection flimsy sidewalls and little to no tread? Not worth it to me.

Summary

This is considering my build and recycling the parts I have and or selling them. You could spend much more on XT/XTR/XO or other higher end items.

• Lighter Frame save 1/2 lb - $200.00 and up
• Lighter Fork save 1 lb - $219.00 and up
• Lighter Drive Train 1/2 lb - $199.00 and up
• Tubeless 1.8 lbs front and rear - $ 65.00
• Lighter Wheel-set - 1/2 lb - $400.00 and up 

For $1083.00 I could lose 4 lbs off my current setup that is $270 per pound! I have built my current bike for around 1300.00. I'm sure I couldn't find a 26 lb better bike for that!

I think I will do the tubeless hack! and ride more to lose the fat on me.

29er build spec's
Type	Brand	Model	Weight	pct. Of weight
Frame
Frame	Gravity	Point 3	4.18	14.16%
Water bottle holder	Black Burn	competition	0.1	0.34%
Seatpost	Easton	XA70	0.6	2.03%
Saddle	WTB	Speed V	0.8	2.71%
Headset	Crane Creek	10 ZS	0.15	0.51%
Frame etc. total			5.83	19.75%
Front End
Fork	Rock shox	Recon Silver TK 29er 100mm	4.8	16.26%
Stem	Truvativ	Hussefelt 60mm stem	0.7	2.37%
Handlebar	Crank bro	Cobalt 3	0.5	1.69%
Grips	ODI	TLD Lock on	0.25	0.85%
Shift Levers	Shimano	Deore	0.2	0.68%
Bar ends	Titec	Shorties	0.24	0.81%
Front end etc. total			6.69	22.66%
Drive Train
Pedals	Wellgo	LU-A52	1	3.39%
Chain	Sram	PC 951	0.7	2.37%
Chainrings	RaceFace	Single Speed 34t	0.1	0.34%
Bottom Bracket	FSA	Mega XO	0	0.00%
Crankset	FSA	Gravity	2.9	9.82%
Drive Train etc. total			4.7	15.92%
Front Wheel
Front Tire	Continental	XKING 2.4	1.5	5.08%
Tube frt	Slime	29 x 2.2	0.9	3.05%
Front Brake	Hayes	Stroker Trail	0.9	3.05%
Front Wheel	Easton	EA70XC	1.9	6.44%
Front wheel etc. total			5.2	17.62%
Rear Wheel
Rear Tire	Continental	RKING	1.6	5.42%
Tubes rr	Slime	29 x 2.2	0.9	3.05%
Cassette	Shimano	SLX CS-HG-61 29er Cassette	0.7	2.37%
Rear Brake	Hayes	Stroker Trail	0.9	3.05%
Rear Wheel	Easton	EA70XC	2.4	8.13%
Rear Derailleur	Shimano	SLX	0.6	2.03%
Rear end etc. total			7.1	24.05%
Total			29.52	100.00%