Bike Lifting Weight

[jjkkee]

I am shopping for a new lightweight hybrid bike. Mine is about 30 pounds and hard to lift up on my car bike rack. I would like to find something under 24 pounds but do not want a lightweight road bike. Any thoughts?

[SadieKate]

A weight lifting program?

[jjkkee]

That is what it sounds like isn't it LOL. A lighter weight bike to lift onto my car carrier. Sorry for being vague!

[tulip]

The most important criteria for buying a bike is how it fits you while you are riding it. A 30-lb bike, while definitely not the lightest of the bunch, is not an extremely heavy bike.

I think what SadieKate was suggesting is that if you work on your strength, you will find it easier to put your bike on the carrier.

If your current bike is a good bike for riding (as opposed to putting on the car), then you might want to consider some strength training at your gym or at home. Even better than putting your bike on your car whenever you want to ride is leaving your car at home and riding your bike directly from home, but that may not be possible in your area.

If you want to buy a new bike, go try a bunch out, remembering that riding comfort is most important.

[PamNY]

Needing to lift your bike can be good motivation for increasing upper body strength. I have to carry my hybrid up and down subway stairs, and that gets me motivated like nothing ever has.

I still occasionally wish for a lighter bike, though.

[OakLeaf]

Unless the OP is under a medical restriction not to lift 25#, which is what it sounds like from her specificity.

Ordinarily I would say yes, that the reason to buy a lighter bike is because you want to ride a lighter bike, but if someone doesn't have the strength to lift 30# straight up twice in the same day, they need to work on their strength. A hybrid by definition is a "jack-of-all-trades," and light weight really isn't a criterion.

jjkkee, can you be more specific about what you need and why? You may be best served by a lightweight CX bike with road wheels, but without knowing what exactly you're looking for, there's no way to answer your question.

[KnottedYet]

I do bicep curls and military presses with my Surly Cross Check. (It is parked in my living room)

but I'm like, a total nerd...

[SadieKate]

And core strength will help your cycling (and many other parts of your life).

[Trek420]

We don't need strong arms, we're cyclists, all we need are stronger legs. Arms are only good for the post ride recovery beverage of choice.

Isn't lightweight hybrid kind of a contradiction in terms? I got a step ladder because friends run screaming when asked to help me (5' nuthin') lift my heavy POS (though very puhrty yellow) commuter to the roof rack.

Go for the fit first, then work those "guns" Oh, and welcome to TE!

[SadieKate]

We don't need strong arms, we're cyclists, all we need are stronger legs. Arms are only good for the post ride recovery beverage of choice.

Really? Better tell Lance that.

[jjkkee]

Thanks everyone - I do lift weights and work out - I have a shoulder problem and am fairly short I am also getting OLDERRRRR...... almost 60

Probably lightweight and hybrid is an oxymoron. I have also thought about a road bike with a little sturdier frame if that makes sense. I do know the importance of being fitted I was just doing a litte research on various manufacturers, when everyone thinks of weight they are usualy thinking about peformance. I live in a high traffic area and love to load up my bike and go.

[SadieKate]

We've found these to be very benefical to our equally aging shoulders.

If you are using a roof rack, you might consider a mount that allows you to remove the front wheel. Bike is lighter and you get slightly better gas mileage.

[Eden]

The most important criteria for buying a bike is how it fits you while you are riding it. A 30-lb bike, while definitely not the lightest of the bunch, is not an extremely heavy bike.

I think what SadieKate was suggesting is that if you work on your strength, you will find it easier to put your bike on the carrier.

I think a 30lb bike sounds heavy... But beyond that, I can totally understand where the OP is coming from. I'm only 5 feet tall. While I have no problems lugging around 40lb bags of kitty litter, lifting a 30lb (which is only a little under a 1/3 of my body weight...) bike over my head to get it onto the roof rack would be difficult for me.

The question I'd have for the OP is why a hybrid - is it for the upright posture (if yes then a cyclocross bike is out), is it for the sturdiness - and if so why does the bike need to be extra sturdy. Is it just that wide tires make her feel more comfortable and stable? Is all of her riding on pavement or does the bike need to be able to handle gravel/dirt? More info would definitely help in making suggestions.

[Catrin]

We've found these to be very benefical to our equally aging shoulders.

Hmmmm, this is interesting, at least for the home end The trunk on my Lancer is quite high in proportion to my height - which means that the bike gets hoisted up further than usual for a trunk rack. This isn't a problem with my Trek, and I am counting on Knots advice elsewhere that my LHT may well be lighter than my Trek

[SadieKate]

We keep those fancy devices in the car also. They aren't just for home use.