Quote Originally Posted by KnottedYet View Post
Not necessarily.

Do you notice a speed difference on days you wear only shorts and t-shirt vs days when you wear tights and a heavy sweater?

How about a difference when your bag is loaded vs when it isn't?

Don't kick yourself over the weight of your bike. In the grand scheme of things, it's not that significant.
I'm not a weight weenie by any stretch, but when I'm lifting a bike up onto the roof of my car, I really appreciate my 16 lb bike. When I'm climbing a hill, I really appreciate the lighter bike. When I'm mountain biking and I need to get off and carry my bike over some obstacle in uncertain terrain, I really appreciate a lighter bike. Yes, I could stand to lose a lot of pounds in cellulite, and if I ever do, I'm really gonna appreciate it. I don't sit and quibble over whether I've got a heavy frame pump or tools hanging on my bike or lightweight saddles vs. what's comfortable, but when I can afford to make it easier on myself, it's nice and my aging body appreciates it...

Just like I can paddle a gazillion miles with about any old paddle in a kayak, but I really really appreciate my carbon fiber super lightweight ergonomic wing paddle because I can paddle those miles with a lot less wrist issues. And it was totally worth every dollar I spent on that paddle. And I totally appreciate a lighter kayak that doesn't tire me out carrying it back and forth to the car or water. Even 5 lbs makes a huge difference.