Biking in Colorado--Question and dilemma

[skinimini]

Do you know what accounts for the extra weight of your Cannondale? If it's the wheels, can you swap wheels with your Cervelo? The conventional wisdom I often hear is that rolling weight savings make a bigger difference than frame or non-rolling weight.

Even swapping the wheels, it'll still be heavier. The cervelo has a much lighter frame. I don't have high end wheels--Mavic Ksyrium Elite. Fulcrum 7s on the Cannondale. I do plan to switch out the wheels. I think the thing that could help the most is getting rid of a few on my body (and stepping up the training)!

[Crankin]

Personally, I'd go for the lower gearing.
I'm almost 59 years old. While my knees are fine and I do ride lots of steep, shorter hills, the only "mountains" I've done have been in Europe, all done on a 12-25 rd and a triple. I now have 2 bikes. One is a triple with an 11-28 rear cassette and the other a compact with a mountain bike rear cassette, 11-34. I've been riding the bikes about an even amount in the last couple of months. What I notice, is that when I ride up my street and driveway (between an 8-15% grade), my triple is starting to feel "harder." It's not that I can't do the climb, or I am any slower, it just feels harder. If I were on a tour and having to climb mountains, I would want the comfort of the lower geared bike. I see those extra gears as insurance. I don't necessarily always use the lowest gears on my bike with the mountain derailleur, but I sure like knowing they are there. And my lower geared bike does weigh a bit more. Not much, but it just doesn't seem to make any difference.

[Becky]

Why not do both? Lower the gearing and swap over the lighter wheelset

[skinimini]

Why not do both? Lower the gearing and swap over the lighter wheelset

Gonna try to do this tomorrow.