Surly Spew #1 - 1X1 Frame Weight

Some people have been saying that 1x1 frames are heavy. Let's compare our 1x1 frame to some "really light" frames on the market.

For the below comparison I will ignore the obvious price-to-weight ratio differences.

For the below comparison I will ignore the obvious life expectancy differences.

For the below comparison I will ignore the obvious differences in ride characteristics.

For the below comparison I will ignore the obvious differences in intended use.

Keep in mind published weights are almost always B.S.

• 1x1 small (16" c-t) frame weighs 4.415 lbs. on our very accurate scale.
• 1x1 medium (18" c-t) frame weighs 4.960 lbs. on our very accurate scale.
• 1x1 large (20" c-t) frame weighs 4.995 lbs. on our very accurate scale.
• Merlin's medium "Standard" Ti frame weighs a "published" 3.5lbs.
• Ibis's 18.5" double-butted "Ti Mojo" weighs a "published" 3lbs.
• Ibis's 18.5" butted aluminum "Alibi" frame weighs a "published" 4lbs.
• Ibis's 18.5" double-butted cro-moly "Mojo" frame weighs a "published" 4lbs.
• Ritchey's 19" P-20 frame weighs a "published" 3.4 lbs.

Wow, I guess the 1x1's ARE heavy!! But wait a minute, lightweights, racers and pretentious egomaniacs...

Again, price/weight ratio, ride characteristics, intended use, and durability aside...

If you build up a 18.5 lb. Ritchey P-20 single, you can build up a 20.06 lb. 1x1. If you build up a 18.1 lb. Ti Mojo single, you can build up a 19.66 lb. 1x1.

If you don't have a bunch of stupid-light parts and your mundane steel Ibis Mojo single weighs a whopping 24.5 pounds, your mundane, boring, stupid, heavy 1x1 single-speed bike will weigh a whopping 25.46 pounds. Waaaaah! Better get a Ti post, braaah!!

Get over it, people, the 1x1's ARE heavy, but you can still make a damn light bike out of one should you choose. Of course your Kevlarâ„¢-beaded 1.7" semi-slick tires won't look real good between those gaudy, over-manipulated chainstays, but what do we know?? And for the third time, I won't mention the RIDE, the LONGEVITY, the PRICE, or the INTENDED USE.

via [Surly Blog]