Project 10 - The Bike
Sure you can do it!
Today I am introducing a new, longterm project - Project 10. Project 10 is simple. Cut 10 pounds of weight from my bike &related kit for an upcoming ride challenge, take 10 pounds off weight off my body, and complete a lifelong dream ride in under 10 hours. It is likely going to get a bit nerdy about bikes, cameras, fabrics, tools, etc. It will also be rather specific for the ride and that experience. Let’s get this project going!
I have been in the bike industry for decades and one of the lifelong quests and benchmarks of the industry has been weight and weight reduction of bicycles & components. The obvious reason this has always been part of bicycles is that carrying less weight can improve efficiency and performance, especially at elite levels. In general, as long as you are not compromising something significant, I think most would say that a lighter overall bicycle and kit increases performance is a true statement.
Let’s get honest. I am no elite athlete. Far from it in fact. Heck I’d even go so far as to say that my genetics don’t lean towards cycling in any way. While I can and do appreciate the potential performance gains related to lighter weight components, one might argue that if you are cutting a pound off the bike, you, or I, would I would likely gain more by losing that same pound off the body. I think that most would say that as long as you are maintaining or building strength, that losing weight on your body increases performance is also a true statement.
It is in both of these theories and true statements that I get excited about this project. I also need goals to motivate and push me. So…What if I combined the two? Add it up. What if I can lose 10 lbs on my kit and 10 lbs on my bike? What would 20 lbs do to my performance and chances of completing may personal ride challenge in under 10 hours? I think it can only help.
So let’s start with the easiest and often most fun part, the bicycle and gear. The goal for the gear/kit weight loss spans my bike, what I carry, what I wear, frame/bike bags, camera and electronics (GPS, phone, batteries, lights, etc). It’s probably not a surprise that I am starting this project talking about the bike itself. It’s probably also not a surprise that I am using my Tumbleweed Bicycle Company Stargazer as my desired bike, ride and platform for this project. I’ve written about my Stargazer a few times at my old site. Until I have those articles archived here at my new site, here are the links - Bikes of 2022 Stargazer and My updated Tumbleweed Stargazer.
Full disclosure - I bought this bike 3 years ago when it was released. I was not associated with Tumbleweed Bicycle Company other than I knew Daniel and some of the folks that helped Daniel get his brand and business started. In the last year, I have been consulting some with Tumbleweed so keep that in mind as you read this review. But to be clear, I purchased every single part on this bike with my own $$ except the current handlebar, a Tumbleweed Big Dipper bar.
With that out of the way, here is what I want to say about the Tumbleweed Stargazer related to this project. It’s the perfect bike for the ride challenge I plan to attempt later this fall. It is so comfortable. It fits me perfectly. It is so versatile. It rides the way I think a bike for long distance riding and mountain touring should. But don’t take my word for it, it just received the #1 position at bikepacking.com’s 13 favorite drop bar mountain bikes.
Here are just a few of my favorite rides and experiences with my personal Stargazer. First photo in the Gallery Below is current state. I took that image just this AM at a secret spot of my liking!
First changes and updates from the featured current state photo are in motion. With the help of my friend Ben at Heath Creek, I hope to install a few of them tomorrow and do a long ride on Saturday. I’ll detail those changes at length after the install and test ride. Hopefully I’ll also have some pictures to share. But here’s a hint, the first changes are fairly significant with changes to wheels & fork. Second round changes will involve comfort at touch points.
More to come. Drop a comment if you have a question or comment!
