What is the best way to reduce my mtb's weight (Mongoose otero elite)?

Question

i have a mongoose otero elite 2007 model (www.mongoose.com) but weight so heavy, 16kg. I'm almost a everyday rider on dirt track ... single trail, rocky trail, uphill, downhill, xc ... what is the best way, (what step) to reduce the weight. what should i start upgrade with?

Answer 1

For the cost of upgrades that will actually make a difference, you'd be better off just saving up for a better bike in the future. Your bike isn't a bad bike by any means, it's just that when you consider the average price of it ($600) and weigh that against the cost of suggested components, it doesn't make financial sense.

That bike has a heavy frame to begin with.....lots of the parts could be changed, but before too long you're going to sink as much money into it as you paid for the whole bike.

First places to consider:

- Fork. You can find good aluminum air forks for $200 and up on closeouts from online retailers. The fork you have on the bike now has steel uppers and steerer tube....heavy-heavy. A simple air xc fork will weigh a couple pounds less than what this fork does.

- Rear Shock. An air rear shock would weigh from 1/4 to 1/3 of what that coil does.....from $200 to $400.

- Wheels. Ordinarily people look at wheels first to save weight and notice an immediate difference, but yours aren't super heavy. New wheels that would be appreciably lighter than what you have will cost you about the same as the rear shock price range. Tires are a good place to save, too, and you could drop $70 on some lightweight rubber, but I think on a 16kg bike it won't make a big difference until other weight comes off first.

- Seatpost. The one the bike came with is a clunker.....but ask yourself if saving a few ounces by buying a new seatpost for $35 - $90 in a place where you won't really notice the benefit is really worth the money. It's not to me. The same can be said for the stem and handlebars and crankset on this bike.

By replacing all that stuff, you could make a much lighter bike, but you're talking a LOT of money (you could buy a whole new very nice bike for what you'd spend on upgrades at retail prices). I say just ride it or sell it and put the money towards another bike if you want. Maybe if you find some used parts at sweet prices and have money to burn, you could get a couple of these items and see how it works out.

Sorry....I know nobody wants to hear that, and playing with parts if fun! Been there done that, though....it's not a wise way to spend the money. :o)

Answer 2

As Ride Urban said, you would spend too much money to make it considerably lighter, and probably you could save the money for a lighter bike.

If that's not an option, I would see for the wheels, rather than rims. Most tires are like 800-1000 grm, but some are around 500 to 600. Assuming your current tires might weight like 800, and you buy some around 550, you would be saving 250grm per tire, and that is a lot in rotational mass. And probably you could spend a bit less than 100.

Changing rims will be more expensive, since while each might cost like 40 to 60 bucks, you would also need to pay for the rebuild cost of the wheel. Forks will likely be 200 or more, which is too much for what you paid for the bike.

Answer 3

This really isn't a bad weight for an entry level full suspension mountain bike. Unfortunately, cutting significant weight is going to cost a lot of money relative to the original cost of the bike. What you need to do is decide how committed you are to this bike. If you love it and are willing to commit much cash to the process of trimming weight, go for it. Otherwise, you should save your money and get a new, lighter steed.

Regardless of whether you decide to keep this one or get a new bike, you should look at your tires. Fat tires with aggressive treads add rotational weight to your bike. By getting narrower tires with low profile knobs you can trim rotational weight which will allow you to accelerate more quickly and make your bike feel much lighter. (Remember rotational weight has a more significant impact on feel than fixed weight.) Personally, I like Specialized Fast Track Pro LK tires. They are light, have a raised center ridge for fast riding on firm surfaces, and low profile knobs. They pack up badly with mud in wet weather conditions, though.

An air-spring type fork will cut a lot of weight and feel much better. For cross country racing, where every ounce is critical, a Fox F100 fork would be great. For doing some drops, get a Fox Float. They are quite expensive, but will save you a couple of pounds. Rock Shock SID forks are even lighter, but have less travel.

An air spring frame shock will cut some weight as well.

From here on you are looking at saving grams, not pounds. You can get handlebars, seat post, stem, etc.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Mongoose Mountain Bike

Answer 5

Mongoose Otero

Answer 6

Forget it... it's a mountain bike. Accept the fact that it will be heavy. If you're rich and lucky then you can get a lightweight mountain bike that hovers around 23 pounds - hard tail, ultra light components, etc. It's a race bike and not necessarily designed to withstand the stresses of daily riding. It's not that things will break but they will wear out faster.

If you insist on making it light then make sure you have a non-suspension fork, narrow tires, and as many road bike components as you can make fit - smaller cassettes, race saddles, short stems, carbon cages, etc.

Answer 7

An accomplished bike once told me "look at yourself before you look at the bike". If you could use to lose a few pounds, this will translate into a lighter bike..more or less. If you lose 5 poiunds, you and your bike will be 5 pounds lighter. Many ways to lighten up a bike already mentioned.. all work but can be costly.. Maybe walk away from that donut in the morning. Good luck!

Answer 8

It just won't be cost effective for you to cut any meaningful weight off of your rig... it is a good solid bike.

16kg, which for the uninitiated, is about 34 pounds, is not really heavy for a full suspension bike.

Perhaps it would be a better idea to work on the suspension adjustments and riding technique first, before blowing any more money.

Answer 9

rims, then cogs (alluminum will reduce about 1/2 lb.), also pedals and all accesories can be upgraded to carbon fiber which is literally as durable as concrete but light like a feather.

I own a klein mantra comp and i changed to disc brakes with carbon callipers and handelbar mounts also i chnaged my seat to a carbon and also all little accesories like the fork can be swapped out for a carbon, my bike is as light as a average road bike which for a beefy dual suspension is awsome

Answer 10

steer clear of food porn