The Goal: Sub 24

Once I got my ARC built up, it weighed in right around 24.2 lbs, which was pretty light compared to my last hardtail (around 27.2 lbs). I wanted to get the ARC under 24 lbs, so I decided a good way to drop some grams would be to replace my handlebar and saddle, which were both a couple years old and due for replacement. Shown above is the new cockpit.

Selle Italia Flite Kit Saddle
The saddle I'd been using, a WTB Laser V, weighed in around 268 grams, so I knew a lightweight saddle could drop some substantial weight. After doing some research, I went with a Selle Italia Flite Kit saddle, which weighs in at 154 grams! The seat has carbon fiber rails, which I was a bit worried about at first, but after reading some reviews on several forums, it seems to be OK for mountain bike use. Additionally, Selle Italia lists the "use" of this saddle as "Road / Off Road" so it should work just fine. Here she is...

Easton Monkeylite SL Riser Bar
The handlebar I'd been using was a Titec Hellbent XC, which was pretty lightweight itself, but the bar was a couple years old so I figured it would be good to replace it. Everybody seems to rave about the Easton Monkeylite SL Riser Bar, so thats what I went with. It weighs in at 141 grams, which was about 40 grams lighter than my Titec bar. Here's the new bar...

So, the current weight is at 23.78 lbs. Not sure what I will change next because I'm really liking the bike the way it's currently setup. Over the winter I am probably going to do something with the wheelset...either a new lightweight setup like the Mavic Crossmax SLR, or I might even rebuild my current wheelset with some lighter spokes/nipples (like a bonehead, I had my LBS use straight gauge spokes). Here's the current weight...

Stay tuned.... but for now, I'm going riding...

Comments

[Sasquatch2]

nice setup, what tires are you running? I'm building up a ASR-SL and went with an SDG I_Fly saddle (210g) and I_Beam post (220g) which is about 70grams lighter and about $90 cheaper than what I was originally going with- thompson elite and WTB rocket V SLT...

[nick]

very nice.. i have too have an arc here in arizona. i love it! rides as nice as it looks. i have it around 23lbs even and thats with a comfy gel seat. hope you update some stuff in the future.