For years, the UCI has imposed an arbitrary weight limit of 6.8kg on pro bikes. In the early (read: rim brake) days it was pretty common for professional bikes to sit right on this limit. There’s even rumours of certain teams having to ADD weight to their bikes so as not to fall foul.
RELATED: How do I compare to Tadej Pogačar? Click here to find out!
But with all the recent “tech innovations” how much do pro bikes weigh in 2023? Well, luckily for us the guys over at Bike Radar did some solid legwork for us, weighing a number of pro bikes before the start of Stage 1 at the Tour de France. The results were interesting.
Source: Bikeradar; 11 Tour bikes weighed and analysed
Of all the bikes they weighed, only one came close to the 6.8kg limit. That bike was the brand new and only-just-released “superlight” Factor O2 frame. Most of the other bikes sat squarely in the seven and a half kilo range. The weights listed are “ready to race” complete with pedals, bottle cages, etc.
An average weight of 7.45kg (or 16.42 pounds in old money). Many of the TdF pro bikes weighed a full half kilo more than the UCI limit! That surprised me somewhat. These were pro-level bikes from team leaders, prepared for a hilly 182km stage packed with 3000+ metres of climbing.
What’s the cause of this? Disc brakes? A focus on aero? Heavier groupsets? Powermeters? Does lightweight no longer sell bikes? I don’t have the answer to this question, but I’d guess it’s likely a combination of all of those factors, plus more. If you have any insights, pop them in the comments below!
Here’s my 2002 Trek 5200 “Tour de France” bike, weighing in at a respectable 7.65kg. Again that’s with pedals, cages, mounts, etc. I’ve not tried to make this bike light, just built it with quality parts.
It was rumoured the Trek 5900-series that Lance Armstrong used in the mountains weighed under the current UCI limit (this was pre-UCI-limit days) but I’m not sure I believe it.
Of course, weight isn’t everything. For me at least, I’d hardly notice half a kilo. That’s the difference between having a full or empty water bottle. I’m not that good. Over a longer ride, aerodynamics and comfort are likely to make me faster overall (and pedalling a little harder).
I’m sure it does matter for the top level climbers though. Should pro bikes weigh less? When you’re on your absolute physical limit, vying for a stage win up an epic European climb, every gram counts!
RELATED: How do I compare to Tadej Pogačar? Click here to find out!
Header image: Jonas Vingegaard in Yellow (https://www.beinsports.com/)
Two Wheels with TC 
How many of those teams have three different bikes? A TT bike, an aero bike, and a climbing bike? My bike was marketed as a climbing bike and is lighter than the same maker’s aero bike. I don’t go fast enough for the aerodynamics to make a big difference, but I do haul the bike up and down hills and notice it is easier than on my older and heavier bike. Taking 15 pounds off of me probably didn’t hurt any, nor did trading a 39/25 for a 34/29.
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I’d say the majority of teams have three bikes per rider, and all would have at least two (road bike and TT bike). At their pro speeds, the aero bike would be faster on all but the very steepest of tough climbs.
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Really interesting. I’d guess they could get down to (or close to) the race limit so it must be a matter of choice. Having just got back from riding pretty badly in the alps, I’ll go light every time.
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I was building my own 7.5kg bikes a decade ago when I had my shop. I think aerodynamics is the biggest gain these days with frame styles, hidden cables etc now. Anyway explain your backwards looking seatpost!
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Ha, busted! 😂 The frameset is actually too big for me, so the backwards seatpost gets my saddle forward enough for me to get into a good position. Not perfect, but it does the job.
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