The art of "Tuning," Part 1

When I found out that I am to do the TransAlp I decided to go on a quest to lighten my racing bike. I found that, all other things being equal, removing 3lbs of weight could save me 2 minutes over 20 miles on a 10% grade! So, this has become my quest.

My athlete Anthony King of Training FX in B.C. started things off by donating a nice Token Mono-Q fork, which, I am embarrassed to admit, removed about 300 grams of weight from the front of my bike. Next, the kind folks at Cycling Innovations helped me out with a complete retrofit Tiso aluminum bolt kit and some excellent Tiso chainrings. Thus, I entered the world of the "tuner"...

When I first showed my friend Ian the new kit, he said that he had never taken me for a tuner. Not having the faintest clue about how to play a piano or guitar (except air, of course!), I asked him what he meant. He told me that tuners take already lightweight, high performance equipment, and make it even lighter with special parts or tooling, sometimes at the expense of having time to actually ride their bikes. So, now I am dangerously close to becoming a tuner.

Tiso parts are super nice and it is apparent at first glance that they have a great deal of pride in what they do. Each part is precision made, right down to the lazer etched logos. The parts the bolt kit replace are impressive - all of the chainring bolts, each of the derailleur pinch and hanger bolts (this is especially impressive in the rear derailleur), and both rear derailleur pulleys along with the bolts and washers that go with them. The kit also includes crankarm bolts and a cassette lockring. I am not sure how much weight they save, but it's easy enough to feel when you put the original bolts, lockrings, and pulleys in one hand and the Tiso parts in the other.

So, now I am thinking about a lighter pair of handlebars, a lighter seatpost, and some new race wheels. Stay "tuned!"