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Weights

Below are the weights of the components of the 1978 Schwinn Superior that I have collected during the course of maintenance. I try to get collect the weights at the smallest reasonable component, but some parts are combined where disassembly was not worth the effort. For example, I kept the headset cups in the frame since I do not have a headset cup extractor or installer.

OEM Weights

The catalog lists the Superior as weighing 28lb. So far, I’ve accounted for about a little more than half of that.

Part Weight [g] Weight [lb] Source
22“ Frame (w/ headset cups) 2957 6.5 Kitchen scale
Fork (excl crown race) 864 1.9 Kitchen scale
Nervar Spindle 146 0.3 Kitchen scale
Adjustable cup lock nut 19 0.0 Kitchen scale
BB cups, grease and bearings 104 0.2 Kitchen scale
Plastic bottom bracket sleeve 3 0.0 Kitchen scale
Nervar Left crank arm 172 0.4 Kitchen scale
Nervar Right crank arm 197 0.4 Kitchen scale
Nervar outer to crank bolts 20 0.0 Kitchen scale
Nervar double chainrings and inner to outer bolts 299 0.7 Kitchen scale
Crank dust caps 6 0.0 Kitchen scale
Crank bolts and washers 31 0.1 Kitchen scale
Atom pedals (pair) 497 1.1 Kitchen scale
Dia compe long reach centerpulls + pads and HW excl. cable carrier 378 0.8 Kitchen scale
Weinmann Cable carrier front and rear 18 0.0 kitchen scale
Front wheel with retainers and QR skewer 1141 2.5 Kitchen scale
Rear wheel and QR skewer 1299 2.9 Kitchen scale
Front Original Tube 149 0.3 Kitchen scale
Rear Original Tube 149 0.3 Kitchen scale
Front Schwinn Super Record Tire 305 0.7 Kitchen scale
Rear Schwinn Super Record Tire 305 0.7 Kitchen scale
seatpost clamp 87 0.2 Kitchen scale
Seatpost   0.0  
Saddle   0.0  
Maillard freewheel 510 1.1 Kitchen scale
Pie plate 77 0.2 Kitchen scale
Suntour v-GT rear derailler 261 0.6 Kitchen scale
Huret downtube shifters (with clamp) 143 0.3 Kitchen scale
Schwinn Approved Front derailleur (France) 163 0.4 Kitchen scale
Chain 325 0.7 0x4d.us/BUv
Front shifter cable 6 0.0 Kitchen scale
Rear shifter cable & housing 31 0.1 KItchen scale
Handlebars, stem, brake levers, foam grips, brake cable 1050 2.3  
Handlebars   0.0  
Weinmann Brake levers   0.0  
Stem   0.0  
Headset excl cups and brake cable hanger and lock nut 58 0.1 Kitchen scale
Centerpull cable hanger 22 0.0 Kitchen scale
Headset lock nut 22 0.0 Kitchen scale
Crown race 18 0.0 Kitchen scale
Cables   0.0  
Total 7742 17.1  

Initial Buildup (3/2024-12/2024)

When weighed on a luggage scale as configured below, I measured 32.2lb. There are 87g (0.2lb) unaccounted for.

Part Weight [g] Weight [lb] Source
Total 14600 32.2 Luggage scale
Part Weight [g] Weight [lb] Source
22“ Frame (w/ headset cups) 2957 6.5 Kitchen scale
Fork (excl crown race) 864 1.9 kitchen scale
Nervar Spindle 146 0.3 Kitchen scale
Adjustable cup lock nut 19 0.0 Kitchen scale
BB cups, grease and bearings 104 0.2 Kitchen scale
Plastic bottom bracket sleeve 3 0.0 Kitchen scale
Nervar Left crank arm 172 0.4 Kitchen scale
Nervar Right crank arm 197 0.4 Kitchen scale
TA 26t chainring 25 0.1 Kitchen scale
TA 40t chainring 85 0.2 Kitchen scale
TA outer double screw set 32 0.1 Kitchen scale
Atom pedals (pair) 497 1.1 kitchen scale
Dia Compe centerpull brakes, pads HW (no cable carrier) - pair 378 0.8 kitchen scale
Weinmann Cable carrier front and rear 18 0.0 kitchen scale
Front brake cable and housing 39 0.1 Kitchen scale
Rear brake cable and housing 60 0.1 Kitchen scale
Rear centerpull cable hanger 7 0.0 Kitchen scale
Front centerpull cable hanger 22 0.0 Kitchen scale
Wheelset, QR skewer, lawyer lips 2440 5.4 kitchen scale?
Front Original Tube 149 0.3 kitchen scale
Rear Original Tube 149 0.3 kitchen scale
Front Schwalbe Marathon 660 1.5 kitchen scale?
Rear Swift Tire 27x1-3/8 341 0.8 kitchen scale?
Nitto seatpost 252 0.6 Kitchen scale
Brooks B-17 carved saddle 549 1.2 kitchen scale
Wolf Tooth seatpost clamp 21 0.0 Kitchen scale
Shimano 34t 7-spd freewheel 499 1.1 kitchen scale
pie plate 77 0.2 kitchen scale
Shimano Acera rear derailler 290 0.6 Kitchen scale
Huret Downtube shifters (with clamp) 143 0.3 kitchen scale
Schwinn Approved Front derailleur (France) 163 0.4 kitchen scale
Chain 325 0.7 0x4d.us/BUv
Front shifter cable 6 0.0 Kitchen scale
Rear shifter cable & housing 31 0.1 KItchen scale
Soma demi-porteur front rack 530 1.2 0x4d.us/BRY
Wald medium basket 529 1.2 0x4d.us/BRZ
PDW Fenders 568 1.3 0x4d.us/BUN
Crane Suzu Bell 90 0.2 0x4d.us/BVN
Tektro Brake levers (pair) 182 0.4 Kitchen scale
Nitto albatross bars 354 0.8 deduction
Kalin stem 392 0.9 Kitchen scale
ESI grips 64 0.1 Kitchen scale
Bar end caps 8 0.0 Kitchen scale
Headset excl cups and brake cable hanger and lock nut 58 0.1 Kitchen scale
Headset lock nut 22 0.0 Kitchen scale
Crown race 18 0.0 Kitchen scale
Unaccounted for weight 87 0.2 Luggage scale
Total 14622 32.2  

Future Plans (1/2025-)

There’s a lot of potential to lighten the bike. The parts list below is a mixture of intent as well as curiosity. Some of these parts are here just to show how light is possible, though cost, practicality or comfort might prevent the swap.

I have the listed Pacenti wheels ready to swap over. This triggers a large number of parts changes that can reduce weight. The wheels themselves, the new fork, the change from freewheel to cassette, and even the chain will drop about 3.5lb. The stock tires were quite lightweight, especially compared to the robust Schwalbe Marathon that I’m currently running in front. I’m hoping to find a tire that is somewhere in the middle when I move to 700C.

Part Weight [g] Weight [lb] Source Stock Have
22“ Frame (w/ headset cups) 2957 6.5 Kitchen scale X X
Ebay Tange Fork 699 1.5 Kitchen scale   X
Crown race 18 0.0 Kitchen scale   X
Nervar Spindle 146 0.3 Kitchen scale X X
Adjustable cup lock nut 19 0.0 Kitchen scale X X
BB cups, grease and bearings 104 0.2 Kitchen scale X X
Plastic bottom bracket sleeve 3 0.0 Kitchen scale X X
Nervar Left crank arm 172 0.4 Kitchen scale X X
Nervar Right crank arm 197 0.4 Kitchen scale X X
TA 26t chainring 25 0.1 Kitchen scale   X
TA 40t chainring 85 0.2 Kitchen scale   X
TA outer double screw set 32 0.1 Kitchen scale   X
MKS Compact pedals (pair) 233 0.5      
Tektro R559 front brake, no pads, no curved washers (4g) 158 0.3 kitchen scale   X
Shimano pads and cartridges for front 36 0.1 Kitchen scale   X
Tektro R559 rear brake, no pads 161 0.4 Kitchen scale   X
Shimano pads and cartridges for rear 36 0.1 Kitchen scale   X
Front brake cable and housing 39 0.1 Kitchen scale   X
Rear brake cable and housing 60 0.1 Kitchen scale   X
Pacenti Brevet 32 Front wheel 839 1.8 Kitchen scale   X
Pacenti Brevet 32 Rear wheel 962 2.1 Kitchen scale   X
Continental Grand Prix Urban 700x35 324 0.7 Kitchen scale   X
Continental Grand Prix Urban 700x35 324 0.7 Kitchen scale   X
Schwalbe SV18 Tube 110 0.2 Kitchen scale   X
Schwalbe SV18 Tube 116 0.3 Kitchen scale   X
Front hexlox skewer 29 0.1 Kitchen scale   X
Rear hexlox skewer 32 0.1 Kitchen scale   X
Nitto seatpost 252 0.6 Kitchen scale   X
Fizik saddle 210 0.5 Kitchen scale   X
Wolf Tooth seatpost clamp 21 0.0 Kitchen scale   X
Shimano XT 9s 11-32 cassette 262 0.6 Kitchen scale   X
Cassette spacer 1.85mm 4 0.0 Kitchen scale   X
Suntour Cyclone GT rear derailleur 196 0.4      
Suntour superbe front derailleur 87 0.2 Kitchen scale   X
Suntour Cyclone LD-3700 shifters (pair) 67 0.1 Kitchen scale   X
KMC x9 Chain (cut) 281 0.6 Kitchen scale   X
Headset excl cups and brake cable hanger and lock nut 58 0.1 Kitchen scale X X
Shimano Headset lock nut 18 0.0 Kitchen scale   X
Front shifter cable 6 0.0 Kitchen scale X X
Rear shifter cable & final housing 23 0.1 Kitchen scale X X
Downtube cable stop 25 0.1 Kitchen scale   X
Nitto albatross bars 354 0.8 Deduced   X
Nitto Technomic Stem 364 0.8 Kitchen scale   X
Tektro MT2.1 Brake levers (pair) 182 0.4 Kitchen scale   X
ESI grips + plugs 72 0.2 Kitchen scale   X
Unaccounted for weight 87 0.2 Luggage scale    
Cateye Quick display 26 0.1 Kitchen scale   X
Cateye Quick sensor 25 0.1 Kitchen scale   X
Front light   0.0     X
Rear light   0.0     X
Total 10536 23.2      

Differences

We can see how various parts of the bike can be lightened.

Part OEM [g] Now [g] After [g] Now - OEM [g] After - Now [g] After - OEM [g] After - OEM [lb]
Wheels and skewer 2950 2950 1783 0 -1170 -1170 -2.6
Front and rear tires 610 1001 648 391 -353 38 0.1
Front and rear tubes 298 298 210 0 -88 -88 -0.2
Seatpost and saddle 798 801 532 3 -269 -266 -0.6
Rear cogs + Pie plate 587 576 266 -11 -310 -321 -0.7
Pedals 497 497 233 0 -264 -264 -0.6
Fork 882 882 699 0 -183 -183 -0.4
Chainrings and bolts 319 142 142 -177 0 -177 -0.4
Front derailleur 163 163 87 0 -76 -76 -0.2
Rear derailleur 261 290 182 29 -108 -79 -0.2
Chain 325 325 281 0 -44 -44 -0.1
Handlebars 375 354 354 -21 0 -21 -0.0
Seatpost clamp 87 21 21 -66 0 -66 -0.1
Frame w/ headset cups 2957 2957 2957 0 0 0 0.0
Bottom Bracket 272 272 272 0 0 0 0.0
Crank Arms, dust caps, bolts and washers 406 406 406 0 0 0 0.0
Brakes 425 425 391 0 -34 -34 -0.1
Brake levers 180 182 182 2 0 2 0.0
Stem 364 392 364 28 -28 0 0.0
Shifters 143 143 67 0 -76 -76 -0.2
Shifter cables & housing 37 37 37 0 2 2 0.0
Fenders 0 568 0 568 -568 0 0.0
Rack 0 530 0 530 -530 0 0.0
Basket 0 529 0 529 -529 0 0.0
Total 12936 14741 10113 1805 -4628 -2823 -6.2

Build

Weights of what is currently assembled on the bike

Item Weight [g] Weight [lb]
Frame w/ headset cups 2957 6.5
Ebay Fork 699 1.5
Crown race 18 0.0
Headset incl locknut 76 0.2
Front wheel 839 1.8
Rear wheel 962 2.1
Front tire 324 0.7
Rear tire 324 0.7
Front tube 110 0.2
Rear tube 116 0.3
Front skewer 32 0.1
Rear skewer 29 0.1
Handlebars (-70) 354 0.8
Stem 364 0.8
Left Grip and plug 36 0.1
Left Lever 91 0.2
Right lever 91 0.2
Seatpost 252 0.6
Saddle* (-300) 549 1.2
Seat clamp 21 0.0
Brakes 391 0.9
Front brake cable & housing 39 0.1
Rear brake cable & housing 60 0.1
Cassette* (-40) 266 0.6
Shifters 67 0.1
Bottom bracket 272 0.6
Crankset 548 1.2
Pedals* (-200) 497 1.1
Chain 281 0.6
Rear derailleur* (-110) 290 0.6
Right grip and plug 36 0.1
Cateye computer* (-51) 51 0.1
Front Shifter cable 6 0.0
Front derailleur 87 0.2
Rear Shifter cable & final housing 23 0.1
ITEMS BELOW ARE NOT INSTALLED 0 0.0
Cable stop 25 0.1
Total 11158 24.6

Stripped Weight

A lot of frames that I find on ebay are weighed with the frame, fork, headset and bottom bracket, so I made an equivalent table here for quick comparison when I am ogling other bikes.

Part Weight [g] Weight [lb] Source
22“ Frame (w/ headset cups) 2957 6.5 Kitchen scale
Fork (w/ crown race) 882 1.9 Kitchen scale
Nervar Spindle 146 0.3 Kitchen scale
Adjustable cup lock nut 19 0.0 Kitchen scale
BB cups, grease and bearings 104 0.2 Kitchen scale
Plastic bottom bracket sleeve 3 0.0 Kitchen scale
Headset excl cups and brake cable hanger 80 0.2 Kitchen scale
Total 4191 9.2  

Author: Martin Hudson Miller

Created: 2025-08-18 Mon 22:28