Middleweight vs. Heavyweight, etc...

[Triggerfish]

Okay - newbie question here:

What determines the weight description of these older bikes? I see middleweights and heavyweights described here and on other bike sites... Is there such thing as a lightweight? Are there any other classes?

The reason I ask... right now my newly acquired Evans Interceptor is sitting next to my Kona and my Raleigh in the garage and it seems very "delicate" compared to these newer bikes with their over-size tubes, etc. At first glance, I'd call it a lightweight It got me wondering...

 

[aka_locojoe]

I think it is all to do with tire size (width) not the frame size. Heavyweights (ballooners) had the 2.125, middleweights are 1.75 and then there's lightweights like 3 and 10 speeds. How these terms come about I don't know.

 

[Rustinkerer]

Middleweights were introduced in 1954. At the time, balloon tire bikes weren't selling well anymore, and US bike co's were losing sales to english 3 speeds. They figured a bike that was lighter than the old ballooners, but tough enough for American kids would sell well, and they did. ~Adam

 

[Triggerfish]

thanks for the info guys! By that definition, the Evans is a middleweight...