From the specs and a little guesswork, Adam had predicted a loss of 2.3 lbs. You have to understand that when it comes to rated specs, Adam is a flat-out whack-a-geek. He’s like one of those freaks who can watch a freight train pass by and then recite back, in order, the registration numbers on all the rail cars.

So when the actual scales tally came in at 2.25 lbs., I was like, Adam, you’re practically an ounce off! What happened dude?

Actually Adam’s margin of error was less than the standard deviation for spec versus actual weight. So all was cool.

With the scales weighing in at 31 lbs. 12 oz., my goal of a 30-lb. Firebird seemed not only within reach but flat out guaranteed. Because I still had the wheels coming, and they were big. Not big as in heavy. Big as in way cool. I’ve got the Easton carbon Havens on order — expected sometime this fall. At 1450 claimed grams light, the Havens will crash the 30-lb. barrier like Brian Lopes out of the starting gate.

Adam’s gram-busting component selection included (claimed weights):

RockShox Lyrik Solo Air fork (replacing Lyrik U-Turn coil). 4.8 lbs.



Point One Podium platform pedals. Very sweet, strong and tight, plus they’re light: 359 grams. And made in the U.S.A. (San Jose).

Action Tec 20-tooth ti granny ring. Super light and tough. I’m not saving a ton of weight with it but it’s durable and better suited to complement my other major drivetrain enhancement, the cluster. 20 grams.

Thomson Masterpiece seatpost. 158 grams.

Selle Italia SLR XC saddle. 184 grams.

SRAM XG999 9 spd. cluster. 175 grams.

Here’s Adam with the full rundown —

But at our age especially, losing weight is just too dang tough. And expensive too! Have you seen what it costs to go through those Fat Farm rehabs?!

So we decided to do the next best thing and put our bike on a diet.

We love our Pivot Firebird trail bike. Checking in at 6.5 inches of travel, featuring an ingeniously integrated DW-Link suspension, it’s our favorite of the 7 bikes we own. It may well be the best bike we’ve ever owned.

But at 34 pounds and counting, it was getting a little pudgy around the quick releases.

So we took it in to Adam at Seattle’s Downhill Zone, who’s helped keep our quiver loaded for the past decade, and told him to have at it. Here’s what Adam came up with for our first cut at getting the Firebird in trim for the summer season.