Saving Weight

If you’re really not interested in saving space or weight, you should just skip this section, as you’ll likely think I’m crazy. Some random thoughts:

• Pre-measure the spare brake and derailleur cables, and pre-cut them. The bicycle has both a long and a short cable – cut the spare to the length of the long one! Dab a bit of solder on the ends to keep them from unraveling.
  
• Trim the cables on the bicycle itself
  
• If using toe clips, make sure to trim the straps for the pedals
  
• If using a regular toothbrush:
  
  • cut a few inches off the handle
    
  • drill holes in the handle
  
  
• Powdered toothpaste
  
• Shorter (or shorten) shoelaces
  
• Only take the sections of the guidebook you think you’ll need
  
• Baby fingernail clippers instead of adult ones
  
• Cutting the tags from your shirts
  
• Remember to clean out wallet of cards you won’t need (library, supermarket, etc)
  
• Don’t take your house, car, and work keys
  
• Lithium batteries instead of alkalines (lighter, and last longer)