Originally Posted by
jbench775
it has to be specialized because we went biking with freinds and they all had these cool carbon fiber bikes and he liked them. Now for some reason he wants to start biking and wants a specialized bike.
Originally Posted by
BengeBoy
Have him test ride a Specialized Tricross.
It can haul a load for commuting (which you said he wanted to do); with slick tires it's pretty speedy on the road; with knobbier tires you can do light trails and dirt roads.
A good all 'round bike. Isn't carbon fiber.
C.F. is not a wonder material and "Can" be quite Fragile and does not suit everyone. It will take the riders weight but whichever bike he does get- I would look at the wheels. 220lbs is not exceptionally heavy but a stock bike may not have wheels suitable for him.
I would get him to the shop and get him to test ride a few bikes and in different materials. The tricross is a good bike that will last a few years- except for the fact that the first bike you get is only to tell you what you should have bought in the first place.