Road Cycling - Road bike for > 200 lbs rider

I'm looking to buy my first road bike since my old Schwinn 10-speed when I was 13. I currently weigh 285 pounds, but I'm riding hard and losing weight. However, I doubt I'll ever get under 200...probably land somewhere around 220.

I'm looking for a good, quality bike preferably with 105 or better components. I don't have any desire to compete, but I would like to get into shape to go on longer rides with other riders.

As I look at bikes, are there elements I should avoid due to my weight. The manufacturers websites are lacking in any kind of information based on the weight of the rider, and the guys at all the bike stores say it's "no problem" (though I think they're just trying to sell me a bike).

I've done tons of research on the forum, but I still have some questions I'm struggling with.

Specific questions:

1) Are carbon forks a problem for heavy riders?
2) I've read tons of postings on steel versus aluminum. Are there any extra considerations for the gravitationally gifted?
3) The better bikes have wheels with fewer spokes--is this going to be a problem for me?
4) Should I buy now or wait until I lose more weight?

Most of the postings say that fit is, by far, the most important thing. I'm not an experienced road-bike rider, so how can I judge fit? Is comfort the only thing or is there a better way to describe it? Is what's comfortable to a novice going to be comfortable when you get more used to riding?

When I straddle the bike, how much clearance should there be? I've been told about 1-2 inches. Is that before any flesh contact or before squashing occurs? Though I'm 6'1" tall, I'm very long-waisted, having a 32" inseam. What does this mean for the fit of the bike?

Am I better off getting a disposable first bike--something in the $500 range--or investing in a better bike? Can I really pick, right now, the bike that will be best for me a year or two from now?

Bikes I'm considering:
LeMond Alp Duez: 105s all around and Reynolds 853 steel
Trek 2000-2200: 105s or better and aluminum
Cannondale 800: 105s and aluminum
Specialized (forgot the model): 105s and aluminum

Right now, I'm leaning toward the LeMond.

Any other advice? Thanks for your help.

The Lemond is good also the Iron Horse Intrepid is a good choice.
http://www.ironhorsebikes.com/intrepid.html

Avoid the low-spoke-count wheels. They are for racing or wannabees.
Standard road bike wheels have 32 spokes, but a 36 spoke wheel will be a lot stronger for very little extra weight. Since it is wheels, not frames which may be the problem for a heavyweight, I would advise 36 spokes.


For big guys, fat-tubed Al bikes are stiff enough not to bend. They are a bit harsh for lighter riders, but good heavyweights. Even steel bikes are stiffer than they used to be. The frame wont be a problem.

Many road bikes and fitting guides assume that you will ride in a very aerodynamic position, This is not comfortable for long rides, and probably impossible for new riders to reach at all, so go for a comfortable riding position with the bars at or just below the saddle.

The amount of clearance you need varies with the design of the frame. Some are designed for 2", some for 6" of clearance. More important is that the reach to the bars feels good for you.

I vary from 220 to 240 and have been riding a Lemond Buenos Aires (with the 32 spoke Mavic wheels - which I had properly tensioned when I bought the bike) for 3 years now with nary a problem. Not a single one for the last 6,000 miles on this bike (nor any problem with my Specilized Mtn Bike for last 7,000 miles), except I wore out the small roller on the rear der and I go through a new chain about every 1,500 miles or so.

Perhaps you are making too much of this? I never gave it a thought when I bought my bike. I guess I just assumed everything would work, and it has so far!!

i think that it depends not only on how heavy a rider you are, but what type of rider you are. a gear masher for example might need a different frame character than a tourist....

the only restrictions i see are on the carbon fiber ones, that suggest that a rider be no more than 180 lbs. now that is pressure. you can never gain weight in the off season!!!

There are steel,Al and Ti bikes with similar weight restrictions.

I am 220# rider.

I would take a look at cyclocross bikes as well. They tend to be beefed up because cyclocross racing includes both on road and off road elements. For example, mine has Race Face splined cranks, beefed up headset, beefier brakes etc.

I am not a racer by any stretch. I tend to be a tourer and now a commuter. I have a Bianchi Axis with 105 components. I love the bike. The frame is a little more relaxed geometry (less twitchy). It is aluminum, but not at all harsh. As previously pointed out, fit is very important and should be a strong consideration above other things.

I salute your decision to ride a bicycle to lose weight and get in shape. You have made a good choice.

This might sound crazy, but until you get your weight down to around 220 lbs, you might consider riding your old Schwinn ten speed.

It has a strong steel frame, steel rims, and is as functional as a newer bike.

Much of today's niceties in bicycles has to do with light weight components. It is counter-productive for heavy riders to invest in light-weight equipment when their best chance for reducing total load is to lose body weight rather than bike weight.

If you don't have your old bike anymore, get one at a garage sale. Schwinn is a good choice. They were heavy, but they were quality machines that will hold up to the demands of a heavier rider.

P.S. You will probably break spokes pretty frequently until you get to around 220 lbs. Get extras and learn how to replace them yourself. In fact, you are likely to damage your rims too. I would get TWO bikes at a garage sales and use one for spare parts.

Take a good look at touring bikes, they're made to ride loaded down. Cannondale T800, T2000 are two examples, their are others. They are road bike fast and sturdy enough to ride on real roads.

Don't buy a cheap bike please, the temptation will be too great for it to sit in the garage. And get a good kriptonite new york U lock, a few extra pounds won't matter.

Enjoy

I agree with diamondback. I weigh 220 pounds and my Trek T520 touring bike can easily take everything I throw at it. It is rock steady and has beefed-up hubs and other strengthening features. I bike-commute on very demanding "roads" -- I think a little more than old dirt paths covered with asphalt !!!

BUY WHATEVER YOU WANT!!!
I weigh 252# and ride a cannondale tri bike, all alum (including fork), 650 wheels with 28 spokes. I ride the he11 outa that bike and it holds up. My previous bike is/was a paramount steel and it now has 15,000+ miles on it. The only weight related problems I have ever had (minus hills) is snakebite flats. I now pump my 120psi tires to 140 and resolved that problem.

Buy a bike that demands more than you can give and you will have a goal and no way to wimp out.

Go get'em tiger!

Is there an LBS conveient to you? I visited mine several times and had several conversations about what I was trying to accomplish. They encouraged me to test several bicycles as well.

I ended up putting my 246 pounds on a Giant Sedona DX. Never had a problem. Been about 10 months now. OK on streets and OK on trails.

Have been back to the LBS several times recently having conversations about what road bike to put my remaining 191 pounds on. I suppose I will be test riding a few of those also in the near future.

The answers you have gotten in this thread are great and have probably been very helpful to you. A good LBS and test rides will ultimately be your biggest help though. In fact, you might try more than one LBS if possible so that you can see a wider brand selection.

Carl

My weight runs between 245 and 255 pounds. I was initially worried about my weight on a bicycle when I bought the Sirrus Pro but have had no issues to date. I wouldn't jump any curbs or anything but I don't feel your weight is that big a factor.
:beer:

Wow! Thanks for all the responses. I sent an email to Trek to inquire about this and they said that none of their bikes had weight limits, but they recommend that I stay with 32 spoke wheels or greater. This contradicted the LBS who said that the paired spoke wheels are much stronger.

Having done the research and some test rides, I purchased a LeMond Alp D'Huez. It's a Reynolds 853 frame with 105 components and 32 spoke wheels. This seems like the best bike for me right now and probably the foreseeable future.

I did look at the touring bikes, but I didn't like the bar end shifters. I felt that it took my hands too far away from my normal positions. I live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and the roads are fairly hilly--at least compared to my midwestern upbringing.

Once again, thanks to everyone who helped. I can't imagine trying to make a decision like this without the support of knowledge people like those on the forum!

Congrats on your purchase.

PLEASE have the spokes retensioned properly by a good LBS. They were probably tensioned by a machine and need to be rechecked. If anything, this will save your wheels.

Scotty,

I too am a large guy at 275 and 6' 3". I had the same questions as you did. I ended up buying a Trek Navigator 200. It's a sound crossbred. Its sturdy yet comfortable. I really enjoy it. I just bought it this past spring and love it, I've put on about 600 miles this summer.

And I have lost about 130 lbs the past year riding and doing some light workouts with weights. Easy on the knees and fun at the same time. Ride and the pounds will melt away, but just make sure to get a bike that fits. Test ride a couple of different brands and styles.

Have fun and good luck!!

Brad

Originally posted by bpherson
[B]
And I have lost about 130 lbs the past year riding and doing some light workouts with weights. /B]

Holy Cow! Congratulations! Do I understand correctly that you lost about 1/2 your body weight in one year (from 275 to 145?)

Actually not quite half. I'm embarresed to admit it , but I've gone from 401 to 270. Talk about a load!! :eek:

And I'm still going down. I'd like to be down to 230 or 220

Brad

Originally posted by bpherson
Actually not quite half. I'm embarresed to admit it , but I've gone from 401 to 270. Talk about a load!! :eek:

And I'm still going down. I'd like to be down to 230 or 220

Brad

Incredible! Good work. Keep it up.