Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Need some insight...

Hey folks...

Everyone has been such a great help so far. I had kind of zeroed in on the Giant Sedona DX for $380. Another bike I had looked at was the Specialized Expedition. I thought it was the Sport, because the price was $350, which was pretty good price. After looking at their web site, I realize it has to be the Specialized Expedition Elite, which at $350 is a great price. Here is my question....is the Elite a better equiped than the Giant? I know I should go with the bike that fits best and I certainly will do that, but all things being equal, if I stumbled across a good buy and the Specialized is made with better components, I think I would have to look hard at it.

Unfortunately, the bikes are at different bike shops, so I can't really get any objective opinion. If anyone wants to take a look at the specs of each bike, I would be grateful. Here are the links:

Specialized Expedition Elite:
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=12335&bikeTab=techspec

Giant Sedona DX:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.006.asp?year=2006&model=11303


Thanks again!

Specialized would be my choice at that price range and comparison

Thanks. Are the components better on that one? I am still wondering if the guy told me the wrong price but if not it seems like a good deal. But I like the bike shop where the Giant is better. What to do, what do to...

Well, as far as frame, about equal, the clincher for me was the wheels. The Specialized has better wheelset, and hubs and a better derraileur group.

Thanks! Although I have to be honest...I don't know what a derrailuer really is. What makes one better than the other? I told you I am a beginner. The bike I was using before was a too small, but happenin' purple with orange specks Murrary mountain bike WITH a bell on it even.

The Derraileurs are what moves the chain from gear to gear. Quality issues would be construction and precision of manufacture and operation as well as reliability.

Found out that the Specialized Expedition is the Sport model, not the elite.

Here are those specs:

Spec Name Specialized Expedition Sport
Frame Specialized A1 Premium aluminum
Fork SR NEX-4000, 63mm-travel w/preload adjust
Rims/Wheels Alex C-1000
Hubs Front: Specialized forged-aluminum; Rear: Shimano Paralax
Spokes 14g stainless-steel
Tires Specialized Crossroads, 26 x 1.95
Crankset Shimano TX-70
Chainwheel 42/34/24
Front Derailleur Shimano c102
Rear Derailleur Shimano Acera
Rear Cogs Shimano HG40, 8-speed: 11-32
Shifters Shimano Revo
Handlebars Steel
Tape/Grips Body Geometry Comfort, triple-density gel
Stem Specialized aluminum adjustable
Brake Levers Tektro
Brakes Tektro linear-pull
Pedals Specialized nylon platform
Saddle Super Comfort Plush w/web springs
Seat Post Aluminum suspension
Seat Binder Aluminum quick-release

Found out that the Specialized Expedition is the Sport model, not the elite.

Here are those specs:

Spec Name Specialized Expedition Sport
Frame Specialized A1 Premium aluminum
Fork SR NEX-4000, 63mm-travel w/preload adjust
Rims/Wheels Alex C-1000
Hubs Front: Specialized forged-aluminum; Rear: Shimano Paralax
Spokes 14g stainless-steel
Tires Specialized Crossroads, 26 x 1.95
Crankset Shimano TX-70
Chainwheel 42/34/24
Front Derailleur Shimano c102
Rear Derailleur Shimano Acera
Rear Cogs Shimano HG40, 8-speed: 11-32
Shifters Shimano Revo
Handlebars Steel
Tape/Grips Body Geometry Comfort, triple-density gel
Stem Specialized aluminum adjustable
Brake Levers Tektro
Brakes Tektro linear-pull
Pedals Specialized nylon platform
Saddle Super Comfort Plush w/web springs
Seat Post Aluminum suspension
Seat Binder Aluminum quick-release
Still a nice bike and I admit I am a bit prejudiced in favor of Specialized. I'd still go woth it. Ride them both and see which one you prefer....that's what it's all about anyway!

Found out that the Specialized Expedition is the Sport model, not the elite.

Here are those specs:

Spec Name Specialized Expedition Sport
Frame Specialized A1 Premium aluminum
Fork SR NEX-4000, 63mm-travel w/preload adjust
Rims/Wheels Alex C-1000
Hubs Front: Specialized forged-aluminum; Rear: Shimano Paralax
Spokes 14g stainless-steel
Tires Specialized Crossroads, 26 x 1.95
Crankset Shimano TX-70
Chainwheel 42/34/24
Front Derailleur Shimano c102
Rear Derailleur Shimano Acera
Rear Cogs Shimano HG40, 8-speed: 11-32
Shifters Shimano Revo
Handlebars Steel
Tape/Grips Body Geometry Comfort, triple-density gel
Stem Specialized aluminum adjustable
Brake Levers Tektro
Brakes Tektro linear-pull
Pedals Specialized nylon platform
Saddle Super Comfort Plush w/web springs
Seat Post Aluminum suspension
Seat Binder Aluminum quick-release
I can't remember how big a guy you are... Here are my general thoughts:
Most important is which bike do you really like? Which one are you going to get on? For some it is about look/color, for others it is whatever but if one is really "sexy" to you, buy it.

Next which one fits best. I know you said it but...

Third either is fine. Hell either is great.

My final comments-
I hate overly plush seats on bikes. They seem comfy in the parking lot but they actually make riding harder because your thighs are compressing against them on every pedal stroke. I love my Specialized Body Geometry with the Minkof Wedge. (It helps minimize the tingley feelign you can get down there.)
SWAP OUT THOSE PEDALS. Do not leave the bike shop with plastic pedals.
Check the max pressure of your tires. You may want to upgrade them. (If you are not riding the trails, swap them out for slicks. Higher PSI and much easier to push and faster (more fun..)))
When you ride those bikes makes ure you are not bottomingout the fork. When you hit a bump (and you should hit bumps!) it should compress but not run all the way out of shock absorbtion. If it does, ask them to tune it so you can check it out set for you (They shoudl be able to increase the resistance.)


Let us know what you do.

(ps. Oh yeah, and one of the great things about bar ends is it gives you more ways to put your hands if you are riding for longer distances...)

Great info. Thanks!

I am 6-3 and (ahem) 320 lbs. I ended up with the Giant Sedona basically because of the sales guy. He was very knowledgable and it was the ONLY store (and I went to atleast 6...very dissappointed with the quality of service) that even talked about sizing me. He talked with me about 10 min., asking where I want to ride, purpose, etc. before he even showed me a bike. This store sold basically Giant and Trek. The one thing he emphasized was wheels and getting atleast double walled rims. The Giant Sedona DX had them. The Trek Navigator 300 did also, but it was $500...about $120 more. So went with the Giant.

The recommended psi on the tires is 45-65 psi. He set it at 65, but said that you can easily go up to 75 with these tires if I felt the need to go "faster". Considering I am coming from a Murray that I haven't ridden in 10 years, the difference was wild.

I did swap out the seat. The one that came with the Sedona was a very cushy gel seat, but I wanted one with more "resistance" when the behind compressed it.

The suspension in the seat and the fork is adjustable, so it is something I can do, but he set it pretty stiff.

I didn't swap out the pedals. I did talk to him about it. We even talke about eventually going to the shoes that fit in the pedals (can't remember what he called them). I was thinking about getting new pedals, but I was already spending a chunk of change. Are new pedals something I can install myself?

Thanks for all the info!

<snip>I didn't swap out the pedals. I did talk to him about it. We even talke about eventually going to the shoes that fit in the pedals (can't remember what he called them). I was thinking about getting new pedals, but I was already spending a chunk of change. Are new pedals something I can install myself?
Thanks for all the info!Sounds awesome. Good for you and enjoy.

Clipless is what you talked about.

You can swap the pedals yourself, just be aware, the left pedal is threaded backwards. So it doens't loosen as you pedal.
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=83

I wasn't suggesting that you jump to clipless, just that you swap those nylon pedals that were spec'ed on the Specialized for something with a metal body and cage. As I remember it, the Giant spec sheet didn't specify whether the pedals were metal or nylon.

The Giant has the nylon ones....