Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Clyde Bike on a College Budget

First off I'd like to say hello and commend you all on a great forum.

I am a 6'3" 275lb MMA fighter and strongman competitor. I am a student at the University of Florida and was using a bike to get around. I had a Schwinn Sidewinder that was working out great, until some deviant stole it. I own a vehicle and am still able to get around town, but I need cardio badly. My biggest question is what kind/brand of bike should I consider with a not so huge income. I appreciate any input. Thanks guys

What kind of money are we talking about?

http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Pacer+frame-fork&vendorCode=Surly&major=1&minor=1

Well, here's a bike in Mandarin, over by Jacksonville! Simple and reliable....three speed. It doesn't have enough bling factor to attract a thief and it's $20.00 if it's still available!
http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/bik/256128462.html
Not sure of the frame size, but worth checking on.....

Otherwise, look at Goodwill and the Salvation Army. Good bikes to be had cheap that way!

At your weight, pretty much any bike will do and in flat country for a basic commuting bike, simplicity is best! You don't need a lot of gears.

I bought a bike off of chicabike on ebay... it is a road bike that has a chro-molly frame that is very affordable... I have put about 500 miles on mine this season and I am 300+ lbs...
it comes in around 240.00 including shipping... it has older technology but if you want newer stuff, you can get it. It just costs more...

mine is a 14 speed, with stem shifters, 700 x 25 c wheels (maxxis zephyrs)...

I am a c/d level rider and I keep up fine with that level group even though they have more expensive bikes...

If you want to race, then you might want to spring for something a bit lighter...

oh and finally, its a new bike, not a used or refurbished one...

First off I'd like to say hello and commend you all on a great forum.

I am a 6'3" 275lb MMA fighter and strongman competitor. I am a student at the University of Florida and was using a bike to get around. I had a Schwinn Sidewinder that was working out great, until some deviant stole it. I own a vehicle and am still able to get around town, but I need cardio badly. My biggest question is what kind/brand of bike should I consider with a not so huge income. I appreciate any input. Thanks guys

I just wanted to say "Greets from Gainesville!"

At any rate, how much coin are you willing to blow? One guy who sometimes rides with us has got to be pushing 300lbs and he rides a full carbon bike with bontrager x something race wheels. But he's also a geriatrics doctor and can afford to fix/replace his toys as he breaks them. :)

BTW, if you join the gcc (http://www.gccfla.org) you'll get a 20% discount on anything you purchase from Chain Reaction (the bike shop right across the street from Campus, next to the Swamp and Cafe Gardens).

Ken

I was hoping to get away with under $200. I was thinking about buying a used road bike and replacing the wheels and tires, but I'll let you guys give me the advice, since I am new at this.

I was hoping to get away with under $200. I was thinking about buying a used road bike and replacing the wheels and tires, but I'll let you guys give me the advice, since I am new at this.
The reason I suggested above is a cheap thief repelling bike. That way, you can also afford a more blingy bike for recreational riding! I commute to class on a cheap 10+ year old Royce Union Sorta-kinda mountain bike. Nobody wants to steal it and instead of stealing parts off it, the thieves leave parts out of pity!;)

Follow my drift here? :D

Well, with the new bike, the wife agreed to let me store it inside the apartment, so theft hopefully will not be too much of a problem anymore. As for as storing during the day at class it is stored right by the football stadium in plain sight, so unless the theif has a pair of steel cojones, it should be safe

I think you have a few options:

1. Just whup Tito Ortiz's a** and you will be rich! Then go buy any bike you want!
2. If you can walk on, I hear that the Gator football players are paid pretty well (just kidding).
3. Pretty much any bike will work for you as long as you ride sensible and not hop curbs, slam into potholes, etc. I'd go used as others have suggested for your first ride. Then you can upgrade with your first big contract.

Good luck

I was hoping to get away with under $200. I was thinking about buying a used road bike and replacing the wheels and tires, but I'll let you guys give me the advice, since I am new at this.

I looked at this bike, it is very nice and clean, but it just wasn't the right size for me. I believe you could get it for less than $200.00

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/bik/251371036.html

I looked at this bike, it is very nice and clean, but it just wasn't the right size for me. I believe you could get it for less than $200.00

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/bik/251371036.html
I wish I was near Jacksonville! That's my size!

Mallard, that's a nice bike! Campag hubs are the bomb! Looks like a good bike! Schimano dérailleurs aren't a bad group either!:D Looks like a steal to me!

The only thing is that the frame is of unknown origin. The owner told me he thinks it might be hand made and he bought the bike off a guy that used to own or run a shop in Tallahassee. Yes the owner went to Florida State, but he didn't seem all that bad. Go Gators. Tom, if BigMallard is not interested and you really are, I'd be willing to negotiate with the owner and get the bike shipped to you. Let me know. Tire are in excellent condition and rims are the Mavic MA2. The bike is really in sweet condition.

I took a better picture than that shown. It's still a little fuzzy but you can see it's a nice bike.

Here you go. http://jaxgtr.net/images/Bike.jpg

The only thing is that the frame is of unknown origin. The owner told me he thinks it might be hand made and he bought the bike off a guy that used to own or run a shop in Tallahassee. Yes the owner went to Florida State, but he didn't seem all that bad. Go Gators. Tom, if BigMallard is not interested and you really are, I'd be willing to negotiate with the owner and get the bike shipped to you. Let me know. Tire are in excellent condition and rims are the Mavic MA2. The bike is really in sweet condition.
I can't afford it right now, so it's a good thing it's in Fla!;) I have to finish getting gear together for our tour upcoming after we get out for the semester. We're planning a 700 mile loop through southern Indiana, SW OH and maybe a bit of KY.

ok no problem. same offer is open to anyone else.

Took a good look there and yes, I think that is a quality hand made frame. Too bad it's not your size, that would make you a really nice roadie! It's a touring geometry frame, relaxed ride. Not enough detail to tell if there are braze ons for racks, but if there are, it would be a fabulous touring ride!

Your right I was really bummed it would not fit me.

Well, with the new bike, the wife agreed to let me store it inside the apartment, so theft hopefully will not be too much of a problem anymore. As for as storing during the day at class it is stored right by the football stadium in plain sight, so unless the theif has a pair of steel cojones, it should be safe

Umm, I'd still make sure it's locked up good. There's a lot of dumbasses on campus.

At any rate, have you been to Recycled Bikes on W. 7/8th and University? They might have something within your budget.

Umm, I'd still make sure it's locked up good. There's a lot of dumbasses on campus.

At any rate, have you been to Recycled Bikes on W. 7/8th and University? They might have something within your budget.at that budget area I would also opt for a used bike.

The nice thing about getting it from a bike shop is you will get one you are more likely to be able to rely on AND if you decide to upgrade down the road, you can probably get back much of what you spent.

Also, you are less likely to be buying a stolen bike.

have you checked out the bike I recommended? or is that pretty much rejected? (not that it matters but
I am a bit surprised...)

The bike you reccommended was nice, but Ive been loking around town and found a bike that I can fix up peice by peice. It is a 80s Panasonic, 10 speed, but the bad news is, is that the wheels are 27s. the only thing it needs right now is new rubber. I was looking into the Continental Gator Grips. Any other advice is extremely apprecaited

The bike you reccommended was nice, but Ive been loking around town and found a bike that I can fix up peice by peice. It is a 80s Panasonic, 10 speed, but the bad news is, is that the wheels are 27s. the only thing it needs right now is new rubber. I was looking into the Continental Gator Grips. Any other advice is extremely apprecaited
Continental UltraSport are pretty good! Solid, grippy, fast (Yes, fast at 633X32 mm) and hold me up well. In a pinch, bu the way, the Bell 27" tires aren't bad either! You can get those at Walmart if you flat and need a tire badly out on the road!

well, I don't have a bunch of experience with tires, but on the bike that I recommended, I believe that
they came with "Maxxis zephyrs". I have read that they are considered on the very low end (in quality and in price) but after 500 miles, I have had no problems with them. I don't know if they come in a 27'' size though...