Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Can anyone give the Jamis Aurora, Surly LHT(complete) some competition?

Having ridden a recumbent bicycle for awhile I do miss "riding on top of the world." I think I want to buy another wedgie and give it another chance. However, based on my preferences of what I perceive to be comfortable I can only find TWO bikes that may fit the bill: The Jamis Aurora and Surly Long Haul Trucker(complete).

Here are my prefs:

1.) Under a grand
2.) Steel frame and fork (I am a clydesdale after all, and the comfort of steel) Aurora uses Reynolds 520, LHT 4130
3.) Takes bigger tires (the Aurora comes with 28c but is rumored to go to 32c)
4.) Rack braze on's
5.) New bike - no used bikes
6.) No less than Tiagra parts
7.) 36 spoke hubs

I really can't find any competition for these bikes. Am I missing somebody?

Having ridden a recumbent bicycle for awhile I do miss "riding on top of the world." I think I want to buy another wedgie and give it another chance. However, based on my preferences of what I perceive to be comfortable I can only find TWO bikes that may fit the bill: The Jamis Aurora and Surly Long Haul Trucker(complete).

Here are my prefs:

1.) Under a grand
2.) Steel frame and fork (I am a clydesdale after all, and the comfort of steel) Aurora uses Reynolds 520, LHT 4130
3.) Takes bigger tires (the Aurora comes with 28c but is rumored to go to 32c)
4.) Rack braze on's
5.) New bike - no used bikes
6.) No less than Tiagra parts
7.) 36 spoke hubs

I really can't find any competition for these bikes. Am I missing somebody?

The Fuji Touring is in that range. However, don't discount an aluminum frame. The Cannondale T800 is just slightly more expensive and is less noodly for us big guys than the steel frames are. The ride can be harsh without a touring load but you can always put 40mm or 47mm tires on it. Under a touring load (me, 55 lbs of gear, 27 lb of bike...much more than 300 lb:eek: ) the bike is a joy to ride! Plus I can stand to climb hills and throw the bike from side to side as if it were unloaded. I was never able to do that with a steel bike;)

Give them a look before you dismiss them entirely.

Another one to look at (I keep forgetting that these are out there) is the Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30. Not a bad bike...geared a little high for a touring bike...but okay overall.

I know this thread is a year old, but was coming to post a similar thread, so thought I'd just bump this one up to see if there were any more recommendations. I'm not planning on touring or commuting, so braze ons aren't a big deal for me, and am willing to take Sora components in strategic spots (brake levers, etc).

To summarize, what I'm looking for in a bike is:

Under a grand
Steel frame and fork
Takes bigger tires (the Aurora comes with 28c but is rumored to go to 32c)
New bike - no used bikes
No less than Tiagra parts
36 spoke hubs
No bar-end shifters - which eliminates the stock LHT and cross check complete

I am a Jamis owner, and would buy one from my LBS without any problems or hesitation.

For you, I would say find a LBS that you trust and buy what they can provide for a brand as long as it fits your needs. There are a lot of bikes that can be purchased under $1000.00

My rides are a StreetMachine recumbent and a Surly CrossCheck.
If bar end shifting is out of the question,
look at a Cannondale T2 ?

the LHT is the best choice I have seen for an inexpensive tourer/commuter.

Some guy is selling NEW Surly Cross Check on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-never-riden-Surly-Cross-Check-bike-58cm-cyclocross_W0QQitemZ110215662096QQihZ001QQcategoryZ98084QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD4VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksi d=p1638.m124

It said the auction was over but I wrote the guy last week and he said he had several sizes available and must be selling them from a bike shop or building them at home. It can handle the wide tires. It does not have a triple on the front, but for the price, you could make the switch and still have money from you 1000 dollars.

edit: he relisted it here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110218076615&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BIN_IT&refitem=110215662096&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

Also, this bike may not be a bad buy:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-TOURING-COMMUTING-ROAD-BIKE-WITH-SHIMANO-27-SPEED_W0QQitemZ250210274747QQihZ015QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Performance Bike Shop has their Fuji touring bikes from 2007 on clearance. I almost picked one up. Is there an outlet store near you?

Also, the Jamis Coda Sport would make a good commuter. I've got the Jamis Coda Comp and love it. My problem is that I can never have too many bikes and can't seem to stop looking for good buys even if I don't really need another bike.

http://bikeusa.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2507

You might still consider the cross-check, your lbs would likely work out a pretty decent deal to change the shifters out for you and they are really nice little bikes.

http://bikeusa.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=59&id=2508

A really nice bike. Take a look at this one. For the price you get a great set of components.

Try looking at this one (REI Novarra Randonee)- http://www.rei.com/product/744804. It has everything you're looking for. My main ride is a Trek 7300, heavily modified, but I'm ready for an upgrade. I plan on purchasing this bike as soon as I can save up the cash. I looked at one at the REI in the Detroit area, and I fell in love. That was after I had my heart set on a Bianchi Volpe. Guy there was real helpful, knowledgeable too.

I don't have one or even know someone who does but the Windsor Tourist seems to fit your requirments and is listed on bikesdirect.com for $599 or sometimes you can catch them on ebay for 50 bucks cheaper.

Leaving you some spare cash for panniers and a nice wide, springy Brooks B-73.

I would recomend the LHT. You can get one under a grand and then pimp it out when the time is right. Super riding bike.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2368/1498887348_13d6dd44bf_b.jpg