Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - New Roadie Big Guy

I was pointed to this site from a fellow on a Motorcycle board I'm on. I was an avid Mtn. Biker up until a few years ago, (moved to the City, got a desk job, got fatter). My first post was in one of the other forums asking about bikes for a big guy, and someone pointed me here. I had no clue what a Clydesdale was.

Anyway I'm thinking about getting a Roadie to get back into shape, had a Bianchi from the 80s (heck maybe even 70s) that was pulled out of a Dumpster at Umass Frat house and I used occasionally in High School. I remember how easy it was to click off the miles on that bike, but I was more into my BMX and MTn Bikes. I was pedalling fool back then, I'd think nothing of doing 15miles one way on my BMX bike. So far I'm considering one of the Surly bikes or Jamis. I really want a bike I feel comfortable on for riding long distances. My goal is to get in good enough shape to do a Century. I was in good enough shape to do 40 or 50miles on a Mtn Bike on the road with 2.10" tires I'd like to think I could get into good enough shape to do a real ride on a Road bike.

I was pointed to this site from a fellow on a Motorcycle board I'm on. I was an avid Mtn. Biker up until a few years ago, (moved to the City, got a desk job, got fatter). My first post was in one of the other forums asking about bikes for a big guy, and someone pointed me here. I had no clue what a Clydesdale was.

Anyway I'm thinking about getting a Roadie to get back into shape, had a Bianchi from the 80s (heck maybe even 70s) that was pulled out of a Dumpster at Umass Frat house and I used occasionally in High School. I remember how easy it was to click off the miles on that bike, but I was more into my BMX and MTn Bikes. I was pedalling fool back then, I'd think nothing of doing 15miles one way on my BMX bike. So far I'm considering one of the Surly bikes or Jamis. I really want a bike I feel comfortable on for riding long distances. My goal is to get in good enough shape to do a Century. I was in good enough shape to do 40 or 50miles on a Mtn Bike on the road with 2.10" tires I'd like to think I could get into good enough shape to do a real ride on a Road bike.
Welcome aboard, we're a pretty friendly bunch here! We've developed a nice community and you are welcome!

So far I'm considering one of the Surly bikes or Jamis. I really want a bike I feel comfortable on for riding long distances. My goal is to get in good enough shape to do a Century.
That was my exact same goal. I went with a new unused 2003 Bianchi Vigorelli steel road bike I plucked off of ebay last November for 55% off retail. I got a whole lot more bike for my money that way. I had only been researching road bikes for a week online and hadn't really committed to buying one nor even stepped foot into a local bike shop yet when I ran across that buy it now. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I'd suggest test riding first at the LBS, though, to get a good feel for the bike you might want. When I bought my mountain bike 15 years ago, I ended up buying a bike I didn't think I would have, but it felt so much better riding than any others.

Good luck, and welcome to the forums. You'll find a lot of help here. Just ask.

Thanks Fellas!!!

yeamac I totally know what ya mean about the test ride, When I bought my Gary Fisher 6yrs ago at an AWESOME LBS in FL (Bob's Bikes Port Orange) the comfort and feel of the bike was what was my Deciding factor. There was a Trek with better components but it just didn't feel as good. I have a long torso so a lot MTN Bikes gave me a "Hunched over/bent back" feeling. My only regret on that bike was not buying the model with better compents 'cause the ones on it shift poorly and are difficult to adjust so they shift right. I wish New Orleans had a Mtn Bike trail system like y'all got on that Bayou in the Park in W. Houston, that was one of the last times I had a good ride.

Hey, DukeRyder. You didn't mention your size, but there are a lot of bigger guys on road bikes. Just be careful of the wheels and get what fits/feels good. A friend has a steel Jamis that he paid less than $1200 for and he is very happy with it. I think they look good, too.

I'm 6' tall (just a hair over actually) and weiging in at about 255 +/- 5lbs.

I visited the LBS today and talked to the Owner/Manager who was working there, he didn't have any Cross bikes in stock but said he could order me one. I asked him about sizing and how he'd know what bike would fit, he told me "He just knew, 'cause he'd been doing it so long". He said I'd have no problem on any Roadbike and there were lots of his customers on the ultralight race bikes that were bigger than I am. I told him I'd check back in after I visited a few more shops. He carries Kona/Fuji/Raliegh/Giant and some other lines.

Welcome aboard, Duke

We're nearly the same specs (I'm 6'1 235, but was 250 a month ago). I've been riding a Specialized Tricross Comp (which is a cross bike) and its held up awesome. I even take it over curbs, and through the woods. Over 2000km later I've only had to replace 1 tire, all the components have held up.

At your size you'll have no problem finding a road bike to fit. Again, just avoid the super light wheels and you'll be fine. A lot of us use Mavic Open Pro wheels. I use 36 spoke wheels and find them durable for 5000 miles per year on rough roads. If you buy a new bike you'll find it probably comes with wheels that are less than ideal for a big guy, just keep an eye on them until/if they need replacing.

I'm 6' tall (just a hair over actually) and weiging in at about 255 +/- 5lbs.
Oh...a little fella, eh? :D

Welcome aboard. These guys are all very smart and experienced big riders. Tom Stormcrowe is our patriarch and inspiration. You'd do well to listen to him.

I was pointed to this site from a fellow on a Motorcycle board I'm on. I was an avid Mtn. Biker up until a few years ago, (moved to the City, got a desk job, got fatter). My first post was in one of the other forums asking about bikes for a big guy, and someone pointed me here. I had no clue what a Clydesdale was.

Anyway I'm thinking about getting a Roadie to get back into shape, had a Bianchi from the 80s (heck maybe even 70s) that was pulled out of a Dumpster at Umass Frat house and I used occasionally in High School. I remember how easy it was to click off the miles on that bike, but I was more into my BMX and MTn Bikes. I was pedalling fool back then, I'd think nothing of doing 15miles one way on my BMX bike. So far I'm considering one of the Surly bikes or Jamis. I really want a bike I feel comfortable on for riding long distances. My goal is to get in good enough shape to do a Century. I was in good enough shape to do 40 or 50miles on a Mtn Bike on the road with 2.10" tires I'd like to think I could get into good enough shape to do a real ride on a Road bike.I coulda sworn I replied to this yesterday...

You don't talk about budget, which usually means you are single and make a decent living.

If you don't know the market well, go to a local bike shop. The reality is that if you dont ride tons already, you are not going to tell the difference between bikes other than more or less comfortable. The parts are pretty consistent within pricepoints. Some shops will let you upgrade for the differential in price. If you can do that with your bike, upgrade the wheels. What you wind up with will depend (at least partially) onthe bikeyou decide on but as was said elsewhere, a ton of us (no pun intended) love our Mavic Open Pro's. I was pushing 350-375 when I started riding mine and I have thousands of miles and a few cuenturies on them already. And they are still straight and true.

So, go sit on a bunch of bikes and buy the one that is comfy and you really think is sexy.


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There are some good thoughts in the stickied posting at the beggining of this section. ("Index" is in the title) If you are set on a road bike half the battle is done. (A lot of guys come in, should I get a road/hybrid/etc.)

Thanks for all the replies and warm welcome everyone!

I think I've figured out the General Consensus is find a bike that fits well, get good wheels, and the rest doesn't seem to make much difference. I've learned a Ton about Roadies since I signed up a couple days ago by reading a bunch. I read a ton of threads on the forum and am quite impressed by some of the goals acheived by the members here.

I didn't get a chance to visit any more shops today since a Tornado Ripped through my Neighborhood at 3am last night (My place is fine, but a few streets over got messed up hard though w/roads closed to clean up).

Hambone you are correct in that I am single and make a decent living. I'm willing to drop the Coin on a new bike (Nothing feels quite like a new bike, I've only had 3 brand-new "bikestore" bikes in my life, but the feeling is great). I just got a decent "award" last week at work and think using it on a new bike would be a good 'cause it'll be fun and help me loose some blubber. The shop around the corner said they'll Order me a cross bike (I really didn't like much of what they had) and the Kona Jake the Snake looks like it'd be a sweet ride. The reason I'm willing to dish out the Coin now is because when I bought my Fisher back in 01, I regretted not paying the extra for a higher-end model. The Crank was flexy and the shifting wasn't that great. It was still the best bike I'd ever owned and I shredded a lot of trails with that bike in FL and SC.

In the meantime I've got some slicks comming for my Mtn Bike.

I know I should support my LBS, but if they're just gonna make me order one through them; why not just order one myself and save a few hundred??? I'm gonna talk to one of the guys that works here that builds custom Racing Mtn. Bike frames and see if he's got the ability to size me. An LBS back home in MA really never offered my Family much in the way of benifits despite buying 3 New Bikes from them and a whole bunch of gear. (That shop is however closed).