Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Any Clydes riding Trek Portland?

I am looking for my first decent bike... I am looking to invest something that I can "grow into" in terms of my skills and weight I guess.

I am 6'2" and 210lbs. I am looking to use my bike for commuting, training, and everything else I can throw at it. I have read many threads on how Portland will not stand up to a guy my size, and a better bike for me would be Jake the Snake or Crosscheck or sorts. I am wondering if any clydes here ride the Portland and how is it working out for you?

If not, would you guys agree that Jake the Snake or Crosscheck being a better choice... or what else would be a good fit for me? Thank you.

Cheers,

Art

24 spokes? I'd fold that sucker up in a New York minute, but at 210lbs you shouldn't be a problem. Have you spoken to your LBS? Maybe you'd feel comfortable if you added a few more spokes or a different wheelset.

The bike will do fine, the wheels would be poor because they don't have any eyelets and have had a bad rep pulling through. See if you can get some different wheels with the bike and I'd think you would do fine.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will talk to my LBS.

Porland is a bit steep... $1850 CAD.
06' JtS is $1250 CAD.

I might go with JtS simply because of price although the disc brakes is good for when I ride in the rain. I am in Vancouver, BC... they have nicknamed us Raincouver for good reasons.

24 spokes? I'd fold that sucker up in a New York minute, but at 210lbs you shouldn't be a problem. Have you spoken to your LBS? Maybe you'd feel comfortable if you added a few more spokes or a different wheelset.

+1

I don't get a bike that is supposed to be a "commuter" bike, even to the point of including disc brakes, yet they design the wheels for Kate Moss.

For us clydes, the bike is a small matter and the wheels are the big thing.
Some of us are well over 300lbs and riding bikes that look like they are made out of toothpicks, but their wheels can hold up a damned tank!
It's really all in the wheels so long as the other components aren't made out of plastic.

Thanks for the great advice so far. I am leaning more toward JtS now. I just have to decide what year... I will do a search on carbon forks... 07' has carbon... 06' is $250 cheaper.

I liked the Portland for the ability to put on 40cc wide tires. I broke a spoke in the rear and went back to the LBS and found out that no company makes a 36 hole disc specific hub in a 130mm hub width. A 135mm hub are out there for the mt bikes but not for the road bikes. I put 300 miles on the bike - they took it back and we built up a Surly Crosscheck with 36 hole Salas Delgado wheels on shimano 105 parts. Yeah the Surly is heavier and I still have my wide tires on it. I have over 400 miles on the bike now. I weigh 270 lb.

I am just over 6 ft and 205 lbs and do in fact ride a portland. I would not suggest that you get this bike, clyde or not. Don't get me wrong, I have 2,300 miles on it and the only thing I can complain about as far as durability is the crank needing constant tightening. The wheels have shown no problem carrying me or my two fully loaded paniers and backpack when commuting or grocery shopping.

The reason I would not suggest purchasing one is the price. Unless you ride through heavily urban areas or wet conditions and need the big brakes. It's heavy for consistent road riding at a high level, but the fat commuter tires with puncture protection are great for beginner road cyclist not wanting flats. Bottom line, if you want to commute fast and use the rack support for grocery shopping at 20 mph and are willing to pay through the nose, then go for it.

Don't worry about the durability for clydes however.