Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - All-Arounder Bike for a Clyde?
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Joe Dog
05-16-07, 08:35 PM
I am cross-posting this (hope that is OK). It was posted in the cyclo cross forum by a clyde looking for a more capable commuter and light off-road bike. Not getting many responses over there so I thought you gentlemen would have some good advice for a newb.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=299145
charles vail
05-16-07, 10:09 PM
I am cross-posting this (hope that is OK). It was posted in the cyclo cross forum by a clyde looking for a more capable commuter and light off-road bike. Not getting many responses over there so I thought you gentlemen would have some good advice for a newb.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=299145
Surly LHT or Crosscheck come to mind, as does the Bianchi Volpe and Soma Fabrications has some nice steel frames, at reasonable prices. The Trek 520 can take wide tires and a heavy load. Virtually any steel bike built for touring will take the added weight of a Clyde and with appropriate width tires, it can do light off road stuff, plus commuting, since you will have a way to put on racks and bags. Rivendell has some nice bikes if your tastes run more asthetic, than utilitarian. For value it would be hard to beat a Long Haul Trucker as a complete bike since the components are right on and built to carry a load plus the price is fair for what you get.
I do anywhere between 15-25 miles per day on my Trek 7200. I have logged over 5,500 road miles with my heavy load (330 +/- #'s) and the bike has held up well. I popped a stock spoke at 2,000 miles, but once it was hand-built with DT spokes there has not been a problem. The tires are 700X35, which can handle light dirt trails.
Are you a Clyde, Joe Dog?
Lost Pup
05-17-07, 06:15 AM
Converted a Trek Hardtail MB to a commuter, IRC Metro Kevlar Tires, rack and bags. 25 mile a day commute and never a problem. Replaced the crank, cassette and chain at about 2500 miles due to normal wear. I stop at a local spot close to home and read the paper and other cyclists love to just pick it up to see how heavy it is. You will be suprised how fast you feel when you ride without all the gear.
Instead of bar ends I changed out the straight handle bar to a multiposition Trekking style and wrapped it with a rubber tape style bar wrap.