Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Trek SU200 or Fisher Cronus? New to the boards.

This is my first post on the boards. That doesn't mean that I haven't been reading all the posts in this forum and gathering as much information as possible. Before I get to my question I would just like to say that you guys (and gals) are so informative and supportive to one another. It's awesome.

I am a younger guy (25) and without a doubt fall into the clydesdale group at 6'2 280ish. I am in the market for a bike that will be fun to ride around town as well as on the many, many bike trails in my area. I didn't really want a mountain bike style bike and found myself looking at the Fisher Cronus and the Trek SU 200. The goal is to get a bike for a decent price, drop some pounds, have some fun, and not have to spend a whole ton of money on replacing parts and repairs. Do wither of these bikes sound like a safe bet?

Thanks so much for any advice in advance.

The Trek is a nice bike. Heavy duty rims, good rims and with the disc brakes it will be plenty of a bike for you. Very quick with the tires it comes with and a pretty good ride for a 26 inch bike. The Cronus is really a flat city bike with only the single chain ring. Being that you are just starting out, I think you might have a need for the triple as equipt on the Trek.

Chris

The Trek is a nice bike. Heavy duty rims, good rims and with the disc brakes it will be plenty of a bike for you. Very quick with the tires it comes with and a pretty good ride for a 26 inch bike. The Cronus is really a flat city bike with only the single chain ring. Being that you are just starting out, I think you might have a need for the triple as equipt on the Trek.

Chris

I agree here, you're in hill country there in Pottstown, so the gears will help you with terrain. There is something to be said for the simplicity of a single speed city bike or a 7 speed, but hill climbing as a Clyde with it isn't one of those things!:eek: The tractor gears on a mountain bike would really be a big help!

Tom - Is that to say that the Trek is a bad idea? I just really was not to into the idea of a mountain bike since I will be doing no off road riding at all. Again, thanks for the input.

The Trek is a nice bike. Heavy duty rims, good rims and with the disc brakes it will be plenty of a bike for you. Very quick with the tires it comes with and a pretty good ride for a 26 inch bike. The Cronus is really a flat city bike with only the single chain ring. Being that you are just starting out, I think you might have a need for the triple as equipt on the Trek.

Chris

What he said!

Tom - Is that to say that the Trek is a bad idea? I just really was not to into the idea of a mountain bike since I will be doing no off road riding at all. Again, thanks for the input.

Tom's saying the Trek is a good idea.

A larger range of gears (triple up front rather than single or double) will give you more options -- so, at a given level of fitness, you'd be able to go longer and slower up a steeper hill with the lower gears a triple offers. If he's right and you're in hill country, you'd be much more likely to enjoy yourself and keep getting out there with a triple...which per your post is what it's all about.

It loks like a more mountain-like frame, but it has no suspension and 1.5 tires. Looks to be a good compromise if you're not looking for too much speed.

Like they all are saying, a triple front chain ring is a must for the vast majority of us big boys that live in the steep hills. It will expand your riding possibilities enormously.


Tom's saying the Trek is a good idea.

A larger range of gears (triple up front rather than single or double) will give you more options -- so, at a given level of fitness, you'd be able to go longer and slower up a steeper hill with the lower gears a triple offers. If he's right and you're in hill country, you'd be much more likely to enjoy yourself and keep getting out there with a triple...which per your post is what it's all about.

It loks like a more mountain-like frame, but it has no suspension and 1.5 tires. Looks to be a good compromise if you're not looking for too much speed.

I have been lurking for a long time here now and finally decided to join to let you know that the Trek SU200 is a pretty decent bike. I bought this bike about a month ago, and already have over 250 miles on it with no problems at all. I don't want to come off as a fan boy so I will keep it short. suffice to say I have found this bike to be an extremely good value. I hope this helps.

I have the SU200 also. I purchased it back in MayI use it mainly on the bike paths as well some weathered potholed streets of Chicago. I love it. It's perfect for big guy (5'11''/268lbs). Adds some bar ends and you'll be set.

-AXe

Hey Travis,

I didn't quite do my research like you are doing. The good news is, I like you have needed to tone down a little and have been riding my Cronus 15 miles daily and back and forth to work on Friday's. 20 lbs down, 20 to go.

The bad news is, that although I am not disappointed with the bike, it is not meant for what I intended. On the Fisher site, it doesn't give much info about the purpose of the bike. I wanted a strong framed hybrid (never was into road bikes) that could handle the streets of Cleveland, but I also wanted to go fast.

As you know the Cronus on has one chainring on the front, and 9 total speeds. I did not know that because I ordered the bike from a local bike shop that did not stock it. Never figured when I researched it only because I was enamored with the look and the name. Needless to say, I haven't really been bothered by the gear differential, but the bike seems to have a hard time maintaining. There are brief moments of zen when I am in the groove, and I am getting great excercise. I have always been a strong mountain bike rider and I hate getting passed, and road bikes zoom by me. A bike courier (a girl!) on a fixed gear passed me the other day like I was standing still.

The frame geometry is bad for a big guy. All of the weight is pushed toward the load on the back tire. I have high pressure tubes and have a hard time keeping the back one to the pressure that I like. Plus, lots of flats. Might be the roads of Cleveland, but I think it is more attributed to the stiff frame and weight placement. It is as if it was made as a climbing mountain bike frame.

The bike came with 2.5 slicks that I changed to 1.5 - still not feeling the speed. I like the bike, but it is best suited for a college kid that is not going far. My buddy bought a Trek 7.2 hybrid and it flies. Go that route. I am on ebay looking for a road bike now. I want to go faster.

I bought the SU100 as I did not want to hassle with the disc brakes. I LOVE it. I've had it for 2 weeks and by sunday there will be 200 miles on it. I have no complaints. I've done a 20 mile ride on it and if it weren't for time could have gone more. I got bar ends with it, but removed them a few days ago and don't miss them. Good luck. Ride them around, see what feels good. I've always liked the Trek and never had a bad one.

The cronus isn't a bad bike but look at the Kaitai
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/bike_detail.asp?series=dualsport&bike=Kaitai

Great Hybrid, 700c Mountain rims and a bigger crank. It's based on the fisher 29er frame geometry.

This is my first post on the boards. That doesn't mean that I haven't been reading all the posts in this forum and gathering as much information as possible. Before I get to my question I would just like to say that you guys (and gals) are so informative and supportive to one another. It's awesome.

I am a younger guy (25) and without a doubt fall into the clydesdale group at 6'2 280ish. I am in the market for a bike that will be fun to ride around town as well as on the many, many bike trails in my area. I didn't really want a mountain bike style bike and found myself looking at the Fisher Cronus and the Trek SU 200. The goal is to get a bike for a decent price, drop some pounds, have some fun, and not have to spend a whole ton of money on replacing parts and repairs. Do wither of these bikes sound like a safe bet?

Thanks so much for any advice in advance.

I live 15 minutes from you, so I ride these same hills. Get the Trek. You need the triple gears in this area. I have a triple on my Navigator, and I thank Trek for it every time I need to climb, say, Main Street in Royersford.

And when you get the bike, private message me so we can arrange a ride. I like to ride with Bike Forum folks. There's at least one other poster from Pottstown. Perhaps he could ride with you too.