Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Was told to come here

I posted this on the commuter forum and they suggested I post it on here.

Had my mountain bike stolen. I was doing mostly street riding anyways(got tired of fighting the front shock also). So I started looking at bikes made more for street riding etc.. I found this forum and did a lot of reading. I started looking at the Trek fx series. But to get the good components I'd have to spend close to $800 (example 7.5FX). After doing somemore reading on here most seem to think I would wish later I had bought a road bike in the first place. So back to the bike shops..

Ok so I've found a few bikes but then it starts to get confusing. I ride one then go ride another and they all start to run together etc.. Helppppp

I like the Specialized Sequoia Elite it's an 07..$899. Has caron fork, seat stays, posts, good rims and tiagra 9speed. It is a more relaxed road bike.

Also like the Raleigh Cadent 3.0. it's an 06 $975 but they said they would come down more. With carbonfork,seat stays and post. Akex DC-19 rims, shimano 105 shifter/front derailer with Ultegra rear. It's also considered a morfe relaxed road bike.

Plus the Fuju Absolute SX..$799. It's a road bike with straight bars. carbon forks, and 105's all the way around.

Any thoughts?? Bike will be used mainly for commuting to work, gym, 3-5 miles. Plus maybe alittle longer on weekends.

PS.. I'm the the Dallas area. if that matters about the roads I'll be riding on. Plus I'm not a light weight. I'm 5'10" and around 250lbs so pretty hard on whatever I ride.

Any one of those bikes would be good, but I would suggest building a better than stock wheel. Say a 32-36 spoke wheel. If you go road, get the Velocity Deep V rims when you buy the bike, so you can trade back the stock wheels and get credit toward the upgrade wheels. Just my 2¢

Ok I'll check into those rims... btw what males them better rims??

Also, Of those 3 bikes do you think one is better then the rest and why?? Any others you could recommend I go look at??

Strength. They are a bit heavier than weight weenie rims, but are double walled construction.

Here's a pic and details
DEEP V

This rim is the jack of all trades. The deep section creates strength, aerodynamics and durability. Use it for training, racing, commuting, touring, track bikes or anything else you can think of. If you want one rim that can do it all, this is the one.

650c
Colors: Black, Ti Grey
Drillings: 16 18 24 28 32
**Not all colors available in all drillings. Please consult your local Velocity dealer for availability

700c
Colors: Black, Silver, White, E. Red, Yellow, E. Blue, Purple, Gold, Orange, Lime green, Ti Grey, Bright Silver, Pink, Brown, Celeste
*Most colors available in 32 and 36h non-machined

Drillings 700c: 16, 18, 20 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 48
**Not all colors available in all drillings. Please consult your local Velocity dealer for availability.

650c
Bead seat diameter 571
Weight 500g ERD = 531

700c
Bead seat diameter 622
Weight 520g ERD = 582

http://www.velocityusa.com/img/r_road_deepv_logos.gif

The 105 with the Ultegra rear is well worth $76 more than a Tiagra, IMHO....., and I ride a specialized bike.

I don't know how tall you are, but they had this on the Dallas craig's list: http://dallas.craigslist.org/bik/405942266.html

I'm 5'10".... I thought $220 was alittle high for a twice used bike that listed near $350-379 new. As far as I could findout online.

New ones MSRP at $450. Half price for a gently used one would not be a bad deal, in my mind, if you knew size/fit/how it was maintained, etc. But, if you have the money to look at 8 and 9 hundred dollar bikes, I would look new because a good bike store is going to make sure you get the right size, fit it to you, be a place you can take it back for adjustments, etc.

If there's a LBS nearby that carries Giant, test ride the OCR series. Relaxed road geometry, solid aluminum frame (or carbon stays / full carbon on the higher end models), excelent components for the price point(s), and a nice carbon fork on every model. IIRC, the OCR 2 is right in your price range.

You might need to upgrade the wheels, but maybe not: I started riding mine at 220 lbs, and haven't had a single problem with the wheels. I'm not exactly kind to my bikes, either - this one's been through a lot.

-DR

IF they all fit, the Cadent sounds like your best deal.

IF they all fit, the Cadent sounds like your best deal.

+1 to this.

Jim