Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - I Need a Bike for My Dad. Weight 260lbs, Budget $400

My dad has been overweight for a while and he has a bad knee and a bad back. He's about 5'10 and about 260 lbs, and my budget is $400. What would be a good bike for him to start out? If you have any questions please ask.

Thank you.
- Jai

**edit - Looking for a road bike

**Advice didn't apply any more since the edit above. ;)

400$ is tough for a roadbike. I've seen bikes at bikesdirect for under that but you can't really test ride on line. In my area a local shop is selling of his floor models and closeouts for 270-390 but unless you're within driving distance of Framingham, MA that won't help.

oodle.com

its kind of a flatbar roadbike, but a friend of mine is 6"1 and 270 pounds, and he loves his Jamis Coda. he paid something like $375 for it at the LBS http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/coda.html

Jamis Explorer 2.0

Check my sig for some ideas; with a bad back and knees you may want to get a mtb and put road wheels on it. More relaxed so he doesn't have to bend over.

You might be able to get a Kona Dew Delux for that if you get a 2007 close out - pretty nice bike with a more relaxed riding position. I would have one if I had the cash. :(

The Specialized HardRocks can be had for $400 and are good bang for the buck. I'd swap the seat out for one with elastometer or spring suspension (or maybe even a shock/seatpost thingie) so the hits don't travel up your Dad's back. For even more comfort you could install those Maxxis Hookworms to absorb bumps.

A true "road bike", or do you just mean one for riding on pavement?

A true "road bike", or do you just mean one for riding on pavement?

Sorry I mean one for riding on pavement. I should have been more specific.

Sorry I mean one for riding on pavement. I should have been more specific.

Ok...that makes way more sense. I didn't see why an older guy with a gut wanted to "jump" right into a road bike position.

Then I'll recommend a comfort bike. My first bike was a Trek Navigator. That may be a good start. It was for me and got me interested enough to switch to a real road bike after about 1 1/2 years.

Ok...that makes way more sense. I didn't see why an older guy with a gut wanted to "jump" right into a road bike position.

I did and four months later I no longer had a gut and I was riding with "B" class in my bike club.I started out at 258 lbs, now I'm 236 lbs. I ride 15 miles everyday during the week and my training route has 4 steep hills. One hill is about 100 yards long at about a 5%-6% grade. I come home with a 15.7-16.3 mph average. On one day during the weekend I do a 30 or 45 mile ride with my local bike club.

I'm 54 years old and I roll hard. Five to six months ago I needed to stop after the first hill.Now I watch others stopped. I've been blessed with rapid progress. Who knows, next year I might be able to roll with "A" class If I shed 10 or 15 more pouinds. I'm almost there.

Invision the possibility !! :)

Look at Trek 4300. May be swap the seat.

Coming from someone with a bad back and knees-
I'd also look at the Giant Cypress series.
Have him test ride a couple bikes of that ilk and see if the riding position is upright enough for his back.
Bad backs vary, so a riding position for one "bad back", may be totally inappropriate for another type of "bad back"
Also with bad knee(s), you want to keep to the shorter length cranks. 175MM is TOO LONG. PERIOD!
165MM would be much better! That 10MM difference doesn't sound like a lot, but it means his foot will go up .8" less! Noticeably less bending of the knee.

Depending on what fit's, you may have to do a bit of 'negotiating" with the LBS regarding getting thinks like "riser bars" or shorter cranks installed.
If it hurts him to ride it, he won't!

If it was my dad I'd look for an older, used, good-quality mountain bike - probably with no suspension - like an old Specialized Rockhopper. If it's in good condition (and with $400 you should be able to get a nice one) the frame will be strong, and hopefully the wheels as well. You'll have a nice, comfortable bike that is sturdy enough to stand up to that much weight. $400 isn't much if you're looking at new bikes and hoping to get something of good quality.

I bought a Rockhopper for my son on Ebay for $240, including shipping. The frame, wheels, handlebars, and tires were excellent. There were no pedals, so I bought some platforms from Nashbar for $20(?) The brakes weren't good, so I bought some used but in good condition Shimano cantilevers on Ebay for $21. I fitted it out with a Blackburn mountain rack (also from Ebay), some bar ends, and a couple of water bottle cages, plus some Tom Slick tires, since he's going to be riding it mostly on pavement. The grand total was $344. He's not sure if he likes the saddle, so I may put a bit more money into the bike, but overall he has a really nice ride for under $400. Of course, it doesn't have suspension, so if he gets into mountain biking he'll probably need something else, but for riding around town and weekend rides (and occasional centuries) it's a beaut!

I don't think I could have gotten something so nice (and strong) new for that kind of money.

I just checked out the OC craigslist and there are many bikes in his price range.. some of the road bikes are a little older but a good steel frame may be the way to go..

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/