Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Bike buying question

Yes yes, first off I've been boo'd and run off three other sites today because:

A) I'm over weight
B) I don't own a $2000 bike
C) I'm not buying a $3000 bike.

I'm a 22 year old 255LB 5' 11" univeristy undergrad for civil engineering.

I just had my birthday on the 25th of this month and which brings me to my question.


I have a o.k. 15 speed bike right now, jap bike royce union "Savoy" had it for a few years and I did a 9mile trek in a hour and 20 minutes. Mind you this is prime city roads one way with traffic and lights, and a back road for 2nd leg of trip.

Non the less I did it, and got in decent time I thought, longest ride for myself so far. New Record ;)


I am looking for a decent road / mountian bike under $200. Yes I know in the world of bikes that's not much, but it's what I have and my current bike way back when did not cost but around $180.


Can anyone help me? or is this just a lost cause and pick out a bike from academy...

-hopeful and confused
-CCcyclist


P.S. I am also in a Greek Social Fraternity, thus the 255 I used to be 225....waaay back when :(

Craig's List?

Go used and get a nice bike in that range. Better than a Sub $200 new bike would be ;)

You're probably going to have to scrounge around for something used on craigslist. Even then I'd save up until your budget is at least in the $300-$400 range. In the meantime, keep riding your current rig.

Yep, $200 is just not do-able. Entry level for a road bike is down around $600 and that will get you a bike you can ride and enjoy. For some of us older folks, that would be a bike that would beat us up also. Too much straight gauge aluminum and a rough stiff ride.

As other have mentioned, Craiglist would probably be your best bet, along with checking to see if your college has a bike co-op that might be able to help.

I have bought a couple of used mountain bikes off Ebay that would be about right, but I think I paid closer to $300. They cost around $200, but when you add in shipping..... Also, in both cases I needed to do some work that added more money. I bought a Specialized Rockhopper (no suspension) for my son. It needed pedals (I bought cheapo platforms from Nashbar) and new brakes (I got some used Shimano cantilevers off Ebay.) I ended up with a very nice, rugged bike, which might be perfect for a 255lb. person on a budget. Mountain bikes are built tough, and 26" wheels are a bit stronger generally than 700s. I bought another Rockhopper, this time with suspension, and all it needed was new tires and some work. (The brakes again - there were three brakes in the box with enough good parts for 2 sets. I had to replace the cables.) I sold it to a kid in my neighborhood for what I paid plus $20 labor.

I think the older, no-suspension bikes from reputable companies are good deals for someone wanting a solid, dependable bike for not so much money.

Congratulations on getting into the sport of cycling. Thats a respectable time and mileage count for one of your first trips. There are lots of great folks here with plenty of advice and encouragement to go round.

Instead of buying from craigslist or "academy"(Texas slang?), why not take your current ride to the bike shop and have them tune it up for you. A tuning might be all it takes to give your current bike a nice new feeling. In the mean time sit out a few keggers until you save up an extra hundred or so dollars. Buy this book (http://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Mountain-Bike-Maintenance/dp/193138259X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-5055552-1914844?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193667501&sr=8-1), then if you think you are comfortable with assembling a bicycle and tuning in the derailers, check out bikesdirect (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mountain_bikes.htm) for some bikes at a pretty decent price/component group. There is alot of mixed emotions going around here about bikesdirect, but it might be the best way for you to get a bike worth caring for that you can feel good about at a price that wont rip your boys out through your wallet.

bau

thanks for the reply's, Academy is a retail sporting goods store www.academy.com. and I found this on craig's list http://corpuschristi.craigslist.org/bik/454536548.html Anyone know if this is a decent bike?

That looks like a good rig to me...I'd go for it

That Trek should do you just fine.

edit - assuming it fits you okay.

If that's what you're looking for, I'd make an offer. It looks like an older antelope though. Maybe offer $100.

Agreed with Viking....

Looks ti be a versatile older bike, by the way, with good geometry for touring as well as rec riding ;)

btw measured distance in a car....10.92 miles in a hour and twenty minutes. whats that average speed anyone? im thinking like 8 smthing miles per hour?

~8.2 Mph

not bad, i want to beat it now. Will let you guys know what happens with the bike buying situation. Thank you all for the words of encouragement and helpful suggestions.

That's what we're here for! ;) No problem at all :D

Check university security they might have an abandoned bike that would work. A little elbow grease and time is cheap.

One problem you'll run into is that if you don't know much of anything about bikes, then you don't know which bike is good or bad, or which parts are good or bad, which makes it hard to recognize a good bargain when you see it.

In Corpus Christi, you should be able to beat the heck out of 8.2 miles per hour, even with the old bike. Just get out and ride for 40 minutes or an hour everyday and you'll get lots better at it.

Consider a single speed bike as well, less to go wrong and works great on the coast.

Does your current bike have knobby tires? IF so, going to street tires will make a noticeable difference.
You might ask your LBS how much it would cost to upgrade to a 6 or 7 cog set in the rear. It MIGHT not be too expensive IF you have friction shifters.