Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Looking at new frames...thoughts?

I have a 2005 Trek 5000 (62) with a True Temper Alpha Q fork (long sterrer tube height) and custom built 32/28 Ultegra/Open Pro wheels for training and Ksyrium Elites for events, climbing. I'm 6'6" and 240, about 20 pounds heavier than when I played college BBall, and about 8 pounds off of last years riding weight. I've got a fair amount of upper body muscle, so although I want to get down to 220, the closest I've gotten is 228.

Anyway, I want to upgrade my frame this year and I'm looking at a couple of options. 1. Specialized Roubaix Pro 2. Moots Vamoots Custom Ti, 3. a custom Guru Carbon with the "clydesdale" overlays. The prices range from $1750 for the Specialized frameset (64 size) to $4100 for the Guru. My fear is that the Roubaix Pro won't be stiff enough as I can push 430 watts max and can squat 300 pounds. I don't want ANY flex in the bottom bracket. It seems as if the Moots is the right frame, but the luster of custom carbon is VERY alluring.

Anyone have any other ideas aside from what I've researched? I've considered Zinn, but some of his stuff is a little whacky to me, and I haven't heard anything real good on IF. Steel is out, as I want a 15 year frame here and I want it to be as light as possible.

Thanks!

http://www.nicolai.net/products/e-frames/e-argon-road.html

http://www.nicolai.net/imgs/prod/800/08-argon-road.jpg

I wish I could help you, but Zinn was going to be one I was going to have you look into as I have seen other Zinn bikes for taller people. I am only 6'3" and I ride Jamis.

here's another full carbon or carbon/bamboo custom bikes

http://www.calfeedesign.com/customframes.htm

http://www.calfeedesign.com/images/bamboosmall.jpg

300 lb squat? You don't have to worry about bottom bracket flex.:D

Zinn is an excellent framebuilder, and there's also Mazama, a fellow forum member that can tell you about his bike. I have a PM out to him....he's about 7 foot tall. :D. Both are great custom fabricators with experience for really tall guys.
I have a 2005 Trek 5000 (62) with a True Temper Alpha Q fork (long sterrer tube height) and custom built 32/28 Ultegra/Open Pro wheels for training and Ksyrium Elites for events, climbing. I'm 6'6" and 240, about 20 pounds heavier than when I played college BBall, and about 8 pounds off of last years riding weight. I've got a fair amount of upper body muscle, so although I want to get down to 220, the closest I've gotten is 228.

Anyway, I want to upgrade my frame this year and I'm looking at a couple of options. 1. Specialized Roubaix Pro 2. Moots Vamoots Custom Ti, 3. a custom Guru Carbon with the "clydesdale" overlays. The prices range from $1750 for the Specialized frameset (64 size) to $4100 for the Guru. My fear is that the Roubaix Pro won't be stiff enough as I can push 430 watts max and can squat 300 pounds. I don't want ANY flex in the bottom bracket. It seems as if the Moots is the right frame, but the luster of custom carbon is VERY alluring.

Anyone have any other ideas aside from what I've researched? I've considered Zinn, but some of his stuff is a little whacky to me, and I haven't heard anything real good on IF. Steel is out, as I want a 15 year frame here and I want it to be as light as possible.

Thanks!

I rode a 25" Trek 7200 for 2 years, but it was a wee bit too small and I didn't like the suspension and straight bars. I finally went with a custom Co-Motion Mazama. (http://www.co-motion.com/)

As I understand, they are discontinuing their "Mazama" series, but they will custom make any bike you like. I got a professional fitting by a local dealer and then Co-Motion created shop drawings for my approval. The staff was very personable and I talked with them on the phone at length about what I wanted before production began. The bike was $3,000 with no additional cost for customization. They are primarily a tandem bike company, but they will configure single bikes with tandem components. For example, I have 40 spoke Velocity wheelset on this bike. I have only put about 500 miles on my Mazama, but I can tell you there is no flex in the frame. As Tom mentioned, I am pushing 7' and 340#, so far there has been no issues.

Good luck in your quest. I feel your pain :)

Here is "Bikezilla":
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2148/2114415851_b33e7562bd.jpg

^^^ OMG! That is the biggest bike I've ever seen!

Honestly, I don't think you'll find much frame flex in the Specialized. I didn't notice much at 220. It'll save you some cash if you can find the right size.

Zinn is a great framebuilder.. A lo of taller guys I know have had sevens made with straight gauge titanium and they are very stout frames..

Yeah, I've seen several very nice Sevens.

Yeah, I've seen several very nice Sevens.

You mean like this

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:vXpnc5r5y8uKOM:http://www.mixedmp3.com/7.jpg

www.strongframes.com (http://www.strongframes.com)

Carl can take care of you. He built my buddy's frame, 6'4" and 220 lbs., and he will not even think of getting a frame from anybody else.

You mean like this

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:vXpnc5r5y8uKOM:http://www.mixedmp3.com/7.jpg

http://ohnolookoutitsaraygun.com/argh-Picard.jpg

Come on, that was funny stuff

Just giving you a hard time! :lol:

Anyway, I want to upgrade my frame this year and I'm looking at a couple of options. 1. Specialized Roubaix Pro 2. Moots Vamoots Custom Ti, 3. a custom Guru Carbon with the "clydesdale" overlays. The prices range from $1750 for the Specialized frameset (64 size) to $4100 for the Guru. My fear is that the Roubaix Pro won't be stiff enough as I can push 430 watts max and can squat 300 pounds. I don't want ANY flex in the bottom bracket. It seems as if the Moots is the right frame, but the luster of custom carbon is VERY alluring.

Anyone have any other ideas aside from what I've researched? I've considered Zinn, but some of his stuff is a little whacky to me, and I haven't heard anything real good on IF. Steel is out, as I want a 15 year frame here and I want it to be as light as possible.

Thanks!

Few things.

I'm just about your weight (245) and I have a Specialized Roubaix Pro and a custom Steel IF Club Racer. If you want zero flex, stick with Carbon. I have no noticeable flex with my Roubaix when I'm pushing more than 400 watts. I only have a teeny amount of flex in the Steel IF.

Ti bikes are supposedly the most flexy of any material (depends on the build), but it's the only bike you've got listed that I'd consider to be a 15 year bike. I wouldn't trust anything carbon to go that long. Steel will if you take care of it.

For the record, you've now heard something positive about IF. I love mine. It's been rock solid, a pleasure to ride, and their welders are artists. IF also has the new 953 steel tubing. It's lighter, so they can make tubes with more diameter which keeps it stiffer while keeping the weight down.

Anyway, if you have questions, let me know. Good luck!

Ti bikes are supposedly the most flexy of any material (depends on the build), but it's the only bike you've got listed that I'd consider to be a 15 year bike. I wouldn't trust anything carbon to go that long. Steel will if you take care of it.

Good points.