Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Yet another Bike Question

Greetings all!

I've been lurking awhile, reading many inspirational stories like Tom's. Kudos to you, sir, as your story (an others) have given me inspiration to get off my duff and get going on the biking thing.

I'm a bigger fella (around 350). I've got an '04 Navigator, but I'm totally a city person, live in Metro Milwaukee where there are lots of places to take the bike. I'm looking for something a bit more "fast", or perhaps something that maybe isn't set up like the Nav so that it's so far foot-forward.

Not ever going to reall go off road unless I'm on a trail that hits gravel here or there. This is path riding, city-street riding.

I'm actually lucky enough to work @ home. I get the family off for the day around 7am and thought once this snow FINALLY goes away (80" here and I Can't take any more!) I'll head out for an hour or two before sitting down in the home office for work.

I guess I could also probably put some different tires to match the streets better. I'm probably going to look at low-end new or mid-end used. Being a WI fella I"m partial to Trek (support local business and I have friends, etc. who have worked there).

I've done some lurking and reading and see building up some sturdier tires is probably a given no matter what bike I get.

Thoughts on what direction I should head?

So you want to go from a comfort bike to a hybrid or a road bike? What about a cross bike? I am not a TREK person, so I can't really tell you where to go, other than the LBS that is a TREK dealer and tell them what you have and where you want to go to. They will probably show you a hybrid, a road bike, and then you can ask about a cross bike or a commuter bike.

Good luck with your TREK.

Since you are a TREK fan, my first flash was their hybrid FX series, but that may be too similar to your Nav.:(

The second thought would be a year end closeout 2007 Pilot. (From what I see on Trek's web page, the 2007's are much cheaper than what is offered for 2008.) This series has a more comfortable, upright geometry and offers a much "faster" ride than the hybrids. You can use up (I think) to 700x28 tires.

I originally was looking at an FX series - looks a bit more roadbike-ish, not like the Navigator, which seems to be more "pedal-forward". MY only concern was seeing posts on here about people who got tired before it was hard to change hand/arm position on it with the straight bar vs. the traditional road bars. The big LBS chain here (local chain only) seems to be a bit sales oriented and I'm not sure the 2-3 folks I've talked to really were taking my weight into consideration. There's another LBS in the area, but the prices are a bit higher. I guess I was curious amongst the folks who are more my size if they've gone the route of a traditional road bike or gone Hybrid?

Is there a huge difference between the 7xxx series non-FX Treks and the FX series? Iv'e tried to search on the boards but haven't found anything that's newer related to the topic.

I guess I"m not bound to Trek, but we're a Trek family and I like helping the local businesses - I actually have a Vision Fitness treadmill and semi-recumbant exercice bike (Vision was at one time a subsidary of Trek and also a local company).

I've been lucky enough to see their facilities in a couple of the towns they're in here in the state. Nothing obviously against other companies of course.

I started riding when I was 375 and rode my hybrid Trek 7300. I only had real issues with the wheels, popping spokes, but as I lost weight, it became better. I finally got a better wheel set for that bike. The FX series is better than the 7xxx series as it has rigid forks and does not have the goofy suspension seat post. The suspension forks on the 7k series suck a lot of energy out of you.

While the Navigator is nice, I think you will tire of it pretty quickly.

I've had the Nav now going on 4 years. I've never taken ot it - probably because of my position on the bike and how I'm not really able to change position to rest my back, etc. Also it is obviously a bit hard to get moving on it as compared to my old '70s 10-speed I inherited from my father as a kid. It's probably why it hasn't gotten the use that it should have over the first couple of years.

I've been doing some googling and searching here but for clarification - is the Hybrid series a bit more traditional in terms of pedal position, i.e. closer to a road bike?

Yeah, it's a lot closer.

You might look at the Specialized Roubaix, if it's in your budget range. It's a long distance bike, but quick as well. I'd suggest a wheel upgrade, though to something like a hand built set of Deep V rims, like the Velocity.

oooooooh that's a nice bike the Roubaix.

Yup, the Roubaix is coming in cheaper nowadays too. It is a worthwhile investment.

"MY only concern was seeing posts on here about people who got tired before it was hard to change hand/arm position on it with the straight bar vs. the traditional road bars."

You can add "bar ends" to the straight handle bars that allow extra positions, either up or down. They worked fine for me and still do.

When I returned to cycling in 2003, was not limber enough to ride the aggressive geometry of a road bike. My dealer was a TREK store, so I chose the 7500FX. The FX rode more like a road bike. The non-FX did not look as cool as the FX. And since I was riding on the streets only, suspension systems were just extra weight.

However, as I got in better shape, I wanted a faster road bike. Looking back, I think if the Pilot-type bike had been available then, I would have bought it over the FX. I believe that Specialized and Lemond bikes have the same type geometry as the Pilot.

Like I did, you'll have to ride them and see which type/brand feels best.

Hope this helps.

I don't think Lemond has anything like the Pilot. Usually the top tubes are very long.

Not to get in a contest, but "Effective Top Tube Lengths" are whatever they measure center to center, NOT from the size of the bike. They are only longer if you buy them longer. Sloping geometry is driven by ...... Oh never mind, it's not worth the discussion.

Badgermac, I still suggest you just go try some road bikes with relaxed geometry and see if any of them fits your needs. It's all about the fun anyway.

I recently bought a GT Legato (flat bar "road bike") and quickly became tired of the lack of hand positions, even with bar ends. I returned it and baught a Fuji 3.0 road bike. It really is much easeier to ride for extended periods of time do the the multiple hand positions. I also notice that it helps my back because for a while I can ride the top of the bars and then go to the drops which helps stretch my back out. Just a couple of things to consider from a fellow big guy. Good luck!

Hi,
about the wheels.. you basically want touring bike wheels. Shimano hubs, 36 spokes, and touring rims.

You will want large tires, and the chart says a typical road rim is only good up to 28c in a tire. I suggest something a lot larger to start. That means a wider rim.

Someone will suggest 40 spokes, but a handbuilt wheel with a beefy rim and 36 spokes will be fine.