Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Road Bike for a 6'0 260 lbs

I posted this in a different thread and someone recommended I post here as well...

Hey all, this is my first post so thank you in advance for your helpful suggestions.

Over the past several months I have fallen in love with cycling. I have found it both a restbit and a blessing to my hectic and busy life. I know you all feel the same, so I'll move on... First, a few things about me..

I am 6'0 260 lbs (and dropping thanks to cycling, I was 280 a few months ago)
I ride about 3 times a week.
1 x (30-40 miles) weekend ride
2 x (10-20 miles) weeknights
Of course I hope to increase these milages over time.
Also, I live and ride in a VERY hilly part of New Jersey.

I have been riding on a Trek Hybrid ('02 7500 series) and though it's a decent bike, I have decided to make the move to road bike.

My budget is about $1500 (out the door) max

Here are the 2 Cannondale models that I am currently deciding between.

Synapse 5 Sport $1389
http://highgearcyclery.com/itemdetai...gId=39&id=4190

Synapse 6 (Triple) $1179
http://highgearcyclery.com/itemdetai...gId=39&id=4189

I have to say, the ride on both seems very similar. (Probably because I am not experienced enough to know the difference.) Essentially the main difference between the 2 models is the Shimano 105 vs. Shimano Tiagra components. So here's my questions..

1. Will I really notice a difference between the components? Is its a no-brainer upgrade of $200 (I would rather not spend the extra $200 if I don't have to)

2. Is there some other difference between the 2 that I am missing?

3. I am open to suggestions from if you feel I should go with an entirely different bike (but please recommend one that http://highgearcyclery.com/ sells. They are my LBS and would not think of buying something from elsewhere)

4. I am in no rush to buy, so does it make sense to wait for the 2009 models to come out. What time of the year do they usually come out?

P.S. I have nice petals and shoes from my hybrid so I won't need to include that in my budget.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Scott

Ride everything you can in your price range. Fit is the most important aspect. Any decent frame will hold your weight (even carbon, even though there is some naysayers), its the wheels we clydes need to worry about. Check out the Lemonds, treks and specialized that your shop carries. Trek 2.1 is a pretty decent bike. As far as the model year, there probably won't be a whole lot of changes, except you will be able to get the 08's at a cheaper price.

A lot of people feel that Shimano 105 offers the best price/performance ratio of their groupsets. Of course I ride with Sora (the grade below Tiagra) and am as happy as a clam. :)

I have ridden Sora, Tiagra, 105 and now Ultegra. When I returned to cycling I bought a Trek 7500fx. Got the road bug like you and got a Specialized Allez, on which I upgrade components twice. Now I ride a Trek 5500 frame rebuilt with the Ultegra grouppo. I am 6'1" and weigh 205 now. My 2 pennies?

For $200 you get: better wheels, better crankset, and better shifting (105). And, if I read correctly, a set of brake levers on the middle part of the handlebars, that could be removed if you don't like them, but in the meantime allow you to transition from the 7500 to the roadie brakes.

Seems like a no brainer at this point.

Just to throw in my .02. When I started riding I fit your dimensions save that I outweighed you by 20 pounds and my first road bike was a Trek 1000. I rode it for three years and had almost no problems with it until the rear wheel basically collapsed. I replaced it with a hand-built wheel and had no future problems.

...decided to make the move to road bike.
My budget is about $1500 (out the door) max...
4. I am in no rush to buy, so does it make sense to wait for the 2009 models to come out. What time of the year do they usually come out?...

Hi

Would you consider any of these, specifically the Cannondale?

Some 2009 bikes usually come out in sep/oct 2008, just after the Interbike show, but you may have to wait until april 2009 for others.

700c, drop bar, disc brake bikes that could be used for racing, training, commuting, touring, cyclocross, etc.

trek portland - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/urban/portland/portland/

cannondale cross xr7 - http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8XR7C.html

Brodie Ronin '08 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2008/2008_bikes/ronin.php
Brodie romax '07 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/romax.php
brodie ronin '07 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/ronin.php

lemond poprad disc - http://www.lemondbikes.com/bikes/cross/poprad_disc.php

rocky mountain sherpa - http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2007/TOURING/sherpa-10.aspx

kona sutra - http://www.konaworld.com/08_sutra_w.htm

orbea diem drop disc - http://www.orbea.com/ingles/interior.php?tipo=1&familia=6&gama=13

focus cross disc - http://www.focusbikesuk.com/focuscyclocrossbikes/cyclocross_bikes_cross_disc.php

devinci caribou2 - http://www.devinci.com/10479_an.html

raleighusa sojourn - http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=427

rei novara element - http://www.rei.com/product/744808

co-motion mazama - http://www.co-motion.com/mazama.html

rocky mountain Solo CXD - http://bikes.com/2008_preview/2008_preview.html

rotwild rs1cx - http://www.rotwild.de/en/ (street bikes section)

fixie inc. pureblood - http://www.cycles-for-heroes.com/2008/download/pureblood.html

maxx roadmaxx custom (you choose the color and parts at the LBS and the factory puts it together, i.e., not a custom frame) - http://www.maxx.de/frmain_bikes.htm (road - roadmaxx custom)

Salsa la Cruz - http://www.salsacycles.com/laCruzComp08.html

Hi

Would you consider any of these, specifically the Cannondale?

Some 2009 bikes usually come out in sep/oct 2008, just after the Interbike show, but you may have to wait until april 2009 for others.

700c, drop bar, disc brake bikes that could be used for racing, training, commuting, touring, cyclocross, etc.

trek portland - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/urban/portland/portland/

cannondale cross xr7 - http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8XR7C.html

Brodie Ronin '08 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2008/2008_bikes/ronin.php
Brodie romax '07 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/romax.php
brodie ronin '07 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/ronin.php

lemond poprad disc - http://www.lemondbikes.com/bikes/cross/poprad_disc.php

rocky mountain sherpa - http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2007/TOURING/sherpa-10.aspx

kona sutra - http://www.konaworld.com/08_sutra_w.htm

orbea diem drop disc - http://www.orbea.com/ingles/interior.php?tipo=1&familia=6&gama=13

focus cross disc - http://www.focusbikesuk.com/focuscyclocrossbikes/cyclocross_bikes_cross_disc.php

devinci caribou2 - http://www.devinci.com/10479_an.html

raleighusa sojourn - http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=427

rei novara element - http://www.rei.com/product/744808

co-motion mazama - http://www.co-motion.com/mazama.html

rocky mountain Solo CXD - http://bikes.com/2008_preview/2008_preview.html

rotwild rs1cx - http://www.rotwild.de/en/ (street bikes section)

fixie inc. pureblood - http://www.cycles-for-heroes.com/2008/download/pureblood.html

maxx roadmaxx custom (you choose the color and parts at the LBS and the factory puts it together, i.e., not a custom frame) - http://www.maxx.de/frmain_bikes.htm (road - roadmaxx custom)

Salsa la Cruz - http://www.salsacycles.com/laCruzComp08.html

Holy cow, what a helpful list!! Thanks so much man. I will certainly check all these threads and post another reply. In the meantime, would there be 2-3 choices on that list that you think would be best.

Again, I appreciate your effort in compiling such a list!!

Holy cow, what a helpful list!! Thanks so much man. I will certainly check all these threads and post another reply. In the meantime, would there be 2-3 choices on that list that you think would be best.

Again, I appreciate your effort in compiling such a list!!

no problem - not my list.

It's difficult to say they're all great bikes. I'd only really look at the cyclocross bikes in the list.

What brands, other than cannondale, are available to you?

My lbs carries Trek, Cannondale, Lemond and Specialized.

I should also add that while I am 6'0, I only have about a 30 inch inseam (pant measurement that is). I have read on other forums that the Lemond Tourmalet is a nice build for someone with a shorter inseam and longer torso. I have also heard that the "sport" version of the cannondales also is nice for this build.

Is there a reason that you are emphasizing cyclocross? I intend to use this bike almost only for fitness reasons. I may do the occasional sprint triatholon, but the only guy I will be racing is myself.

The pant leg inseam isn't accurate grab a level or book and put it in between your legs and press it against you pelvis and don't wear shoes and measure to the top of the level or book that'll give you, your true inseam.

My lbs carries Trek, Cannondale, Lemond and Specialized.

I should also add that while I am 6'0, I only have about a 30 inch inseam (pant measurement that is). I have read on other forums that the Lemond Tourmalet is a nice build for someone with a shorter inseam and longer torso. I have also heard that the "sport" version of the cannondales also is nice for this build.

Is there a reason that you are emphasizing cyclocross? I intend to use this bike almost only for fitness reasons. I may do the occasional sprint triatholon, but the only guy I will be racing is myself.

Have a look at the lemond poprad disc, trek portland and cannondale cross xr7. I'm 1.81m (5'11") and ride a 56cm usually. I've no idea what my leg length is other than average/proportional.

Why I ride a CX bike - http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=404620

Cyclocross bikes are great no matter what the brakes (I'd still only use disc brakes...blah, blah...see my "why I will only use disc brakes" list..blah). Fun, versatile, don't mind dirt, gravel and mud and have great handling. They also can handle almost any road duties you care to throw at them with either a change of tyres or wheels from fast training to racing, touring, commuting and beyond.

I don't undersatnd Bitterken's complaint about the handling, all the cross bikes I've owned handle like criterium bikes and not like the typical road racing bikes designed for high mileage, predictable handling and stability in the peloton. Also, a lot of the top end CX bikes are as light if not lighter than similar road bikes especially if they're running a 1*X setup.

It's unfotunate that the old farts in Switzerland...sorry, the UCI I mean, haven't pulled their fingers out and actually made a decision on the legality of disc brakes.

I wouldn't buy a "city" bike or tourer to take over the mostly commuting and training duties because I'd rapidly get annoyed at the crap handling and added extras like racks and mudguards, but that's just me. Many other people have theirs set up completely differently with mudguards for commuting/winter training, stripped down as road bikes and, funnily enough, with no modifications as a CX/fire road/trail bike.

Thanks much for the advise guys. I think I am leaning towards the Sport 5. From what I have read it seems that it is worth $200 for the 105s and a better wheel.

While those are good bikes, I think you'll have a problem with the wheels. It looks like the 6 has a 20 spoke count front wheel and 24 count rear wheel. The 5 has only 16 spoke front and 20 spoke rear. At 260lbs, that's not enough. I bought a new road bike last fall and after one ride on a low spoke count wheel like that it was already slightly out of true. I was 240lbs at the time. I bought 32 spoke count wheels which are heavier but much stronger. No problems after 1,000 miles so far. I know they were Mavic but don't recall the model.

Good luck and just go ride...

+1 on the cannondale synapse. There are alot of nice road bikes with great components. However, when I purchased a road bike (2007 cannondale synapse carbon SL2) my number one priority was fit. Now being a cyldesdale, I'm not the most limber and flexible fellow and I don't like to ride with my bars much lower than my seat. The synapse frame geometry is set for a more upright/relaxed riding position - this is also true of a few other bikes that I looked at... Specialized Roubaix, Felt Z series. So... if you're more comfortable riding in a more upright position for long periods of time vs. trying to get into that "flat back" position, you might want to narrow your choices to frames that will fit you well before you start to worry about components (I've ridden everything from tiagra to dura-ace... the function throughout the range is fine for most types of riding unless you are a racer, but there is difference in weight.)

If you are pretty fit and flexible then you have an expanded range of choices. I love the Scott CR1 but I just wouldn't be able to ride that bike comfortably very long. The Synapse is very comfortable and still considered a "race" bike (It has been ridden by Team Liquigas in the Paris-Roubaix road race.)

I should also add that while I am 6'0, I only have about a 30 inch inseam (pant measurement that is). I have read on other forums that the Lemond Tourmalet is a nice build for someone with a shorter inseam and longer torso. I have also heard that the "sport" version of the cannondales also is nice for this build. I am 6'0, was 275 lbs when I was considering bikes (250 now), and wear pants with a 30 inch length. So in pretty much all respects, I'm a pretty similar in structure to you.

Bike Fit Bike Fit Bike Fit, is all I can say.

My previous bike was a 54cm '02 Trek 7700 hybrid, and definitely too small. When making my recent purchase last november, I too was choosing between Trek and Lemond, though my budget was a bit higher than yours. I opted for the Lemond Versailles ($1600-ish at my LBS) over the trek 2.3 I think it was, due to the sloping geometry. I couldn't safely stand over the 56cm trek, while I could easily stand over the 57cm Lemond. I am really happy I chose the longer bike, it really makes a difference. Of course, what worked for me may not for you, but given you also have short legs and a longer torso like me, it's worth looking into.

I'm 6'1" 300lbs. Short legs, long torso like yourself. Defenitely check out Lemond bikes. They are known for having longer top tubes and shorter standover heights. Just what people like us need. I ride a 55cm Lemond and it fits me better than any other bike I have tested. Check out the Poprad Disc, $1499 at most bike shops. Steel frame and wider tires make for a butter smooth ride. Also has a more upright, relaxed riding position than a pure road bike. Not to mention disc brakes and 105 components. Mine hauls me and 10lbs of stuff 30 miles every day.

posted this in the recommend a bike for a fat guy thread today,

but i am 6'1" 220ish and i just bought a Specialized Allez triple (58) 07 model from treads outfitters in Aurora Colorado and it is great so far. I also have shorter legs and longer torso and the 58 fit me (just barely) but the guys at the shop I bought it from adjusted it perfectly for my body and set it for a "comfort" setup and I will get it changed to the performance setup in a month or two when I get more used to riding a road bike (versus the previous mt. bike).

oh yeah and since it was an 07 model I was out the door with upgraded tires,tubes, shoes, pedals, etc..... for 1200 (my place back in AZ wanted 1200 for the bike itself

JOE

I bought a leftover 2006 Cannondale R 1000. This helped me with an 84 lb weight loss. The current R1000 has cheaper wheels.The only thing I replaced was the saddle with a Terry Fly.

I weigh 200 pounds and believe that road bikes are made for guys that weigh 50 pounds less. My Sora wheel set lost broke three spokes within a month of hard riding. I upgraded to the 105 wheelset prior to my first century and the 105s have been trouble free for 12 months and two subsequent centuries. thumb:

I weigh 200 pounds and believe that road bikes are made for guys that weigh 50 pounds less. My Sora wheel set lost broke three spokes within a month of hard riding. I upgraded to the 105 wheelset prior to my first century and the 105s have been trouble free for 12 months and two subsequent centuries. thumb:

no, road bikes with GOOD COMPONENTS can handle folks past the 300 mark if you maintian them properly. Also, on a wheelset the higher the spoke count the better for the heavier clyde's.