Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - I'm back babyyyyyyyyyyyy....LOL

So I've been leading a sedentary lifestyle for the past decade and at age 30 I've decided that 2008 will be the year I regain my health. In Highschool/College I was 6'6" 210 lbs and somehow managed to MORE THAN DOUBLE my weight over the last decade (pretty impressive huh?!) :rolleyes: Anyway, I've already lost 125 lbs since Jan. 7, 2008 with a little help from gastric bypass surgery and I've got about another 75 lbs to go to hit my goal weight. I finally got the clearance from my doctor to begin exercising a couple weeks ago (had to wait so long because of complications from surgery -- almost died.) and I've been hitting the gym 3 times a week and going for a 1-2 mi walk each night. But those walks can get a little boring so I decided to pick up a bike and start riding again because I used to enjoy it so much in my younger years.....

So after talking with the guys at a local bike shop and test riding a few bikes I actually settled on a really nice comfort bike. I went for a nice long ride today and actually went down the trails at the end of my street and it handled the offroad terrain rather nicely, though it will see the street 95% of the time. It seriously feels like you're riding a sofa between the upright position, adjustable front suspension and suspension seat.

MFR description:

The Raleigh Venture 4.0 combines the fun of your favorite bike when you were a kid with the comfort and efficiency of gears and an upright position. The super soft Avenir saddle, comfort grips, and Shimano Acera drivetrain will keep you pedaling with ease for hours.

Size: XL 22" frame
Frame
Atomic 13 Aluminum, Comfort Geometry w/Internal Cable Guides
Fork
SR NEX 4100 63mm Travel w/Preload Adjust
Cranks
Shimano TX71 28/38/48t
Bottom Bracket
Sealed Cartridge
F. Derailleur
Shimano C50
R. Derailleur
Shimano Acera
Shifter
Shimano EF-50, EZ Fire 8spd
Brake Levers
Shimano EF-50 levers
Brakes
Tektro V-brakes
Gear
SRAM PG830 8spd (11-32t)
Rims
Weinmann XTB-26 Double Wall
Tires
Kenda K841A w/Kshield 26x1.95
Pedals
Avenir Comfort Platform
Handlebar
Comfort Riser
Stem
Alloy adjustable
Seatpost
Alloy Micro Adjust Bootless Suspension 27.2x300mm
Seat
Avenir Deluxe Comfort
Headset
Threaded 1-1/8
Color:
Silver Fade
Chain
KMC HG40
Hubset
(F) Joytech Alloy QR 36h (R) Shimano RM30 36h Cassette
Spokes
14g Stainless Steel
Grips
Avenir Comfort
Extras
Rack and Fender mounts, Water Bottle mounts, Cateye Reflector Set, Clear Coat, Owners Manual

Price $399.00

So what do you guys think?? Good Choice??

Thanks in advance for your input!!

-Adam

...Anyway, I've already lost 125 lbs since Jan. 7, 2008 with a little help from gastric bypass surgery and I've got about another 75 lbs to go to hit my goal weight. I finally got the clearance from my doctor to begin exercising a couple weeks ago (had to wait so long because of complications from surgery -- almost died.) and I've been hitting the gym 3 times a week and going for a 1-2 mi walk each night. But those walks can get a little boring so I decided to pick up a bike and start riding again because I used to enjoy it so much in my younger years...
...-Adam

Welcome back, congratulations on the weight loss, enjoy your new bike (yes, it beats the heck out of walking) and good luck.

So I've been leading a sedentary lifestyle for the past decade and at age 30 I've decided that 2008 will be the year I regain my health. In Highschool/College I was 6'6" 210 lbs and somehow managed to MORE THAN DOUBLE my weight over the last decade (pretty impressive huh?!) :rolleyes: Anyway, I've already lost 125 lbs since Jan. 7, 2008 with a little help from gastric bypass surgery and I've got about another 75 lbs to go to hit my goal weight. I finally got the clearance from my doctor to begin exercising a couple weeks ago (had to wait so long because of complications from surgery -- almost died.) and I've been hitting the gym 3 times a week and going for a 1-2 mi walk each night. But those walks can get a little boring so I decided to pick up a bike and start riding again because I used to enjoy it so much in my younger years.....

So after talking with the guys at a local bike shop and test riding a few bikes I actually settled on a really nice comfort bike. I went for a nice long ride today and actually went down the trails at the end of my street and it handled the offroad terrain rather nicely, though it will see the street 95% of the time. It seriously feels like you're riding a sofa between the upright position, adjustable front suspension and suspension seat.


Thanks in advance for your input!!

-Adam

Not bad, not bad, first thing to get rid of is the suspension seat post, they are designed for under 150lb guys, not over 250lb guys, even when they do work, the suspension works against pedaling effort (as you push down on the pedal, the suspension moves to partly compensate). As your distance increases, the cushy saddle goes from being your best friend to your worst enemy, typically they start being a pain around 30-40 mile rides, (your sit bones, sink into the soft saddle, and that puts weight on the soft tissues between, there are blood vessels and nerves running through there, and they get squished, and that can be very painful, when the parts they are attached to go numb). A hard saddle that puts the weight on the sit bones, actually is more comfortable, long term.

I noticed the RD is an Acera, keep an eye on this part, the Acera RD is CRAP, and I have personal experience with one way they fail (http://clickandspin.blogspot.com/2006_07_01_archive.html) Didn't cause any accident, but was still annoying, now mine is from a couple of years ago, and they may be designed different now, but still, it's a part to keep an eye on.

Hello and welcome to the forums!

Nice bike you got there, be sure to ride it often and share your adventures with us. As Wogster pointed out, ditch the suspension seat post. The Acera rear deraillure will require attention but with proper maintenance and good shifting technique it should last quite some time. My Altus RD (a rung below Acera) made it over 1000 miles without a single adjustment needed. I don't know if its the rule or the exception in my case but I assure you lower end components are not all doom and gloom.

Ride on!

-- almost died.

Well, that would have sucked. Glad you didn't!

Welcome to the club.http://img125.echo.cx/img125/8038/01welcome7jb.gif

The bike looks comfy enough. Enjoy it! I suspect once you begin logging some longer rides you'll feel where you need to make some changes.

Welcome:) The bikes looks very comfy indeed. I wouldn't worry about changing anything at the moment, just get out there and enjoy. After riding it for a couple of weeks you'll know yourself if theres' anything to change but like you said if it feels good then leave it.

So I've been leading a sedentary lifestyle for the past decade and at age 30 I've decided that 2008 will be the year I regain my health. In Highschool/College I was 6'6" 210 lbs and somehow managed to MORE THAN DOUBLE my weight over the last decade (pretty impressive huh?!) :rolleyes: Anyway, I've already lost 125 lbs since Jan. 7, 2008 with a little help from gastric bypass surgery and I've got about another 75 lbs to go to hit my goal weight. I finally got the clearance from my doctor to begin exercising a couple weeks ago (had to wait so long because of complications from surgery -- almost died.) and I've been hitting the gym 3 times a week and going for a 1-2 mi walk each night. But those walks can get a little boring so I decided to pick up a bike and start riding again because I used to enjoy it so much in my younger years.....

So after talking with the guys at a local bike shop and test riding a few bikes I actually settled on a really nice comfort bike. I went for a nice long ride today and actually went down the trails at the end of my street and it handled the offroad terrain rather nicely, though it will see the street 95% of the time. It seriously feels like you're riding a sofa between the upright position, adjustable front suspension and suspension seat.

MFR description:

The Raleigh Venture 4.0 combines the fun of your favorite bike when you were a kid with the comfort and efficiency of gears and an upright position. The super soft Avenir saddle, comfort grips, and Shimano Acera drivetrain will keep you pedaling with ease for hours.

Size: XL 22" frame
Frame
Atomic 13 Aluminum, Comfort Geometry w/Internal Cable Guides
Fork
SR NEX 4100 63mm Travel w/Preload Adjust
Cranks
Shimano TX71 28/38/48t
Bottom Bracket
Sealed Cartridge
F. Derailleur
Shimano C50
R. Derailleur
Shimano Acera
Shifter
Shimano EF-50, EZ Fire 8spd
Brake Levers
Shimano EF-50 levers
Brakes
Tektro V-brakes
Gear
SRAM PG830 8spd (11-32t)
Rims
Weinmann XTB-26 Double Wall
Tires
Kenda K841A w/Kshield 26x1.95
Pedals
Avenir Comfort Platform
Handlebar
Comfort Riser
Stem
Alloy adjustable
Seatpost
Alloy Micro Adjust Bootless Suspension 27.2x300mm
Seat
Avenir Deluxe Comfort
Headset
Threaded 1-1/8
Color:
Silver Fade
Chain
KMC HG40
Hubset
(F) Joytech Alloy QR 36h (R) Shimano RM30 36h Cassette
Spokes
14g Stainless Steel
Grips
Avenir Comfort
Extras
Rack and Fender mounts, Water Bottle mounts, Cateye Reflector Set, Clear Coat, Owners Manual

Price $399.00

So what do you guys think?? Good Choice??

Thanks in advance for your input!!

-Adam

Welcome, Adam.

As you begin to ride more often, you may discover the suspension seatpost is more trouble than it's worth. The constant movement under your backside cuts into your pedal stroke. it should be relatively easy to replace it with a straight seatpost.

Enjoy the riding. You will change things on the bike as you ride more and more. Your body will also change the more you ride.
Its fun. Smile when you ride.

Enjoy the riding. You will change things on the bike as you ride more and more. Your body will also change the more you ride.
Its fun. Smile when you ride.

Yes, smile as you ride, especially as you pass gasoline stations and see the prices:eek:. Saw three stations on the way home from work with $1.152/L posted (that's $4.43/US Gallon, it's a blistering $5.24 for a real gallon), makes me kinda glad I don't drive a car:D.

maybe down the line, but right now it's very bed-sore friendly, so I'm keeping it. ;-)

As your Hind end geometry changes, you will end up changing it, very likely. (The saddle). Until then, though, just enjoy it ;)