Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Bought a new bike, went on my first ride!

So after deciding on getting the LeMond Etape, I decided instead to go for the Reno. It was only $130 more expensive, it gave me 105 rear derailer instead of Sora and it gave me Sora 9 speed shifters instead of the 8 speed shifters on the Etape. Plus, it is supposed to be a lighter frame and the wheels are better and even have a 5 year warranty. I have to wait until it gets in about Friday, but in the mean time they let me ride the Etape I was thinking about purchasing. It was fun, but after riding for about 20+ mins my low back began to feel a little tight. I got off the bike for a bit and then rode another 15 minutes without any noticeable pain. My average MPH was about 13.5 and peak was 25.3. I had a good speed going one way, then realized I hit a stiff head wind on the way back. It was on a bike trail so I did not have to deal with cars or stop lights. All in all I rode 9 miles very easily. I felt like I could have done 20 besides that little deal with my back. I wonder why that happened...

Congrats, I'm sure you are impatient waiting for your Reno. As for the pain, it may take a while to dial-in the fit. I have not used a professional fitting service but that may help as well.

Enjoy the new bike.

is it possible you are bent over too far? i had that same problem on another bike i tried and eventually went with another bike. congrats on the new bike.

My L4-L5 disc did that when I first started riding. It went away after I lost 20 lbs of stomach.

I was professionally fit and we put on an adjustable stem. Also losing 20lbs and getting used to riding will probably be a tremendous help. I rode to school today nearly 7 miles at the same pace and I did not notice any tightness...

I rode a Cannondale for a few years so when I picked up my Lemond, it was a big change with the geometry. It tooka while to ge used to it. But I felt a big change in the glutes. Like the muscles were targeted ina different angle. Got used to it's no problem now. Fells great!

What I did when I bought my bike was have them leave the fork tube as long as possible. Usually the shopw ill cut the tube to lower the stem for theracer types. I had them leave mine uncut. If you ordered the bike, you still have time to have them leave it uncut. I have plenty of spacers on mine for a higher handlebar position.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/Lemond-1.jpg

The wheels have a 5 year warranty? Yes but you will have so many problems with them, yo'll end up buying a new rear wheel. The low spoke count Bontragers just don't work for big guys.



I had the Tourmalet, a step up from your bike but same frame material. The wheels only lasted 10 months which was 5,000 miles that year. I knew they wouldn't last at my weight of 230. You posted you are much heavier than I. Start saving for a Deep V for your rear wheel.

Plus when you take the bike back for the free tuneup, have then RETENSION the rear spokes. Don't let them get away with just a re-true job. It needs tension or you will have BIG problems very soon! My rear wheel went out on the parkinglot test ride. I asked them to retension but hey said come back in 300 miles. I considered them clowns then did it myself. Plus I already had a rear wheel built for it. A Deep V. I have 14,000 miles on it with no problems....after I rentensioned it after 200 miles.:D

Start looking now for a sale on a hub and a Deep V online. Buy them ahead of time when you have a few extra bucks. Then when you need the build, it should only cost about $60.

We will see about the wheels lastings since I am so big. If it becomes a problem I will just upgrade like you said. Still IMO I think just getting the upgraded components were the real steal. They said with the way the shifters were on the Etape, I would be so limited to upgrading that I would have to do everything all at once and that would cost roughly $750 for a full component change all the way down to the chane. This way I get upgraded components for only $130 more and still have room if I want to upgrade it more piece by piece.

Still IMO I think just getting the upgraded components were the real steal. They said with the way the shifters were on the Etape, I would be so limited to upgrading that I would have to do everything all at once and that would cost roughly $750 for a full component change all the way down to the chane. This way I get upgraded components for only $130 more and still have room if I want to upgrade it more piece by piece.


Yup, the components are better but 9 speed is losing ground with all the 10 speed stuff out. That's why I say if you see a 9 speed hub, buy it. If you see a inexpensive V, buy it! Cause later it will run you $300 for a new rear wheel.

I've found Deep V's on sale for as low as $25 on a claerance table. I bought one, now wish I had bough 5 or 6!:D

A good chiro advises you to use proper lifting technique before you hurt your back, not after!:D

Yup, the components are better but 9 speed is losing ground with all the 10 speed stuff out. That's why I say if you see a 9 speed hub, buy it. If you see a inexpensive V, buy it! Cause later it will run you $300 for a new rear wheel.

I've found Deep V's on sale for as low as $25 on a claerance table. I bought one, now wish I had bough 5 or 6!:D

A good chiro advises you to use proper lifting technique before you hurt your back, not after!:D

True, very true...