Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Used bike for a 300# 6'3" newbie

First thanks to everyone for a great community and wealth of information. I spent the past several hours reading up the past few weeks of "New bikes for big guys" threads.

The info I think I learned was:
1. Most good bikes are satisfactory for my size.
2. If I want to spend a little extra, upgrade the wheels and tires.
3. Check the local used market for a cheap(er), used bike before investing big in a new one. (Then sell the used bike for nearly what I paid)

I'm having a tough time deciding between a road bike and a mountain bike, so I hope to go the used route, if I can find one. Right now, I expect to ride on local roads (very well paved) 95% of the time, and take it to a mountain maybe three times a year.

The other trouble I'm having is with sizing. With a used bike, there is no bike store associate to help me. Plus there are all kinds of different numbers (i.e. 24" vs. 57cm vs. 16/17/18", 19ers, etc.) Finding it hard to compare apples with apples. Which sort of makes me want to go to a lbs.

Either way, can't wait to get on a bike. Anybody riding in the Fairfield Co. / Westchester Co. area?

cheers,
Albert

It sounds like a road bike might fit your profile the best. No shame in going to the LBS to get some help. That is what you pay extra for. You want to get a road bike that fits well.

Later in the summer you can shop around for a used mountain bike or pick one up from BikesDirect if you feel like riding some singletrack. They are easier to fit and work with.

You could think about a cyclocross bike that would allow you to ride both.

Do a search on sizing, you will find a lot of info out there on it. For me, my mountain bike is an 18 incher, while my road bike is more like 21 inch (54 cm).

+1 since you are talking pavement, might as well get a road bike. FWIW, I have set up my mountain bike (Craigs List find) as a back up road bike, with slicks. Kind of a neat bike, but not as practical as a pure road bike.

I am a big fan of the used market, both Craigs List if you are in a hurry, and the thrift store/garage sale route if you have more time (sometimes a lot more time) to find a bike. So I would probably get the first bike on C/L.

But if you are looking for personalized help, then go to a local shop and build a relationship with them. Recognize they have rent to pay, so expect to pay more for this service.

Here's what I got my stepdad. He's 6'4", 260 lbs, and has a 35" inseam. (Saddle is way low 'cause I rode it home from the shop. :D)

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u94/donnambr/IMG_0920.jpg

I found the Univega Maxima Sport frame on Craigslist. I'm not sure of the year, but it originally had 27" wheels. The guy I bought it from swore it was a 65 cm, but I measure it at 64. It had no wheels, and that was perfectly fine because I was going to have a set built. For the front wheel, I had them use a 105 hub, 36 spokes with a Mavic A119 rim. The shop had a 40 hole used tandem hub, so I had them use that along with a Mavic A719 rim for the rear. I got a pair of Schwalbe Marathons 32 mm wide for the tires. It needed new rear brakes because of the reach, but I left the rest alone. I figure he'll decide for himself how he wants the bike set up. I expect he'll put on a rack and possibly fenders. We'll see if he decides to go upright or not.

BTW, it's a total surprise. He and my mom are coming to Portland on Monday for my brother's wedding. He used to have a road bike but now believes he's "too big" and would break one. Thanks to the Clydes of BF, I knew better. I don't see him "breaking" this one. :D My mom's really excited - we went halves on the wheels.

Hey the A119 are a good wheel, I have a set on my hybrid, just be aware, they are soft and hard to true, I ended taking mine into the LBS to true and they even had a heck of a time getting them done. Good move using the A719 on the back, much better wheel.

Good to know and I'll pass that along. When my stepdad is done riding here, the shop wants me to take the wheels back for their post-build adjustment, so they'll at least be in good shape pre-Detroit area streets.

Keep in mind that 2.54CM = 1"
Depending on how "leggy" you are, you probably want something in the range of 21-23" or 54-60 CM as a rough guide. 2 different 54 CM bikes may feel very different. Road vs MB will be different.
I'd suggest getting a bike that allows you to raise the seat enough to fully extend your legs. You can always get a different stem if the reach is too unsatisfactory.
That's one of the reasons I suggest a used bike for the first one. It's a learning curve to figure out what size fits you best.

All, thanks for the advice. Since asking, I have found out there are apparently several good, somewhat technical trails to do around here, including one only 2 miles from my house. What a surprise.

Even considering, I agree that until I'm back at home in the saddle, a used road bike is probably my smartest first investment.

And so I wanted to ask if anyone would comment on the suitability of either of the following two candidates. The first is a cyclocross bike (thx v1k1ng1001 for the idea), while the latter is a pure road bike, 3 years older but CF frame. Price is roughly equal on these two. Thanks in advance!!

1) Specialized TriCross Sport (61cm Frame)
http://i10.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/f4/6c/d1b0_12.JPG
Frame: Specialized A1 premium aluminum
Fork: Specialized FACT carbon w/aluminum steerer, SpeedZertz inserts
Rims/Wheels: Alex ACE-19
Hubs: Specialized sealed
Spokes: 14-gauge stainless-steel
Tires: Specialized Borough CX, 700 x 32c
Crankset: FSA Vero
Chainwheel: 50/39/30
Front Derailleur: Shimano Sora
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore LX
Rear Cogs: Shimano HG-50, 9-speed: 11-34
Shifters: Shimano Tiagra STI
Handlebars: Specialized Comp, 31.8mm
Tape/Grips: Specialized Body Geometry Bar Phat, cork ribbon
Stem: Specialized Sport
Brake Levers: Shimano Tiagra w/Tektro bar-top
Brakes: Tektro Oryx cantilever
Saddle: Specialized Body Geometry Avatar
Seat Post: Specialized carbon

-- or --

2) Specialized Roubaix Elite (58cm Frame)
http://homepage.mac.com/actionwheels/Sites/iSale/Pictures/1211985948_8.jpg
Frame: Specialized compact design, high modulus advanced carbon composite monocoque frame, advanced composite seat stays with Zertz inserts
Fork: Specialized Full Carbon Zertz, monocoque high modulus advanced composite legs, high modulus carbon threadless steerer
Headset: FSA Sealed Bearing Integrated
Stem: Specialized Comp, 31.8mm bar clamp, 4-position adjustable, 4-bolt, 100 mm
Handlebars: Specialized Zertz Roubaix, racing drop, 31.8mm diameter, 44cm wide, 14 cm drop
Front Brake: Shimano 105
Rear Brake: Shimano 105
Brake Levers: Shimano Ultegra, STI 9Spd
Front Derailleur: Shimano 105, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull, (triple)
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra, long cage (triple)
Shift Levers: Shimano Ultegra, STI, flight deck compatible 9Spd
Cassette: Shimano 105, 9-speed, 12x25t
Chain: Shimano HG 73
Crankset: FSA SLK Carbon Mega EXO Triple, 175mm
Chainrings: CNC machined 7075/T6 chainrings, 52x42x30 (triple)
Rims: Alex ALX-295, 700c, alloy double wall, machined sidewalls
Front Hub: Alex ALX-295, 20 hole, sealed bearing, silver
Rear Hub: Alex ALX-295, 24 hole, sealed bearing freehub, silver
Spokes: Alex bladed stainless steel, alloy nipples
Tires: Bontrager race Lite HardCase
Saddle: Body Geometry Avatar, microfiber, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm wide
Seat Post: Guizzo Carbon 27.2

[ EDIT: I suppose one thing to consider is which parts I would want to replace anyway, i.e. the Roubaix appears to come with only a 20 spoke wheel, and the Tricross appears to come with a 32. I believe I would have to replace the Roubaix wheels, while perhaps the Tricross wheels would support me? Same though with the crankshaft, though I have no idea to compare those. ]

cheers,
Albert.

Either one will be a good bike. I'm a little concerned about the light wheels (low spoke count) on the Roubaix, though. All I can say is get the one you love after a ride.

All I can say is get the one you love after a ride.

OK, now I get it. Most folks buy used locally, so you can test drive, right? That coincides with what I've seen on craigs list (i.e. free test ride). I could not find anything locally, but found these two across the country, and was going to have one of them shipped. But then no test drive. Maybe that's not such a good idea.

I think once you're comfortable on a bike, know your sizing, and can even wrench a tiny bit a cross-country purchase woudln't be a bad thing, but for your first ride try hard to get on the bike before buying. I ride a Specialized bike that should be on paper too big for me but because of my proportions it fits like a glove. I almost went the online route but for my first real fit, after reading here, realized nothing beats riding a bunch and getting the hang of things.