When will I be ready for a road bike?

[PAJ3Cub]

Hello everyone,

Two years ago I tipped the scales at 327 lbs and I'm 6' tall. Not being much for dieting I decided to get a bit more active and cycling seemed to be an interesting activity. I visited my local bike shop and was fitted to a Giant Sedona DX 21". I mainly ride trails at local parks but I would like to move to a road bike. Today, I weigh 275 lbs and I will be dropping more a bit faster now as I've joined Weight Watchers and have changed my eating habits.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a road bike for a larger cyclist? Or, should I wait until I drop more weight?

I'm planing on discussing this with my local bike shop but just haven't had time to stop in.

Best,
Brian

[Mr. Beanz]

I had a friend that weighed 276 and rode a Cannondale with no problems at all. He also had a Canni hybrid and a GT titanium. Had no problems at all and kicked major butt. He was only about 5'8 so not a tall heavy. He was solid and like I said, kicked major butt!

[JohnnyC]

Hello Brian - after I dropped 50lbs I treated myself to a road bike - just 2 weeks ago. I now weigh 250lbs, so not much more than yourself.

If you want a road bike, then go and get one. The main limiting factor will be the wheels. I would get something with at least 32 spokes, preferably 36 spokes on the rear.

Some good rims are Velocity Deep V's - Mavic Open Pros and Mavix cxp 33's.

Obviously the choice of frame will be determined by your finances. Think about if you need mudguarrds or racks - and let that help your choice. Good luck!

[Richard_Rides]

When will you be ready for a road bike? When you can ride in the drops without your knees flogging your beer gut on every upstroke. Not a very pretty answer, but the truth nonetheless...

[racethenation]

I started off in January at 329 on a mountain bike. I got my first road bike this week. It is a Schwinn Fastback Race with 28 spoke front and 32 spoke rear. My first ride on it was at 281 pounds. I know that I am pushing the wheels a bit, but so far so good. I have put 34 miles on it so far this week. There is some truth to the gut getting in the way when in the drops, but that will only continue to get better.

[Mr. Beanz]

When will you be ready for a road bike? When you can ride in the drops without your knees flogging your beer gut on every upstroke. Not a very pretty answer, but the truth nonetheless...

Yeah but if you get a bike like a Lemond or a Pilot with a tall headtube, that puts you in a slightly more upright position. This eases the blow to the belly. Believe me, I know. Been riding roadies for 12 years, no beer but I loves my tortillas!:roflmao2:

[Mr. Beanz]

BTW PAJ, you can have them leave the forktube uncut when you shop for a roadie. This will leave some heigth at the stem area so you don't have to bend over quite as far. Did it with my Lemond and the sucker is comfy!:D

If you tell the shop person and they say they can't, find another shop! That means they want to sell what's on the floor and not what's right for you!;)

[ScotteeD]

Your ready. Just test ride several bikes from different manufacturers and then make your decision on what felt good and was fun to ride.:thumb:

[jakereed]

BTW PAJ, you can have them leave the forktube uncut when you shop for a roadie. This will leave some heigth at the stem area so you don't have to bend over quite as far. Did it with my Lemond and the sucker is comfy!:D

If you tell the shop person and they say they can't, find another shop! That means they want to sell what's on the floor and not what's right for you!;)

I'll have to remember this for the future. Good info.

[Bone Head]

Welcome Brian,

I'm a newbie and have been riding my '06 Giant OCR Limited a bit over a year with no problems.
http://archive.giant-bicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.006.asp?year=2006&model=11445
I'm 5'10" & 240 and have not had any problems with the frame or wheels. Beefier (higher spoke count) wheels are generally recommended for a clydesdale. I semi-retired a GT Outpost MTB for the roadbike. Just about any road bike would be fine (except perhaps, the exotic.)

I'm making an assumption here, and guessing you fly a yellow Piper Cub. When you climb into the cockpit, does your heart beat just a bit faster and a smile creep on your face?? Just like the J3, get the bike that seduces you...... If you love it, you'll (fly) ride it -- Just like the J3. (I heard that somewhere on this forum ((I think it was Tom) - and it's true.) I have a blast riding my OCR alone, with groups/clubs & on charity rides.

Also, make sure you get a proper fitting. You don't want an expensive garage decoration that will endup on craigslist or ebay.

Good Luck!! Ride Fast, Ride Safe & Have Fun!!!

BTW, Years ago I flew a PA28 140

[wrk101]

You are ready, just test a few of them out and pick the one that fits the best..

[PAJ3Cub]

Welcome Brian,

I'm a newbie and have been riding my '06 Giant OCR Limited a bit over a year with no problems.
http://archive.giant-bicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.006.asp?year=2006&model=11445
I'm 5'10" & 240 and have not had any problems with the frame or wheels. Beefier (higher spoke count) wheels are generally recommended for a clydesdale. I semi-retired a GT Outpost MTB for the roadbike. Just about any road bike would be fine (except perhaps, the exotic.)

I'm making an assumption here, and guessing you fly a yellow Piper Cub. When you climb into the cockpit, does your heart beat just a bit faster and a smile creep on your face?? Just like the J3, get the bike that seduces you...... If you love it, you'll (fly) ride it -- Just like the J3. (I heard that somewhere on this forum ((I think it was Tom) - and it's true.) I have a blast riding my OCR alone, with groups/clubs & on charity rides.

Also, make sure you get a proper fitting. You don't want an expensive garage decoration that will endup on craigslist or ebay.

Good Luck!! Ride Fast, Ride Safe & Have Fun!!!

BTW, Years ago I flew a PA28 140

Thanks for the info Bone Head. I was just looking at the Giant OCR's on my LBS's website.

Yes, you are correct with your assumptions regarding the Yellow J3. However, I haven't flown since 1983 when I was 19 years old. I gave it up to get a bit more serious about my life. You know, family stuff. However, I am interested in getting my certification back once I get to my goal weight. At that point I'm hoping to buy a J3 or a Cessna 140. At this point I don't think I could fit in a J3 at this time.:( ;)

Thanks again for the info.

Best,
Brian

[Richard_Rides]

BTW, Years ago I flew a PA28 140

I currently fly a PA28-161 We got a bunch of Piper Drivers here! :beer:

[ModelT]

Check the manual of your prospective road bike, but most road bikes are rated for 275 pounds...

(After you find the right saddle) :)

[v1k1ng1001]

What's your budget?

[richking1953]

In addition to the uncut head tube tip (very good, I'd never heard of that), some bikes have adjustable stems. So you can start out with the bars more upright then lower them later. It's not just a matter of the legs slapping the belly, it also just takes some getting used to before you go to a lower position.
I recently passed a milestone- I can ride in my clip-on aerobars without the belly slap. After losing a few more pounds I'll hopefully be able to do that with the stem lowered.

[atomship47]

When will I be ready for a road bike?

yesterday!





yes. get a higher spoke count wheelset. (although...at 230, i'm riding a 105 wheelset with 20 front and 24 rear without any issues).

also, and i don't know if this has to do with being a clyde or not.....but aluminum frame bikes (without suspension) just kill me. i can't ride them for very long without experiencing all kinds of discomfort. i have a full cf roadie and a steel roadie/touring/cx bike that i built up myself. MUCH more comfy than aluminum.

[PAJ3Cub]

What's your budget?

I don't really have a budget, however, the bike has to ride smooth and I don't want to compromise on the hardware.

I've just returned from my LBS and I looked at the Giant OCR, however, they only had an OCR 1 in stock. I'd probably go with the OCR 3. I also looked at a couple of Cannondales including the CAAD9-5 and Six13-5. I didn't test ride anything as I'm currently dressed for work. I just wanted to size up some models and then do the research before spending time test riding.

Best,
Brian

[Tom Stormcrowe]

That's because of the inherent stiffness of the Aluminium. It transmits a lot of road buzz.When will I be ready for a road bike?

yesterday!





yes. get a higher spoke count wheelset. (although...at 230, i'm riding a 105 wheelset with 20 front and 24 rear without any issues).

also, and i don't know if this has to do with being a clyde or not.....but aluminum frame bikes (without suspension) just kill me. i can't ride them for very long without experiencing all kinds of discomfort. i have a full cf roadie and a steel roadie/touring/cx bike that i built up myself. MUCH more comfy than aluminum.

[Nightcap]

Dude, I was 270 when I decided to buy a carbon-fiber Specialized Roubaix. The only gotcha you might run into is the wheels, but if I had it to do over, I would have kept the factory wheels. Thanks to cycling and Weight Watchers, I'm no longer a Clyde.

Let me echo everyone else here in saying, "Go for it!"

[PAJ3Cub]

Thanks to cycling and Weight Watchers, I'm no longer a Clyde.

Let me echo everyone else here in saying, "Go for it!"

Thanks for the info. And, I agree about WW. I dropped 50 lbs just by cycling, but, I would have lost a lot more if I changed my eating habits. With WW alone I'm dropping 2 - 3 lbs a week....and I'm eating more than ever before! I'm just eating the right foods.

Best,
Brian

[atomship47]

That's because of the inherent stiffness of the Aluminium. It transmits a lot of road buzz.

i recognize the different performance(s) in aluminum and other materials (which is why i have a cf and a steel bike). i just haven't determined if my sensitivity to aluminum is directly due to my weight or other issues (cts, circulation, etc.)

[Bone Head]

Most Importantly, Congrats on your progress!! Keep up the good work.

When will I be ready for a road bike?

yesterday!

yes. get a higher spoke count wheelset. (although...at 230, i'm riding a 105 wheelset with 20 front and 24 rear without any issues).




+1 Yesterday.

I'm 240# and also ride the factory 20 front and 24 rear (Xero XSR-3). No issues to date. As a preventative measure, I had the wheels trued and spokes retensioned just this week after 1500-1600 miles. 1st time they have been touched since being built. They were not far out of true but needed retensioning. Never would have thought of retensioning if it wasn't for some of Tom Stomcrowe's posts -- thanks Tom!

I also ride a Carbon Frame, Ultegra group & love it.:love: It's more bike than I deserve. If you are looking for a plush ride, there are various brands with carbon stays and fork. This should give a better ride than all aluminum and help keep things a bit more budget friendly.
A quick coment on budget: One possibilitie is get a leftover '07. Most LBS will make a deal on the previous year models. I got my '06 in May '07 for just over 50% of MSRP.

[PAJ3Cub]

Hello everyone. Just to let you know what I decided on for my first road bike. After looking at several road bikes I decided on the bike that I was most comfortable on. It wasn't the most expensive bike I looked at. As a matter of fact it was almost 50% less cost than the most expensive bike on my list.

I purchased the Giant OCR 3. I wanted to look at the OCR 1 but the LBS' didn't have any in stock and said that I would probably have to wait for the 2009 models. My LBS had an OCR 3 in stock and it rides extremely nice. After reading the reviews I decided to purchase.

http://www.delcorc.org/images/bikes/ocr3.jpg

The seat on the OCR 3 isn't the most comfortable seat of the bikes I've tested. I will be replacing the saddle and the pedals. Other than that I plan on putting a lot of miles on this bike.

I purchased it yesterday and put 2.8 miles (probably the same amount of the test rides) on it before it started to rain. Today I rode for 10 miles and the bike handled nicely. What a difference over my Giant Sedona DX comfort bike! Of course, the Sedona will still be my trusty bike for the trails!

Best,
Brian

[AndrewCO]

Congrats Brian! Nice looking bike!

[DnvrFox]

You will have loads of fun. Great you made the purchase.

[jaxgtr]

I am 300 and ride a Cannondale CAAD9. Great bike and very stiff. I replaced the stock wheels with Velocity Deeps V's.

[freeagent1970]

Love the new purchase..im 330 ish and i want a road bike as well..i think ill still wait until i drop out of the 3s. The Jamis i looked at looks like a sweet deal with the parts it comes with and i like the looks of the giant..ill worry about that when the weight goes down...enjoy that nice rig!

[PAJ3Cub]

I am 300 and ride a Cannondale CAAD9.

The Cannondale CAAD9 was one of the bikes I looked at, but, I couldn't get a good fit....well, not as comfortable as the fit I got with the OCR 3. My decision basically came down to comfort. However, the saddle on the CAAD9 was more comfortable for me. Also, I had a shifting issue with the CAAD9, however, I'm sure that it was just something with the way the bike was set up and it probably could have been resolved if I discussed it with the LBS.

Love the new purchase..im 330 ish and i want a road bike as well..i think ill still wait until i drop out of the 3s.

I started to ride my Sedona at 327 lbs and (as discussed earlier in this thread) at 275 I wasn't sure if I was ready for a road bike. However, once I started to test ride road bikes I realized that I was more than ready. It just felt right.

Best,
Brian

[Brando_T.]

haha, belly slap. that should be added to a clyde glossary