Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Need advice on a trek touring/road bike for a big guy

As I mentioned in another thread, I currently weigh in at 225 lbs, but I have been steadily losing. All of the local bike shops carry trek bikes (they kinda have the local market cornered) and I've been eyeing up the trek 520 touring bikes. However, i've seen some concerns on the forums about the bike not having the best ratios stock, needing new wheels if you're a bigger guy, and some other things.

I've heard the surly LHT is better if you're a bigger guy and its a bit better stock component-wise and more competitively priced, but I don't know where to get one in my area.

This will be my first road bike, and I'd like something that I know I can keep for years. Thats one thing I love about my trek MTB - the thing is a tank. Will the 520 work for me? Or should I try to hunt down a surly LHT? Or are the better intro touring/road bikes for me to try to hunt down?

If anyone is in the Allentown/Bethlehem PA area, thats where I'm located if you can reccomend shops to check out besides BikeLine.

The big pro for bikeline though is that they offer financing - with student loans theres no way I can afford to save up and pay for a bike on any reasonable timeframe.

Depends on your budget. You could also look at Thorn. It's an English bike, I think Harris Cyclery is a dealer (Sheldon's old stomping grounds!). Trek 520 is an excellent touring bike, though, as is the LHT.

You might want to look at the 1 series. The aluminum frame will hold up fine. I have a 2000 Trek 1000 with the Alpha Aluminum frame and have had 0 problems with it. I also hear good things about the Pilot.

The 520 is a great ride, and at your weight, should be just fine. It's very comfortable, and owners that have them (like the LHT) generally keep them forever and put tons of miles on 'em. I liked the way they ride, I just didn't like the price when compared to the LHT, and the components of the LHT suited my needs better. Had the price been closer, the decision would have been tougher for me.

Ride a 520, then ride some of the 1 series. Pick the one you never want to stop riding, and go for it.

Hey Wiggles, there are a few Surly dealers within 20 miles of allentown in Easton, Hellertown, Nazareth which don't seem to be too far from you.

Genesis Bicycle
126 Bushkill Street
Easton, PA 18042
http://genesisbicycles.com

SAUCON VALLEY BIKES
648 Main Street
HELLERTOWN, PA 18055
(610)838-1500
sales@rhythmcycles.com

CURT'S CYCLERY
182 BATH PIKE
NAZARETH, PA 18064
(610)759-5134
www.curtscyclery.com

Hope this helps provide a solid other option to the Treks...

I myself just tested a LHT last weekend, and ordered an live green one in 60 cm... should be here this weekend!

SURLY ROCKS!

Steve

As I mentioned in another thread, I currently weigh in at 225 lbs, but I have been steadily losing. All of the local bike shops carry trek bikes (they kinda have the local market cornered) and I've been eyeing up the trek 520 touring bikes. However, i've seen some concerns on the forums about the bike not having the best ratios stock, needing new wheels if you're a bigger guy, and some other things.

I've heard the surly LHT is better if you're a bigger guy and its a bit better stock component-wise and more competitively priced, but I don't know where to get one in my area.

This will be my first road bike, and I'd like something that I know I can keep for years. Thats one thing I love about my trek MTB - the thing is a tank. Will the 520 work for me? Or should I try to hunt down a surly LHT? Or are the better intro touring/road bikes for me to try to hunt down?

If anyone is in the Allentown/Bethlehem PA area, thats where I'm located if you can reccomend shops to check out besides BikeLine.

The big pro for bikeline though is that they offer financing - with student loans theres no way I can afford to save up and pay for a bike on any reasonable timeframe.

There is a huge difference between 225lb riders and 275lb riders, at 225 there really isn't that much to worry about with any touring bike. It's not uncommon for a 175lb rider on a touring bike to add 50lbs of gear, so a touring bike should be able to handle the load. The only thing that can be a concern is wheels, you need to make sure that the dealer properly tensions the wheels. Some will automatically, some will on request, some will for an extra fee, some will tell you they did (even though they didn't) and some will tell you not to worry about it.

@ 225 you can ride any bike. we have a few clydes on C frames now.

If you can wait, the Novara Randonee is a good choice too. I say wait in that REI has a 20% off coupon for all members once a year in the spring, at that point, the Randonee is a really good deal. Of course, used is even better, I got my wife a Randonee off Craigs List for $200 and just picked up an older 520 for $180 on C/L.

At 225 no problem. I'm the same size, and I just picked up a Trek 2.3. If your budget allows you may want to take a look at the Trek Pilots. There geometry is puts you in a riding position about half way between a touring bike and a racing bike. I probably would have gone with one of them but the shop didn't have one in my size. The larger 2.3 they had just fit a bit better.

If it means anything, I'm a 340lbs guy riding a Fuji Newest 3.0. So far no issues...

As I mentioned in another thread, I currently weigh in at 225 lbs, but I have been steadily losing. All of the local bike shops carry trek bikes (they kinda have the local market cornered) and I've been eyeing up the trek 520 touring bikes. However, i've seen some concerns on the forums about the bike not having the best ratios stock, needing new wheels if you're a bigger guy, and some other things.

I've heard the surly LHT is better if you're a bigger guy and its a bit better stock component-wise and more competitively priced, but I don't know where to get one in my area.

This will be my first road bike, and I'd like something that I know I can keep for years. Thats one thing I love about my trek MTB - the thing is a tank. Will the 520 work for me? Or should I try to hunt down a surly LHT? Or are the better intro touring/road bikes for me to try to hunt down?

If anyone is in the Allentown/Bethlehem PA area, thats where I'm located if you can reccomend shops to check out besides BikeLine.

The big pro for bikeline though is that they offer financing - with student loans theres no way I can afford to save up and pay for a bike on any reasonable timeframe.

Trek is offering a financing program, not Bikeline. Any Trek dealer should be able to help you. I recommend Bikesport in Trappe, both a Surley and Trek dealer. Tell Ginny that Neil B. sent you.

That said, Surley and Trek touring bikes are probably going to be a special order item wherever you go.

Thanks so much guys! Genesis bikes is right across the river from where I work so I may check them out during my lunch break. I pass them every day home from work when I cross the Delaware. I'm also gonna head out to Bikesport and see what they have. From there I'll figure out which direction I want to go. If I like the trek more, i'll go the financing route. If I like the surly more, I'll have to wait til my christmas bonus :(

Oh well, I will have a new bike soon!

Thanks so much guys! Genesis bikes is right across the river from where I work so I may check them out during my lunch break. I pass them every day home from work when I cross the Delaware. I'm also gonna head out to Bikesport and see what they have. From there I'll figure out which direction I want to go. If I like the trek more, i'll go the financing route. If I like the surly more, I'll have to wait til my christmas bonus :(

Oh well, I will have a new bike soon!

The Trek financing program is for their dealers and applies to all products the dealer sells. I think you should be able to get the Surley if that's what you want. Surley is distributed, if I recall correctly, by Quality Bicycle Products, and should be available from any shop that deals with QBP.