Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - New Clyde needs recommendations

Hi!

My name is Anton and I've gotten the itch to go bicycling. The #1 goal, which I guess is everyone's goal, is to get in shape and drop some lbs. Since I'm such a monster of a guy I was always under the impression that I had to get a MTB because road bikes would collapse under us big folks. While researching I stumbled onto this forum and have now discovered that it seams yes, big guys can ride road bikes!

I had posted over at mtbr that I was looking at building a single speed Karate Monkey. The KM is a cool looking bike but I think I would go way over budget building a ground up. It was also recommended to me to try a Kona Hoss. So one thing lead to another and I discovered this fine site and I find road biking to be much more appealing. My riding plans see me more on bike paths, streets and the occasional dirt road. I gotta tell ya that the idea of me on a road bike is incredible but only because of my initial impressions as stated above.

So I am now looking for a road bike. A couple that have grabbed my attention are the Surly LHT and the Surly Cross Check. Both are within budget and I may even be able to do a couple minor upgrades if needed (such as a seat and maybe handle bars if necessary). My questions are: are they able to withstand a clyde like myself and are there any other bikes worth looking at? My vital statistics are: 6'7", 350lbs with a 38" inseam. Is a road bike really doable for me or is it a fantasy and I should be looking more at MTB's? When I was younger I always had problems with bent peddles and even the multi gearing was a nightmare as it seemed the shifters and such were always disintegrating.

I apologize for the rambling and thank you guys in advance for offering any advice/suggestions etc.

welcome to the site. I'm sure you will find useful information here. I don't feel knowledgable enough to recommend a certain bike, but from my observations around here is you can ride your road bike if you desire. I think there is a something like what you ride under the clyde folder. Scroll through there and you will find all types of bikes. I think one important element is to get good wheels, don't try get a light set.

good luck.

here's the link to the clyde's rides http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=255193&page=8

Hi!

My name is Anton and I've gotten the itch to go bicycling. The #1 goal, which I guess is everyone's goal, is to get in shape and drop some lbs. Since I'm such a monster of a guy I was always under the impression that I had to get a MTB because road bikes would collapse under us big folks. While researching I stumbled onto this forum and have now discovered that it seams yes, big guys can ride road bikes!

I had posted over at mtbr that I was looking at building a single speed Karate Monkey. The KM is a cool looking bike but I think I would go way over budget building a ground up. It was also recommended to me to try a Kona Hoss. So one thing lead to another and I discovered this fine site and I find road biking to be much more appealing. My riding plans see me more on bike paths, streets and the occasional dirt road. I gotta tell ya that the idea of me on a road bike is incredible but only because of my initial impressions as stated above.

So I am now looking for a road bike. A couple that have grabbed my attention are the Surly LHT and the Surly Cross Check. Both are within budget and I may even be able to do a couple minor upgrades if needed (such as a seat and maybe handle bars if necessary). My questions are: are they able to withstand a clyde like myself and are there any other bikes worth looking at? My vital statistics are: 6'7", 350lbs with a 38" inseam. Is a road bike really doable for me or is it a fantasy and I should be looking more at MTB's? When I was younger I always had problems with bent peddles and even the multi gearing was a nightmare as it seemed the shifters and such were always disintegrating.

I apologize for the rambling and thank you guys in advance for offering any advice/suggestions etc.

If you want to ride on the road, get a road bike, they are designed for it, the problem is going to be the wheels, you want properly built wheels. The key with wheels is it's really a balancing act, you want enough spokes that the required spoke tension is low enough that the rim and hub can handle that tension. As rider weight goes up, and spoke count go down, tension needed is increased. The wheel builder needs to know that they are building a wheel for a 350lb rider, and work with that. You may find that a touring oriented bike, like the LHT, will handle the load, and stresses the best.

There are certainly road/touring frames that can hold your weight - I think your main concern will be your height. With that sort of inseam, you unfortunately may need to go custom to get a frame that fits. This would be true for either a mountain bike or a road bike. Get thee to a bike shop for a measurment.

I think you might want to stay in multi gear land for awhile, too. MTB frames are definitely tanks-and you can get a set of good wheels on there and some non-mountain tires and be good to go without worrying so much about where you ride. I love the look of Roadies, but if I got the itch to go off road as I get more adventurous that would probably be a no-no. LHT's wll handle you weight. Im acquainted with someone that has one and he's a big guy (6 ft+) and loves it. He's also coming of a Specialized MTB prior to that and a Trek of some kind too, so if pops in here he'll have pretty good info based on different experiences.

You can't go wrong with either of the Surly's as long as they come in a big enough frame size. You may want to lean more towards the LHT because the Cross Check tends to have a long top tube and a short head tube for its size. Basically that means the LHT will have higher handlebars. The longer wheelbase will make it a little more stable also.

Thanks folks. I'm gonna have to travel a little to get to a Surly dealer. The closet one with 3 pirate flags is Philly, about an hour or so ride.

Ugh. Custom bike=$$$$ and if I have to go that route, probably means biking won't happen for awhile. Sometimes it sucks being tall.

I would totally avoid a single speed. They are better suited for someone in good riding condition. You will learn to love the ability to switch to a gear that fits the terrain.

If the $$ are a problem, why not look to Craigs List, and pick up a good used bike. The cheapest ones are usually in the rigid mountain bike area. Also thrift stores and garage sales. You should be able to get on the road for under $100....

You can possibly fit a 25" mountain bike frame with some adjustments to the stem height and length.

If you're near Bethlehem, you might want to take a look at this.....

http://allentown.craigslist.org/bik/759899342.html

You will need an XL frame, though, 64 - 68cm or larger in road, or 25-27" in a Mountain frame, at least.

Not sure if this is a good one or not, but worth checking on. At $65, not much to lose:

http://poconos.craigslist.org/bik/756763778.html

Thanks folks. I'm gonna have to travel a little to get to a Surly dealer. The closet one with 3 pirate flags is Philly, about an hour or so ride.

Ugh. Custom bike=$$$$ and if I have to go that route, probably means biking won't happen for awhile. Sometimes it sucks being tall.

Surly is a house brand of Quality Bicycle Parts. Any shop that orders with QBP should be able to get a Surly for you. Just where are you? Tom suggested 'bethlem'; there are a lot of good shops in the Lehigh Valley.

I'm in Southern NJ near Cape May.