Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - new member looking to join the crew

its nice to see a forum dedicated to the big guys. im 6'3" 225 and learning that this sport isnt really tailored for the clydes, but that by no means says we cant be the little guys. im just getting into cycling and its becoming a instant love. started spinning no more then a week ago and looking to pick up my first bike with in the next couple of weeks.

any advice for a beginner? looking at 61cm specialized allez to get started. checked out bikesdirect but i really feel i would benefit from the LBS and the relationship.

glad to be apart of things here.

Welcome !!!

If you feel that a you can do without an LBS and you are comfortable with that -- go for it. Many folks who are mechanically inclined have minimal reliance on their LBS. (I'm mechanically inclined, I screw everything up!!) AN LBS may be a bit more expensive, but if you find a good one, it will save $$ and aggravation in the long run.

My only advice is ........Have Fun !! Find a bike you love and enjoy riding. If not it will just collect dust in the garage. Take cycling as seriously or as casually you want. Be a wrench or race if that floats your boat. If not, oh well !!! Just enjoy. A decent saddle and cycling shorts/bibs will help in making the ride more enjoyable.

Welcome to herd Ho11y, nice to have you in our pasture.

For your first bike I would probably go with purchasing from your LBS. Get a good relationship going then when your ready for your next set of wheels consider online venders. You get better prices but it is nice to have a good LBS to back you up. The Allez certainly is a sweet ride, just as Tom Stormcrowe or one of the other many clydes that ride an Allez or variation thereof.

Oh and once you get the bike we require photographs :thumb:

Bau

its nice to see a forum dedicated to the big guys. im 6'3" 225 and learning that this sport isnt really tailored for the clydes, but that by no means says we cant be the little guys. im just getting into cycling and its becoming a instant love. started spinning no more then a week ago and looking to pick up my first bike with in the next couple of weeks.

any advice for a beginner? looking at 61cm specialized allez to get started. checked out bikesdirect but i really feel i would benefit from the LBS and the relationship.

glad to be apart of things here.

Bikes direct and other online places ares fine, if you really know what your doing, you have your size information correct, know components well enough to know what's better then what else from a written description. You can do your own repairs, and have a rather large assortment of tools.

However if your not sure about things, or were years ago, and got away from it, when you developed a case of automobilitis worshipalis when you turned 16 and got a drivers licence, then your better to deal with a local dealer, who can make sure the bicycle fits you properly, and can deal with issues that may crop up, from time to time.

Welcome to the herd!

BD is a great deal if your a fair wrench. If you have been away for a while and don't have some bike specific tools, an LBS is your best bet. It's always nice to take in a warranty issue and have it fixed for you rather than pulling off a part, sending it in, getting a replacement, and then having to install it.

I believe your LBS is the most important part of buying a "new" bike.