Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Recommendation for 6' 4'' noob :)

Looking forward to getting back into biking. I used to do several 2-3 hour rides a week in my teens and used it for my daily commute to school.

I'm 6' 4'' and weigh around 220. My budget is around $400-$600 and I'm looking at doing longer road trips (2-4 hours) and some light off-road to begin with. I live in NM so I'd like something that might stand up to some more serious mountain biking down the road.

I have no idea on where to start looking, so any advice is highly appreciated!

Go to multiple LBS' in your area and tell all of them what you are looking for. Some of them will try and sell you higher priced bikes, and others will actually listen to what you are saying. Go with the LBS that treats you the best.If you want to assemble your own, bikesdirect.com

You may want to start looking for two different bikes, as going on four-hour rides on a serious mountain bike will kick your butt (or, in a positive spin, give you a heck of a workout ;)).

I got a Cannondale Bad Boy, which is a pretty slick bike -- fast, nimble, great in the city. I found myself riding it for a few hours at a time, almost exclusively on pavement, and getting annoyed by the limited hand positions and relatively upright riding position (still more forward-leaning than a comfort bike, but nowhere near as aero as a road bike). So, I got a CAAD8, and have put most of my miles on it. I've also gotten a decent full-suspension mountain bike, because I'm no longer very tolerant of getting jounced around off-road by a fully rigid bike like my Bad Boy. And, I've also picked up a cyclocross-oriented commuter so I could have drop bars, disc brakes, and beefier tires in one bike.

If I were to revise my stash into just one bike, it would be either a Bad Boy Ultra (which has a suspension fork with lockout and room for fat 26" knobbies) or the cyclocross commuter, with the edge going to the cross bike -- because of where I tend to ride the most.

What makes a bike better or worse for off-road is, IMO, the tires. My Bad Boy, with the narrow 700x28 slicks it has stock, gets knocked around by ruts and medium-sized rocks. With wider tires, like common 26"x2", it would handle quite a lot more stuff. Same with the cross bike -- although it has less space for tires.

I have two suggestions, then:

1) Get a mountain bike, and put narrow slicks on it for street riding.

2) Get a cyclocross bike, ride it everywhere, and use the money you save on gas towards a full-on mountain bike.

Sorry to ramble like that; does it make sense?

Adding on --

Since Bikes Direct got mentioned, here's a couple options I'd throw your way:

Motobecane Fantom Cross CX: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross_cx.htm
Fantom Trail MTB: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_trail08.htm

That MTB is their least expensive model that comes with a lockout fork, which I now consider a must-have for lots of pavement riding. I've never liked pedaling hard and sponging along on a non-lockout fork when I don't even need suspension.

And, as flip18436572 said, you'd have to be ready to assemble a BD bike, as it comes to your door pretty much the same as how bikes arrive at a shop. You won't need anything more than some Allen keys and screwdrivers.

........And, as flip18436572 said, you'd have to be ready to assemble a BD bike, as it comes to your door pretty much the same as bikes arrive at a shop. You won't need anything more than some Allen keys and screwdrivers.

You will most likely need some dérailleur and brake adjustments. I would also recommend checking grease levels in your hubs and bottom bracket, having heard that some of the BD bikes have come needing a bit more than the factory provided.

I have an LBS that will assemble a bike for the cost of a tune up and they don't care where it came from. Adding =/- $60 to your purchase still gives a good deal if you can't do these yourself.

Looking forward to getting back into biking. I used to do several 2-3 hour rides a week in my teens and used it for my daily commute to school.

I'm 6' 4'' and weigh around 220. My budget is around $400-$600 and I'm looking at doing longer road trips (2-4 hours) and some light off-road to begin with. I live in NM so I'd like something that might stand up to some more serious mountain biking down the road.

I have no idea on where to start looking, so any advice is highly appreciated!

Specialized Hardrock, either new or second-hand, err, "previously owned." They seem to be the recommended Clyde bike.

A couple of people have recommended Bikes Direct, which might be OK for someone who is skilled enough mechanically to assemble a bike, and knew for certain what size they require, but otherwise seems a poor choice.

... and knew for certain what size they require, ...

I'l fix that.. ;)

I'm 6'1", and fit on a typical 59 cm road frame or size L+ mountain bike. The OP, at 6'4", is pretty sure to fit on a 61 cm road/cyclocross bike or an XL MTB. Of course, that's assuming that he isn't built like a gorilla with a 7' wingspan and 28" inseam. ;) Further tuning can be done with a stem swap.

And, +1 on used bikes. They may be hard to find in large sizes, but they're out there.

I'l fix that.. ;)

I'm 6'1", and fit on a typical 59 cm road frame or size L+ mountain bike. The OP, at 6'4", is pretty sure to fit on a 61 cm road/cyclocross bike or an XL MTB. Of course, that's assuming that he isn't built like a gorilla with a 7' wingspan and 28" inseam. ;) Further tuning can be done with a stem swap.

Hmm, I'm 6'1" and fit on a 56cm Specialized Allez. (I don't ride it, I merely test rode it at a shop.) I don't mean to argue, but I still think he's better off visiting a few shops than trying to guess and ordering from a vendor with a no-return policy.

I'l fix that.. ;)

I'm 6'1", and fit on a typical 59 cm road frame or size L+ mountain bike. The OP, at 6'4", is pretty sure to fit on a 61 cm road/cyclocross bike or an XL MTB. Of course, that's assuming that he isn't built like a gorilla with a 7' wingspan and 28" inseam. ;) Further tuning can be done with a stem swap..

There is no strict correation between height and frame size, so your post is basically wrong... Saying "a 61 cm bike will fit someone who is 6'4" " is like saying "someone who weighs 250 lbs needs size 44 jeans."

I am 6'4" and I do not fit on a 61cm traditional road bike... I need a 63 or 64 cm, usually, although I once had a 59cm road bike that fit me very welll... many other people have different experiences. I had an XL mountin bike (came as a warranty replacement from GT) and it was too small. I was in a position to have a custom ti frame made for not too much money and got something made bigger than most off-the-shelf XL size bikes that fits me well.

Bottom line - different manufacturers size their bikes differently (a 63cm from Trek will fit differently from a 63cm from Specialized or Kona, etc); different people have different proportions/expectations/flexibility etc. that influence their optimal bike fit. Sadly, many people will ride bikes that don't fit and never realize - they just assume that sore backs and necks and arms and legs are part of biking and learn to live with it, or just give up riding.

Hmm, I'm 6'1" and fit on a 56cm Specialized Allez. (I don't ride it, I merely test rode it at a shop.) I don't mean to argue, but I still think he's better off visiting a few shops than trying to guess and ordering from a vendor with a no-return policy.

My shop tried to fit me on a 56, which seemed fine on a test ride and for the first couple weeks, but they let me swap it for a larger frame when I just couldn't take the hunched-over position any more. I could've used a 140 mm stem, but I didn't like how the bike handled with such a long stem.

And, like I said, it can be pretty easily fine-tuned with a stem swap.

Thanks for all the info guys!

Sounds like I should at least visit a few LBS to check out what size would fit me best - thanks for the link to bikedirect, seems like a good deal and I don't think I'd have any trouble assembling it.

Please remember what others posted about bikesdirect. You have to understand the frame geometry to know what will work for you. If you already know that, and have the tools and understanding to put together a bike it is a possibility.

I m 6'3" and ride a 61cm road bike, but others at 6'3" are on a 63 and as small as a 56, or at least I think that is what he told me. I have a short inseam 32 at 6'3", so the 61 works our fine for me.

Please remember what others posted about bikesdirect. You have to understand the frame geometry to know what will work for you. If you already know that, and have the tools and understanding to put together a bike it is a possibility.

I m 6'3" and ride a 61cm road bike, but others at 6'3" are on a 63 and as small as a 56, or at least I think that is what he told me. I have a short inseam 32 at 6'3", so the 61 works our fine for me.

Yeah, I was palling on checking out a few bikes locally to find out the right size for me - I imagine this wouldn't make a difference from one brand to the other?

I would check each frame for size as each frame is different.

I would check each frame for size as each frame is different.

Better yet, once the right size is found in any frame, that frame's dimensions can be compared to any other frame. No need to actually throw a leg over every frame in the state.

That is what I meant. Compare the frame sizes on the web pages. It is amazing what I leave out when I type a post.

That is what I meant. Compare the frame sizes on the web pages. It is amazing what I leave out when I type a post.

If you think the posts that I actually make are bad, you should see them before I finish (or the ones that I decide -- wisely -- to NOT post).. ;)