Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Uber Clyde thinking SERIOUSLY of buying a road bike - should I?

I was just about to pull the trigger on a new Cannondale Quick 4 or 5 (which ever the LBS got in first) OR a Trek 7.3 FX he has in stock - both brands fit great - but the Road Bike bug has been biting.

Because of that, I've been sort of 'unconsciously' stalling... ;) I will be pulling some serious mileage within a few months and I am certain that I will tire of the Hybrid - more sooner than later.

My LBS told me that I am not too big for a road bike now (6'1, 315 and in good riding condition, weight slowly dropping, former football player and weight lifter). I've been riding my uncomfortable MTB religiously and while I am now in good cardio shape, I still have a lot of weight to lose (target of ~225 lbs).

First of all - do you think my size/weight will turn a good road bike into recycle material? I know that a road bike will cost more but the price is not the issue. I've even found a few very good used road bikes for about the same or a little more than the new hybrid. :love:

While a fitness hybrid seemed to fit the bill a month ago, it now seems so much like my current MTB (Cannondale M500) (but certainly better fitting). Because of that, I'm not sure if the new Hybrid bike will be that much of an advantage at this stage.

Should I wait on the road bike (Cannondale CAAD9 or Synapse most likely) and get the flat bar fitness hybrid now? Am I wiser to wait until I lose more weight?

Go for it - although my personal bias is towards the cyclocross bikes listed in the thread below.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=368115

Read some of what Big Sott had to say - I believe he is a Road Bike racer - and was inthe 300"s when he started! n Do a search on his posts...

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=446847&page=3

Get the Cannondale Synapse . My Son-in-Law just bought a Synapse 6. He is 260 Lbs. The bike shop put on wheels with 32 spokes.
It is a smooth ride.

Get the Cannondale Synapse . My Son-in-Law just bought a Synapse 6. He is 260 Lbs. The bike shop put on wheels with 32 spokes.
It is a smooth ride.


Actually, I'm going to look at a Synapse tomorrow. The guy said it is a Synapse 4 but I have not seen it yet.

I love the C'Dale stuff but I also found a line on a barely used '08 Specialized Allez Elite that I want to go see also.

IMHO, as a Clyde, and no spring chicken, I wouldn't get a bike that can't take
at least 27c tires. They make a huge difference, and having spent a lot of time with physical therapists, I'd prefer to avoid their company in the future.

You absolutely should get the road bike. I did 700 miles on my mountain bike this year before I got my road bike. It is like going from a beat up pickup truck to a Ferrari.

The only issue may be the stock wheels. Read pretty much anything that Mr. Beanz has said on the subject of wheels for clydes. He knows what he is talking about.

i'm in the same situation i weight 6' 293 lbs and had my heart set on a flatbar road bike, after realizing i like long rides on paved surfaces i'm getting the road bike. once you get on the bike and get a feel you will want the road bike even more. in the mean time my mtb has road tires on it and that has made a huge difference in my tanks ride.

I'm 6', 265 and just bought the CAAD9 a couple weeks ago. I have about 150 miles on it so far and LOVE it. The thing that sold me on the CAAD9 was when I did a search on this website and read all the wonderful things about it. It's an incredible frame and I won't feel like I'm wasting money if I decided to upgrade components, wheels, etc. . . I did not test ride the Synapse, but I've heard good things about it as well.

My LBS told me that I am not too big for a road bike now (6'1, 315 and in good riding condition, weight slowly dropping, former football player and weight lifter)...True: you're not. FYI: I was 6'3" & 318 lbs when I purchased my all-CF road bike. 14,000 miles & 2-1/2 years later...no problems. Still riding. Only problems: wheels. Get some good quality, 32- or 36-spoke wheels. You don't have to run wide tires, either: you can run 700x23 tires if you want. I see it with myself and in my club all the time.


First of all - do you think my size/weight will turn a good road bike into recycle material?No. Unless there was prior damage to the bike. The bike will be the strongest point. Wheels will be the weakest link. Make sure the new bike has no weight limits and buy new. A new bike get's you a warranty so if there is something stupid that happens (like a broken weld or cracked frame), you're covered.


Should I wait on the road bike (Cannondale CAAD9 or Synapse most likely) and get the flat bar fitness hybrid now? Am I wiser to wait until I lose more weight?Get two bikes or one? Hmmm... Me? My finances dictate only one. And I hate hybrids. Like somebody else here said (Air? Wog? Can't remember): hybrids are the worst of both road and mtb. Your decision.

Get the road bike, i wish i had, though at the same time i'm keeping my hybrid as my short trip around town bike and i'm gonna buy a road bike in the spring, but if I had to have just one i'd go road bike

I really appreciate all the replies and encouragement.

So - I'm going to buy a Road bike! I have already narrowed my search down to a few, including a couple of used bikes.

I'm considering an '08 Cannondale Synapse 6 and a Synapse 7 Sport, an '09 CAAD9-6 or -7, and an '08 Giant Defy.

Used one's I've looked at are an '08 Specialized Allez Elite (perfect size too) and an '07 Specialized Sequoia.

Right now, the Cannondales are the leading contenders but money talks and that is why I'm scouring Craigslist for contenders this weekend.

Thoughts on either bike? Other recommendations?

Go for the road bike. I started at 300 with an all-carbon road bike and it's been great. Wheels are the only thing you will really need to worry about; as others mentioned strong wheels with a high spoke count is a good idea.

As to which road bike to get, all of your listed choices are good ones, go with whatever fits you. I'd say if you can get a used bike through an LBS and get a fit session, you're better off than saving a few hundred and getting a mediocre fit.

+1 on CX bike and bikes with a wider tire. I think it helps a guy out with the rides.

+1 on your LBS! I have the option of three great LBS in Carbondale and they all say the same thing, if I buy a bike from them and the wheels fail, bring them back for a full repair. They all promise not to send me out on crappy wheels.

One more thing....Air Pressure, Air Pressure, and Air Pressure.

Now get out and ride!

Jerry

+1 on CX bike and bikes with a wider tire. I think it helps a guy out with the rides.

+1 on your LBS! I have the option of three great LBS in Carbondale and they all say the same thing, if I buy a bike from them and the wheels fail, bring them back for a full repair. They all promise not to send me out on crappy wheels.

One more thing....Air Pressure, Air Pressure, and Air Pressure.

Now get out and ride!

Jerry

Absolutely! My favorite LBS is the first one I went to back a couple of months ago when i first started this search. Initially, I was not that impressed with them and figured I would not go back. But something kept niggling at me and I did when I had narrowed down more closely what I was looking for.

Wow - am I glad I did. The two guys that work out of this house-turned-into-a-bike-shop are incredible to work with. They offer so much help and advice and as of this day still have not sold me a thing. BUT - they have earned my business.

They have let me ride countless bikes of different sizes in each bike; worked with getting me fitted to see what actually should fit initially, and have been nothing but nice.

So, because of that I will buy my bike from them if I buy new and if I buy used, I will gladly pay them to service and tune my bike which they already said they would happily do.

They're before the sale service is awesome - I am pretty sure now that they will be the same after the sale.

Absolutely! My favorite LBS is the first one I went to back a couple of months ago when i first started this search. Initially, I was not that impressed with them and figured I would not go back. But something kept niggling at me and I did when I had narrowed down more closely what I was looking for.

Wow - am I glad I did. The two guys that work out of this house-turned-into-a-bike-shop are incredible to work with. They offer so much help and advice and as of this day still have not sold me a thing. BUT - they have earned my business.

They have let me ride countless bikes of different sizes in each bike; worked with getting me fitted to see what actually should fit initially, and have been nothing but nice.

So, because of that I will buy my bike from them if I buy new and if I buy used, I will gladly pay them to service and tune my bike which they already said they would happily do.

They're before the sale service is awesome - I am pretty sure now that they will be the same after the sale.

Sounds like your LBS is more interested in earning a customer than just making a sale. It's a simple concept, but seems lost on many shops for some reason.

You "possibles" list is a good one. I'm full on used bike supporter if one can be found in good shape and it fits. It's hard to beat the pricing, even if budget restraints aren't really an issue. I have a high school senior for a daughter. Budeget is always at the fore front of my cycling considerations, lol.

If all of the bikes on your list were lined up in front of me and I just had to chose one to be mine it would be the Caad9. An awesome frame worthy of upgrades as teh years and miles add up. As a frame set, it might out last you, lol.

The other bikes are good quality choices too. I don't think you can make a wrong decision with those choices as far as quality goes. So long as the bike fits you properly and you go with what ever your priorities are, even if it's as simple as what you want, you won't go wrong.

Get the roadie! We are about the same size and I love it!
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee203/cohophysh/IMG_0645.jpg

Get the roadie! We are about the same size and I love it!

Gorgeous bike and thanks for the encouragement!

I'm narrowing down the candidates and hope to decide early/mid next week. :thumb:

i have a CAAD9 and love it i have had it about 6 months. you will most likely have problems with the wheels i did. the rear hub would make a grinding noise when i would stop pedaling, after my lbs tried to clean and re-grease the hub a few times they gave up and swapped out the wheel under warranty. i am currently 225lbs

I really appreciate all the replies and encouragement.

So - I'm going to buy a Road bike! I have already narrowed my search down to a few, including a couple of used bikes.

I'm considering an '08 Cannondale Synapse 6 and a Synapse 7 Sport, an '09 CAAD9-6 or -7, and an '08 Giant Defy.

Used one's I've looked at are an '08 Specialized Allez Elite (perfect size too) and an '07 Specialized Sequoia.

Right now, the Cannondales are the leading contenders but money talks and that is why I'm scouring Craigslist for contenders this weekend.

Thoughts on either bike? Other recommendations?

Here is Big Ron on his first 62 mile ride Saturday.
His Synapse 6 makes him Smile.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/RonDoes62mi.jpg

Here is Big Ron on his first 62 mile ride Saturday.
His Synapse 6 makes him Smile.

Nice pic and you are right - he DOES look happy! The Synapse is my leading new-bike candidate at the moment.

More to come Monday or Tuesday... :thumb:

Right now, the toss up is between a used '08 Allez Elite or a new-carryover '08 Synapse 6 or 7 Sport.

Which would you buy? I can get the Allez for less than $800 but not sure exactly how MUCH less. I do know he said cash talks... the new Synapse 6 and/or 7 would be more.

I am a big Specialized fan but I must admit that the Cannondale looks very attractive... but it would come down to which feels best on a ride to me, other things being equal. You will not regret purchasing a roadster!