Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Need your Advice - First Road Bike - Help

I want to buy a road bike. I am 6'3 weight in at 249(lbs). I will be doing maily club rides ranging from 15 miles to 70 miles. I want to spend about $1000-$1200. I also want to pick up something an my LBS. What can you recommend that will have a great frame maybe with lesser components for that price. The theory being that it is easier to add better components over time than buying a new frame. Your adivce is greatly appreciated. Thanks..

Get a Felt. Go ride one.

Go to your LBS and have them help you find one that fits your frame size. Don't worry about the brand name. Worry about getting a bike that fits you and that they will work on for you. I don't have the miles that some people have here, but I found an LBS that seemed to care and will work on the bike as needed to make it work for me.

I live 60 miles from them, but they still work with me and will stay late when they know I am headed there as soon as I can get off of work.

I ride Jamis, because that is what they carry. I bought an aluminum frame and put in 3000+ miles so far this year and I am 6'3" and about 235. I also keep a close eye on my rims for straight and true.

Good luck with your search and have fun riding.

There are lots of good choices in the 1 - 1.2k range. Your not a particularly heavy clyde so frame material won't be much of an issue. Your biggest concern should be the wheels. I'd say to go to your LBS, test ride every road bike they carry in your price range, then buy the one that screams "crssnyder: ride me like you stole me!"

Once you have chosen your steed ride er till the rims are beyond repair then invest in a set of hand built ones. Sorry but I just can't justify immediately throwing out perfectly good rims when the stock ones might be fine for a couple thousand miles

Most people will tell you to get the one that fits. My problem was that I had never been on a road bike before and everything felt weird. I settled on the Cannondale CAAD9 R6 for $1050 with mid-grade components (Tiagra). I love it and have read incredible things about the frame and feel I made the right choice. For ~$200 more I could have purchased the R5 with the same frame, but better components (105/Ultegra mix). After 2 weeks and ~200 miles I'm very happy with the bike. I'm 6'0", 265lbs.

gearhead82 (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=142255) You did good.
What is the spoke count on your rear wheel

I have a Cannondale CAAD9 with Tiagra. I also have the triple crank which is good for the hills in Western PA. I am 6' 2" 230lbs. I have about 500 miles on it, and no problem with wheels. I ride a 63cm because I have a long upper body. As everyone else says make sure it fits. I have a montain bike that doesn't fit, and it hurts to ride it for any lenght of time.

(http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=142255)gearhead82 (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=142255) You did good.
What is the spoke count on your rear wheel

I THINK they are only 24 spoke but I'm not 100% sure on that. The wheels are Shimano WH-R500A if that helps. No issues yet and I've hit a few pretty good potholes and hit some higher than expected rail road tracks at 18mph.

Also, I went with the double and its been fine for the small hills I've ridden on so far. Maybe its just me but I've had issues with getting smooth/reliable shifting from the triple on my MTB and on the Trek 1.2 I had for 2 weeks before the shop let me upgrade to the C'Dale. I may be wishing for the triple if I get a little more serious and start looking for some steeper terrain.

I looked up your bike and the pics I found show 20/24. I have seen that wheel with 16/20 on some bikes *shrug*

I have a double on my old merlin road bike (53/42 I think) and I haven't had any problems going up hills. Yes there are a few hills in North Texas although I didn't go out and try to do "The Wall" which over 90% of participants walk up.