Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - NEW CLYDES ON THE BLOCK I need some help

so FNG here ive always been a Clydesdale..and now getting up there 5'11" 320lbs ...back in the 90's i ran 230-250lbs and was ok with that always built like a linesmen...but then marriage, kids, 60 hour/week job..and 15years later....you guys know the spiel



ive been out of the bike scene for a while (mid to late 90's) i used to mountain bike xc and singletracking back in the day (about 100lbs lighter too...) had a Schwinn and an Ibex...but now i just sold my family cruiser /kid puller and want to get back into the scene..

SO this is what i need help with....Im looking to get a good, strong, sturdy bike ...ive been told about the Rockhopper and the Hardrock are both good for the money...it looks like both bikes have decent frames, and both bikes have "ok" components (mediocre). My LBS is pushing the new P All Mountain Disc... but the geometry does not seem as comfortable...and i have a friend who works at a Bike shop..pushing a Gary Fisher Wahoo....not heard much at all about Clydes and Gary Fishers.

so im looking to some fellow Clydes for your knowledge and or experience...thanks in advance for you advice...

If you're using a mtb for actual mountain biking, treat it like a toy, ride it rough and upgrade when stuff breaks. I'd get the Rockhopper or Hardock and negotiate w/ the shop for a beefier fork w/ lockout. The shop should charge you an upgrade charge that's about the difference bet. the stock forl and the beefier fork. The main thing to be aware of at your weight is the wheels. Well built, high spoke count wheels for the weight and all the jumps and drops you'll be doing. If you're doing big drops, maybe look at upgrading the pedal spindles too.

I have a Gary Fisher Marlin,It replaced a Performance M 200 Cro-Mo Mountain bike circa 1993.Its a great bike.

I have a Gary Fisher Marlin,It replaced a Performance M 200 Cro-Mo Mountain bike circa 1993.Its a great bike.

can i ask what is your "stature"

So...you going to leap back into single trackin or are you more fitness oriented at this point? Don't rule out touring, hybrid, or road bikes if weight loss is your top priority. 90% of people who buy mountain bikes never take them any further off road than their back yard...but then again 68% of statistics are made up on the spot.

Check out the trek FX, Surley LHT, and Giant OCR's

I ran Trek 7200 (hybrid) for 2 years and 7,000 miles at 340#. Even with stock components it held up very well. Keep in mind these were all road miles.

So...you going to leap back into single trackin or are you more fitness oriented at this point? Don't rule out touring, hybrid, or road bikes if weight loss is your top priority. 90% of people who buy mountain bikes never take them any further off road than their back yard...but then again 68% of statistics are made up on the spot.

Check out the trek FX, Surley LHT, and Giant OCR's

i plan to get back into singletracking, obviously i will have to get coditioned again...i had a hybrid for a couple years and never felt comfortable on it...The geometry was way off for me...but i have 3-4 good single track parks near where is live. two of them put in a skills section and one them has pump track...so i actually hope to get back into off roading, smaller jumps, some drops...singletracking...

i plan to get back into singletracking, obviously i will have to get coditioned again...i had a hybrid for a couple years and never felt comfortable on it...The geometry was way off for me...but i have 3-4 good single track parks near where is live. two of them put in a skills section and one them has pump track...so i actually hope to get back into off roading, smaller jumps, some drops...singletracking...

Maybe a Kona Hoss would be appropriate for you. You can put road slicks on it to build up your road milage and conditioning then throw the knobs on when you blast the single track. Either way, pictures are required for when you A: get the bike and B: hit the single track.

Rules are rules now :innocent:

Maybe a Kona Hoss would be appropriate for you. You can put road slicks on it to build up your road milage and conditioning then throw the knobs on when you blast the single track. Either way, pictures are required for when you A: get the bike and B: hit the single track.

Rules are rules now :innocent:

i have looked into the Kona Hoss...the biggest problem for me is there are not any dealers within 50 miles of me that carry any...and to put that kind of CHANGe down for i bike i cant test, doesnt sit well...
plus im very a much a person that would want to have a good relationship with my LBS...SO i would like to buy from a shop...

If I were in your shoes I would give the Surly Karate Monkey a look. It is a 29er with a steel frame and rigid fork. Nice bike. Built like a tank. I just took my Hard Rock Pro to the shop to have an Instigator rigid fork installed. Don't get me wrong the HRock is a great bike for we biguns, but if I was buying another mountain bike I think I would go with the SKM.

can i ask what is your "stature"

6 ft 269 lbs