Road Cycling - Road bikes are amazing pieces of engineering

I went to pickup a road bike at my LBS Saturday. Because of my size (300lbs), I'd decided on a touring bike long before I arrived then the lady tried talking me into a standard road bike like the Trek 1000c or Specialized Sequoia. The Sequoia had gotten many good reviews on my research before I went, so I tried it out and felt great!

Only problem I could see was the 26mm tire and 28h front wheel. Would I snap that thing in half? But I bought it anyhow (10 day return plan) and asked them to replace the stock tires with some dillo roads. They finally wheel it out and there's 23mm tires on it. Gah! I'll taco that for sure.

But after 10 miles of very bad road at a good speed (potholes, bumps, railroad tracks), the wheels are holding true and zero problems. No loose or broken spokes, strain on any parts and the bike is all stock materials. I might replace the saddle because it's pure pain to sit on. Any suggestions for a replacement, or should I just get used to it?

Congrats friend. Many miles of both enjoyment and suffering await you.

Yup,
I weigh 50 pounds less, and use 27c tires. I would advise 28-32c tires, at about 80 pounds of pressure. Enough so that the tire is perfectly round when you sit on it, but still has some give when you hit a bump. I am not familiar with those wheels, so I can't comment. And yes, they are amazing.

Yup, it's amazing the abuse a good bike (and good wheelset) will take. In terms of the saddle, everyone's backside is a bit different, so saddles are a personal choice. However, try and match your backside "sit bones" to the back of a saddle. Get a saddle that puts these "sit bones" over the back of the saddle, and little pressure anywhere else.

Good luck with the new steed, and saddle! We'll also be expecting a picture soon!

If the wheels hold up for 500-1000mi, then they will probably hold up forever. 10mi
is a bit too short to make a judgment even with the stressors you are applying.
I would concur with "Late", that a 28-32mm wide tire would be a better choice.
I presume you meant 26mm rather than 26cm tire in your initial post. The rear
wheel will have at least 2/3d of the weight and is under higher spoke tensions so
it tends to be more sensitive to overloads. 28 spoke front wheel is ok, you would
do better with 32 or even 36h rear wheel though, if you ever get around to replacing
the wheel and your weight stays up.
Saddles: Real crap shoot and any advice not very helpful. My saddle collection is
upto 10, with my current fave the Terry Liberty style. They wear out in 2-5kmi though.
The ONLY way to evaluate a saddle is to ride on it for awhile and see. Unfortunately it
is a rare shop that will let you return a used saddle. Maybe you can check with members
of nearby bike clubs for saddle castoffs you can try. Steve

I'm in your weight range and use 23mm wide tires. The tires don't detirme wheel strengh as much as the spoke count of the wheel. I'm using RSX hubs and Mavic CPX10 rims. Any tire wider then 23mm won't work on my Cannondale.

You may want the LBS to check the spoke tension at its 30 day tune up.

Thanks for all the tips! Yeah 10 miles is a small ride, but I was just shocked that this lightweight little bike could hold me through this rough road. Maybe I'll begin popping spokes around 500 miles, but hey I'm impressed for now.

Will 28mm dillo tires work on my rims? The Specialized site lists them as:
Alex AT-400, 700c, alloy single wall, eyelets, machined sidewalls

I went to pickup a road bike at my LBS Saturday. Because of my size (300lbs), I'd decided on a touring bike long before I arrived then the lady tried talking me into a standard road bike like the Trek 1000c or Specialized Sequoia. The Sequoia had gotten many good reviews on my research before I went, so I tried it out and felt great!

Only problem I could see was the 26mm tire and 28h front wheel. Would I snap that thing in half? But I bought it anyhow (10 day return plan) and asked them to replace the stock tires with some dillo roads. They finally wheel it out and there's 23mm tires on it. Gah! I'll taco that for sure.

But after 10 miles of very bad road at a good speed (potholes, bumps, railroad tracks), the wheels are holding true and zero problems. No loose or broken spokes, strain on any parts and the bike is all stock materials. I might replace the saddle because it's pure pain to sit on. Any suggestions for a replacement, or should I just get used to it?


I'm 230lbs (still!) and jsut traded my Sirrus in for a Bianchi Gold Race 600. I'd already changed the stock tyres on the Sirrus to 23mm ones, which is what the Bianchi has. Both have, oh, lots of spokes. :) I've damaged two spokes in the Sirrus in 8 months, probably going up kerbs or something. So what, I take it to the nice men at the LBS and they fix it. Got just the one puncture in the same timeframe.

This "big riders can't use roadbikes" thing is a myth IMHO.

In terms if saddles, my new Brooks B17 hard leather job has been incredibly comfortable, right from the start. Used it on the Sirrus for a coupla weeks, now it's on my Bianchi.

Just did 38 miles with my brother (buyer of my Sirrus!) today and my ass didn't complain at all.

In terms if saddles, my new Brooks B17 hard leather job has been incredibly comfortable, right from the start.

Yeah I saw another thread on that saddle, looked great. I'll check it out, thanks!

btw pic:

http://www.mydogatemyrebate.com/roadbike.jpg

I go from 210 to 240 lbs and back, and I have used 700x23's successfully for six years with same 32 spoke rims. I keep the pressure at 120, just as my LBS advised me when I took delivery. I have the wheels trued every year.

For the saddle, it takes a bit of time for your body to adjust. I have a narrow San Marco saddle which came stock, looks hard as can be, and seemingly uncomfortable. That saddle and I get along just fine, extremely comfortable.

Don't, don't, don't succumb to the gel saddle idea which seems so soft but will rub all parts of your bottom eventually raw on any ride over 20-25 miles.

Denver,
I am running the gel saddle. I thought that it would take the place of biker shorts, are you saying that it is not as good a way to ride? I do like 20 mile minimums when I am in shape to ride. ( maybe 2 or 3 more weeks) Best -

Denver,
I am running the gel saddle. I thought that it would take the place of biker shorts, are you saying that it is not as good a way to ride? I do like 20 mile minimums when I am in shape to ride. ( maybe 2 or 3 more weeks) Best -

Well, it might work for you, but for most folks it tends, over time, to break down the skin in its massive exposure to pressure all over from the gel.

So, the general wisdom, is that they are not good for most folks, especially long distance and frequent riders.

I am totally comfortable on my narrow littles seat which seems to perfectly match my Ischeal Tuberosities (sit bones)!

Ok, tell ya what, I'll take the gell saddle of for a week or two, espescially since I'll only be doing 10 or 12 milers, and hopefull it will work well. Thanks for the tip. Best -

Speaking of wheel strength, how strong are the bladed spoked rims like on my Klein Aura X? They seem to have fewer spokes, a trend I saw on other bikes I considered, like Trek and Giant. Are the bladed spokes as strong?

Told you.
:)

Don't put 28s on. The 23s are fine. If you want cushier, get 25s.
You should keep the wheels in for regular service. Have them re-tensioned after a hundred miles or so, and then just make sure they stay true.
You will get used to the saddle. It hurts for the first week or so, but the more you ride, the better it'll get.

As others have said, give the saddle a week the difference can be amazing.