Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - 265lbs Newb, what bike?

Want to loose weight and have fun riding.

I am going to work up to a 14 mile 1 way ride to work and then work up to the return trip. Then possibly up to 50 but I don't think I would ever care to do more. No big hills.
I don't need fenders or anything as I will stash clothes at work and we have a shower. I'm not going to ride in cold or rain.

I'm down to these bikes.
1. http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?arc=2008&spid=34009
I test road the tarmac today and it was sweet. They had it marked at 1900 which appears to be 200ish over priced.
2. I have read a ton of good about the CAAD9 and think the caad9-5 would be good, but noone local has one. If you guys think it is an option I can drive to OKC as I'm sure a shop there has one.
3. There are a ton of trek, giant, and orbea bikes locally but everyone says CAAD > Trek, Giant. I also can't find many reviews of Orbea bikes.

I'm already aware I will need to replace the wheels on any of these.

What say the horde?

I say any of them will do fine, as long as you spec the wheels and it fits you right. ;)

Buy the one that makes your heart race in lust, since that's the bike you'll actually ride. ;)

I say any of them will do fine, as long as you spec the wheels and it fits you right. ;)

Buy the one that makes your heart race in lust, since that's the bike you'll actually ride. ;)

that kind of sounds like you are talking about how to find a wife there tom. . .

:lol: but yea get the one you just keep coming back to, make sure to look around but be afraid to wait a bit to find that one bike that pulls on your heart strings and just make you want to get out there and ride as much as you want

I found my love on craigslist. Its a 2005 Trek 1200. I'm of the mentality of not wanting to spend extra cash until necessary (like tires). I guess having a two year old and 9 month old will do that to you. I did buy a wider saddle for around $50 and got myself fit properly.

Just as an FYI, this buy on CL looks good for OKC. Although i don't know your size.

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/bik/1080022825.html

I say any of them will do fine, as long as you spec the wheels and it fits you right. ;)

Buy the one that makes your heart race in lust, since that's the bike you'll actually ride. ;)


.......I'm already aware I will need to replace the wheels on any of these.


I agree with Tom except for the wheel issue. IMHO I wouldn't be in a rush to upgrade the wheels. I'm 245-250 ish and still riding (~3K miles) the stock 20/24 spoke Xero wheels that came on my bike. No issues to date. I had them retensioned and trued after a few hundred miles as preventive maintenance and yes they needed it after the "initial break in" period.
Ask the shop if they will retension and true them gratis after a few hundred miles. With just a little preventive maintenance, you may be surprised with the durability of those stock wheels. Replace them when needed.

I dunno man... all those bikes are pretty sweet but, I would be careful. They all may make you do more than 50:D

I think a lot of your decision should fall to fit considerations. The shape and dimensions of a Specialized cockpit versus a Cannondale are worlds apart. The first compact and generally small for it's supposed size the second much more traditional. So, first I would say test ride and try several to find which provides the best starting point for proper fit. Then, if there are more than one contender, pick the one which makes you feel guilty for not taking it out on a ride. I can't walk out the garage without looking at my Cannondale and either appreciating the ride we've just had or promising it that we'll go for one in the morning. Find a bike that you're comfortable riding and that makes you feel good about riding, and you'll WANT to ride.

Thanks for all your replies. I haven't made my decision yet but will with pics when I do.

that kind of sounds like you are talking about how to find a wife there tom. . .

:lol: but yea get the one you just keep coming back to, make sure to look around but be afraid to wait a bit to find that one bike that pulls on your heart strings and just make you want to get out there and ride as much as you want

Funny, my wife refers to my bikes as "My other women". ;)

Ok, rode and like a Bianchi 928 C2C ultegra.
Its 55cm.
My problem is I am not sure if its the correct size for me.
It feels good but I don't know what I'm looking for. They fitted me too it and switched the stem to slightly shorter. They said it was a good fit.

Any ideas?

Ok, rode and like a Bianchi 928 C2C ultegra.
Its 55cm.
My problem is I am not sure if its the correct size for me.
It feels good but I don't know what I'm looking for. They fitted me too it and switched the stem to slightly shorter. They said it was a good fit.

Any ideas?

Buy a cheaper bike, ride it for a year, then sell it and buy the bike you really want. Sound advice that's often posted on BF. Unless $2,000 is easy money for you, it is for some people, in which case do the same sans the 'cheap' part. I searched and shopped like crazy last summer to find the 'perfect' bike, and bought a used Trek 520 at the limit of my budget. And it was pretty much perfect, until the carpal tunnel in my right arm caused so much agony that I sold it and bought my recumbent bike...which I love more every time I go for a ride.

In hindsight I should have bought a $100 bike to 'test the waters' since I knew I had wrist issues, although I didn't know at the time that it was carpal tunnel.

Ok, rode and like a Bianchi 928 C2C ultegra.
Its 55cm.
My problem is I am not sure if its the correct size for me.
It feels good but I don't know what I'm looking for. They fitted me too it and switched the stem to slightly shorter. They said it was a good fit.

Any ideas?

You haven't given us your height. If you are in the 5'8"- 5'10" range I would say the 55cm is the right size. Try a size bigger and a size smaller when test riding bikes so you can get an idea what feels right to you, because everyone has different preferences. There are people around who are 6' who are comfortable on 54-55cm bikes and there are people who are the same height and prefer a 62cm.

5'11' 32in inseam
The Tarmac at 56 and the bianchi c2c at 55 both feel about the same to me. I cannot ride them back to back.
I went and rode the bianchi again and had some issues with it this time.
The chain hopped off to the outside of the big gear when under load.
Anytime I got on it hard the chain would have issues and sometimes come off.
The LBS adjusted the front derailer and I took it out again without issues, however I was pretty wore out and couldn't hammer it.

So my last questions.
5'11' 32 inseam. Is the 55 Bianchi to small?

The bike has all ultegra sl components and some fsa stuff.
Why would a chain jump off the big gear in front to the outside when pedaling hard?
Is it normal for the chain/gear to make a little noise when pedaling hard?

if you have a loved one or really close friend you could use this
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO
and the shop should help you get a good fit, though using the above link can give you a ballpark don't take it's words as set in stone since you don't quite know what your riding style is yet

and if it's chain noise, meaning isn't squeaking, and just a very light click-click-click of the chain catching the teeth on the gears, if it's squeaking you are flexing the frame around the bottom bracket, you should put it into a lower get and raise the rpm of your pedaling

if you have a loved one or really close friend you could use this
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO
and the shop should help you get a good fit, though using the above link can give you a ballpark don't take it's words as set in stone since you don't quite know what your riding style is yet

and if it's chain noise, meaning isn't squeaking, and just a very light click-click-click of the chain catching the teeth on the gears, if it's squeaking you are flexing the frame around the bottom bracket, you should put it into a lower get and raise the rpm of your pedaling

It could be something else though, I had a loose crank that made the most horrible noise, it sounded like the BB was coming right through the shell. Chains that need lubrication can also make a fine squeaking noise.

It wasn't a light tick like the chain hitting the derailer.
It was a bit meetier and only when really pushing it.

How would a chain jump off the big gear in front to the outside while pedaling hard and not changing gears?

I did all the measurements and it says the top tube for competitive should be 55.0-55.4. The bianchi I'm looking at is 55.5 so I assume that means its good?

Ace,

I am currently about 293lbs (lost 16 lbs in last 6 weeks)and have just got my bike, (it now has about 60-70 miles on it) well I have had it 6-8 weeks. I have to agree with Cod.peice about buying cheaper for the year (thankfully we have a shop who take trade-ins and will give what they will sell it for). I liked the look of a Novarra bike from REI http://www.rei.com/product/775742 and it is a bargain at $799. It is a nice ride and will keep me going for at least the year, more depending on finances *LOL*
Steve