Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Looking to upgrade

Hi folks,

Well here is yet another "what bike?" question. I am 6'7" 360lbs with a 38" inseam and am presently riding a hybrid; a 61cm '08 Specialized Crosstrail. I've been thinking more and more about upgrading to a road type bike. The type of riding I do tends to be the roadways and bike paths not off-road trails like I thought I would. Longest one day ride to date was 22miles, I usually do 10miles a day 3-4 times a week. I'm wanting to increase the mileage and would like to do a century (maybe metric) this fall. I'm not so sure the Crosstrail would be ideal for long rides.

So the bikes I'm looking at are; an '08 Specialized Sequoia (dealer leftover), an '09 Surly LHT or a Specialized Allez. While I am not a racing guy, I wouldn't mind a little speed but the primary focus would be comfort for long rides. I think either bike would need a wheel upgrade. I've already popped two spokes on the rear wheel of my Crosstrail.

I like the shift/brake setup on the Sequoia over the LHT as I am not crazy about bar end shifters. If the LHT were to be the bike of choice would it be better to build it from the ground up? It's not hilly here in Southern NJ so the gearing would need to be swapped out to a more road bike oriented speed.

Appreciate any advice/suggestions! Thanks! Anton

I completed a couple of metric centuries on a Giant Sedona DX, so your bike won't keep you from completing a metric... if you are out for speed then a more road oriented bike would be a good bet.

A road bike would probably make a metric easier regardless of speed, but it is not essential.

The bikes you have on your list are pretty different from each other... I weigh 340+ and I tend to opt for a touring geometry for the comfort, so I would lean toward the LHT. In fact, that is what I was heading toward before I bought my vintage Voyageur and put modern components on it.

Finding a good used touring bike in your size might be a challenge, but you may want to consider doing that to build up a modern drive train on a vintage frame... making it unique.

If you don't have the need to carry large amounts of stuff then I would opt for the Surly Cross Check over the LHT especially if you live in flat terrain. Price wise it is the same, a set of Tiagra brifters can be added at an additional cost but most bike shops would be willing to work with you o trading in the bar ends towards the purchase of the brifters. Or you could just give the bar ends a shot.

Check out some cyclocross bikes while you're at it!

I love my Salsa Casseroll (http://www.salsacycles.com/casseroll08.html). As a complete bike it comes with fenders and is equipped with Shimano 105 components.

I was 350 lbs when i started riding my 08 Sequoia Elite. i love the bike it has done very well. now im 310 and still riding every other day or so. the interupter brakes are what turned me on to the Sequoia but after riding i could have gotten used to the brakes on the Allez just as easy. if you choose to go Specialized ride them both and get the one that feels the best.

Thanks guys,

Hmm, hadn't considered the Cross check because I figure the LHT would be the Surly choice for my weight. I think either Surly would probably be a build-up. The stock parts aren't too impressive.

bbeck- any issues at all with the Sequoia? Did you upgrade anything on it? One thing that has always worried me are thin road wheels-I always envisioned them folding as soon as I sat on the bike.

Thanks!

Thanks guys,

Hmm, hadn't considered the Cross check because I figure the LHT would be the Surly choice for my weight. I think either Surly would probably be a build-up. The stock parts aren't too impressive.

bbeck- any issues at all with the Sequoia? Did you upgrade anything on it? One thing that has always worried me are thin road wheels-I always envisioned them folding as soon as I sat on the bike.

Thanks!

everything is factory except the rear tire i had a blow out and ruined the tire but thats not the bikes fault. i had concerns about the wheels too but the owner of the LBS i bought it at assured me that the wheels would be fine and offered to warranty them for an extra year. he told me if they ever failed he would give me credit for the wheel towards building a stronger wheel. so far he has been right i have had no trouble and love the bike.