Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Would either of these bikes work for me?

I'm a bigger guy (6'3" w/ 34" pant inseem, and about 260lbs) and have recently been trying to lose some weight through bike riding. I have a Trek 4900 mountain bike, and have been using that to ride about 13 miles a day on a local bike trail. While it's worked ok so far, I'd really like to get a road bike and start riding farther each day. I don't have much money to spend, so have been trying to find something that would work on Craigslist. I found the following two bikes for sale locally, and am wondering if either would work for me.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/bik/1268689863.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/bik/1233349680.html

P.S. Here's another one I found that may or may not work.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/bik/1258021146.html

I would say that any of the three are worth a test ride, and see if it fits.

I don't know the Detroit area market for vintage bikes, but I might try to make lower offers to see if you can get a better deal. With the Detroit economy, without knowing specifics it could go either way... a huge demand for bikes since people need alternatives, or lower prices because so many people are out of work.

Almost any vintage bike (with the possible exception of the highest end ultra-light elite bikes) should be fine for a clydesdale.

If you get one of these, or want to consider other vintage bikes, I suggest you check out the Classic & Vintage forum... Use the valuation subforum if you are looking for whether the deal is good or not.

You will either love or hate that Biopace crank on the Panasonic.

Ironically, they are all likely Panasonic frames under various brand names. The Schwinn is the best price of the lot, though.

The Schwinn probably has a Columbia Tenax steel frame, by the way, which is a good alloy. Of the three, based on price consideratons, the Schwinn would be my first choice, assuming it fits.

Second would be the Panasonic, it goes to second because of the biopace crank.

+1 on the Schwinn..........:thumb:

You will either love or hate that Biopace crank on the Panasonic.

Ironically, they are all likely Panasonic frames under various brand names. The Schwinn is the best price of the lot, though.

The Schwinn probably has a Columbia Tenax steel frame, by the way, which is a good alloy. Of the three, based on price consideratons, the Schwinn would be my first choice, assuming it fits.

Second would be the Panasonic, it goes to second because of the biopace crank.

Totally agree with Tom. The Lotus is over priced, as well.

As for the Bio Space crank on the Panasonic it really is a love or hate deal. The good news is a period correct Shmano 105 or 600 relpacement crank shouldn't set you back more than $40 or so if you ended up hating it.

All things being equal, I'd go for the Schwinn based on the deal, then the Panasonic.

You will either love or hate that Biopace crank on the Panasonic.

Ironically, they are all likely Panasonic frames under various brand names. The Schwinn is the best price of the lot, though.

The Schwinn probably has a Columbia Tenax steel frame, by the way, which is a good alloy. Of the three, based on price consideratons, the Schwinn would be my first choice, assuming it fits.

Second would be the Panasonic, it goes to second because of the biopace crank.

Actually, Schwinn World probably is gas pipe. Its a low end bike, lower end than the other two you posted. The Panasonic looks pretty good, the Lotus is overpriced.

That Schwinn Voyageur 11.8 on Detroit C/L looks pretty nice. I had one of those as well. Nice looking Vintage bike. I would check the fork as it might be bent (really hard to tell on C/L pics). That's the one I would look at first. Then the Panasonic.


The World will get you started, and looks to be in good shape. But thats a little high for a stem shifter gas pipe frame Schwinn. Given condition, price is close.

Need to get a Schwinn Prelude or higher to get a Tenax frame (I have two Tenax Schwinns, a Tempo and a Prelude).

Without consideration of price:

the Panasonic would be the first and only that I would consider of those three. Quality of components and wheels being the primary reason. It looks like it's been a garage queen as well. Ditto others comments on the Bio-pace chain rings. My only concern would be the close nature of the 14-24 rear gearing. But, if you're not in a particularly hilly area that's not a concern.

I'm going with the Panasoinc. Gonna go pick it up tomorrow morning. Thanks for the help guys.

They are suitable bikes...

Like everyone else said, All three are good. Also the Biopace crank on the Panasonic is a love or hate affair but it's still a good crankset. It's perfect if you have knee problems and are better at avoiding knee problems than a conventional crank. Like Sheldon Brown said on his website, Biopace failed because the marketing of it gave out too much information. I don't ride Biopace but I recognize its benefits.