Road Cycling - 1st road bike: big guy needs advice

1st post here - looks like a great site. Also, I've done quite a few searches, but still need to ask my questions directly.

Currently: 6'6", 280 lbs - ride 4-6x/week 40-60min/ride on a hardtail MTB with semi slicks on city streets. Avg 15 mph, except for a few climbs and headwinds.

I'm looking to buy my first road bike. I've only test ridden a 62cm Specialized Allez Elite and a Lemond Alpe d'Huez. Compared to what I've been riding, I'll say the test ride was good but still a bit odd. Odd in terms that I haven't rode on drops ever. I've also test drove a Specialized Sirrus (flat bar roadie) that I liked alot (familiar position, less rolling resistence), but have settled to the fact that I want the versatility of drop bars. The Spec. Allez is my #1 right now. Is there any reason why it shouldn't be (frame, materials, components)? I'm trying to stay in the $1000-$1300 range. Any other suggestions?

The first thing the shop recommended was better wheels. Specifically, Velocity Deep V based wheels. This seems to be pretty consistent with what other threads I've read here on the subject suggest. Any other wheel recommendations? If I went up to somethign like the Comp version that had the Mavic Krsyrium Equipe or Cosmic wheels, would those be strong enough for a rider of my size?

Lastly - double or triple? I live in the central midwest.

Thanks in advance!

I am similar dimensions (altho a bit shorter) and same background/experience as you. I just bought a specialized Roubaix that I thought was a good compromise for me......relaxed geometry, but still a true road bike imho. The sirrus (or sequoia, or trek 1800c) it didn't feel like a "true" road bike to me (dont flame me.......I readily admit I am a newbie so feel free to ignore my opinions)

The base model Roubaix can be had with full 105 set up for around $1300. I am sure the 62cm would be the right size (unless even still too small) for you since its the largest model in the roubaix. even at 6-3, I can barely clear the standover on the 62, but I needed the extra top tube length

My shop swapped out the stock wheels and tires for open pro 32 spoke customs and 25 mm armadillos for basically free. The Ksyriums are certainly a "better" wheel, but also many $000 more than going with the open pro setup. I was very happy when they did the swap for free, as the consensus seems to be that they are the most durable on the mkt......and the most easily trued if they do get out of balance

The 2004 models are tough to find now in the 62, but the 2005 will be out in a few wks

I pick up the bike next week, and will post my thoughts once I get some miles put on

Who makes the open pros? I've read some stuff in the other threads and I'm curious.

Who makes the open pros? I've read some stuff in the other threads and I'm curious.

Mavic... same people who make the Ksyriums. I really love the durability of my Ksyriums. If you're looking for factory wheels then I would highly recommend them. They're very bombproof and maintenance free. I've got around 12,000 miles on mine and have never had to have them adjusted. I recently bent a spoke (not sure how) but the rim stayed absolutely true. If you get the ones with the Zicral spokes, you'll be impressed to find out that you can even crack the nipple and the spoke will stay in place and take the load. This is what happened to me. For custom built wheels, the Open Pros are also a great choice. They've been highly rated from people just looking for daily wheels to racing to those doing long distance touring. IMHO, you really can't go wrong with a Mavic rim. They're very solid and durable.

http://www.mavic.com/servlet/srt/mavic/road-prod_fiche?product.id=59&lg=uk

BigDave...I've just gone thru a very similar process. I'm 6' 3 1/2" / 250lbs and after going over numerous choices at several LBS I stuck with the '04 Specialized Allez Comp Cr-Mo Double.

I've owned other Specialized, and I really like the company and products...so for me I wanted to stay brand loyal. IMO steer away from the Sirrus as you will grow to appreciate the dropbar and want to switch out the flatbar on the Sirrus.

If you stick with Specialized, in your price range the two models I would be looking at are the Sequoia and the Allez, either the Sport or Elite versions (again component level vs price). The Allez is considered a true performance road bike and the Sequoia is considered more of a comfortable road bike, a bit more relaxed geometry and would be better for light touring, charity rides, etc. I know of several riders in my area that race on Allez...so that bike could carry you for awhile if you got hooked into the hobby.

As far as wheels go...again it's going to depend on budget. A good wheelset can make a bad bike feel good and a cheap wheelset can make a great bike feel bad. Problem is, in that price range...the wheelsets that are included are on the lower end side.

Even with my Comp, I'm looking to switch out the wheelset very shortly. If I cannot afford at least Ksyrium Elites (and not all Ksyriums are the same) then I will probably opt for the Mavic Cosmos which can be found around the $300 mark. I've heard of spoke issues with the Open Pro that can creep up after use, and will probably stay away from those.

When you are thinking about a Double vs a Triple...I guess you need to decide whether you live in a hilly area, or mainly flat and whether you will need the granny gears of a Triple. Some will say it doesn't hurt to have the extra flexability, which is true...but I definitely wanted a Double on my new steed...to me it just didn't make since, I never dropped down in the lower chain ring.

IMO, If you are looking at the '04 models...you need to act quick. Specialized stopped production of the '04 and started working on the '05 which is sheduled to start shipping next month. Problem is, I hear there is a delay from Shimano w/ the new Ultegra components, supply is short...prices are going up, so the '05's might be delayed for awhile, and cost more too. Although the new 10spd Ultegra would be nice, I figured I'd opt for the '04, save a bit more $$ and get it now.

I ordered mine yesterday, should be in next week.

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2004/bikes/04AllezCompCrMo18_l.jpg

WildBill and Big Dave, you are my heroes....:)

i'm 6.3 1/2 ,260 and searching for my 1st roadbike.
i also have a pair of Velocity DEEP V's on my old GT ATB.
I love em...thanx so much for the info.

At 6'3" and 246 lbs, I know what you are going through. I had a little more cash to spend and went with a 2002 Jamis Eclipse. Full Ultegra, 853 steel frame, and it came with some of the sweetest wheels around, the Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL. '02s are still available in a 61cm and you can get them from www.bicycleblowouts.com for $1700 with no tax and free shipping. I'm guessing if you dropped $1300 on the bike Allez and then another $400 on sweet wheels you would be in the same place I'm at now. Just something to think about.

landrover - The clincher for me on deciding on the Allez Comp Cr-Mo was that I wanted a Steel frame, IMO inbetween Aluminum and Carbon in terms of flexibility and vibration dampening. The second big plus was the full carbon fork, alot of the other brands still had aluminum steerer & crowns.

I did consider an Orbea, the Zona...could of had that built up for pretty much the same cost. But in the end the Specialized is what I've been lusting after, so I figured I'd spring for it.

I bought an '02 Sirrus last year off a buddy...too good of a deal to pass up. After riding that for a season, I decided that most of my hand problems was coming from the flat bar and I needed drops. I spent alot of $$$ upgrading the Sirrus to full 105 STI specs but what I should of done was just bought a new bike at that point. I think I am going to convert the Sirrus back to the original form and sell it on eBay. I'm going to wait awhile to make sure the new ride is comfortable before I start tearing the Sirrus apart just to be safe.

Good luck on your search, let us know what you find....there are so many options out there it can be pretty overwhelming on what to choose. ;)

Thanks guys.

I've heard that cro-mo is a bad idea in the larger (60+) frame sizes. But, I'm reading that some big, tall guys are riding them. What gives?

BigDave...I haven't heard that myself. Cr-Mo seems to have a fan base that like to stick with them...then there is the Carbon only folks. Some manufacturers are even mixing the two (w/ carbon rear stays) so I don't know what to think.

In my case I was fitted yesterday and told I need a 58cm in the Allez. I had thought I needed the bigger frame, possibly 60cm would of been ok too, but the tech said a 62cm would put me too stretched out.

Of course I haven't riddin' it yet, so I cannot comment on the ride quality first hand, but from everything I've read, researched, and talked w/ Cr-Mo owners...it's a first rate product and a better ride than an aluminum equiv.

I've had aluminum and steel and I prefer the feel of steel over the aluminum by far. The steel frame seems to suck up the bumps and vibration better than the aluminum. It is not as stiff as the aluminum, but what little power that is lost in flex is forgotten on a rough road as my back unfondly remembers the aluminum and the soreness at the end of the ride.

If you have the chance, go with STEEL. Nothing wrong with Aluminum, but steel is much superior in ride quality. I almost bought an Allez Comp Cro-Mo, and still think very highly of that bike. It's a great value for what you get.

At 6 ft. 210 lbs., this is the first time I've felt "small" in these forums ;)

When I was purchasing an Allez about 12 years ago, everything was still steel in that price range. Interesting the turn of the tides... now steel is considered somewhat boutique. At anyrate, the Tange Prestige double-butted cro-mo frame gave a wonderful ride and I would highly recommend the steel frame. If I bought an Allez today, that'd be my first choice. That said, I know that a 1992 Specialized Allez Sport is a different bike than a 2004 Specialized Allez Comp Cro-Mo.

Dave,
if you get into racing you will want to look into getting
a stiff frame. Hard to get steel stiff in that size and also be light.
But that's not an issue right now. You don't want a stiff frame, you want one with a nice ride. At 280 a lot of wheels are going to be too flexy. One solution is a semi aero rim like the Mavic CXP33.
That's what I have, and it's rugged. I managed to knock the rear wheel a little out of true when I hit a pothole at over 40 mph. Other than that, it's been fine. The advantage to this rim is that it's not heavy, the disadvantage is that it is very stiff. I'd go with a triple. First time you go up something really steep you'll be glad
you've got it. As to which bike, I don't know. See if you can't find some touring bikes to try. They have a more upright sitting position. Read this... http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/html/rr_raisestem.html
Rivendell makes a bike for tall guys called the Redwood, but it's very expensive. What you are going to need to do is try a few bikes and find something that fits. The way to test if the frame is
too weak is to find a hill, get out of the saddle and accelrate up the hill. If it doesn't accelerate well, or feels flexy, it's too wimpy.
Make sure you look at the Specialized Seqouia. It's a nice bike, but notice the dual brake setup. It has both road brakes and Mtn bike brakes. I have two bikes and both have that arrangment. I think it's a good idea for a first road bike. You can get Tektro Mtn brake levers added to almost any bike for $30 or so.

I know that a 1992 Specialized Allez Sport is a different bike than a 2004 Specialized Allez Comp Cro-Mo.

Funny enough I just bid on and won a '94 Allez Sport on eBay...similar color to the '04 I just ordered and I plan on making it my late fall / winter / trainer bike. I know the full frame, geometry and weight is a bit different, but I'm excited to compare the two and see how the ride differs.