Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - What about this bike for a Clyde?

I'm big, 6'4', 240lbs. The bike is the right size, and fits me. Is this a good bike to consider? It's entirely original save for new cables and a Campy CF Centaur RD in place of the stock Veloce.

http://www.bikepedia.com/Quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2005&Brand=LeMond&Model=Buenos+Aires&Type=bike

http://www.bikepedia.com/Images/image.aspx?filename=2005-Lemond-Buenos-Aires.jpg

Nice bike.
Most of us big guys need 36 spoke wheels.

Wheels with more spokes. Otherwise, yes, it's a good bike.

So, what would be a comparable wheelset with a better spoke count? I don't have a clue...

BTW-thanks!

So, what would be a comparable wheelset with a better spoke count? I don't have a clue...

BTW-thanks!

Campagnolo Centaur hubs, DT Swiss Champion spokes and Mavic CXP33 rims, and get them build buy someone who can build wheels.

or these : http://www.everybicycletire.com/Shopping/pc-1838-53-700c-velocity-glider-wheelset-622.aspx

Nice bike.
Most of us big guys need 36 spoke wheels.

Make that most SANE people use 32-36 spoke wheels. 32 on a standard 26" mtb rim is usually ok, but as with everything, ymmv. A quality wheel build goes a long way in avoiding problems down the road, no matter how many spokes are involved.

Make that most SANE people use 32-36 spoke wheels. 32 on a standard 26" mtb rim is usually ok, but as with everything, ymmv. A quality wheel build goes a long way in avoiding problems down the road, no matter how many spokes are involved.

<< is apparently not sane. I've not had any problems with 20/24 spoke wheels. Keep em true and tensioned and they are fine. I'm in the 250's weight wise.

<< is apparently not sane. I've not had any problems with 20/24 spoke wheels. Keep em true and tensioned and they are fine. I'm in the 250's weight wise.

Ditto. I'm right at 290 and ride all kinds of wheels. My Marin road bike has Torelli carbon wheels. I've never trued them. My Aksiums have likewise never caused a problem or been trued. Some people believe you need more spokes, others don't. Me, I think wheels are stronger than people believe them to be.

Wait.....

Are those Bontrager wheels?
If so, throw them at the nearest dumpster. They crack at the nipple holes with 140 pound riders, so I can't imagine what a clyde could do to them. Get some good wheels, whether they 32 spokes or 24. Easton, Mavic, Reynolds, Origin-8, or pretty much anything is better than Bontrager wheels.

Great bike! Two things-if this bike is used, look very carefully where the spokes go into the rim for tiny cracks. We had a lot of problems with these wheels, but Trek replaced them all under warranty. However, if the bike is used, there is no warranty, so check those spokes. If all's well, they should be fine. Although I build wheels for a living, these wheels will likely be fine if you are a skilled and careful rider. I have several big guys on these and they've reported no problems. I would not recommend the cheap Velocity wheels in the link.

As for wheels... I'm really happy with my Fulcrum Racing 7's and 3 of the 4 bikes in my short list for the next ride come with them so if Colnago, Look & Pinnarello all are using them as OEM wheels ;)

Campagnolo Centaur hubs, DT Swiss Champion spokes and Mavic CXP33 rims, and get them build buy someone who can build wheels.

or these : http://www.everybicycletire.com/Shopping/pc-1838-53-700c-velocity-glider-wheelset-622.aspx

+1.

Although there are many many rims that can be used successfully, the CXP33 are highly reccomended by many people on this site (and in this forum in particular).

Sell those Bontrager wheels to some 110 lb chump.

As for wheels... I'm really happy with my Fulcrum Racing 7's and 3 of the 4 bikes in my short list for the next ride come with them so if Colnago, Look & Pinnarello all are using them as OEM wheels ;)

I love my Fulcrums as well.

And D4C4C8 is a pretty nice colour, too.

I've been using Mavic CXP33 wheels for years. I'm 250lbs. Had them on an older Lemond Alpe D'Huez and put news ones a Lightspeed Solano I picked up a few years ago. I've had no problems with them.

Nice bike...great bike to consider...specially if it fits well...good riding

<< is apparently not sane. I've not had any problems with 20/24 spoke wheels. Keep em true and tensioned and they are fine. I'm in the 250's weight wise.

The issue I see with low spoke wheels is that losing a spoke can mean a wheel really out of true, right? That seems like a big price to pay for a very small amount of weight and aerodynamics savings. For routine riding it doesn't seem worth the maintenance hassle or risk. I busted a spoke a while back on my (overkill) 36 spoke 20" front wheel and didn't even notice until I looked the bike over the next day.

www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com (http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com) click here for a clue. No reason to believe that they're not a good choice. They offer some of the afformentioned wheels as well as presumeably stronger types. Mavic has a rim called the Sport Classic, it's a low-profile "box rim" which replaces the old CP3. Open Pros are a semi-V type, a not semi-deep aero, non-low profile. CPXs are good by all accounts. Open Sprort rims themselves are half the price. This results in a complete wheel set costing UNDER $300 rather than closer to 4. Some believe that box style rims are laterally stronger wile offering a marginally, perhaps undetectibly more compliant ride. Pro-Racers in the Classics over cobbles agreed, just like they agreed with 36sp. count. 32 spoke count rims can be considered for sure. If you're having the built from scratch though, 36 is the way for a heavy-weight. Benefits of lighter wheels aren't realized by heavier guys.
Some LBSs have their own wheel builders, on sight or not. Colorado Cyclist, Excell Sports are among the best out there. There are others as well. Swiss DT Hubs, butted spokes, Campy or Phil hubs..all will pack-on the cost, not needed. Ultegra with 14g or a mix of 14/15 should suit, I prefer the former @ 220 to 240.

NICE BIKE !!!!! Hope that it's bigger than the one depicted !

The issue I see with low spoke wheels is that losing a spoke can mean a wheel really out of true, right? That seems like a big price to pay for a very small amount of weight and aerodynamics savings. For routine riding it doesn't seem worth the maintenance hassle or risk. I busted a spoke a while back on my (overkill) 36 spoke 20" front wheel and didn't even notice until I looked the bike over the next day.

I, and (i think the other low spoke count advocates) aren't harping on the weight savings issue... I just don't feel that going hunting for high spoke count wheels really buy's you anything. A high end wheel with 20-24 spokes will be more durable than a cheap 36 spoke wheel. I put 75,000+ miles on a set of 28 spoke wheels on my previous bike, yes, they were built with CXP22 rims around Phil Wood mountain hubs, but i did cyclocross, loaded touring, commuting and even on numerous occasions took it on mtn bike rides in the north west. I broke a spoke after 3,000 miles on my current bike's Xero (Giant house brand 24 spoke rear) after taking a huge hit. I didn't notice it until i got back to the car and was putting the bike on the rack.

NICE BIKE !!!!! Hope that it's bigger than the one depicted !
That was a sticking point for me, acutally. Its a 59CM, and so while not exactly undersized for me with a standover inseam of 34.5", not perfect, either. Seller is asking $900 and is committed to getting it, which as it turns out is more than I am going to be able to spend. Tack on a new wheelset (even if I sell this set), and the bike is out of range, pricewise. It's a bummer because the original price suggested was much, much less.

If you are considering spending anywhere near $900 for a bike it damn well better be a PERFECT fit, not just "not exactly undersized." Having an ill fitting bike will slow you down and diminish your riding fun more than having to settle for a new entry level bike that fits!

NICE BIKE !!!!! Hope that it's bigger than the one depicted !

I was thinking the same thing!
I realize that the photo was probably a 'stock' one, depicting a bike sized for... you know, shorter people.