Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - New Clyesdale wants to know if he should rebuild or buy new....

Hello! I just wanted to say I love this site and am glad I found you guys. I spent the last two night just reading some threads and now I wanted to get your advise.

I am a 33 year old, 6'1", 360LBS Clydesdale that wants to get closer to 200LBS maybe even below that, we will see. But first I need a bike to ride. I do have a great GT Tequesta but it is 13 or 14 years old! I used to ride many years ago but stopped. I never wanted to get rid of the bike though. It has always been kept indoors or a garage so rust is not an issue. But I do know I'll need new shifters and cables for drive train and brakes. It probably would not hurt to have new brake pads too.

My other concerns are the wheels, and seat post. The wheels have 32 spokes and I think I read here that is the least amount for larger riders. Do you think I'll need tougher wheels? Or these wheels rebuilt?

I also just read from old web pages that my fork was recalled years ago. But I am sure that I might need a new one anyway.

Now of course I would love a new bike but I can't really afford a $5-700 purchase right now. But at the same time, if making this bike ride safe is going to get near that price point I might just need to hold off until I can buy new and fix up the old Tequesta later.

So what do you guy/gals think? I am not planning on riding any trails for a while. At least lose 100 or more pounds until that.

Here are some photos so you can have a little better idea about the bike.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5598829071_2d7315cff7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30911192@N06/5598829071/)
IMAG0027 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30911192@N06/5598829071/) by wasabi_boys (http://www.flickr.com/people/30911192@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5599413064_60d332cb1b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30911192@N06/5599413064/)
IMAG0028 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30911192@N06/5599413064/) by wasabi_boys (http://www.flickr.com/people/30911192@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5599412896_10d485d4f6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30911192@N06/5599412896/)
IMAG0029 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30911192@N06/5599412896/) by wasabi_boys (http://www.flickr.com/people/30911192@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5598831917_cb436ddc92.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30911192@N06/5598831917/)
IMAG0030 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30911192@N06/5598831917/) by wasabi_boys (http://www.flickr.com/people/30911192@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/5598831617_9b7da408d2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30911192@N06/5598831617/)
IMAG0031 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30911192@N06/5598831617/) by wasabi_boys (http://www.flickr.com/people/30911192@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5598829557_5d73991c9d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30911192@N06/5598829557/)
IMAG0040 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30911192@N06/5598829557/) by wasabi_boys (http://www.flickr.com/people/30911192@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5062/5599409972_5c1e8940a4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30911192@N06/5599409972/)
IMAG0042 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30911192@N06/5599409972/) by wasabi_boys (http://www.flickr.com/people/30911192@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5598830089_17400a4d2d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30911192@N06/5598830089/)
IMAG0038 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30911192@N06/5598830089/) by wasabi_boys (http://www.flickr.com/people/30911192@N06/), on Flickr

Do you have a bike co-op around? If yes and you have some time & patience then you could fix it yourself for little $. I'd go with the wheels you have & replace them if spokes start breaking. If no co-op then get a quote &decide.

That is a nice start those are nice frames. I would take it to a local shop and get a quote I find bike repairs like cables and tuning to not be that expensive at least around here. I would say that even at 360lb those wheels will work fine for street use. They were originally designed for trail riding anyways. I wouldnt start over yet new tires and tubes and a cable repair maybe a tune your good to go.

You would be surprised what you can find on eBay. I bet those shifters are available from some seller someplace. However, you will need new tires/tubes etc. It is a tough call as to fix up your old bike, and be left with a bike with 14 yr old technology, or hit Craigslist and drop $200-$300 on somebody's failed hobby. I have a unique "Brave Warrior" MTB from the 90's that I have had in storage for 20 yrs now - riding that old bike versus the newer stuff is night and day. Its amazing how far gear-shifting and brakes have come.Nowadays modern components "just work" with no searching for gears etc. This leads to a more enjoyable ride and lets you concentrate on YOU

You can pick up a nice hybrid thats only a few years old for a couple hundred bucks.

Personally I would go the craigslist route and fix up your baby at a later date :)

heavyB, That GT will be just fine. Unless you're mechanically minded and have a few of the special tools required, take it to a bike shop and have them overhaul it. They'll relube, adjust, repair, true the wheels and replace the tires with a more road friendly tread pattern. A general rule of thumb is a 32 spoke 26" wheel is as strong as a 36 spoke 700 mm or 27" wheel... debateable perhaps, but worth trying first.

Brad

I would just be aware that taking it to the LBS for a tune-up and replacement of parts is not going to be cheap. They have to make a living too and an overhaul and parts replacement at my LBS could easily go to $200+ - just a thought :)

That bike ought to be fine. I'm 265 and ride 32 spokes. Just don't go mountain biking or jumping curbs with it.

The twist shifters are crap anyway. Replace them with some 3x7 trigger shifters (aka Rapidfire).

Then ride it.

HeavyB that's a nice bike. whether it's 13-14 years, months, or days - a nice bike is just that. I changed tubes, tires and cables about 2 weeks ago on a road bike that's probably 25 years old. It was easy, with a few basic inexpensive tools like plastic tire levers, allen wrenches and wire cutters. Some people prefer taking their bikes to a mechanic for everything. It's all good, a personal choice, whatever suits you. I'm also 6'1". Adjusting the seat and handlebars height properly makes a difference in my riding comfort; something to consider. Getting your weight to around 200, you'll be healthier in the future, which is definitely the way to be! Good plan.

that bike looks great, good job of taking care of it. I agree with most of the others, ride it around and see how it goes. I'll make the reccomendation I've been making to everyone regarding shifters. If you have to upgrade the shifters, look to upgrade the rear wheel to something more modern and go with 9 speed MTB shifters from nashbar. They are only $30 for the shifters and should work with your RD but if they don't the matching rd is only another $30. you could get a modern wheel used or new for under $100 and a 9 speed cassette for $30 add a few cables into the mix and your fixing up the important stuff for under $200 bucks.

Looks small... saddle's all the way back, and you have the longest stem made.

Ride it, spend as little as you can. Try and find a used bike that's bigger.

You need a new pair of shifters. Parts ~ $30.00

Pump up the tire and see if it is punctured. May just be flat.

Cannot tell if the tires are dry rotted.

I do not see anything else that has to be repaired.

Needs to be lubed and adjusted.

This would be cheap to get back on the road if you can DIY.

What size is the Tequesta?

Frame is 19.5 or 20 inches. I just did a rough measure from center of crank to the top of the seat tube.

And to Late: I never really thought about it back when I was riding but today after posting the pictures I thought "that's a long stem."

I will try to take it by a LBS tomorrow and see what they say. I would be able to do most work my self, I think.. Except for the cables and if I switched out cassette. I found my old pump in the garage, but the air tube was dry rotted and broke off so I cant even try to pump the tires. Put that on the list of things to buy.....

If I am able to get this one up and running, I probably do want to put some street tires on it.

Switching out the cassette may not be as easy as you think. If the bike's old enough, it may not even have a cassette, but an old-style freewheel instead.

Not gonna lie to you, that is one sharp looking bike. Don't get rid of it, fix that bad boy up. (I'm a fan of those triple triangle GT frames)

Looking at the bike, this is what I see that I would replace to get her on the road:

Shimano Altus 3x7 rapid fire shifters with integrated brake levers: 60 dollars. These include new cables
2 new tubes: 10 dollars
2 tires, Kenda Kross + 2 (a semi slick with knobs on the side): 30 dollars Link if you want to see what they look like (http://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Kross-Plus-Front-Slick/dp/B000ALEJF6)
New grips: 15 dollars
New brake pads: 20 dollars

So for 135 dollars plus whatever your shop charges for installation of the new shifters (shouldn't be much) you're rolling again. See how your fork holds up. If it craps out on you, replace it with a steel suspension corrected solid fork.

If you can ride it on flat areas. I'd adjust the stops for the front deraileur for the middle sprocket and cut the cable off. Get new tubes and see if the tires are OK. You may have to walk at times which is OK. Start looking for a newer bike on Craig's list. You'll never get the money back out of this and the bike sounds too small.

Switching out the cassette may not be as easy as you think. If the bike's old enough, it may not even have a cassette, but an old-style freewheel instead.

That could be, generally 6 speed and less are freewheels, 8 speed and higher are cassettes, 7 speed could go either way. The only problem with freewheels was that when they went to 8 speeds, they found that it made the unsupported end of the axle too long, and it would bend the axle with high torque. Cassettes don't have this problem. Of course they create their own, if the mechanism in a freewheel goes bad, replacing it is a $10 part and a $5 tool. If the mechanism in a cassette hub goes bad, it's a $40 part and $20 worth of tools....

OK, I just dropped her off at the LBS. They are going to change out that broken shifter, new breakpads for rear wheel, and a tune up. Said it'll be $115 and ready Monday. So I still need to buy myself a new pump and some tires better suited for road use. I can prob get that done myself. And if this renew of my old hobby keeps I'll get a newer better bike down the road as a reward for losing weight and becoming more healthy.

Man I have not been in a LBS in so long... I forgot how hard it is to come out of there with out lighting up your wallet. And bikes look so nice these days.... I saw about 3 I wanted LOL.

Don't spend too much time in there :) You might end up spending $1000 on something bright and shiny...

if you are going to ride on the road, getting slick or semi slick tires should be a priority IMHO.... they take less work and feel faster....you will have more fun, more fun = more riding, more ridng = all the benefits for that = more reward and more fun = more riding...... it its good cycle so to speak

OK, I just dropped her off at the LBS. They are going to change out that broken shifter, new breakpads for rear wheel, and a tune up. Said it'll be $115 and ready Monday. So I still need to buy myself a new pump and some tires better suited for road use. I can prob get that done myself. And if this renew of my old hobby keeps I'll get a newer better bike down the road as a reward for losing weight and becoming more healthy.

Man I have not been in a LBS in so long... I forgot how hard it is to come out of there with out lighting up your wallet. And bikes look so nice these days.... I saw about 3 I wanted LOL.

What does.their "tune up" include? I hate that expression for bikes, they are quite simple machines. If they are putting a shifters on, of course they should adjust it. I guess depending on the cost.of the parts, your either getting a.good.deal or ripped off.

$115 sounds spot on for a general spring tune up along with those parts installed. The average tune up around here is $75 so think that plus parts.

Yep, tune up is $75, shifter $20, brake pads $10.

well I guess I"m still curious as to what exactly shops mean by "tune up" i'm going to assume that means all bearings are getting regreased and adjusted and all cables replaced since cables only cost about $5 but hey, it's still far cheaper than buying a new bike. good luck and enjoy!

well I guess I"m still curious as to what exactly shops mean by "tune up" i'm going to assume that means all bearings are getting regreased and adjusted and all cables replaced since cables only cost about $5 but hey, it's still far cheaper than buying a new bike. good luck and enjoy!
I doubt if they'll do the bearings at that price. Tune-Up, at least at my LBS, means check and adjust shifters, breaks, headset, bottom bracket, hubs, plus true/tension wheels. "Regular" price is $115 but they always seem to have it special for $85.

Next week you can start riding and start saving for the next bike.

I doubt if they'll do the bearings at that price. Tune-Up, at least at my LBS, means check and adjust shifters, breaks, headset, bottom bracket, hubs, plus true/tension wheels. "Regular" price is $115 but they always seem to have it special for $85.

thats why i feel like it's sort of a rip off but I guess if you have no idea how to adjust a bottom bracket or headset than it's worth it, particularly older BB that require very special tools. BUt how much money are these lbs making charging people with integrated headsets and cartridge bottom brackets for "tune ups"?