Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Do I fix my hybrid again or do I get a mountain bike with smooth tires

I started riding a couple of months ago. Always on bitumen or concrete on an old mongoose hybrid I was given. I am doing about 60km a week and I want to do the 9km commute to work regularly.

My tire went flat and I noticed that the sidewall was torn. My wife noticed that one of my spokes was broken and the broken spoke is near where the sidewall is torn so I am thinking they might be related. I went to bike shop A where I purchased the wheel a month ago and they wouldn't fix the wheel under warranty and wanted me to pay for spoke + labour. Should they fix a broken spoke under warranty?

So I went to bike shop B. They quoted a price a little more than shop A (around $80) and I asked if it's likley to happen again and he said that the larger 700c wheels aren't as strong as the smaller mountain bike ones and I should consider getting a mountain bike with smooth tires. He showed me one for $400. I think it was this one: http://www.avantibikes.com/sport-mtb/2011-Black-Thunder-26-1.aspx?bid=332

So, I can get my hybrid fixed for $80ish + I need a new saddle soon. Or I can get a mountain bike from them for $400 and possibly sell my broken hybrid. Or I can ride my old KMart mountain bike until it dies. Or there are probably about 1000 other options. :)

What do you think?

Does the hybrid have the width clearance for 26" tires?

Or I can ride my old KMart mountain bike until it dies.

Ah I think the problem is you have a bicycle shaped object..

Something like a Trek Navigator 2.0 may be much better ,
It is a street cruiser with derailleurs 8 by 3 .
not to pricy but comes out of a Bicycle company with professional dealers.
that stand behind their products after the sale.

Does the hybrid have the width clearance for 26" tires?

Why would that matter? :o

Ah I think the problem is you have a bicycle shaped object..

I don't think I was as clear as I could have been. I have a Mongoose that is from a bike shop that I am having trouble with and a kmart bike that I haven't ridden in ages but has never given me problems...

If the bike you are riding has not given you that much grief , 80 bucks is not a lot to spend . ... if it is a on going issue then i wouldn't.

Where as 400 bucks straight up is a much larger chunk of change.

$80 to fix a spoke and replace a tire? That is way over-priced. And fiet is right, you have a BSO. Invest in to a good used bicycle and never, ever buy a bicycle (shaped object) from wally world. The Trek fest starts tomorrow, so you could probably pick up a Trek 700 hybrid for $300, and $30 for a nice saddle since they are on sale as well.

If I understand what's going on is that someone gave you a hybrid and it had a bent rear rim. You bought a new rear wheel that only lasted 100 miles and now the shop you bought it from won't fix it because you weigh 180 KG and it was a less than $80 wheel. I kinda agree with shop B that you'll continue to have problems with inexpensive 700c wheels. Shop A probably should have tried to talk you out of buying the first one but that's in the past now.

I don't know anything about Avanti bikes but looking at the specs the price isn't too bad If... the shop will stand behind it. I like the 8 speed components for first time buyers as they're more rugged than 9 and 10 speeds but not dirt cheap as many modern 7 speed stuff. The front shock is a question mark as well. I understand you're riding on paved surfaces. A front shock on pavement is a negative to me. (more stuff to break, adds cost, weight... ect.)

I'd shop around a little more and see if you can find a bike with 26" wheels and a solid front fork. What other brands do your shops carry?

Shop A said that the wheel was something like 'double strength' when they sold it to me for $110 and that it would be fine for my weight. Shop B says I can't get a better wheel that has the same number of gears on the back as my current hybrid.

I think Shop C sells Giant. I don't want to go back to Shop A and I don't remember what they sell.

If shop A said it would be fine , i would make them fix it for free. i don't know what US consumer laws are but i would have a field day in Australia :)

http://www.universalcycles.com/wheelkit.php
You could try having a wheel built for yourself. At nearing 400, the wheel is going to be the issue, not a bike. I have a couple of shops around where I live that would do a build and stand behind it, meaning would check the tension after 100 miles to make sure it was still in good shape. After that they would charge to replace the spoke. Is bike shop B saying they would rebuild the wheel for $80? of just replace the spoke and fit a new tire? The rebuild would be the way to go I would think with some strong spokes.

Not for nothing, but if the wheel's still under warranty and it breaks, the shop has to fix it under warranty. Besides, any good shop will tell you to ride the wheel for a week, then come back so they can adjust the spoke tension. I'd go back to shop A and not leave until they do the right thing.

As for the Mongoose being a BSO, who cares. It's good enough for you to learn bike maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Get a rack and some panniers and have fun commuting!

Does the hybrid have the width clearance for 26" tires?

Width clearance would be only one of the problems if the OP wanted to swap wheel sizes. None of the brake mounts would work.

And to the OP, did Shop A tell you why they wouldn't repair or replace the wheel under warranty? Without knowing their reasons it's hard to make a cogent argument other than a blanket statement that "they should honor it."

If you're going to do a lot of riding, and have space in your garage / spare room / etc., and you're somewhat mechanically inclined, then I would recommend you start learning how to maintain & repair your own bicycles.

Take the money that you would have paid the shop, and invest in a few tools - Truing Stand, Spoke Wrenches, Allen Wrench set, chain breaker. Specialty tools such as cable pullers, a lockring tool, chainwhip, etc. can come later.

Youtube is your friend. A whole lot can be learned about wheel truing, derailleur adjustment, brake adjustment, and other maintenance & repairs simply by watching the plethora of instructional videos available on the web.

Personally, I get a feeling of gratification when I'm able to repair my own stuff - and even more so when I'm able to help friends save some money.

What is your budget? My feeling is that the Mongoose isn't worth the new wheel (unless you can get it replaced or fixed under warranty) and you may be better off with a bike like Jethro describes.

What reason did the shop give for not covering your wheel under warranty? Typically, warranties do not cover damage due to accident, misuse, abuse, or neglect.

I'm going to go with Shop B, and recommend the bike that they did as well. Why? It looks identical to the 2006-2008 vintage Specialized Hardrock, and the wheels are pretty damn stout. I had one, and started riding it around 420 pounds putting several thousand trouble-free miles on it. My only problem was the crankset that it came with, which was a splined TruVativ. That bike has a square taper Shimano which should be trouble free for a long time.

I'd say cut your losses on A, and then go with B. There is truth to the fact that 700c wheels are less strong than 26in, and if you have already had problems - they'll keep adding up.

get some velocity Deep V wheels and heavy gauge spokes on good quality hub and you won't break wheels unless your Andre the Giants long lost twin. Mountain bike wheels are stronger but you can get some stout 700c wheels.

It might be worth wheels since they can be used on a pn upgraded bike later and most likely stock wheels won't be strong enough for a wheel buster.

Got 2nd hand rear tire, new tube, and spoke and got the wheel trued. Take it home, get it out of the car and the front tire is flat. :(

I am just about ready to give up. There seem to be constant problems and this is costing a lot more than my scooter.

Got 2nd hand rear tire, new tube, and spoke and got the wheel trued. Take it home, get it out of the car and the front tire is flat. :(

I am just about ready to give up. There seem to be constant problems and this is costing a lot more than my scooter.

Depressing isn't it? The first flat I changed resulted in an immediate second flat because of "operator error." I tried to think of it as practice in changing flats. :)

Truly, the fun will outweigh the PITA.

Flats get fewer as experience is gained.I know here in the states if I have work done by a pro I expect them to stand behind what they built and to ensure that I will pay with a credit card.The card company will refund your money in most cases where service is expected and not given.I hope it all works out for you.

Got 2nd hand rear tire, new tube, and spoke and got the wheel trued. Take it home, get it out of the car and the front tire is flat. :(

I am just about ready to give up. There seem to be constant problems and this is costing a lot more than my scooter.

Read through the http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/228767-Weight-Loss-Post-Your-Before-and-After-Pics-here! thread. If you still want to quit there's nothing we can do to help you.

If you buy crap stuff it will always be crap stuff. Go to a Trek dealer, get a decent bike. You should be riding not fretting over repairs on junk bikes. Sorry to be blunt, but it sounds to me like you're getting LBS advice that will assure you're a repeat customer, like weekly.

Try and stick with it, I was a little discouraged at first, not quite as many problems as you've been having but once everything is sorted and the bike is running fine it is really quite enjoyable.
I still probably worry far too much at every creak the bike makes.

Got over myself and fixed my flat front tire myself and then rode for about 20km more before I hear the pop of another spoke breaking. At least I noticed it so I don't think I have damaged tire or tube. Plan now is to sell the hybrid that was worth $350 new (but I realise it's worth a lot less 2nd hand) and ride my old kmart mountain bike until I can afford something stronger.

Got over myself and fixed my flat front tire myself and then rode for about 20km more before I hear the pop of another spoke breaking. At least I noticed it so I don't think I have damaged tire or tube. Plan now is to sell the hybrid that was worth $350 new (but I realise it's worth a lot less 2nd hand) and ride my old kmart mountain bike until I can afford something stronger.

Where are you located? You can email that answer to me if you want, to tom(at)bikeforums(dot)net. When you email me, give me all the particulars and we'll plan a strategy to get you some warranty repairs done on that wheel. Perhaps I can be of some help with Shop A by you creating a thread and I "contact" them to give them the heads up. Sometimes, its kinda nice having a big, nasty bully pulpit like the forums, here.

I had similar problems with broken spokes. I woul get the wheel fixed and the spokes would break again. I finally went to a wheel with 36 spokes and I have got over 500 miles so far no problems. I even had a seat post bolt break where the seat attaches to the post. It sounded like a shotgun going off. Fortunately no injuries. I think the poster who suggested that you look at a trek was providing pretty good advice. I dont ride a trek but I believe that they have a solid reputation for durability.

Where are you located? You can email that answer to me if you want, to tom(at)bikeforums(dot)net. When you email me, give me all the particulars and we'll plan a strategy to get you some warranty repairs done on that wheel. Perhaps I can be of some help with Shop A by you creating a thread and I "contact" them to give them the heads up. Sometimes, its kinda nice having a big, nasty bully pulpit like the forums, here.

I am in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.

When I got the spoke fixed I got it done by a friend of mine who knows about bikes.

Went to the last LBS in my town at lunch today and they suggested I get: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/bikes/model/boulder.3.black.red/9733/52906/

Good solid bike. 36 hole 26" wheels. The only concern I'd have would be that suspension fork. I prefer a solid, unsuspended fork, meself.

I have purchased this one on ebay, hope it works out well...

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251041285354#ht_500wt_1189

Well, the pedal on my kmart bike broke :( so I am not riding until I pick up my Giant on Saturday. I am surprised how much I am missing my morning rides...