Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - 225lbs and ready to make the big buy on a new roadbike. Input?

I've been riding a Motobecane for the past 5 years. Time for it to be replaced and looking at spending 5k to 7k for a bike I that will last me for another 5 years. Currently leaning towards the Wilier Cento Uno with SRAM Red group with Fulcrum Racing 3 2-way fit wheel set. Coming in at 7k out the door. Loved the test ride.

Questions. How will this bike perform for a 225lb guy like me? Is the extra cost worth the performance gain? Wide open to suggestions and ideas.

Won't make you any faster...

Beautiful bike, and if you have that kind of extra money sitting around, go for it!

For me, I could not justify that much money unless I was winning races with it. (which at my age will never happen)

I think at 225 you are fine on almost anything - I love the 2-way fit - I have on my Argon 18 Gallium (Zondas) and at 255 pinch flats are a thing of the past.

Look at Velomine I think he has Wiliers and others on for very good prices....

Good luck and photos when its done!

Any other guy in mid life crisis, it would be a Corvette. Go for it. I've promised myself a fancyschmancy bike when I hit 180. (now 240) I will be looking at something with a SRAM apex, or Shimano 105 with a tripple on front (I live in the hills).

Current ride is a Masi Partenza aluminum bike w/sora, and I like it well enough that I can be patient. Leaning toward a Masi Evoluzione because the guy who sold me my current, will trade.

Like some one above said, at my age I ain't winning any races, so I'll only be spending about two grand. If you have the coin, and it makes you happy, do it.

Keep up the weight loss. I started out at 265....down 40 lbs. All from riding and not drinking so much beer. :) Actually, weight-watchers had a lot to do with it. It was really helpful to get a sense of how much I was actually eating before....crazy.

Ride strong.

The weight is not high enough to limit you, unless you want something silly light / fragile. Personally, I went with custom hand-made steel, but I like the personality you can get from a really good steel frame. Carbon has always felt strangely isolating to me.

Get what speaks to you, and makes you ride harder and faster and further.

Just keep in mind there is very little speed to be had by mere mortals after ultegra. Spending much more than 4k is a serious diminishing return. Heck you could lose 10 lbs and go faster than spending the other 3k.

But I suspect you already knew that

If you do any serious climbing I'd seriously consider a Volagi with DI2. The disc brakes really make a difference descending when you're a larger rider (I'm 200 lbs). Bike has a great ride especially with 28mm tires (just my personal preference)

That new bike will be a serious chick magnet. Put a can of pepper spray in one of your bottle cages, just in case you need it.

225lb. But, at what height? A 225lb 6'5" rider has a considerably better chance of realizing the performance potential of a bike than a 225lb 5'nothing rider does.

Is it worth the cost? Probably not. As has already been stated, there isn't much performance gain after Ultegra/Force. It's more about the motor than the chasis.

If it's a personal, mid life dream bike, personally, I would be looking at Colnago C59, Pinarello Dogma, hmmm,...because I'm tall a ti Zinn with long cranks,.......

If that bike will make you really happy and keep you inspired to continue the quest for fitness, it will be worth every penny. If you can honestly see yourself loving that machine and riding the hell out of it, sign the contract. Otherwise, that's a lot of dough for a bike.

If it makes you happy, buy it! I don't understand other posters talking about it being too much for a bike. Maybe for them, I couldn't afford one but if I could I would. People think I spent way to much on a bike but if you ride a lot you may as well enjoy it and look good at the same time! I explain the cost this way, especially to non riding friends. Yes it's a lot of money but it's no more than what they will spend on golf, motorcycles, atv's, snowmobiles, boats. anything a person does for enjoyment costs money and why not have the best you can afford! Oh and the bike won't perform unless you do.

If it makes you happy, buy it! I don't understand other posters talking about it being too much for a bike. Maybe for them, I couldn't afford one but if I could I would. People think I spent way to much on a bike but if you ride a lot you may as well enjoy it and look good at the same time! I explain the cost this way, especially to non riding friends. Yes it's a lot of money but it's no more than what they will spend on golf, motorcycles, atv's, snowmobiles, boats. anything a person does for enjoyment costs money and why not have the best you can afford! Oh and the bike won't perform unless you do.

^^^ Exactly! If it's something you want and you can swing it, go for it! It's not about everybody else, it's about you. I saved for two years to be able to get my Roadie. It's way more bike than I need but I love it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. And, no, the bike won't make you faster. If you want to go faster, pedal harder. :)

225lb. But, at what height? A 225lb 6'5" rider has a considerably better chance of realizing the performance potential of a bike than a 225lb 5'nothing rider does.

Is it worth the cost? Probably not. As has already been stated, there isn't much performance gain after Ultegra/Force. It's more about the motor than the chasis.

If it's a personal, mid life dream bike, personally, I would be looking at Colnago C59, Pinarello Dogma, hmmm,...because I'm tall a ti Zinn with long cranks,.......

6' 2" at 225lbs. Goal weight is 200.

6' 2" at 225lbs. Goal weight is 200.

Nowhere near a problem, go for it! Just like any other new bike for a clyde, I'd have the rear wheel tensioned properly by a skilled wheel smith once you get it.

When I lived in va I use to bass fish. I had the fancy boat,the truck to pull it,and all the fancy rods, reels, and gear. My buddy and I fished all weekend and a few days during the week in club tournaments.

I finally figured it out when one year a guy shows up in our club with a beat all to hell aluminum John boat with a motor older than I was, and his zebco rod.

He beat the pants off us all year.

I suspect my rods cost more than his entire rig....learned a lot from that guy.


I had one more thought on the dollars. If you make 100k a year then a 7k bike seems to make sense to me, if you make 30k however it doesn't.

Of course this is all just my opinion and has no bearing on anyone, nor any basis in reality, but you did ask for opinions :)

^^^ Exactly! If it's something you want and you can swing it, go for it! It's not about everybody else, it's about you. I saved for two years to be able to get my Roadie. It's way more bike than I need but I love it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. And, no, the bike won't make you faster. If you want to go faster, pedal harder. :)


+1,000. You'll not live forever. If you cn afford it and it's what you want, go for it. As I tell folks about mine, it's cheaper than therapy and blood pressure meds.

Every post has validity and reflects a point of view for the OP to consider. Because I've made some regrettable big ticket purchases in my life, I was just urging caution by considering the "why" instead of the "why not".

Somehow, saying its wise to spend $5000+ because you can easily afford it falls short of my conservative thinking. On the other hand, saying "My goal to lose weight has been motivated by earning a super bike when I hit 225; the dream machine will help me move towards my ultimate fitness goal every day; it will be an investment in my future good health. I can buy it without causing hardship for my family" makes a case for justification rather than gratification.

I purchased a $2,000 pistol several years ago (1) because I was infatuated with the notion of owning a very fine handgun, (2) I rationalized that I would use it often and (3) I could afford it. Unfortunately, the pistol is too nice to risk bangin' up; so, it's a safe queen gathering dust.

I'm not trying to talk Pryfogle out of buying the bike. I'm just sayin' $5,000 is a pretty big bite to take without pausing to ask "why" instead of charging ahead by saying "why not".

Every post has validity and reflects a point of view for the OP to consider. Because I've made some regrettable big ticket purchases in my life, I was just urging caution by considering the "why" instead of the "why not".

Somehow, saying its wise to spend $5000+ because you can easily afford it falls short of my conservative thinking. On the other hand, saying "My goal to lose weight has been motivated by earning a super bike when I hit 225; the dream machine will help me move towards my ultimate fitness goal every day; it will be an investment in my future good health. I can buy it without causing hardship for my family" makes a case for justification rather than gratification.

I purchased a $2,000 pistol several years ago (1) because I was infatuated with the notion of owning a very fine handgun, (2) I rationalized that I would use it often and (3) I could afford it. Unfortunately, the pistol is too nice to risk bangin' up; so, it's a safe queen gathering dust.

I'm not trying to talk Pryfogle out of buying the bike. I'm just sayin' $5,000 is a pretty big bite to take without pausing to ask "why" instead of charging ahead by saying "why not".

Well, not sure the internet is the place to go for rational thought...but: I don't know (not a gun person, and I won't get into why on a bike forum) how the OP plans to ride, but a bike is something you spend A LOT of time with. A glance at my Garmin file tells me I have spent 54 hours (796 miles) with mine this year, before counting cleaning and maintenance time. Ride and fit and comfort matter a great deal with that kind of relationship.

Go for it, I am 225 , purchased a 2K bike recently, for me it was what I could afford, and the people at my job could not comprehend that kind of expense for a bicycle, after some research though, I figured that the diff between 3 and 5k is minimal, kinda between the ears ya know, after hitting that first pothole, its all the same anyhow. Good luck.

Well, not sure the internet is the place to go for rational thought...but: I don't know (not a gun person, and I won't get into why on a bike forum) how the OP plans to ride, but a bike is something you spend A LOT of time with. A glance at my Garmin file tells me I have spent 54 hours (796 miles) with mine this year, before counting cleaning and maintenance time. Ride and fit and comfort matter a great deal with that kind of relationship.

Adrien, thanks for taking time to consider my post. The gun example may have been a poor choice (probably lots of anti-gunners here), and I've made other high-priced decisions based on emotion rather than properly considered justifications.

I agree that our bikes represent a special relationship if we're dedicated riders. I also know I don't own a bike that cost more than $1,500, and I have a great relationship with all of them. I ride them, care for them, depend on their reliability, comfort, performance and safety. My bikes perform very well for me, so I don't lust for equipment costing much, much more to somehow create a more gratifying relationship.

Is this a bad place for rational thought? For conservative thinking? Is our sport more about emotion than logic and pragmatism?

Adrien, thanks for taking time to consider my post. The gun example may have been a poor choice (probably lots of anti-gunners here), and I've made other high-priced decisions based on emotion rather than properly considered justifications.

I agree that our bikes represent a special relationship if we're dedicated riders. I also know I don't own a bike that cost more than $1,500, and I have a great relationship with all of them. I ride them, care for them, depend on their reliability, comfort, performance and safety. My bikes perform very well for me, so I don't lust for equipment costing much, much more to somehow create a more gratifying relationship.

Is this a bad place for rational thought? For conservative thinking? Is our sport more about emotion than logic and pragmatism?

There's nothing wrong with that. But why should it be considered "irrational" for someone to WANT to spend more if they can do so? Each to their own. If you're happy on a $1,500 bike, that's awesome. I was happy on a $600 bike until I eventually rode it to pieces. When I upgraded, I went much more expensive. I didn't feel at all irrational when I did so. :)

There's nothing wrong with that. But why should it be considered "irrational" for someone to WANT to spend more if they can do so? Each to their own. If you're happy on a $1,500 bike, that's awesome. I was happy on a $600 bike until I eventually rode it to pieces. When I upgraded, I went much more expensive. I didn't feel at all irrational when I did so. :)

Your choice, and the OP's decision, are your's to make and I'm just a real conservative guy trying to give him something to consider. I'm also a great proponent for buying quality, which always costs more. Some would say I over think things; my only defense is that years in business shaped the way I make decisions.

There is a difference, in my mind, between "high quality" and "luxury". In my simple view of things, I'd rather have two $2,500 bikes than one $,5,000 bike...quality vs. luxury. My business colleagues bought tailor made suits while I stayed with good off-the-rack garmits. Some of my colleagues drove imported luxury cars while I traveled in American made SUVs. Affordability and gratification aren't compelling factors in my view.

A case can be made for luxury, but its mostly based on emotion. However, sometimes the emotional factors are enough to carry the day.

By the way, I didn't imply the decision to buy an expensive bike might be irrational. Adrien commented that the Internet might not be a place for rational thought.

Your choice, and the OP's decision, are your's to make and I'm just a real conservative guy trying to give him something to consider. I'm also a great proponent for buying quality, which always costs more. Some would say I over think things; my only defense is that years in business shaped the way I make decisions.

There is a difference, in my mind, between "high quality" and "luxury". In my simple view of things, I'd rather have two $2,500 bikes than one $,5,000 bike...quality vs. luxury. My business colleagues bought tailor made suits while I stayed with good off-the-rack garmits. Some of my colleagues drove imported luxury cars while I traveled in American made SUVs. Affordability and gratification aren't compelling factors in my view.

A case can be made for luxury, but its mostly based on emotion. However, sometimes the emotional factors are enough to carry the day.

By the way, I didn't imply the decision to buy an expensive bike might be irrational. Adrien commented that the Internet might not be a place for rational thought.

I understand you a little better now, thanks. Luxury and quality, in my mind, are just two more relative terms. One man's Chevy is another man's Mercedes. There's not anything wrong with frugality but, you're right, it's a personal choice. I can honestly say that, in MY case, the investment that I made into what you might probably consider a "luxury" bike was the single BEST Life Investment I've ever made. But everybody is not me. Thank God! lol

I understand you a little better now, thanks. Luxury and quality, in my mind, are just two more relative terms. One man's Chevy is another man's Mercedes. There's not anything wrong with frugality but, you're right, it's a personal choice. I can honestly say that, in MY case, the investment that I made into what you might probably consider a "luxury" bike was the single BEST Life Investment I've ever made. But everybody is not me. Thank God! lol

I'm with you, SP. Incidentally, I don't consider myself to be frugal. Conservative might be a better classification.

His $7,000 and his choice all the way.

Pryfogle, sorry I took your thread off course. Congrats on your fitness quest and your search for a new bike. Your current weight shouldn't make the bike choice a big deal.

Let us know what you decide.

Bought the Wilier Cento Uno last night. SRAM Red, Fulcrum R3 2-way Fit. Should be built up in the next week. CAN'T WAIT!!! I'll post pics. Thank you everyone for your thoughtful responses!

ride strong.

Not that I got my vote in on time, but congratulations.

Buy whatever makes you want to go riding is what I usually say.

please post pictures!!! I want to see what a bike, that costs as much as my kids braces, looks like!!

please post pictures!!! I want to see what a bike, that costs as much as my kids braces, looks like!!

There are many of those out there...even if you have several kids.

Questions. How will this bike perform for a 225lb guy like me? Is the extra cost worth the performance gain? Wide open to suggestions and ideas.

Should perform like a dream - enjoy your new bike!