Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Diving In

Ok, so I'm a big dude, 6' and 320lbs. I'm doing whatever I can to get in shape.

I'm looking into bikes, and have not ridden since I was a kid and know basically nothing about them. So, while I read the threads, I don't really understand the why of things. Like why have wheels with lots of spokes? Or a certain diameter of wheel, etc.

So, explanations would be great, just general pointers to look out for.

I intend to buy my first bike, preferably used since we have tons of used bikes in the area.

For instance, there have been a few nice trek bikes (4500, 800, etc) that have come up for sale here.. but what do they mean by 18" frame??

How do I know what to look for?

Gah!

This may help:

http://veloweb.ca/bike-fit/

http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/howtobuyabike1.html

haha and welcome to my world when i first started reading, so i will go in order

6 foot tall pift you are short in my family :)

spokes rule of thumb is more = stronger, as they are taking you body's weight and they take the abuse when you hit curbs,rocks,holes and people ( avoid the last one please) . think of it as more points of contact between the rim and the hub of the wheel.

( there are exceptions to this rule wheels built well by hand are going to be stronger than the machine built ones, i would take a 32 hand built over a 36 machine)

The "sizing" of the wheel is different again my understanding ( which is limited) is the following

- 700 cc are on Roads and hybrids the x22 or x28 is the width of the tyre so 700 is the diameter and 28 is the width. Example 700x28 ( i don't ride a road or a hybrid so i may be wrong :p )

- 26" is the common size for a mountain bike once again 26 is the diameter and the the1.75 is the width so you get tyres with 26x1.75 or 26x2.1 .

- 29" are on some mountain bikes and you will have to ask someone else about these i have no clue
-same for a 650 road bike wheel..... not a clue

When people say 18" frame .... they are midgets :lol::eek: err i mean that is a small frame. How they measure it seems to change from company to company :) i will let someone with more knowledge answer that better.

They are measuring the frame mountain bikes i have noticed tend to be measured in inches, like mine is a 24" . road bikes in Cm's as for what will fit you well you need to be fit by a professional for the most accurate information, while stab in the dark you would want a 24 Mountain bike frame and i can not even guess on a road bike there is to much i don't know .

I ride a Trek 4300 disc 24" frame i love it , i don't know if i would recommend it as i have done damage to mine in the time i have been riding. Some of that is weight related other brain snap related:innocent: . I brought it when i knew very little and at 6 feet tall you will have you pick of the second hand bikes both road and mountain.

some one will come along and blow my post apart i am sure :lol:;) so i will just finish up saying welcome, have fun and say WEeeeeee down the hills .

Edit :10 wheels that is cheating.... but a good idea :roflmao2:

Edit :10 wheels that is cheating.... but a good idea

I don't like to type when I am tired.

Just got in from a 72 mile ride.

i am work on the phone ... listening to a supplier harp on about DOA periods and changes to statutory warranty........would hang my self with out Bike forums at times like this

.......would hang my self with out Bike forums at times like this

We have this magic thing called "websense" when I'm in the office - no fun surfing!

Bah - productivity.

personal laptop :) 3g USB adapter ... i am not on their web, and my boss who is sitting next to me is currently looking up cars and engine mods :)

You might try a specialized Hard Rock in 21" frame size with 26" wheels. Count the spokes if it is a few years old it should have 36 spoke wheels. For a newer Hard Rock check out the 21" frame size with 29" wheels, this also comes with 36 spokes per wheel if the wheels are original. At your weight you want 36 spokes per wheel. Don't let anyone talk you into 32 spoke wheels. My feeling is heavy duty 32 spoke wheels should only be for riders under about 275 lbs. I am over 350 lbs. most mountain bikes over 5 years old that were under $1000 new should work. Also look for one where the stem that attaches the handlebar to the bike isn't adjustable. There aren't many new bikes that fit your weight anymore.

One thing I see a lot of is bikes with like... 24 speeds. O.o My motorcycle only had 6 at most?? Why the need for that many speeds?

The hardrock comes with 7. I would normally assume that is plenty if not for the crazy high numbers i'm seeing everywhere.

Your motorcycle is much better at producing power across a wide range of RPM than your legs are / will be. That's why there are so many gears.

Road bikes typically have 20 (2 up front, 10 in the back) although some have a triple up front.

Mountain bikes typically have 3 up front and anywhere from 8-10 in the back.

The actual RANGE is more important than the number of gears but having more gears also makes it possible to get smaller gaps between gears, making it more likely for you to find just the right gear. :)

Also, does it matter disc vs rim brakes?

ok.. so is there a minimum # of gears I should look at???

I went and test road a bunch of bikes.

Of all of them, I liked the Trek Navigator 2 the most. I also tried an old 4500, and 7000, a Diamondback Trace Sport, and the Maseo GT. Are there others I should look at that are similar to the Navigator? Thoughts about the quality to price ($500).

$400-$500 is generally where bikes turn into respectable vehicles rather than "vehicles" so I think you'd be good to go. Now just go!

To answer your other questions:
Disc brakes tend to have better stopping power and better performance in poor conditions, but rim brakes are perfectly adequate for what you want to do.
Minimum number of gears? Not really. Once you get into the 7-speeds and higher (talking about the rear cassette only, not the total number of gears), more gears generally just means more "steps", not necessarily more range.

I am now the proud owner of a Giant Cypress.

Congratulations on the bike! We need a picture though. :)

I am now the proud owner of a Giant Cypress.

pictures or get out :p

pictures or get out :p

:roflmao2:

:roflmao2:

don't you laugh we are still waiting on pics of your new bike as well:p