jaquimas

I am in the beginning stages of looking for a bicycle and have not ridden in at least 10 years (and, like so many others, rode simply what was gifted, pretty, or handed down to me as a kid.)

So far my interest has been piqued by the Giant Cypress and Sedona models (including DX varieties) based in part on their upright-looking riding stance. Are these models suited for a heavy rider? I am 5'7", 260, and after throwing a leg over a 2015 Cypress men's frame (preferred over women's model) I have come to realize I have short legs, and would probably be headed for an XS frame in the Cypress based on height of the top bar. I have not yet explored the Sedona in person.

My plans are rather leisurely rides that will allow me to travel beyond my usual evening 2-mile walks. Possible surfaces include gravel roads extending from home, hardpack grass/dirt trails (haul 5 miles), easy crushed stone trails (haul 10 miles), and in-town paved surfaces (expected to use rarely.) Primary use would be the dirt and crushed trails nearby, which are favorite areas of mine.

Based on my size and possible riding surfaces, are either of these lines a good choice for me? Will the spring forks and spring seat posts stand up to my weight? And, after doing a little reading in this forum, I guess I also need to worry about wheel & spoke construction too.

Many thanks in advance. If these would be good choices and there is a Trek model that is similarly suitable, I'd appreciate that info as well. Where I live, Giant and Trek are both readily available. Thanks!

bassjones

Either of those bikes should be fine. You're not THAT heavy. Lots of us weigh(ed) more than that. I'd avoid suspension or at least get one with a lock out feature.

jaquimas

Stopped by one of the LBSes today and had a look at the Sedona DX, which they only had stocked in a Medium frame. It was a little too big, but I am guessing a small would be not too bad. It also seemed to have just a tiny more amount of room between seat and handlebar stem, but that might have been an illusion. We also pulled out a Trek Verve (a 2 or 3, maybe) in a 17.5" frame. It was okay but not so much different that I felt drawn to it over the Giant. Also tried a Cypress women's model, which felt fine but just didn't appeal to me.

Interestingly, salesman really wanted to steer me toward a Townie, even after discussing where I wanted to ride. Hm.

I find the idea of an adjustable handlebar stem even more useful to me than a spring fork. (Will I NEED a spring fork for any reason? Will it be a danger in any way because of my size?) Base Sedona model looks like it has 21 gears with twist shifting. DX has 24 with spring lever shifting. Any advantage to any of those? If I got the base Sedona I would most likely upgrade to some kind of adjustable-angle handlebar stem, which would move me closer to the DX price. I've kind of quit looking at the Cypress because it didn't seem like a kind of bike I really would need a spring fork on, and it looks like the base model Cypress for 2016 has been reduced to 7 speeds, which seems a bit thin for the price. The DX seemed very similar to the Sedona. It also looks like 2013-14 Sedona DX models had fork spring lockout, but there is no mention of them in newer models. Darn.

Thanks for the advice so far; please keep it coming!

bassjones

You don't want a Townie! Not for what you've described. Find another shop.

revchuck 

I work in a shop that sells Giant and Specialized, and we sell a TON of Sedonas, some to folks heavier than you, and they hold up extremely well. I recommend the base model Sedona with an adjustable stem, which you had already figured out. Note that those stems come in different lengths, so you can get one that gives you the position you like. Many shops don't carry a selection of these, so it may have to be ordered.

Make sure you budget for a helmet and stuff you need for a flat (seat bag, tube, tire levers and CO2 or a pump), and get one of the folks there to show you how to replace a tube. Some shops have an informal class on Saturday mornings just for stuff like that.

Fangowolf

I started on a Cypress ST (steel) at 350. I switched out the back wheel, but you would have better luck with factory wheels, especially if you had a wheel guy true them up. As far as Sedona vs Cypress its probably based on what you want to ride. If you like off road more than on road the Sedona would be better. The Cypress is a bit faster and better on roads. The two right now are even more similar than they were 3 years ago, so you'll be ok either way.