bennysupreme

Have no idea where to start. I guess I'm looking to get into cycling because of a shoulder surgery I just had. I can't really do anything so I thought I would pick up biking. I have been looking to get into it for a while but rather play golf and shot guns. Well I can't do either of those now, still have 6 months of rehad.

About me: I 33 years old and weight 210 lbs and growing as time passes not being able to do anything. I'm six foot tall and normally active and athletically inclined.

I live in Germany right now but will be moving to Italy next year. I have lots of open road and a bike/walking right up the road. Weather doesn't bother me so I will be able to ride as long as the path is clear. (no mountain biking or off roading)

I looking to purchase my first ever bike. I'm not counting the BMX bikes and trick bikes or super low end nonfitted mountain bikes I would ride as a kid.

Bikes that Im looking at:

Cube Tonopah Pro @ 1134 Euro

2015 Kona Esatto DDl @ 1496 USD (lean toward this due to a package deal going on right now)

2015 Kona Sutra @ 1060 USD

The Canondale Bad Boy @ 855 USD

Or a Canondale Synapse (tag reads 11 Bike SYN CRB 6 C) and its blue/white w/rim brakes at 1530

I'm grateful for any help given. Like I said Im new to this page and biking in general.

obed7

which one felt the best to you when you test rode them?

bennysupreme

I have only been on the Kona Bikes! The Esatto felt ok, but that could be due to being a 54 w/low tire pressure on the trainer. I did like the way the handles felt in my hands though. The Sutra felt like a tank. It felt nice but again, it was a 54. With this bike I would just be taking it for long rides. I don't see myself hauling anything with it. The two canodales with lifted and with my shoulder I wasn't messing with them, plus the tires were flat. The Cube was in small bike shop so I didn't ride it either. I think as long as I have the correct size I will be good with just about anything since I don't really have any past history riding.

I want to say I need a 56 or could 54 with tweaking the seat work?

TrojanHorse

I imagine you'll be better off on a 56 at your height. Maybe even a 58.

bennysupreme

56 is what they said I would need. Having said that, the Canodale Synapse would be out of the picture.

The bigboy was labeled as large, I was able to find good review on this bike but not so much the others.

For the money spent, what would be the best choice? I looking to ride several times a week for at least an hour at a time. I would like the option to either stroll along or standup and move out once my shoulder is healed.

jsigone

All very different bike and what they are suited for.

The Synapse would be the most all around version, mostly road going but can be used for dirt fire roads.

I'd get the shorter frame of the two (road bike wise), you will have more room to adjust the stem length and angle for you bad shoulder. I had to do the same about 1 n half ago after my car crash. my 58cm bike feel way to stretch unless I shorted the stem from 120 to 90mm.

VCSL2015

Do you really need to pay that high a price for the extras? Are clipless pedals something you would gain from buying?

RubeRad

From that lineup I'd get the Bad Boy just because it's cheapest and still quite a good bike. UNLESS drop bars is something you really want. That's probably a significant question, because if you have shoulder issues, you definitely want to test out anything before you ride it.

I don't know if it would fit what seems to be your athletic personality/goals, but for a bum shoulder, you might want to look into a fully-upright, dutch-style townie bike, so as to put no weight on your shoulders at all.