travbikeman

I was thinking of getting the following bike to put on my trainer and eventually start riding once I'm down to 250lbs. I'm currently at 290 lbs.

Access Old Turnpike Gravel Bike - 2017 Performance Exclusive

When going to the bike shop to look and to purchase, the lone guy there tells me the wheels, of course would not handle the trails with me at my weight. I was going to replace those with my current mountain bike wheels. Then he tells me that the fork would also not be able to handle the local canal trail. He stated anyone over 210 lbs is too much for this bike. Then proceeded to suggest one of the bikes they have on the floor, a Fuji Tread and Jari.

So I figured, lets try to research this and call up various other Performance Bikes for their opinions. The second shop told me it would be fine with the other wheels I have and to enjoy the ride but to be careful for doing stunts with it.

The third shop tells me the fork is very robust, just put bigger tires on the wheels and they would be fine, but then went on to tell me the welds on this bike are not very good and may not handle me. He went on to suggest their other gravel bikes. He stated it is a potential issue of buying a cheaper bike.

So I'm like.....what the HEY! Who do I want to believe on this? So I'm curious on ya'll's opinion. I'm almost tempted to say the heck with this for now and just continue with my Crosstrail. My itch for N+1 is starting to go away..........

tyrion

Wow what a deal. My guess is that wheels are the weak link. I counted 32 spokes in the picture.

That sounds suspicious.

PatrickR400

My opinion is that you are being fed some BS, followed by some up selling...

I ride a Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon, bone stock, which means 24 spoke wheels. I started riding it at 299 lbs, now 282 lbs. That is above the "limit" that Specialized states for that bike. Not a creak, not a ping, nothing.

The bike shop where I go is staffed with young aspiring riders, on salary not commission, as a way to sponsor them. It also means that there is no up selling, and no pressure. I would suggest finding a similar (no commission) store.

ClydeTim

Wow, the welds are not that good so they might not handle you?

Welds are meant to handle the stress of a bicycle. Only way that guy could determine the integrity of the welds would be a quality control type test when the frame was built. Or maybe he partied with the welder and they showed up drink to work the next day?

The thing about being a Clyde is that too many shops want to sell what is on the floor rather than what you really need or want.

Looks like a good bike to me. Plus Performance has some good backing on their products most times so if something does happen, pretty sure it will be handled well.

Wheels may be the weak point but with wider tires than a normal road bike, they should last if proper tension is applied.

Dave Cutter

I also get the emails from performance bike.... and went in the store New Year Day and I ordered in an Old Turnpike gravel bike in my size.

I am the fattest I've been in several years. And my weight was a consideration. But the bike looks plenty sturdy enough to me. Great price.... and I like the colors. I should have mine this Thursday-Friday.

travbikeman

Thanks everyone! I'm seriously thinking of getting it this weekend! Whether the few shop guys like it or not.

travbikeman

Yea, I saw your other post on the gravel thread. Looking forward to some pictures! Maybe?

travbikeman

That's funny you would tell me this. Cause I went to a different Specialized LBS from my normal one I've gone to. The guys there were showing me this 2016 Diverge Carbon, think it was the Comp, it was yellow in color. He was totally for selling it to me stating it could definitely handle my weight with no issues. But the price tag, even though on a major sale, was a negative for my budget. BUT WOW! That thing was so light.

I was disappointed in the weight of the new Sequoia though. I know it's steel, but that bike felt heavier than my Crosstrail, but am betting is comfortable riding.

chunkymonkeybik

Hey, I work out on a bmx, I'm 290.

Just go for it and see for yourself. If you keep taco=ing rear's, then you may need to adjust. Otherwise, just see how it goes.

PatrickR400

It is a very light bike; I can lift it with an open hand under the top tube, and keep it there forever.

It is pricey, but my point was that carbon fiber, and not that many spokes can hold my weight. The bike you were looking at should be fine.

ColonelSanders

To ask a silly question, are you sure you will be comfortable on a bike with drop bars?

I understand the desire for N+1 and all, but your Crosstrail should be a good gravel bike.

Joeyseven

I think it was down to $600 last week or I misread the price.I'll go with the latter.

Anyways I ordered A 58cm Access Old Turnpike Gravel Bike from Performance last month for $750 + 20% points back.I'm about 6'3" at @235 and not at all worried about breaking anything.

Really did not put many miles on it until I returned it for A full refund.
First they did not tighten the bolts on the stem and few other problems.So off to A rough start.
Would have rode more,but the weather was bad.One thing I noticed is my regular shoes keep hitting the
rear chainstays.With my clipless pedals and shoes seem to solved the hitting.

Returned to A different shop and one employee agreed about the chainstays getting wide to soon could be A problem for big feet.Beisdes that I enjoyed the short two rides.
Would buy from Performance again,just not the two shops I visited up around Portland.




Found A return Mongoose Selous Sport Gravel Bike at Nashbar in my size that I bought.
Would have never bought the Mongoose,but it was about half price.

Jarrett2

In my opinion as a guy that started riding bikes around 380 lbs, this bike will handle your 290 just fine.

I basically started riding on the same type of bike at 325 and no problems.

As a Clyde, beware skinny LBS salesmen. They rarely know what's right for us.

ColonelSanders

What was it about the bike you didn't like that caused you to return it for a full refund?

travbikeman

I'm going to check this weekend on a test ride. If it doesn't work out, chances are good that I'll just buy some new handle bars to hopefully help with the finger numbness I've been experiencing.

travbikeman

I did notice that about the chain stay, how it was so much wider than other bikes. I didn't realize that could cause a problem with pedaling. If I notice when testing this weekend that my heels hit this, that will be a big no on the bike then.

travbikeman

Yea, I've been noticing this. It's probably better to continue working my Specialized LBS since they were really helpful on my Crosstrail. It's potentially worth spending more for better service.

Joeyseven

These Performance guys.
I say go for it,buy it and ride it outside if you like the bike and drop bars
You might break A few rear spokes at most.

What size wheels(spokes) on your Crosstrail and any problems with them?

Also Performance has a great return policy.Not sure if they have A weight limit in writting on their bikes.

travbikeman

I actually was going to replace the wheels on this Access bike with the Weinman 36 spoke wheels I put on my Crosstrail. Would use those until I lose more weight.

Funny thing about the original 32 spoke 700c by 38 tire / wheels on my Crosstrail. They were fine when I was near 380lbs on pavement and rails to trails. It wasn't until I was under 300 lbs and tried to keep up with my son and his mountain bike going over some larger rocks did I break spokes and ruined the original rear wheel. So I bought some stronger wheels.

travbikeman

I forgot to also add, as my weight continues going down, I've been wanting to join some cycling clubs. Like Potomac Pedalers and go on some D and C level rides with them. Not the speedier rides, but some fun slower rides to enjoy the scenery and start socializing more! I want to keep pace with everyone else and am not so certain I can do that with the Crosstrail, especially since it appears most of the club members have road bikes. So I'm looking for a do it all bike......but....I'm also thinking of just keeping the Crosstrail and have a second bike for the road riding.

Was thinking a gravel bike would be better able to support my weight.

Joeyseven

This is the first bike I bought from A bike shop in A long time,maybe 5 years or so.

Really not A bad bike.The wide rear chainstays was something I was concerned about.

Few reasons
Performance sent me out the door with A new bike that had A lose stem to fork bolts and other problems.
I do not live close to A Performance store.I could have fixed the problem,and I did torque the bolts down latter that day.

Had to wait about A week before I could return to shop for them to fix the shifting.
Just got A bad vide with the first Performances store I visited and the bike problem at the 2nd store.
Not impressed with store employees that work on the bikes at the Performance shop I went too.

In the end it all worked out.
As A few weeks latter I bought A return Mongoose Gravel bike in my size from nashbar(sister company to Performance) at A great price.The rear chainstays are not so wide as the Performance Old Gravel.

Oh and I returned A trainer with no problem.But they mailed it back to my house by mistake.

ColonelSanders

All sound reasoning.

With the concern about heel striking the chainstays, a fix for that could be something like "Knee Savers" which will push each leg out 20mm.

Not sure how that might effect your pedaling gate though.

travbikeman

Thanks, but if I find my heels strike the chain stay, I'm not going to bother with the bike and will look elsewhere.

But have to admit, I just checked out Nashbar and those Mongoose's look interesting.

travbikeman

Curious on which Mongoose you bought? Is it as light as this Access? Nashbar seems to have a really nice sale going on.

DMC707

Im currently in your weight range (down from almost 340) - and have been comfortably riding a Cannondale Synapse carbon fiber road bike (about 17 lbs) .

Admittedly when i was closer to 340, i spent my time riding an older Italian road bike that i rigged a tall stem to give it a more upright posture, but now the racier Synapse is no problem (a Synapse is Cannondale's "endurance" oriented road bike - it has a little more forgiving geometry than their full race bikes)

Wheels are 24 spoke i think and tires are 700x25


I hate saying it will work for you because it works for me though. I dont know your road conditions or riding style, or your frame for that matter, even if we're a similar weight, its a solid bet we have different riding styles and even different physical body types that may effect our interaction with the bike - I'm more of a smaller gear spinner, - people who are big gear mashers break more spokes

----- but at 290, your not too far above these bike's recommended weight ranges - which is probabbly 275.

Specialized makes the Roubaix and Trek makes one in the "endurance road" category themselves as well