rysox

Hi
I need to get in shape. Im about 6'5 320 pounds. I dont like to run, I dont like equipment. But in my younger days, I loved to ride my bike. Its been about 15 years since I road a bike any distance. Even then it was uncomfortable because I never had a properly sized bike.

I would like to buy a hybrid or comfort type bike to cruise around the city but be comfortable. So before I go into my local trek dealer (or another similar shop) and make a fool of myself, I want to know if buying a bike in the 300 dollar range a possibilty for a big guy without getting into custom stuff etc?

I meaured my inseem as described for sizing, and it comes to 35.5".... I think I have seen some 25" frames in my day but do they make such bikes?

StephenH

Similar questions have been asked, and you might peruse through the "Clydesdale" forums and read some of the responses.

bobn

Worksman makes a heavy duty bike. Made in USA. You can custom order one built with the stuff you want.

jaxgtr

Moved to Clydes.

v1k1ng1001

$300 is not a lot of money unless you're absolutely committed to buying something used off craigslist or ebay.

Some companies do make larger bikes, especially at the lower end. I'd up your budget a couple hundred dollars and have a look around. Maybe there is something on sale in your neck of the woods?

Get back to us with what you find.

Mazama

I rode a 25" Trek 7200 (Comfort Bike) for 7,500 miles over the past two years and I am taller and heavier than you. It held up nicely, but I had the wheels re-built every 2,500 miles. If you're just starting out it is a nice bike at around $500.00.

I have since gone custom, but it is expensive.

rysox

Heres what I found in my price range. But I wonder if these will be suitable for my size:
All Terraine:
Gary Fisher MAKO 309.99
Trek 3700 or 3900 (3-400 range)
Trek 820 - 289.99 price is right.

Hybrid
Trek 7000 329.99
Gary Fisher Tiburon 379.99

These are in my range and from my local bike shop website. Im still unclear of the size I need though. I realzie custom fit is neccessary from dealer but so I have an idea, with a 35.5 inch inseem, what size frame will I need?

And I have to be firm in the 300-400 price range. And its my first bike since my BMX days ;^)

kevbo

You are about my height, but my legs are a little longer. Level top-tube road frames come in a 64cm size in some models, which is pretty close to what the 25" frames were back in the day. I make one work, but I'd prefer a little bigger frame. You will probably fit pretty well on a 64, my height is in my limbs, so a bike tall enough for me is usually a bit too long in the top tube.

The best fitting bike I ever had was a '79 Nishiki 27" (frame AND wheels)

You will have to look long and hard to find a used bike with a 64cm frame, but they do exist. Keep watching criags list, and leave a card at your local bike shops.

A steel frame or a minimally suspended "comfort" bike will help take some of the strain off the wheels.

jaxgtr

The Trek 3700/3900 will sink under you. I bought the 3900 for my son and anytime I get on it to do a test ride and whatnot to make sure everything is working, I really push the front end down a lot. I have a 7300, but I got rid of the suspension fork and went with a rigid and it made a huge difference. If you can find a rigid front fork in a bike that fits you, I think you would be much happier.

BY the way, I am right at 300.

flip18436572

I have a Jamis Explorer 2.0 comfort bike. I know they can be found as a year or two old and they can be found in a big frame. My only concern would be the front fork. As long as you aren't jumping curbs and things like that, it will be fine with your weight.

Good luck with your search.

StephenH

The Worksman would be fine for the weight, but they don't make a big frame- you'd run out of knee room, specifically.

rysox

Oh man, looking thru the rest of this forum Im dizzy with the options of what I need. From the ones I listed, are any able to accomodate someone my size for the price I can spend?

v1k1ng1001

I think you need to cough up more cash or start looking around for a used bike

Another options is Bikesdirect.com. The problem with buying from Bikesdirect is that you don't have support from your LBS. This Motobecane Cafe Latte is pretty nice and comes in a 23" frame which is your size. It is a lot of bike for $469.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...cafe_latte.htm

speedxl

Raleigh ( Venture )and Specialized (expedition and crossroads) have comfort bikes in the $330 to $380 range Look on the net you'll find deals everywhere. Good Luck!

acupuncture Doc

I am in the same boat as you. about the same size and weight. I can share some of my experiences with you as to what has worked for me and what hasn't.

I have ridden several bikes at this weight but there have been only two main bikes. My first bike was a Specialized Sirrus. About a year ago, I got serious about biking after a 25 year hiatus. I started popping spokes after a few months of daily 10-35 mile rides. I eventually spent several hundred dollars replacing the wheels with Mavic bladed spoke wheels. These hold up but seem to need constant adjustment.

My second bike was a used Giant Iguana mountain bike, at least 12 years old, with a Chromoly frame and 36 spoke wheels. It has been for lack of a better word, fantastic. The 26" wheels have held up so much better, and I ride a lot. I need little in the way of adjustment and there have been no spoke failures so far.

To conclude - I have had zero problems with the 12 year old 26"/ 36 spoke MTB wheel set, and many, many problems with the 32 spoke 700c and The expensive "This is the strongest wheel we got in the shop mister" 700c wheels. My conclusion is that big guys like me do better on a 26" wheel made for the off road crowd.

Your mileage may vary of course, but this is what has worked for me. Hope it helps you too...

bdinger

Don't feel dismayed! There are definitely options for you in, or a hair outside your price range.

Specialized makes most of their MTB models in a 23in size, which is.. HUGE. I ride a 19in Hardrock sport, and it fits me great. Granted, I have plenty of seatpost exposed (right at the "minimum" insert line), but so do a lot of MTBers who want to have kids.. ! I'm 6'2 with a 31-31 1/2 in inseam, for comparison sake. In addition to fitting me great, the bike is indestructible. I FINALLY had to do maintenance on it last week, after probably 1500+ miles, but all that needed done was a new chain, new rear der cable, new brake pads and some new tires. Without the tires, including labor, that ran me $62. Compare the TCO of my bike to my car some day!

I could go on for hours about Specialized bikes to the point where you would think they pay me, but I say check 'em out. The "HR XC" model is new for '08, and they look to be pretty nice bikes. The frames are lighter and not as stout as the Hardrock, but that also means they are probably going to be a little better on pavement. Plus, the HR XC fits smack in your price range, maybe a tad out. The tires on them are still knobbies, my recommendation would be to ride them and see how you like them, or just replace them off the bat. On my HR I replaced the stock knobbies with a set of Nimbus Armadillos and... oh LORD is that a difference! Night and day, almost, as I rocketed around the neighborhood. It's cold and rainy today, but I actually WANT to ride home from work to try them out some more.

Ideally, if you could, see if you can track down a '07 Hardrock Sport with a 23in frame. The wheels are indestructible, the fork sucks, but if you torque on the compression it is actually quite stiff, and the frame is a tank.

Good luck, any help I can provide let me know!

bdinger

Hear hear! I'm going to second, third, fourth and so on this post. I have a Trek FX that has about 1200 miles on it, and in that time I had the stock wheel rebuilt once, a new "indestructible" rear wheel built that needed rebuilt TWICE, and a new frame. Last summer, pretty much once a week it was in the shop with some sort of wheel ailment, to the point where I was "done" with it when I started riding this year.

Granted, I still absolutely love it, as it's a rocketship. But rocketships are not daily commuters, so it's the "weekend bike" so to speak. Now my Hardrock, well, the only stuff that's broke or wore out is stuff that should have after 1500 miles (knobby tires, chain, brake pads). And while I slow down and ease over bumps on the 700c-wheeled Trek FX, I absolutely pound the snot out of the Hardrock.

Summary? I think we both said it . When I drop below 250, I'll probably start looking harder at road bikes again, but until then I'll stick with what works.

acupuncture Doc

bdinger......more people should listen to super geniuses like us...!!!!!!! We am smart.

speedxl

Yes the 26 inchers are stout, I have a hardrock comp also and can say its tuff!,, Wheels never went untrue, even while I was 380 lbs riding single track with mild roots.

Also on My Sirrus I retrued the wheels 100 miles and made sure the spokes were tensioned correctly .
Since then 500+ miles have past and have not had any other issues.

Then my Allez pro with Ksyrium elites haven't had any issues, all I did was make sure they where tensioned correctly before installing them on my bike. Granted I don't curb hop and avoid riding on the side walks. Basically like has been said a hundred times through out this forum, wheels built properly reduce problems.
But then keep in mind this things were meant for 200 lb riders.

Without a doubt you can push 26's harder!
Hard rocks rule!!!! Clydes in house bike. Wonder how many forum members have a Hardrock?

bautieri

Ok, I'll chime in on this one. If you want to go the mountain bike route it is completely doable on your budget. If you go for the 820 or the 3700 (please go for the 3700) immediately buy a ridged (non suspension) front fork. These cost all of 20-30 dollars. Installation should run about 25 dollars and no you can't do it yourself, the required tools are far to expensive to be cost effective.

You're going to run into trouble with the rims. Be careful and you may be able to squeak a couple hundred miles out of the stock rims. Once you start noticing a wobble in the rim have it trued, an out of true wheel with a heavy rider is a recipe for tacos and broken spoke casserole. Once these go buy hand built double walled rims, lower end hand builds should run about 100 a piece.

Don't be discouraged by the high cost, it is doable on your budget but understand that bicycling is highly addictive and has a very expensive learning curve. It's best to save up and buy as much bike as you can right up front. For 100 dollars more than the 3700 you can have a Giant Rincon which has an adjustable front fork (make it as stiff as you can) and double walled rims stock. You'll spend 100 more up front but will save 150 in the long run when you don't have to buy a new fork and rims. I don't want you to make the same mistake I did by buying the most cost effective bicycle (read cheapest) that I liked thinking you can upgrade it later. I've more than bought back my bicycle in upgrades, for the 600+ dollars I have in my bike and upgrades I could have bought something much better than I currently ride. Hind sight is always 20/20.

Don't forget to buy a helmet.

Bau

theone2496

I picked up a late 80's / EARLY 90's Hard Rock at the local police auction over the winter. I have every intention of fixing it up for commuting. I have a Trek Pilot 2.1 that I use for road rides, but have decided that for the in town trails it's just too much. I also have a $100 x-mart bike that I've been riding into the ground. It's got to keep working until I get the Hard Rock up and running all the way. I am also buying a house, so needless to say the HR is going to probably end up sitting this season out due to lack of funds. It is really addictive, so be prepared for everyone you know to start asking ?'s about how much stuff costs. I hadn't planned on buying the HR, but it "reminded me of a x-mart bike I had growning up, and had to buy it then", for $25, it was money well spent!

Fleet

I'm about your size and had your budget for each of my bikes. My mountain bike is a Hardrock Sport. It cost about $350 in a 23" size. It is a solid bike, but the fork (Suntour) couldn't hold my weight well, so I upgraded it. If you try out a Specialized Hardrock, you may want to have them swap out the fork for a rigid one.

My "hybrid" bike is a Kona Dew, which cost about $400. Not the Dew Deluxe. I compared the Dew to a Trek 7300, and the Dew fit me better and was $100 cheaper. The Dew Deluxe is quite nice, but it is around $600 and the major upgrade over the Dew is Disc Brakes. The Regular Dew's brakes are just fine.

Cosmoline

I've had fantastic luck with my Kona Hoss. It's the 2005 model I believe, off of CL for $250 used. I rode it all winter nearly every day through really rough conditions in Anchorage. I'm about your size and all I managed to bust was one rear spoke. It's a total tank.

bdinger

$250!?! That's probably one of the best CL deals I've heard of, ever.

tssa

So this is my first post, please take it easy on me.

I'm in the same boat as the OP; I'm 6'5", weigh 280lbs (down from 320 though, so it could be worse), and have a 34" inseam. I'm very much a newbie when it comes to bicycling, I've done a bit of research over the past month or so, but aside from that the last time I rode was in elementary school. I got a cheap Wally World bike at a garage sale to see if bicycling would be something I would like to do and I can safely say I got my $5 out of it.

Now I'm in the market for a "real" bike. I'm getting married soon (thus the incentive to get in better shape) so I really can't budge on my budget of $300-$400, preferably on the $300 end of that spectrum. There are a few bike shops in my area and I have looked online at what they have available. I plan to do mainly in town and trail riding, which according to a cycler in my office, makes me a candidate for a hybrid or a mountain bike.

Some of the bikes I'm looking into are the Giant Cypress ($320), Trek 4300 ($399), Trek 3700 ($329), Gary Fisher Mako ($279), and thanks to bautieri I've bookmarked a Giant Rincon ($399) too.

Like I said before, I don't plan on doing anything too adventurous at all, everything will be on a nice even road or trail, so I wouldn't think that my weight alone would be enough to cause problems with wheels or forks or anything but I have no clue when it comes to this sort of thing.

Do any of you have any experience with these bikes or any suggestions at all? Thanks in advance to anyone who can help or give advice, I really appreciate it.