New Bike
 

OK, I am probably not going to be looking at a new bike until next year, but who knows? Anyway, taking into account that I am 6' 285 (hoping to loose some of it, of course)and will be using the bike for a 8 mile one-way commute what bike would you reccomend? My budget will probably be around $1,000.00, but for the sake of argument (or my wife, she loves to argue!) let's say up to $2,000.00. Biggest concern is that on my current Trek 7100 I have been having a lot of problems with spokes breaking on the rear wheel. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Two grand can buy a lot of wheels. The problem may not be with the bike, but the wheels...

Kona Honky Tonk
 

If you're looking for a road bike, check out the Kona ***** Tonk. It comes in at under $1k. I'm 6'3" and 225 and it works great for me (I have the 61cm frame). I'm guessing it will work well for you, but you are heavier than me by a bit. Also, since the bike comes in under $1k, you can spend a little more to get custom wheels made that can handle your weight and still come in well under $1.5k

New Bike
 

That Kona does look nice. What is the stand-over height on the 61cm frame? I have about a 31 inch standover, and I'm still learning how to translate frame sizes. I realize that I could buy a lot of wheels for the $ I am talking about, but while the Trek isn't a bad bike, it isn't quite "right" for me either. The truth is I will probably try to spend around $1,000 on the bike, and then have a custom rear wheel put together for it as well. Still really want a road bike. An eon or so ago, when I was freash out of high school, I bought a new Nishiki that I used to get back and forth to work with (and which I used to save up for a car). This was in the late 70's and I seem to recall it was about $400 at that time. I loved that bike, and can still remember how fast I could go on that thing! That's what I want to work up to (within reason- taking into account age, and a lower tolereance for risk these days) and the trek is not going to get me there. The deal I made with my wife is that if I can loose 50 lbs, and still want to use the bike as my primary excercise tool, I can look at a 1,000- 1,500 price range for a bike. Thanks for all the thoughts!

At 6' tall with a 31'' stand over I am going to take it that you have short legs and a long torso. I don't believe you will be able to clear a 61cm frame. My 56cm frame has a stand over of about 30 inches so ideally for you, probably a 56-58 cm frame.

I'd look into a Surly Cross Check or a Long Haul Trucker. Both are very nice bicycles and would make awesome commuters.