ill.clyde

Go for the Bristol ... and don't worry about the carbon forks.

I'm currently 270, down from 300 when I STARTED riding on my Trek WITH carbon forks ... and I just completed a century on Sunday, on that Trek with Carbon Forks. You'll be fine.

Coby

Surely not all carbon forks are made the same though, right? Some are stronger than others I'd assume.

I've found a bike shop with some Raleigh bikes and they seem to by in my price range. I''m going to go look at them next week, but I'm curious if there are any specific models that any of you could recommend?

I'm going to call some more shops right now, so expect another post soon.

CraigB

If your budget is still, as stated earlier, about $1100, and you're interested in Raleighs, I'd take a good long look at the Revenio 3.0. I test rode one at a local shop last weekend and it's a very nice bike, and is one of the least expensive ones you can find that's full 105, including the brakes. I don't recall what list price is, but that shop sells them for $1100. Seems like most of the competition is at least $100-$300 more, and they almost all substitute Tektro brakes to keep their prices where they are. I don't know how Raleigh does it.

The visual design may give you pause though - the frame is matte black, and the cable housings and the tires are neon green. Graphics are a mix of green and white.

Coby

I was just looking at that one, but I'm going to try to keep the budget at $1000 including the gear.

I'm going to be going to this shop, and I think I'm primarily be looking at the Raleigh Revenio 1.0 or 2.0, Bianchi Campione, or Felt Z100. Would one of those bikes be a good option? Are the wheels okay?

https://www.cyclesmithslc.com/

The guy said on the phone that a carbon fork shouldn't be a problem for me. So that should make it easier to find one. If I like one of them I'll buy it then.

When I'm there, is there any sting you guys think I should specifically look at?

Thanks guys.

CraigB

I'm not familiar with the three you mention, but I know Felt makes some nice bikes for the money. The only experience I have with Bianchi was a test ride (at that same Raleigh shop) on the Via Narone 7 105, and it was a blast, but it had too aggressive a geometry for me - way too much drop from saddle to bars, even though Bianchi says it's one of their "endurance" frames. I don't know if the Campione shares geometry with the Via Narone, but if it does, make sure you test ride it for long enough time/distance to get an idea if you'll still find it comfy at 20 miles and beyond.

Wheels may or may not be an issue for you, but one thing is relatively certain - the wheels on all bikes at a similar price point are going to be more alike than not, so I wouldn't let the wheels sway my decision making process, unless everything else - and I mean everything - was equal. It'll cost you extra to upgrade the wheels at the time you buy the bike anyway, so why not just get the thing stock and then see if there's reason to spend more. You might not have any wheel problems, and you'll have saved a few bucks.

Coby

I'll be trying out some Raleigh and Felt bikes next week. I know the ones that I'd like to have, but I'm not sure if the wheels they come with are strong enough. They're 28H radial Front/32H 3x Rear. And on the Revenio 2.0 it looks like it's only 28 on each.

And I'm assuming a wheelset that would be good for me is pretty spendy right?

cohophysh

Coby,
I would suggest that you ride a variety of bikes, mountain, cross, road, hybrid, and buy the one that feels the best to you. You may like the feel of the mountain bike, you may like the feel of the road bike but you won't know until you try them.

I would highly suggest you buy local. I know bikesdirect sells cheap but you need to know how to put the bike together and tune it up...unless you want to pay a shop to do it. The advantage of buying from a shop is you may get a discount on other equipment and they may have free tune ups for the first several months, which is well worth it as you are breaking in the bike.
Good luck
Brian

Coby

Yeah, I'll buy local for sure now. I just gotta narrow it down to some bikes that will work so i know what shops to go to.

I'm going to go try out some Raleigh and Felt bikes, but I'm really not sure which ones will be strong enough for me.

I'll be doing plenty of research in the next few days.

cohophysh

So I weigh 305 and have not been told that I am too big for any of the road bikes I have tried....trek, felt....I ended up buying a leader frame and building a bike. I did have the wheels built (deep v, 36 spoke) at a shop. The only thing you may need to worry about, as others have mentioned, that you could need a beefy wheel set, but if the wheels are properly tensioned, you may be okay...the shop should know.

Coby

Yeah, I'll make sure to ask about the wheels. That will be my #1 question for all the bikes I try.

On Saturday, I'll go look at Raleigh, Felt and Trek. Then get an idea from there on what I like.

Can you give me an idea of how much it would cost to get some decent 36 spoke wheels made?

Thanks.

cohophysh

Well, I already had the hubs so I think I spent about 280 (shipping included) for the Deep V 36 double butted spokes at Universal Cycles.

Coby

Okay, so it looks like I'll be getting a Trek 1.2. They're on sale for $770, but then I'm going to have some 36 spoke wheels made.

It's gonna be more than I wanted to spend on the bike alone, but oh well. It's a wise investment.

I guess I could sell the wheels that come on it, but I'm not sure how much they're worth.

ill.clyde

Welcome to the fold! I love my 1.2.

Why the 36 spokers though? I ride safely and comfortably on my stock wheels

Coby

I'd much rather not have to have custom wheels made, but that's what every one is suggesting I do. People on here, and at the Trek dealer.

ill.clyde

well, realize if you're getting them through the dealer, he's going to make some $$ off you buying custom wheels.

I've been riding my factory wheels for two years now ... have broken two spokes, but have never had a major mechanical issue with the rims ... and you and I are virtually identical in size.

something to think about

Coby

How much do/did you weigh if you don't mind me asking?

I just talked to another big Trek dealer here in UT and he said the wheels should be fine. He said if I start breaking spokes then it'd be a good idea to get new wheels but other than that to just keep an eye on them and keep them trued.

So I guess I'll just get it and see. When the wheels aren't strong enough, what happens? Do a couple spokes just break? The whole wheel doesn't collapse does it?

That sounds like a good plan though. Trek 1.2 $100 off would leave me plenty of money for all the gear I'd need.

I'm getting damn excited about this, hopefully I'll have the bike next week!

squirtdad

+1 on getting the trek with stock wheels. The wheels look like they are 32 spoke. I am 6' 275 and ride 32 spoke with no problems. I had some issues a while back, but I think it was a bad wheel build. I rebuilt the wheel as much for the learning as anything and have had not problems.

Wha I would suggest is after riding for a while... take them to the shop and have the spoke tension checked.

once you get the bike you are obliged to post the pic hear.... the real bike, drive train facing the camera

Wheels i have:
32 spoke Deore hubs, Sun cr18 rims, dt double butted stainlilss spokes (commuter)
32 spoke Ultegra hubs, Velocity aerohead rims, dt double butted stainless spokes (road)

Coby

Alright cool. I'll do that then and just keep an eye on it and get the wheels checked out regularly.

And I'll be sure to post some pics.

bradtx

Coby, 36 spoke wheels are suggested on this forum, but not mandatory. Whatever wheels come with the bike you buy, don't automatically order a set of beefier wheels, rather ride what you have. After qwhile have the dealer retension the wheels, specially if either become untrue. After this retensioning you'll have a better idea how the OEM wheelset will work for you.

Enjoy your new bike.

Brad

Coby

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm going to do now.

On Saturday I went and tried out the Trek 1.2 and I really liked it. Road bikes are a lot easier to ride than I had assumed. I liked the 1.2 a lot and that's probably what I'll buy. And since it's on sale for $770, I'll still have plenty of cash for everything else.

I also rode the Raleigh Revenio 3.0. I liked it a lot too and I want it more. But my reasons for wanting it more aren't worth paying that much more.

Just to make sure. Here are the other items I plan on buying also. I want to get all the necessities right off the bat. Tell me if I missed anything important.

Helmet
Padded Shorts
Gloves
Bottle Cage x2
Water Bottle x2
Seat Pack
Spare Tubes
Tire Irons
Multi Tool
CO2 Pump
Floor Pump
CycloComputer
Lights

Hopefully, it my ATV sells tomorrow like it should, then I'll be going to the bike shop this week.

Thanks for all the help guys. It's much appreciated.

ill.clyde

Sorry it took so long to get back to you ... busy weekend! LOL

I started riding probably north of 300 pounds ... and I'm down to around 270 right now. In the two years I've been riding it, I've broken two spokes, both on the rear. One when I hit a rock at a pretty good speed (no damage, just tweaked the spoke) and then one more, oddly enough, as I stood up and was out of the saddle accelerating.

The first one dinged the rim pretty good, and the wheel went immediately out of true, so I limped home. The second time the wheel was still true, but I rode very gingerly home.

They're durable wheels ... no question.

And to squirtdad's point, they are 32 spoke wheels.

Coby

I'm going to go buy the 1.2 on Saturday!