Muttster

Wanted to say hello and to get some advice from the experts. I am 57 years old and I'm 6'5" 270 with a 34-36 inch inseam. I currently have 2 bikes, a Cannondale M300LE which is about 15 years old and a Miyata road bike from the early 80's that was converted to a hybrid. For some reason, I never warmed up to the Miyata, especially when it was a road bike with the dropped bars and the shifter on the lower frame. I would like to spend about 3-400 on a newer bike and have some questions.

1. Would a decent mountain bike be the way to go given my size and age or should I stick with a road bike? If so, what size should I be looking at? I need something that will be easy on the back as I'm not 18 any more. I will be riding primarily on the roads and on crushed limestone paths.

2. What would be some good bikes in this price range. Will primarily be looking on Craigslist so I will do some research before buying.

3. Any other advice would be very much appreciated. I'm looking to get into shape and my goal is to do a 1/2 century before the end of the summer.

Thanks again for any suggestions.

magohn

Welcome Muttster

I like the Trek Fx series - relaxed riding position and strong bikes. Not sure how an Fx would hold up on crushed limestone but mine has been fabulous on the roads for over a year now. I paid $300 for mine on craigslist with less than 50 miles on it.

Mines the same as this:

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...ess/fx/7_3_fx/

I also like your goal - reasonable and doable.

Welcome!!!

ChrisM2097

Ditto.

I picked up a very lightly used late model FX 7.5 for $350 a couple months ago. If you've got any hills around you, find one that's got a triple crank. The later & higher end ones have a compact double crank, and the smaller chain ring up front on the triple will provide the torque you'll need to climb.

For road riding I would only recommend a mountain bike that doesn't have shocks, or at least that has shocks that lock out (not likely to find one of these for your price range).

[edit]
I just looked up the Cannondale M300...a non-suspension MTB. As long as it fits you, and it's in decent condition, you might as well stick with this. Since it sounds like it's been sitting, take it to a shop and get a tune up - replace shifter cables, brake cables, & housings, adjust derailleurs, adjust brakes, etc. As long as no extensive work is required, it'll probably run you about $50-$80. Or you could just buy the parts yourself for about $10-$20, watch some youtube videos, and do it yourself in a couple hours.

Oh, and the wheels may need to be trued. Spin them and look at the gap between the brake pad and the rim. If you notice a 'wobble', they need to be trued. Check for broken / loose spokes. Make sure your tires and tubes are in good condition. You definitely don't want to be stranded from home, or have something fall apart miles from home on your first ride out. Speaking of which, a friend of mine just paid $2,500 for a slightly used Santa Cruz Nomad with SRAM XO components. First ride, the front brake caliper worked loose, and on a small incline, when he stood up to pedal, his right pedal fell off. He went over the handlebars, came down hard, and the bike went up and over him, and landed on top of him. He had road rash and a broken ego, the bike was mostly undamaged. We were only a mile from his house, and were able to get everything in working order to allow him to ride home. The moral: Make sure all nuts, bolts, screws, pedals, etc. are tightened down before riding.

bigfred 

If the cannondale is a 23/24" and fits you, I would suggest giving it a spruce up. I've still got a mid 90's mtb in the garage as well as an early 80's road bike. Somethings never go out of style:-) Something never were "in style";-)

Any how. Check the brakes, put some new tires and tubes on, bit of cleaning and lube, away you go.

jethro56 

Unless you live in a metro area finding a used bike big enough for you will be a long shot. I'm 6'2" and haven't seen one yet though I live in a rural area. For the money you're talking about maintaining what you have is your best bet.