Evansss

Hey guys I'm brand new to this forum and to riding in general but I'm in the process of looking for a bike. Being that I'm about 250, what things should I look for, stay away from and what are some general recommendations on brand/bikes I should look into? THanks!

Tel0004

At 250 your weight shouldn't be a problem with most bikes.

All major brands are good, you want to get one that fits you best.

Are you buying new or used?
What is your budget?
Will you be riding on road of off road?
What type of bike are you looking for (road, hybrid etc)?

Evansss

New or used does not matter to me
budget is around 500
im look for a road bike to ride on the road looking at an allez but wanted to double check if it was good for a heavier rider

Erwin8r

The Allez is a great bike, IMHO. Just make sure you get one that fits, and leave enough $$ for a seat that fits as well.

cafzali

That's a fine bike and the frame will certainly not be an issue. You may want to see about stiffer wheels (e.g. with more spokes) that might be available, as wheels that are not strong enough will be the number one thing that will bother a clyde. If they're not laterally stiff enough, you'll have to have them trued much more often as a result of hitting bumps, potholes, etc.

TrojanHorse

Different models of allez have different rider weight limits... the chart is hard to understand in this link here but most of the allez models look like they're rated to 275 (of which, 30 lbs is cargo) so you're on the edge. However, I seriously doubt you would have any trouble with the frame. The wheels, on the other hand... are likely to need attention.

Weird, you don't get a non-square taper BB on the Allez until you spend $1450 on the Comp Mid-Compact. Way to cheap out specialized!

Evansss

Tank you guys... I agree about the seat . I don't want to have to spend much more than 500 off the ba so if I'm on the cusp of the allez weight limit I'd rather just look for something less expensive with better wheels...any suggestions?

nfmisso

Pick what ever you want, and get a custom rear wheel from someone like Peter White.

PhotoJoe 

If it were me, I'd buy the bike and ride it until you have problems. Deal with the wheel issue IF you have a problem. I'm 237 riding CHEAP FSA RD-60 wheels with zero issues in almost a year. Make sure it fits, then post pix here when you buy it!

bigfred 

Wheels would be my number one concern.

Without knowing which year and sub-model of Allez you're looking at, it is not possible to comment on the quality of the wheels it has. After asuring that the wheels are true and properly tensioned, as a first bike I wouldn't argue against those who suggest you ride whatever it has until you experience failures. If you take to cycling and consider subsequent bikes, my advice would change to putting on durable wheels you trust from the get go and saving the originals for eventual resale. Buyers like oem components and that way you don't have part with your clyde worthing hand built wheels.

The Allez frame should be fine at your weight. When one came up locally for a good price I certainly considered it seriously and weigh no less than you. Frame durability never crossed my mind.

Wooden Tiger

I weigh 210-215 lbs and someone mentioned Psimet custom wheels. I got a quote on them for $589. Apparently the Psimets are pretty good wheels.

PhotoJoe 

Psimet is a very active member on the Road forum here. People who get his wheels seem to be very happy. Others have been turned off by a severe lack of communication before ordering. If you search, you can find entire threads on it. Other good sources are Soul, Williams, etc. etc. or, just have them built locally. There are plenty of competent builders that can build a good C/A friendly wheelset for far less than $589.

Wooden Tiger

Well, I can't comment on who builds better wheels than who or who does or doesn't respond in a timely manner; all I can say is that I received a response within three or four days of contaccting Psimet. I don't think that's an unreasonable amount of time for a response. Whether or not others are experiencing the same levels of communication is something I have no information on.

As for other competent builders out there, I'm sure there are, but how does the quality compare and are they as sturdy to the weight of a 215 lb person? Again, I can't comment on that.

I haven't read anything negative about his wheelsets, which is always a good thing. I haven't responded back to him with a response for whether I want to go forward with the wheels or otherwise. Right now, I'm just weighing all my options and Psimet was an option. I may decide I don't even care all that much about upgrading the wheels on my roadie and concentrate on MTBing instead as I would far prefer MTBing to road biking.

PhotoJoe 

Didn't mean to touch a nerve. Just hoping to give you information to help you make an educated choice. As I mentioned, those who buy his wheels seem to be very happy with their choice. Good luck in whatever you choose.

Yo Spiff

I rode my road bike for 12 years until it finally busted a spoke last summer. Until then the wheels hadn't even needed to be trued. As long as you get a well made product it should hold up just fine.

Wooden Tiger

Hey, no nerve touched here. I think a lot is lost in translation through emails, forums, etc. in general. I appreciate the help and have been looking into everyone's suggestions.

Again, no nerves touched and no worries.

jethro56 

Buying a new roadbike for $500 seems too good to be true.

Wooden Tiger

Plenty of road bikes available out there for $500, but what you'll get for $500 is an entirely different story. There may be some nice used road bikes out there for $500.

Evansss

Maybe I did not clarify myself. I dont need a new bike per say just a good quality bike. I think I found what looks to be a solid bike and for a reasonable price (400 bucks) Tell me what you guys think of the GTZR4000

looks like he upgraded the tires, but thats about it

LeosLeader

I love GT bikes. What year is it? Older late 90's i believe were some of my favorites. Great bikes.

vesteroid

I am surprised no one asked what your riding goals are. The bike you are looking at has a more aggressive geo than the secture.

I also think with your budget you really need to consider going to one of the no name bikes or lesser name bikes so to speak.

Not to knock specialized at all, in fact I have tried twice in the last two weeks to buy one, but cant find one anywhere in my size...but they are not known for "value"

I would suggest looking at giant or maybe even raleigh, or one of the other second tier bikes.

also to WT...if you only weigh 215 you dont need clyde rims. I weigh that and am not afraid to ride any rim, and in fact are riding carbon rims rated at 190 and have never had an issue.

I would be looking for performance if I were you and wanted to invest in rims, rather than trying to find bullet proof. a 24/28 set would be fine unless you like to run through pot holes.

Evansss

I'm not 215 I'm 255 , my goals are to lose weight and gain some cardiovascular endurance. I believe the Gt was a 2001

Evansss

So right now my question is ... Which do you guys think is better a 2010 allez or a 2001 gtzr4000. Granted the gt is older but is has better components. I think the allez has sora parts while the gt has tiagra parts and a 105 rear derailer

Evansss

This is from the ad. 400 bucks

GT ZR4000 ROAD BIKE. 54CM ALUMINIUM FRAME AND FORK. HANDLE BAR: ALUMINIUM MO DO LO AE 2093 ANATOMIC SHAPE. BRAKES/SHIFTERS : SHIMANO 105 DOUBLE TAP 9 SPEEDS/TRIPPLE. REAR DERAILLUER : SHIMANO 105. FRONT DERAILLUER: SHIMANO TIAGRA. CASSETTE : SHIMANO 9 SPEED HYPER GLIDE. RIMS : MAVIC XP 11. TIRES :CONTINENTIAL 4000 GRAND PRIX - HAND MADE IN GERMANY. BIKE IS TUNED AND IN EXCELENT CONDITION. GEARS SHIFT PERFECT. BRAKES ARE PERFECT.

Evansss

okay so an update to my hunt. I think I am going to settle on a new allez sport. I know it is more than my initial budget but after going to my lbs and speaking with a few other people it seems that spending the extra bucks for the new bike and better components is worth it. I think im going to get the blue one, and another lbs said he would give me a package deal if I bought some accessories as well. Bike is listed at 840 and im looking to spend about 975 after everything is said and done. Hopefully that will get me a decent helmet and a few other gadgets...