DSMRob

Hello everyone,
First and foremost thank you for this forum. I cant believe there are this many heavy people who ride a bike. Everyone I know just laughed when I told them I was thinking of getting a bike to help get my weight under control. I have been "Big" for the last 20 years and after failing time and time again I know everyone figures this will be another stage Im going through. Anyway on to my questions... I decided to go to a few LBS yesterday and see what everyone had to offer. I was first going in looking for something in the comfort line (like an Electra Townie) and ended up really looking at a hybred(?) type of bike. (road bike look with handle bars and wider tires) So anyway I pretty much landed on a Cannondale Quick 4 but would like your opnion on if it would be worth the money to jump up to the Quick 3. 99% of my riding with be on a paved bike path with the other 1% for the times I fall off the path. The only reason I am leaning twords the Cannondale is because I was treated really well at the shop (compaired to the other 2 shops I went to) So if you think there is a better bike out there for the cash please let me know.
Here are the two models
https://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes...ick-sl/quick-4

https://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes...-sl/quick-sl-3

Thank you in advance,
DSMRob

peckma

Both look nice and capable of the job you want them for. If you like the LBS that's important because you'll be doing business with them for a long time, especially as your weight drifts down and you start looking for N+1. The Q3 is basically the same geometry, but has a better drivetrain than the Q4 - should shift a bit crisper, feel more solid, brakes and cabling feel "better". However, I did notice that the Q4 has a 32 tooth cog rear cassette, vs a 27 on the Q3. If you have any steep hills you may want the 32. Is it worth the money? If you're committed to riding, dollar up. If you're not sure, save some money. The most expensive bike is the one that sits unused.....Good luck!

MRT2

Make sure you address the wheel issue with the bike shop, whatever bike you choose. Those look like low spoke count wheels. This matters at your weight. If you don't believe me, check out the thread in this forum by the guy who keeps popping spokes on his brand new Trek. Get a wheel with at least 32 spokes, and possible even 36 spokes per wheel, especially for the back wheel.

oddjob2

Ask the Cannondale dealer if those wheels will hold up for a power rider like you. I'd be concerned as your carrying the weight of about two people and those wheels look a wee bit fragile to me due to lack of spokes. I am well over 200, but I ride around road hazards and let my knees work as shock absorbers over rough surfaces.

Notgrownup

250 lbs here got the Quick 5 and like it a lot...nice bike...

Pedalocity

I've seen this mentioned quite frequently and I'm interested in how this will play out for me down the line. I've got an Escape RX 1 with around 100 km on it so far on the stock 24 spoke wheels. I've mentioned previously that when I brought up possible weight issues (I'm ~300 lbs) with the 24 spoke wheels, all the staff and mechanics at my LBS had a pow wow about it and all ventured the wheels should be strong enough and that I didn't need to go to 32 or 36 spoke wheels.

Only time will tell if they were right or if I end up breaking spokes a couple thousand km down the line.

Black wallnut 

IMHO your relationship with the LBS is much more important than brand loyalty. Strongly echo the advice on the wheels. Include in your bike budget a helmet, hydration plan and flat fixing tools, supplies and spare tubes, as well as a floor pump with a gauge. Shoes, clipless pedals, and bike specific clothing can be added later as you time on the bike increases. I've no knowledge of either bike so can't help you there. Welcome to cycling. When you combine it with healthy eating habits your health should improve and your weight may even start dropping. Remember you will need to burn 3500 calories on the bike to lose one pound.

DSMRob

I forgot to mention that either bike I get will have new wheels on it. My local shop is giving me credit for the stock ones. Now the diffrence in the drivetrain parts, is it worth the extra 100 plus bucks? Also I do like the color combo of the quick 4 better so if Im not going to see hugh improvments in the upgrade I will stay with the 4

digibud

24 spoke? I wouldn't do that myself. Bad pothole doing downhill....the consequences could be huge. Not worth the risk if you ask me. I build up a pair of 32/36 spoke wheels for hills out of an abundance of concern for my own safety. I suppose if you're riding slowly there isn't much danger but personally I'd insist on higher spoke count wheels. You absolutely want the 32 cog rear unless you'll be staying on flat roads.

Erwin8r

If you can afford it, get the Quick 3. Theoretically less to upgrade when you're ready, and is it the 3 that has the carbon forks?

Erwin8r

Looks like they both have carbon forks. Still, the 3 has a better 9 speed drive train...

Notgrownup

Why not buy a Quick with the wheels with more spokes already on it like the 5 or 6...Not saying the 3 or 4 is not better here but they are very nice starter bikes to exercise...that is one reason i didn't get the more expensive ones...I had a $500 limit. Don't get me wrong the 3 & 4 have some nicer components but may not be a "TUFF"...I will get rid of my Quick after a while to go to a road bike, i am pretty sure. Hopefully i can get rid of a Bike like a Quick 5 fairly easily. Either way you go, you are on the right track it seems...Just make sure you enjoy your bike...I have had mine since June 14th and have a little over 100 miles on it...mi legs are starting to get stronger now..My butt hurts...i am buying me a couple pairs of padded shorts this weekend...the seat isn't that good...I also played with the bars and the angle, added the 3" stem extender...it helped but not 100% there yet.

MRT2

Do a couple of rides with your new biking shorts and if your butt still hurts, maybe time to try out some different saddles. Nothing wrong with the Quick 5 but if OP wants the upgraded components of the Quick 4, nothing wrong with that, either.

bbeasley

Welcome to BF!

Ride for fitness
Eat for weight loss
Sleep for strength

Ursa Minor

Welcome DSMRob. When i first came to the bike forums i was 352 pounds and looking for hope. I found it here and spent many an evening reading old post going back years to indoctrinate myself in the belief that i could get to normal weight. Its been 2 years now and im down to 217. Still a ways to go but bike forums has been my savior.

Welcome again

Charlie

MRT2

That is impressive. Did you also make changes to your diet?

Notgrownup

Getting shorts tomorrow but i am thinking of taking my bike there as they have one of those seating pads you sit on... i guess it determines the ischial bone distance and suggests a seat style for your anatomy???? I sell medical grade foam and gel cushions so i am familiar with that... This is a different LBS than where i bought my bike "butt" they seem to be willing to help me so i might take them up on their offer... My local LBS is small and doesn't carry shorts or a lot of seats, the other does have a huge selection...

Not really trying trying to discourage the OP of downgrading, just that the 5 and 6 have the more spokes on the wheels??? not sure if that would make a difference in strenght...and they come with it so he wouldn't have to upgrade or in this case maybe "Downgrade" the wheels...Just options...the 5 i have seems to be able to take quite a bit of abuse... well in the first 100 iles i have it anyway... fell, potholes, on the side of the road in rough grass and it hasn't flinched... The Quick 3 & 4 are sweet... i looked and thought about those a lot... But if i had gone with them i would have had to put the difference on my CC... i wanted to pay cash only for it. Plus... the 5 MSRP for $590 plus a Origin 8 computer and a water bottle cage already installed for $500.00 out the door wasn't bad i thought...With taxes at regular price that would've been like $700.00

Notgrownup

WOW... congrats.... I was at 275 now down to 243... i want to get closer to 200... get off some of the Diabetes meds....i will save enough to buy a nice road bike... already started looking....LOL... KEep on burning....

Jarrett2

344 pounder here, riding a month and half. I recommend staying away from the Townie type bikes. They are really comfortable, but you outgrow them quickly. The Quick model you are looking at looks good. I have a Trek 7.2 FX with 32 count spokes. I've broken three spokes in the first month. So wheels are a big deal for our size. Make sure to get strong, well setup wheels. That means having a good local tech at the store.

Get to know the service folks at the LBS, this is more important than friendly sales folks. Go with the one that seems to care and understand the needs of a heavy rider. I made that mistake, but have since rectified by finding one that is more knowledgeable.

I tried the little saddles, but at my size I just couldn't handle them. So I went with a bigger, more padded seat at first. I've since gone to a smaller seat with lots of padding plus padded bike shorts. Get some gel gloves to keep your hands from hurting. https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/ makes big padded shorts and gloves up to 3x thankfully. As of this morning I've done 481 miles since getting my first bike. I've lost 56lbs total, but mostly due to diet versus riding, but riding the bike helps for sure.

Jarrett2

That's awesome! Was it just from riding or another factors?

jimmyj726

What a great forum. People helping and encouraging each other. Glad I found it.

Jarrett2

What great info!

Yeah, me too. When I was thinking about getting into biking I was thinking I was going to have to take a lot of flack from the little cyclists, but I've been very happy to find this forum and that other cyclists are really supportive.

Ursa Minor

Thanks for the replies. I started on my new life because one day i happened to measure my blood sugar and it was 160+ = diabetic range and stayed there for 3 days running. That scared me enuff to make me quit drinking (i was drinking 10 beers a day and really just waiting to die) and change my eating to eliminate all carbs. I also started exercising. The weight came off fast at first (90 pounds in 6 months) then it was a long journey to get the rest off. Blood sugar normalized and off blood pressure meds
my bp was 190/140 = stroke territory but now its 155/73 usually.

One thing i learned from the forums was that ANY diet works if u stick with it.

Good luck you have found a true home here.

Charlie

Ursa Minor

oops thats 115/73 not 155/73

Charlie

jimmyj726

Way to go Charlie. You are an inspiration to all of us.