indyfabz

+10.

joshuat80

This is what i have listed as of right now and have communicated with my LBS on it as well....
I really do appreciate all the help, without yall i would be lost.
Just wish I could decide between hybrid or Mountain.... I think I am leaning more towards Mountain....


Bike Brands : Soma / Cove / Trek ----- Added Trek because of all the really good reviews it gets on quality. I do not know how well you can get them or if it would blow my budget.. Just let me know.
Style : Mountain / Hybrid ------ Cannot make up my mind yet
Frame: Steel
Brakes: Disk
Suspension: None
Seat post: Larger Diameter
Wheels : 29” D X 2” W / 36 Spoke ------- Want price check of a 29” X 2” 48 Spoke rear wheel for Future reference.
Hub: Freehub and Cassette

joshuat80

My LBS guy is a workaholic lol.. I sent off the email not expecting a reply, and 2 min later received this...

"The only comment I have right now is that for off road use, you orobably don't want to go with 29". 650b would make a durable wheel without the rolling resistance of a 26" wheel. The 26 inch wheel is 3 times a strong as a comparable 700c, but does roll as fast. The 650b is in between."

So since i Understand some of this and not all lol here i am again...But it does sound good...

raceboy

For safety's sake, please leave the ear buds out while you are riding. You need to hear what is going on around you...like cars, kids, dogs, etc.

Judi

I meant to mention that too...I love to listen to music while I exercise, but the bike is one time I never listen to music, you really have to be able to listen for things around you, even if you're riding trails rather than roads.

CliffordK

I wouldn't ignore the aluminum as many midrange bikes are coming out with aluminum frames. A lot of the steel bikes available now are just HEAVY.

As far as the strength of 700c vs 26, the double walled Aero rims will be stronger than the single walled flat 26" rims. I can't say about equivalent wheels. It may also depend on the terrain where you're riding.

You are a big & tall person, so I'd lean towards the larger wheels, although the 29s are big, but it is all relative depending on the size of the tires that are mounted on the rims.

Perhaps it is time to go look at some bikes and test-ride some.

Another thing to keep in mind, don't over-spend your budget until you're certain you will keep up with the new hobby. A poor quality bike might be limiting, but you don't want to just park an expensive bike either.

FarHorizon

I'd also vote with the "no suspension" crowd - just something else to break. Go for the WIDE tires - far less trouble and a far more comfortable ride. AVOID leather saddles - they are NOT made for "uberclydes." In fact, consider a coaster brake bike (with a supplemental front rim brake). Again - using the KISS theory, you can't break what you don't have.

Enjoy your new cycling hobby! It will provide joy and health. Merry Christmas!

FarHorizon

2manybikes

It sounds like the advice from the shop is good. One of the main things to consider when buying a bike is finding a shop that you trust and will listen to you as well. Sounds like you are starting off with the right shop.

Also, what was already said about the music is good advice. The ability to hear when not inside a car is one benefit of a bike. Take advantage of it. It is very important. Also get a mirror and get used to using it. Cars are not always safe around bikes, when you are riding on the road. Neither are other cyclists and pedestrians sometimes.

Judi

The reason I was saying I'd skip the suspension is that I've tried bikes that had it, and it just ends up compressing from my weight (about 380 at that time) and putting my wrists at an odd angle so that my ring fingers and pinkies go numb. Haven't tried one with a lockout though. Now I've lost enough weight that I should be okay with the suspension, but the other day I rode every bike in the garage because I'd been planning to do that when I lost weight, and the front suspension still feels weird to me. So do the suspension seat posts, they feel like the saddle is wedged in your crack no matter how you move on it. Your weight is enough to keep your ride fairly smooth as long as you're riding on the street. I didn't know how much that made a difference until I had to put my bike in storage this summer while my house got fixed. Got it out and I was 80lbs lighter than the last time I had been on it, and I feel every crack in the sidewalk and bump in the road ten times as hard as I did before.

Jarrett2

Are you sure that you will be riding off the pavement?

bassjones

If you're going to be riding off road, he's probably right about going 650B, but since you've already said you're going to be mostly riding road, I'd go with 700C/29er. I'd also recommend hybrid or even touring/cyclocross. You can always buy a mountain bike later after you've gotten back into riding. I ride a racing road bicycle (Cannondale CAAD9) and have been as heavy as you are. I'm under 350 and dropping quickly now, so once I hit my goal weight, new bike! Probably a MTB, but maybe cyclocross. Anyway, best of luck to you.

Also, don't forget the saddle. Don't just buy a wide one or a heavily padded one because they look more comfortable though. Get your sit bones measured and buy a seat with chromoly (steel) rails in the width you need. The Brooks B17 seems to be a favorite here, but I ride on a Specialized Avatar 155 - they are available in 3 different widths.

joshuat80

I want to be able to hit trails, and off road that is what i enjoyed doing the most when younger.... The roads are going to be just out of necessity, to put some miles in.... (just a bit nervous hitting trails and stuff off the bat).... Today I made it final, I am going to go Mountain Bike... My question now is, should i have an issue getting this set up for $1300 new?

Bike Brands : Soma / Cove / Trek
Style : Mountain
Frame: Steel
Brakes: Disk
Suspension: None
Wheels : 650 B 36 spoke or better
Hub: Freehub and Casset

My head is seriously starting to hurt now... lol

CliffordK

I think that is the thousand dollar question.

If you spec out the same bike at Walmart, you may be in the $200 range. Well, almost the same bike.

In the Road Bike world, it is easy to drop $1K without even blinking.

It is easy to get upgraditis.
So, in the road bike world, one might start with a basic $300 bike.
Then add a bit nicer cranks, nicer wheels, nicer shifters/brifters, better gruppo, more gears (11 spd), Carbon Frame, etc.
Taken individually, each individual upgrade item might only cost $100 or so. But, put it all together, and the $300 bike hits $1000, then $2000, then $3000.

What are your long-term goals vs short-term goals? You said you weigh 420 lbs now, somewhat muscular... but presumably a bit of extra too. So... are you targeting weight loss? Both your bike, and riding style may change if you drop to 300 lbs, and certainly it could be very different at 250 lbs.

Personally, I'd hunt down a 26" (or 29er) steel or aluminum MTB or Hybrid on Craigslist in the $100 to $200 range. Pound on it for a while. If it crumbles, either upgrade as necessary, or just buy the right bike once your're sure of your needs.

I hate to see a $1300 bike sit in your garage unused because it seemed like a good idea at the time.

At the same time, if you go cheap and pay $200 for the bike, you may not ride it because it is just not a good bike to ride.

If you really want to go off-roading at 420 lbs, you'll push everything to the limit, and probably a few things beyond the limit.

For off road, you may need things like heavy duty through-axle hubs, and maybe a 40T cassette in the back, and a 28Tchainring in the front.

Drop the weight in half, and a whole different world opens up, both in bikes available to you, as well as your ability to do fun stuff.

bassjones

Let me throw an option at you that isn't currently on your list. Cannondale Quick CX4. It's essentially a flat bar cyclocross bike and it would be perfect for what you describe as your riding desires. Even with a full wheel build - I'd go Velocity Chukkers in 40 spoke - it'd come in under your budget. Kona Big Rove is similar, only steel instead of aluminum, and a bit more $$$ than the Cannondale. For what you're describing, that's what I'd get. Quick CX 4 - QUICK CX - FITNESS - FITNESS & URBAN - BIKES - 2015

vesteroid

My only advice is if you really do want a social setting, you cant be threatening to hit people with bikes ever few post. Get use to the fact that some people are stupid and will say insensitive things. Most dont even mean it, but its going to happen if you get out and about on a bike. Just take satisfaction in knowing you could hit them with you bike, not in actually doing it and smile.

Little Darwin

I wasn't quite your weight when I started back into cycling, but I was around 365 and did fine on an off the shelf 26" wheeled hybrid. I would have preferred no suspension, and did swap it out at one point. Unfortunately, the bikes that accommodate wider tires far too often come with shocks, so you are definitely making the right choice.

If you plan on commuting in the rain, I would consider disc brakes. Otherwise, rim brakes are my preference.

In my opinion, the front shock on most bikes is a marketing decision because they are trying to attract the new riders who think that shocks will improve the ride significantly.

Even though there are trade-offs with the disc brakes, I think they are becoming more the norm because some people assume that if they are wonderful for cars, they must also be the best for bikes... As mentioned, if you plan to ride in the rain, they are definitely worth considering, otherwise keeping a bicycle simple makes sense.

One note for after you get the bike. When you first start riding, the places you think are flat won't be, but don't be discouraged, since that hurdle will be crossed pretty quickly as you gain some time in the saddle. Those almost imperceptible inclines are definitely felt, especially by large riders. After a couple of weeks you will notice that the speed in one direction will be easier than the other at certain points, but it will still be easy riding. In no time at all, the biggest issue will be wind resistance.

BigMo59

+1 for the wind resistance! I feel like an air brake sometimes.

dagray

I would look at the Raleigh Talus 29er. I was right around your weight when I started riding. It does have disk brakes, and a front suspension with lockout. At $650.00 for the bike out the door there is money for riding gear, a nicer saddle (while the one that comes with the bike is very nice), and other items you may want or need.

Dave

2manybikes

I think I have the same model only in 26". (Aluminum frame, disk brakes.) The bike seems bullet proof. They don't make the 26" now,but there may be some around at shops. I would definitely recommend this bike to some one heavy.
It feels and looks like I could ride it through a brick wall. The frame seems super strong.

From last winter.

FlatSix911

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dagray

Mine is pretty close to that minus the fenders and with a different stem and bars, and mine is the 29er. I am 6'3" and am on the XL frame (frame made in the same factory as Giant) and my son who is 14 is on the Talus 29er on a large frame which was an upgrade from his Talus 2.0 in a small frame (kid grew like a weed).

The Talus come in 26 and 29er and the higher the number the better the components (Talus 2.0, Talus 3.0 etc...).

You might also look at the Raleigh Hybrid bikes and put a set of drop bars instead of the flat bar on them.

Dave

2manybikes

Correct, except they don't make the 26" any more. It's not in the catalogue and they are gone from some shops. A bike shop can't get them any more.

JerrySTL

A buddy of mine was over 400 lbs and 6'6" when he started his weight loss journey. He lost about 150 lbs and no height.

He bought a Fuji hybrid with 36-spoke wheels. The only real problem was with a suspension seat post. It died pretty quickly. Fortunately I had a standard seat post to replace it.

joshuat80

All this good info... seems like some ppl swear by Alum frames for big guys and other prefer steel.... I think the wheel has me the most worried.... My LBS is annoying me and keeps quoting over prices over my price point... I am getting close to changing stores.. I do not know if he is doing it to squeeze more money out or what... almost considering just buying a bike outright and skipping the darn fit or going to another LBS... bad thing is, he is my closest LBS....

dagray

Okay, well if one knows the size frame they need Scott's Cycle in Hermiston, OR has some (or had some a couple months ago when we replaced the bike my son had outgrown).

Dave