Rinaldo

Hello everyone,
I've spent the past month Reading thread after thread and have learned a great deal about the differences between Mountain Biking, Road biking and Crosses.

It seems everyone is around 150-160 pounds and the recommendations are usually for X bike which works for X size person.

I am 6' 1'' 228 pounds and Athletic. I'm commuting 16 miles to school and 17 back (I like stopping at Basspro and grabbing lunch on the way back). Which bike would best suit someone my size?
I'm concerned merely because I weigh a bit more than a lot of the people recommendations are made for. I would likely move closer to the School and would take between 7-12 miles a day each way commute once I do. I do not mind a heavier bike as I can push the weight just fine but would like to get the best fit for my needs without sacrificing the integrity of the bike frame.

I was worried after reading all these posts about bikes being "Beaten up" by taking them on sidewalks and speedbumps. I live in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale and we don't have as many of the open roads with Bike lanes like many cities do out west such as Boulder, CO.

I took a trip to a local Bike store and the gentleman recommended a Marin Muirwoods and also the Marin Commuter Belvedere. I would prefer to keep the purchase under $700 but live by the motto that it's best to pay more up front and get something that will last forever, than to purchase something inexpensive which will need replacing regularly.

Podolak

Your weight / height is not abnormal at all. You may get better information regarding that in the clydes section.

However, the biking industry has several good rides for those measurements. The choices you mentioned are just fine. It is not like you are looking at Carbon Fiber racers. Just make sure the bike is sized right. It sounds like you want more of an urban utility type bike. I really love my Novato. I also have a great appreciate for Steel framed bikes. The LHT would be an amazing choice but would surpass your $700 budget by a couple hundred. Still, it is worth a look and a ride if you have a Surly dealer in your area.

Good luck!

cyccommute 

Just about any bike will do. I'd stay away for the ones with low spoke count but you'll not likely find those at $700. For flat bar road bike look at Trek Soho and Sport Urban, Specialized Globe and Globe Disc, Jamis Coda and Coda Sport, Cannondale Road Warrior 4, or just about anyone's bike that is a similar price. If you want a drop bar road bike, the field is more limited but look at the same companies.

For commuting, you want a bike with lots of places to put fenders (if you need them) and racks. Disc brakes are good for stopping but they can cause problems with mounting other stuff on the bike. Look for bikes that have at least 32 spokes but you really aren't that big.

Good luck.

CliftonGK1

I am 6' 1'' 228 pounds and Athletic.

C'mon over and join us in the Clydesdale Forum!

Do a couple searches like "wheels" or "saddle" specific to the Clydes forum and you'll get a ton of information. At 228, you're not even close to the biggest of us in there. Heck, at 6'6" and 240 I'm downright tiny compared to a few guys.

maddyfish

And we're not all 150-160, I am 5'10" 165 with only about 15 pounds to loose.

bobcrotch

Well my dimensions are the same as yours and I own a Muirwoods. It feels very 'strong' and stable. I've never really worried about either jumping up or down curbs, or even loading it down with groceries. I would say that your best bet is to ride the bikes that you are interested in and see how you feel about them.

BCRider

You're not unusual at all at 228 lbs.

For you almost any style would work although I'd avoid a serious lean forward bike for the time being. The suggestion of the LHT (Long Haul Trucker) is an excellent one. And even though in Florida you may not need fenders all that much the racks are great for tossing on a set of panniers for some serious grocery errands.

Other "real world" options are cyclocross bikes since those let you use some 28 to 32 mm wide tires which for the daily commute grind are great. Of if your roads along your route are a little smoother than some 25 mm's work great.

The big thing is to try some different styles and see what you like. Test ride everything you can get your hands on. For MTBs you're looking for 19 inch to 20 inch frames as a commuter. For standard horizontal top tube road bikes you'll want 60 to 62 cm frame size. If it's a cyclocross or road bike or touring bike with a sloped top tube then you'll want a large or 56 cm depending on the size ratings.

I'm 6' 1" as well and 200 lbs. I don't have any trouble at all with the sizes or even the narrower tires. I doubt if you will either. Those sizes of frame I mentioned fit our size spot on.

The big question will be if you want drop bars, bullhorn bars or flat MTB bars. Some test rides is the best way to find that out.

keiththesnake

A 16 or 17 mile route? I'd suggest at least having bar ends to give alternate hand positions. But I would strongly consider a road bike with drops. Just my two cents.

FlyingAnchor

After getting bent all other bikes are broken.

Don't forget to try a nice Bacchetta Bent bike. Mostly just have fun. ;-)

Steven

no motor?

I'm 6' and weighed about 215 when I resumed bicycling, and in loosing 15 - 20 pounds didn't break anything due to weight. You should be fine as long as you fit on the bike.

devildogmech

Ditto!

I'm 5' 11.999" and weigh in at 215 (BEEFY! ). I spent last summer on my old HS Bike (A Roadmaster made prior to the PCS Buyout) and now ride a just as old TREK 750 MultiTrack I got on Craig's List for $125! That bike new probably went for at least $600. It was well taken care of, and rides like new (except for all the wear and tear I have put on it in three months!). Don't get tunnel vision on any specific brand or type of bike, or even having a new bike. CL has some great deals if you just take a little time.

Head on over to your reagional section and see if someone there can go with you to look at a couple of bikes, to see if they see something you don't.

I dont remember the link (not in my bookmarks ) but if you do a quick search, you should come up with an on-line "how to commute tutorial". READ IT!
-STAY OFF OF THE SIDEWALK!!!!!
-USE LIGHTS AT NIGHT!!!!! (Don't be a bike ninja!)
-TAKE THE LANE DUDE!!!!

JMHO
Welcome to the group! Make sure you post a pic of your bike, and any and all road rash you get while commuting! (Remember, chicks dig scars! )

BarracksSi

Add my vote for trying something with drop bars. You don't have to ride in the low position all the time (in fact, most cyclists with drop bars ride on the top portion most of the time), but it's really nice to have it there when you get sick of a headwind.

Unless the roads on your route are genuinely crappy, you don't need fat MTB tires or a suspension (although, if you do want suspension, IMO it's worth the effort to get one with a lockout, making it rigid when you want efficiency but plush when the road turns to hell, all with the flip of a lever).