I'm a spinner converting to road biking, and would like to ride long and hard on whatever I buy. I'm 6"3, 263 lbs.

I tried out a Specialized TARMAC Comp carbon frame bike that felt sweet, but am concerned about buying a bike that won't let me ride really hard on it. I've been told by an experienced road rider that I need something with a steel frame (Like a Surly?? or a Lemond Buenos Aires)?

Any suggestions on the Spec. TARMAC or any other model, or other recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Also, anyone know any good places to buy road bikes in Los Angeles, (other than Supergo and Helen's)?

Thanks a lot!
-Z

I don't know about road bikes specifically, or any bike at that..... in fact all I really know about is laser resonaters..... but anyhow.
I'm a heavier guy myself, read: 330lbs or so, and my alpha aluminum frame holds up quite well. Hrm, guess my input isn't really all that informational after all, so forget this post. ;)

I haven't ridden any CF bikes but have ridden a Lemond Buenos Aires (99 model, 853 steel with carbon fork) and was a very smooth riding bike. Go shop around at all of the local bike shops and see what they recommend.

6'1" here, and around 270 (right now...)
Bought a Trek 2100, and feels great. Some slight flex when grinding the big gear, but I'm trying to keep the rpm's up. I like mine so far...Oh, carbon seat stays, seat post, and forks. Iffy about the wheels, but they are holding up so far.

In case anyone cares, here's the response I got from Specialized when I e-mailed them about my concern about the Tarmac Comp for guys at 260 lbs:

Response (Ike) - 04/12/2005 07:44 AM

Thanks for your interest in Specialized.
The Tarmac Comp Carbon will be fine for a man of your size of 260lbs, I
even feel the Alex ALX-330 rims will hold up with proper maintenance.
Good Luck
Specialized Bicycles, USA

define riding hard on a bike? Road bikes aren't meant for being ridden hard...just going straight and fast on paved roads. And any quality carbon fiber would easily hold someone of your size for road riding...offroad mountain biking might be another story.

Regardless of what specialized says, those rims are NOT going to hold up to your weight. You will probably have to have them trued often....just a FYI..
Talk to a reputable local wheelbuilder to build you some wheels the are strong enough for your wieght..

That is the truth...those bikes are designed for <180lb riders

Yeah, I think I'll swap the wheels out for some fancy 36 spoke mavics...
test rode a Lemond Zurich today that rocked a lot more than the Specialized.
by "riding hard" I meant only that I like sprinting up hill in high gears, and pushing the bike hard.

at 260 you could probably do fine with some 32h rims, but 36h would be nice :D I ride a 32h front, but a 32h rear crumbles rather quickly for me. Best of luck with your decision.

I would stick to aluminum for a while. GIven CF has a good track record for strength, but I'm pretty sure all CF is made around racers and weight-weenies (hey it's practically in the dictionary, lay off :p ).

I'm 218 now, I was about 240 when I got my motobecane, and it's holding up nice. The rims are Mavic MA-3 with shimano 105 hubs laced with 14ga straight spokes)...those wheels are pretty much bombproof. Keep in mind as a heavier rider if you run tires too skinny on this particular wheel-build, there is excessive vibration picked up from the road...when I had 700x20, I really noticed it but now that I have 700x23 I rarely have issues.

Oh, and don't worry about CF forks...those tend to be fairly solid, my kinesis carbon2 has held up quite nicely.

Just go looking for strong/stiff parts first and foremost. Then get some nice wide tires, 700x25 should be the choice for you.

I recently picked up a 2004 BA closeout. Great bike, components, etc. very comforable ride for me (235#).
Just my 2 cents.
Tim

I'm riding a litespeed TUSCANY (titanium) and at about the same weight as you-tried the frienze and it flexed too much-the tuscany is perfect for me. I tried some of the cannondale aluminum bikes, and they beat me up a lot more than the ti bikes did. Wheel choice is important-I am using mavic ksyrium elites with the bladed steel spokes and they have held up great in the 2k miles I have put on them.

Dido on the Ti. I'm 250 and have been riding a Litespeed Blue Ridge for 2 years, 2,000+ miles a year and I've had no major problems with it. The Open Pro's did need some adjustment, but that's to be expected since I ride on dirt and paved.

Get the Tarmac if it's the one you like. Specialized gave the blessing; they have a great warranty and a great bike. The wheels will probably work fine as well. Those wheels are the worst part of the Comp package. I would upgrade them just because they awful in my opinion. Ride the Pro and you'll see what I mean.

Just a follow-up:
I picked up a FELT F55 (aluminum frame, with carbon rear triangle and fork), which I'm really liking. I scored some mavic CXP-33s which are 36 spoke-count wheels that are pretty great so far.
-zev

Buy a Park spoke tensiometer. Keep the spokes evenly tensioned at full tension, and the wheels will thank you for it.

This is what I do :D