Looking to take the next step, any advice would be appreciated.
08-23-13, 02:35 AM
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Looking to take the next step, any advice would be appreciated.
Hey guys, Recently my good friend Zach got me into cycling and I have to say I have been bitten by the bug BAD. I have been riding his Dads Novara Strada and I now know its time to give the bike back and get one of my own.
I am going to go into performance tomorrow and check out a few bikes, I am very tall at 6'6 and used to play football so im not the lightest man on earth. Now I have been looking at some Diamondbacks because being from the Seattle area I would like to support a local brand but this is not a must. I know I should probably be looking at 62's correct?
What I am looking for:
-I am not looking to spend more than 1,400-1,500 hundred dollars but I am looking to get something that is nice and will always be up to whatever challenge I look to throw at it.
-I live on top of queen anne in Seattle, so I have some nice 10-12% inclines I need to climb.
-I would like a bike I can pop on just to head around town, but also one I can use to train and push myself physically.
-I would like an eye pleasing bike, I think the Diamondback podium e'tape is the sweetest looking ride, but obviously know its not the bike for me.
Any Advice would be greatly appreciated and try your best not to make fun of me for wearing sneakers and basketball shorts while riding! I have ridden 50+ miles in under 3 hours on a hilly course in this outfit though so I am proud of myself for that.
Here are some pics of me riding and then a ride i did today to discovery park.
I did a 8.84 mi Bike Ride with @MapMyRide. Check my workout! https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/363328935
I am going to go into performance tomorrow and check out a few bikes, I am very tall at 6'6 and used to play football so im not the lightest man on earth. Now I have been looking at some Diamondbacks because being from the Seattle area I would like to support a local brand but this is not a must. I know I should probably be looking at 62's correct?
What I am looking for:
-I am not looking to spend more than 1,400-1,500 hundred dollars but I am looking to get something that is nice and will always be up to whatever challenge I look to throw at it.
-I live on top of queen anne in Seattle, so I have some nice 10-12% inclines I need to climb.
-I would like a bike I can pop on just to head around town, but also one I can use to train and push myself physically.
-I would like an eye pleasing bike, I think the Diamondback podium e'tape is the sweetest looking ride, but obviously know its not the bike for me.
Any Advice would be greatly appreciated and try your best not to make fun of me for wearing sneakers and basketball shorts while riding! I have ridden 50+ miles in under 3 hours on a hilly course in this outfit though so I am proud of myself for that.
Here are some pics of me riding and then a ride i did today to discovery park.
I did a 8.84 mi Bike Ride with @MapMyRide. Check my workout! https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/363328935
08-23-13, 04:40 AM
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Kent washington is a corporate office, not a factory if that matters. The owners of dback also own raleigh. Just fyi...
If you are referring
to the equipe podium, my suggestion is to look at the endurance bikes, the century series. Its an easier geometry, especially good for a person new to the sport. Go aluminim if you are that big and try to get fitted because at 6'6" you are pretty close to what the biggest frames can handle.
Hope that helps.
If you are referring
to the equipe podium, my suggestion is to look at the endurance bikes, the century series. Its an easier geometry, especially good for a person new to the sport. Go aluminim if you are that big and try to get fitted because at 6'6" you are pretty close to what the biggest frames can handle.
Hope that helps.
08-23-13, 05:44 AM
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It is obvious to me that OP should be riding a GIANT brand bike. Inescapable.
08-23-13, 05:55 AM
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Don't limit yourself to just one brand, not saying not to buy Diamondback but make sure you look at all ...Scattante, Fuji at Performance Bike are also nice...Some of the discounts on the leftover scattante i saw were pretty darn good...6'6", not sure the weight but make sure you get wheels that can handle you...I had issues with my stock CAAD8 wheels, better now since they are trued and tensioned...
I did get a new set of Vuelta Corsa HD and i can tell they are a little stronger./
I did get a new set of Vuelta Corsa HD and i can tell they are a little stronger./
08-23-13, 08:19 AM
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I bought the cheapest bike I could find with Shimano stuff down to the brakes and crank and after renting a few bikes when on business travel, I'm glad I did.
08-23-13, 09:20 AM
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Kent washington is a corporate office, not a factory if that matters. The owners of dback also own raleigh. Just fyi...
If you are referring
to the equipe podium, my suggestion is to look at the endurance bikes, the century series. Its an easier geometry, especially good for a person new to the sport. Go aluminim if you are that big and try to get fitted because at 6'6" you are pretty close to what the biggest frames can handle.
Hope that helps.
If you are referring
to the equipe podium, my suggestion is to look at the endurance bikes, the century series. Its an easier geometry, especially good for a person new to the sport. Go aluminim if you are that big and try to get fitted because at 6'6" you are pretty close to what the biggest frames can handle.
Hope that helps.
08-23-13, 09:23 AM
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08-23-13, 09:24 AM
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CAAD10 fits the bill.
08-23-13, 09:28 AM
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Don't limit yourself to just one brand, not saying not to buy Diamondback but make sure you look at all ...Scattante, Fuji at Performance Bike are also nice...Some of the discounts on the leftover scattante i saw were pretty darn good...6'6", not sure the weight but make sure you get wheels that can handle you...I had issues with my stock CAAD8 wheels, better now since they are trued and tensioned...
I did get a new set of Vuelta Corsa HD and i can tell they are a little stronger./
I did get a new set of Vuelta Corsa HD and i can tell they are a little stronger./
08-23-13, 09:30 AM
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08-23-13, 09:30 AM
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The fit of a bike is far more important than the paint scheme. Go to as many local bike shops (LBS) as you can and ride everything you can in your size. I think you'll be amazed at the difference in the fit. If you aren't comfortable, you aren't gong to want to ride. Now, if you find a couple of bikes that feel the same to you, pick the one the looks hotter. That's the one you will want to ride the most.
08-23-13, 09:42 AM
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The fit of a bike is far more important than the paint scheme. Go to as many local bike shops (LBS) as you can and ride everything you can in your size. I think you'll be amazed at the difference in the fit. If you aren't comfortable, you aren't gong to want to ride. Now, if you find a couple of bikes that feel the same to you, pick the one the looks hotter. That's the one you will want to ride the most.
08-23-13, 09:49 AM
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Specialized makes an XXXL sized frame which is 64cm. I'm almost 6'5" and have the Allez in this size.
Clarification: The seat tube measurement is 64cm, the top tube is 61.5cm. I'm not sure which of these is used when giving a bike's size. I guess I should Google it, or maybe someone will tell me?
Clarification: The seat tube measurement is 64cm, the top tube is 61.5cm. I'm not sure which of these is used when giving a bike's size. I guess I should Google it, or maybe someone will tell me?
Last edited by danmc; 08-23-13 at 10:21 AM.
08-23-13, 09:52 AM
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What about a cross bike with road tires? They are built a little beefier than road bikes which should help a heavier rider on Seattle streets and the wider tire + canti brakes will give you better stopping and control when you have to go down those inclines.
08-23-13, 10:26 AM
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Some LBS's in Seattle that I've had good experiences with are Recycled Cycles--they carry new and used bikes (though this time of year their used bike inventory is usually pretty low)--Free Range Cycles, and Counterbalance Cycles.
As for gearing to get up Queen Anne (I live on top of the hill too), a triple or a compact is handy but not necessary. When we first moved on top of the hill, I was super glad to have a triple, and crawled up in my lowest gear (30-27). Once I knew I could make it up the hill, I found I didn't need to be in anywhere near as low a gear as that--recently I've been riding a different bike and going up in much higher gear (42-18) just for the fun of seeing if I could. Coming from the south, Taylor is the easiest way up, coming from the north, 3rd Ave W is the easiest way up--you won't hit anything close to 12% on either of those streets. Of course, to make life more fun, there are certainly a lot of routes you can take where you can hit way higher than 12% too
As for gearing to get up Queen Anne (I live on top of the hill too), a triple or a compact is handy but not necessary. When we first moved on top of the hill, I was super glad to have a triple, and crawled up in my lowest gear (30-27). Once I knew I could make it up the hill, I found I didn't need to be in anywhere near as low a gear as that--recently I've been riding a different bike and going up in much higher gear (42-18) just for the fun of seeing if I could. Coming from the south, Taylor is the easiest way up, coming from the north, 3rd Ave W is the easiest way up--you won't hit anything close to 12% on either of those streets. Of course, to make life more fun, there are certainly a lot of routes you can take where you can hit way higher than 12% too
08-23-13, 11:06 AM
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Specialized makes an XXXL sized frame which is 64cm. I'm almost 6'5" and have the Allez in this size.
Clarification: The seat tube measurement is 64cm, the top tube is 61.5cm. I'm not sure which of these is used when giving a bike's size. I guess I should Google it, or maybe someone will tell me?
Clarification: The seat tube measurement is 64cm, the top tube is 61.5cm. I'm not sure which of these is used when giving a bike's size. I guess I should Google it, or maybe someone will tell me?
Some LBS's in Seattle that I've had good experiences with are Recycled Cycles--they carry new and used bikes (though this time of year their used bike inventory is usually pretty low)--Free Range Cycles, and Counterbalance Cycles.
As for gearing to get up Queen Anne (I live on top of the hill too), a triple or a compact is handy but not necessary. When we first moved on top of the hill, I was super glad to have a triple, and crawled up in my lowest gear (30-27). Once I knew I could make it up the hill, I found I didn't need to be in anywhere near as low a gear as that--recently I've been riding a different bike and going up in much higher gear (42-18) just for the fun of seeing if I could. Coming from the south, Taylor is the easiest way up, coming from the north, 3rd Ave W is the easiest way up--you won't hit anything close to 12% on either of those streets. Of course, to make life more fun, there are certainly a lot of routes you can take where you can hit way higher than 12% too
As for gearing to get up Queen Anne (I live on top of the hill too), a triple or a compact is handy but not necessary. When we first moved on top of the hill, I was super glad to have a triple, and crawled up in my lowest gear (30-27). Once I knew I could make it up the hill, I found I didn't need to be in anywhere near as low a gear as that--recently I've been riding a different bike and going up in much higher gear (42-18) just for the fun of seeing if I could. Coming from the south, Taylor is the easiest way up, coming from the north, 3rd Ave W is the easiest way up--you won't hit anything close to 12% on either of those streets. Of course, to make life more fun, there are certainly a lot of routes you can take where you can hit way higher than 12% too
08-23-13, 11:09 AM
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Any bike you get will most likely be manufactured in Taiwan so there are very little options that are truly buying local. It's not like fish or produce. But seriously, get some shoes and clipless pedals. It will make a huge difference especially climbing those hills
08-23-13, 11:44 AM
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It do, but it don't.
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i'm 6'4" and ride a 62cm specialized allez. i would look at some 64cm frames from specialized if i were you. 62cm will probably work but the 64cm might be better for you.
i would definitely not try to buy parts and build a bike. lots of time and hassle with that and usually more expensive unless you are willing to search for deals on used components.
a couple other things (because this is the 41 and i'm obligated to say something)...
-get a new helmet
-get some a clipless pedal/shoe setup
-lose the backpack
i would definitely not try to buy parts and build a bike. lots of time and hassle with that and usually more expensive unless you are willing to search for deals on used components.
a couple other things (because this is the 41 and i'm obligated to say something)...
-get a new helmet
-get some a clipless pedal/shoe setup
-lose the backpack
08-23-13, 01:32 PM
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Building a bike is nice if you have the help of a mechanic for free and you can get all the parts in pretty much 1 swoop but buying a bike already built, you know what you have matches and you have a warranty on everything for a full year....OLus if you get a last years model you get a decent deal... My 2012 CAAD8 was $830.00 MSRP and i got it for $600.00
08-23-13, 02:08 PM
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i'm 6'4" and ride a 62cm specialized allez. i would look at some 64cm frames from specialized if i were you. 62cm will probably work but the 64cm might be better for you.
i would definitely not try to buy parts and build a bike. lots of time and hassle with that and usually more expensive unless you are willing to search for deals on used components.
a couple other things (because this is the 41 and i'm obligated to say something)...
-get a new helmet
-get some a clipless pedal/shoe setup
-lose the backpack
i would definitely not try to buy parts and build a bike. lots of time and hassle with that and usually more expensive unless you are willing to search for deals on used components.
a couple other things (because this is the 41 and i'm obligated to say something)...
-get a new helmet
-get some a clipless pedal/shoe setup
-lose the backpack
08-23-13, 02:21 PM
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08-23-13, 02:39 PM
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No one here welcome this guy to the cycling cult??? 
Welcome to the cult!
As for recommendation, I might be a little bit biased but CAAD10 is good. They go on sale pretty often. There is a good chance of getting it within your budget. If not, CAAD8.
Welcome to the cult!
As for recommendation, I might be a little bit biased but CAAD10 is good. They go on sale pretty often. There is a good chance of getting it within your budget. If not, CAAD8.
08-23-13, 02:44 PM
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+1 on the CAAD10. That's a bike that you can keep a lifetime. I don't care for the brakes or the crank set, but the frame quality makes-up for that. Even though I'm happy with my first bike, I wish I spent a little more money on a CAAD10, although I'd want a 2012 rather than the 2013 which I think is ugly.
