Originally Posted by
treesloth
So, I'm considering a couple of bikes. Here are my current top two contenders:
Motobecane Fantom 29 X9
Motobecane Fly 9357
I'm about 6' 4.75" and 285 lbs, but steadily dropping. I like the idea of 29ers. It seems like the fit might be better, although there are downsides (wheel strength vs weight, etc). But, most of all, I'm just not too familiar with some of the parts, like the frames, the RS Reba fork, and the wheels. Are there any real weak spots? I know I can't expect an optimal ride at first. I will, so to speak, be shrinking into it. But I'd appreciate any assessments on what's being offered on the bikes above. Thanks.
Yes, but... ABoth bikes look like they are good, solid bikes on paper. Nothing jumps out as bad. The only issue that you might have a problem with is the forks. In suspension mode, the forks work just like they are supposed to...I've had the Reba. But in lockout mode, I've found Rock Shox forks to be frustrating. The lock out seems to not work at all for heavier guys like us. I'm a bit lighter than you and found them to pogo badly when I got of the saddle. That's not a deal killer but it was frustrating, especially when compared to Fox and Manitou which actually
lock the fork into rigid mode.
Originally Posted by
treesloth
Oh, as a follow up... I'm thinking at some point I'll build a wheelset on Sun MX33 rims. What's a good high-strength, inexpensive hub? I wish I could afford Hope, King, Onyx, etc, but I can't. So, favoring strength over instant engagement, what's a good choice?
There are any number of hubs you can use. Sram X9, Velocity, even Shimano. All of them are good hubs. Hubs are seldom the problem when it comes to wheel strength. Rims are never the problem when it comes to wheel strength. Don't be fooled into thinking that a super wide rim is anything other than heavy.
I'll get flamed...again
...but rim strength and hub strength have little to do with wheel strength and durability. As big people, we are usually familiar with what breaks on bicycle wheels. It's not the rims. It's not the hubs. It's the spokes. Address the problem by, well, addressing the problem. Go to a stronger spoke rather than try to go with a "stronger" rim.
This article explains the issue nicely. I've been building with 2.3/1.8/2.0mm spokes for about 20 years now and broken spokes have become a thing of the past for me.
I
always build wheels with light, narrow rims even for mountain biking and I seldom have problems with the rims. Since discovering triple butted spokes about 20 years ago, I seldom have problems with broken spokes as well.
By all means, build your own wheels but build smart, not just heavy.