Notices
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) Looking to lose that spare tire? Ideal weight 200+? Frustrated being a large cyclist in a sport geared for the ultra-light? Learn about the bikes and parts that can take the abuse of a heavier cyclist, how to keep your body going while losing the weight, and get support from others who've been successful.

An unimpressive LBS visit

Old 07-29-18, 02:05 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Port Orange, FL
Posts: 7
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
An unimpressive LBS visit

So, I'm at the stage where I am trying to research the bike I want to buy. I know a bit as I used to ride constantly in my younger days but it's been 20 years since I had a proper bike. That is I used to know a bit - but know little about the new fangled tech. The other new thing for me is that I don't really know if my current weight is an issue. I've always been on the big boned side anyway....never less than 180 as an adult even when I was really fit (ran a marathon) but now I am almost 280.

This afternoon I was out and about and passing one of the three local bike shops and noticed it was actually open - I thought all three were closed Sundays - so I went in.

So, I say hi and say I want to get back into road cycling and ask if my weight is a consideration. I also note they only have three road bikes and they are all Trek's. It turns out they only have Trek's. Anyway the guy seems to have no clue about my weight question (despite not being exactly slim himself!), and he thumbs through catalogs and on the computer for what seemed ages but still couldn't offer any kind of advice as to whether my kind of weight is a consideration for his three single make bikes! In the end I just said, well thanks for your help and exited.

Guess that's one place I can mark off my list
stevedaytona is offline  
Old 07-29-18, 06:30 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
talphie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Michigan
Posts: 166

Bikes: Volkscycle, Trek Fx3, Specialized Hard Rock

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Most, if not every LBS where I live is closed on Sunday. Before you write them off, you may want to stop there during the week, but of course your call on that. I’m just thinking it may have been a newer employee working Sunday who tried his/her best, but doesn’t have the expertise or enough experience to know the answers. If it was the owner, I’m with you. Look somewhere else!
talphie is offline  
Old 07-29-18, 06:36 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Center of Central CA
Posts: 1,671
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 897 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts
We live in strange times. Stores take the trouble to be open on Sunday, but no one wants to take your money. I have never understood that. Go figure.

Much like people who advertise stuff on Craigslist,, then dodge your calls like you're annoying them or something. Why did you put up an ad if you don't really to sell the damned thing?
Colnago Mixte is offline  
Old 07-29-18, 11:32 PM
  #4  
got the climbing bug
 
jsigone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,204

Bikes: one for everything

Mentioned: 81 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 632 Post(s)
Liked 908 Times in 273 Posts
you need to find a shop that has stock more than 3 bikes, odds are one of them won't fit you or your budget.

most modern Frames will hold your weight, wheelset may not, so keep that in mind that any bike you select will need a wheel upgrade pending on budget and how many times you want to break spokes on the stock parts.

bikes fits like shoes, some shoe brands wont' work for you, some model won't. More you try out the better. Or you can just get the one you like looks the best. Usually works for me
__________________
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
jsigone is offline  
Old 07-30-18, 09:15 AM
  #5  
Khb
Full Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 203

Bikes: Stromer ST-1; Gary Fisher SAAB edition; Dahon Speed D7; Motobecane Grand Touring 1972

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 38 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Well, slightly off topic for this forum https://www.bicycling.com/health-nut...ness-benefits/ They also have a review of a Tern folding cargo bike with a rated weight limit of 400lbs.

What they others have said; figure out what you'll want to ride and just do it ;> If you break spokes, upgrade the wheelset, etc ;>

Personally, I'm a destination rider, so I needed kit that I could commute to work and shop with ... ;>
Khb is offline  
Old 07-30-18, 04:34 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 199
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by talphie
Most, if not every LBS where I live is closed on Sunday. Before you write them off, you may want to stop there during the week, but of course your call on that. I’m just thinking it may have been a newer employee working Sunday who tried his/her best, but doesn’t have the expertise or enough experience to know the answers. If it was the owner, I’m with you. Look somewhere else!
My local LBS is only open on Sunday during the summer. Last summer we stopped in on a Sunday after noon. We found an older model bike that was well discounted and a perfect fit. Decided to buy it for my husband. They said they’d get it ready, take off the bottle cages ect. We went back to get it and he took a spin around the park and crashed on the first turn. Thankful it was a very general fall onto grass. Turns out the employee who got it ready didn’t check everything over and the stem bolt was loose so he couldn’t turn.
Brooke1687 is offline  
Old 07-30-18, 07:22 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
talphie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Michigan
Posts: 166

Bikes: Volkscycle, Trek Fx3, Specialized Hard Rock

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by Brooke1687


My local LBS is only open on Sunday during the summer. Last summer we stopped in on a Sunday after noon. We found an older model bike that was well discounted and a perfect fit. Decided to buy it for my husband. They said they’d get it ready, take off the bottle cages ect. We went back to get it and he took a spin around the park and crashed on the first turn. Thankful it was a very general fall onto grass. Turns out the employee who got it ready didn’t check everything over and the stem bolt was loose so he couldn’t turn.
I think I got the picture. I would avoid that one as well. Good call.
talphie is offline  
Old 07-30-18, 09:29 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
brawlo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,210
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 288 Post(s)
Liked 76 Times in 57 Posts
If you've got the internet, then there really aren't many excuses these days. In my general experience, most people in retail of any kind are far less helpful than say 10 years ago. I hear the phrase "(shop name) where service is just a word" spoken far too often these days. Added to that, so many are pushing floor stock whether it be the correct choice or not.

Find out what brands are available to you in your shopping radius. Check out those brand websites and also shop websites to see what fits your style and budget and what you like the look of. Get that shortlist and do like many many others have done and seek advice on here to narrow down the search some more. Then go and visit respective shops for a hands on and ride away happy.
brawlo is offline  
Old 08-04-18, 03:02 PM
  #9  
Senior member
 
Dan Burkhart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Oakville Ontario
Posts: 8,108
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 937 Post(s)
Liked 652 Times in 367 Posts
Originally Posted by stevedaytona
So, I'm at the stage where I am trying to research the bike I want to buy. I know a bit as I used to ride constantly in my younger days but it's been 20 years since I had a proper bike. That is I used to know a bit - but know little about the new fangled tech. The other new thing for me is that I don't really know if my current weight is an issue. I've always been on the big boned side anyway....never less than 180 as an adult even when I was really fit (ran a marathon) but now I am almost 280.

This afternoon I was out and about and passing one of the three local bike shops and noticed it was actually open - I thought all three were closed Sundays - so I went in.

So, I say hi and say I want to get back into road cycling and ask if my weight is a consideration. I also note they only have three road bikes and they are all Trek's. It turns out they only have Trek's. Anyway the guy seems to have no clue about my weight question (despite not being exactly slim himself!), and he thumbs through catalogs and on the computer for what seemed ages but still couldn't offer any kind of advice as to whether my kind of weight is a consideration for his three single make bikes! In the end I just said, well thanks for your help and exited.

Guess that's one place I can mark off my list
At least he went looking for an answer and didn't make something up pretending to know when he didn't. I give points for that.
Dan Burkhart is offline  
Old 08-05-18, 07:48 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
breadbin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: West of Ireland
Posts: 753

Bikes: Raleigh 531c, Marin Muirwoods, Brodie Romax

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
I think a lot of them places are staffed by non-cyclists and just regular joes trying to make a living. Like some retail electrical shops now. There are some amazing bike shops here in Ireland and some that I would refuse to go into because like that, they are manned by people that are just there to work and get paid. I would rather take the chance online and get a bike than go into one of these shops. Alternatively ask some local riders where they go. A cyclist will always know a good place to shop in or get work done in.

There is a lot you can do now to enable you to get a bike online. The price might be worth it. There are excellent fitting guides out there which should get you in the ball park of a nice fit.

British Cycling Fitting

Peter Whites Fitting Guide
breadbin is offline  
Old 08-06-18, 07:07 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Iowa
Posts: 239

Bikes: Fuji Gran Fondo 2.1 and Scott Sportster P45

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 81 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Trek is a good brand to go to right now for Clydes. They run bontrager wheels on everything and bontrager has no weight restrictions on their wheelsets.
Rock71 is offline  
Old 08-14-18, 02:30 PM
  #12  
Old and in the way.
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Eugene OR
Posts: 353

Bikes: Jamis Renegade and Kona Jake

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 73 Post(s)
Liked 47 Times in 23 Posts
I had a Trek 1000 when I weighed more than you and it worked fine.
OC I have a 2005 CAAD R1000 wheels and I way 50lbs more than you right now and its working good. Just BE CAREFUL. No curb hopping, no high speed cobblestone racing. I am aiming to get down to were you are now in a year.

I have had a lot of luck with "midsize" bike shops and shops that cater to women. They are better at listening than mega stores or small shops sometimes. Talk to someone who rides road bikes. A mountain biker wont know what you are looking for.

I generally wont buy a bike without riding it, unless I am sure I will like it. (like I have ridden a similar model in the past)

Good luck.
starkmojo is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DreamRider85
Road Cycling
49
07-18-15 09:53 AM
DawnRenee88
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
17
07-09-15 07:43 PM
fatmanonthemoon
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
33
06-06-14 01:18 AM
NashNathan
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
9
12-26-12 11:17 PM
Kate N
Mountain Biking
6
08-11-11 08:06 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.