TechKnowGN

Hi all. 6'2" 320# here.

I'm getting married in a year (9/19/09) to a woman in amazing shape (5'4" 130#) and I want her to be as impressed with how I look that day as I will be with her. I've lost 68# in the last year competing in 5k, 10k and even a half marathon as a walker. I play hockey each week, so I've got an ok cardio base.

I need a ride that can handle my frame, but also stays in my budget. I'm likely looking at spending about $300, maybe $500 max (if I give up on a PSP and just get a better bike) as a christmas present, but will likely buy it early (right now Mid-November at the latest). I've heard about the Kona Hoss (in the 5 minutes of research Ive done thus far), but I'm guessing I need to find a cheaper substitute. Would appreciate any advice.

JKing

The PSP won't help you lose any lbs. so I would spend that cash on a bike, plus the better the bike works the more you will ride it hence more lbs. dropped.

I like my cyclocross bike, it handles my girth well and adapts to any kind of riding so it keeps me from thinking of a new bike every other month.


ohh and congrats on the 68 dropped thats a hell of a start.

Neil_B

Craigslist is your friend.

txvintage

+1 on Craigs List and +1 on giving up the PSP.

Once you get few miles under your belt, you will spend all your time riding, and here, of course!

SSMojo

At your price range, if you don't have any luck with craigslist, I've heard a number of good things about the Specialized Hardrock, the sport model comes in at under $500. Might want to check it out. https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=32576

Fisher's new entry level bikes seem to have some beefy frames these days too, a buddy of mine just got a Marlin and he's pretty close to your size. Cost him a little more than what you're looking to spend, but I imagine there is a cheaper version. No complaints about it yet.

My Redline Monocog 29er also has a damn near indestructible frame for under $500. But I don't imagine you're wanting to jump into biking on a singlespeed.

You may also want to check out bikesdirect.com. Plenty of people on the forums seem happy with their products, they're cheap too!

Just a handful of suggestions. Good luck, once you start biking, you won't stop, and all kinds of things will change. (Haha, like priorities, you won't want to even play PSP since it would take away from bike time. )

Jerry in So IL

Welcome Tech!

+2 or 3 on Craigslist. You will amazed at the finds on there. But it might help to get a friend who is bike savy to help. A few pointers would be 1)stick to known names and models 2)older bikes will be just as good, and cheaper do to not beign "in" anymore 3)get a Local Bike Shop (LBS) first! They will be a newbies best friend. 4)just get a bike and ride! You will be amazed at how better you will feel in a short time. You will need to know how to check and put air in your tires, how to change a flat, and how to wear your compression shorts.

All of the LBSs I have went to did not put me on the most expensive bike they had. Two of the four put me on the cheapest, and I actually both the cheapest bike shown to me due to the feel and strenght of the components.

Some of the names and brands shown to me were Raliegh Passages, Giant Cypress, GT Nomad, and Trek Something or Nother?. Don't sweat it too much, at <$500 majority of the bike frames come out of the same two factories in China. I don't see why you can't find a good bike to last you for around $400. That should save you enough for a pair of biking shorts, helemet, flat tire kit, good air pressure gauge, and gloves. Budget in some granola bars and G2 in the grocery money and you are set.

BTW, I'm pretty new here myself, so if someone else suggest something different, go with their's!!! LOL

Jerry

Wogster

I find that Craigs List (CL) is site specific, in one city you will see a nice, not too old, $1000 when new bike for $250, in another city you will see the same bike for $950..... What I think CL needs to do, is offer some simple tips to those selling bikes, like list the !@#$%^& size. Telling me a bike is for someone 5'2 - 5'10 isn't helpful, telling me it's a 52cm or 20" is -- BTW it's too big for someone 5'2 and to small for someone 5'10......

TechKnowGN

SO then how do I know the right size bike for me?

txvintage

If you don't know your current size, hit a few LBS's in your area and find out what you need. I wouldn't let on that your just trying to find your fit to buy used though.

In the same spirit, after you buy your bike, reward the LBS that helps you with your business for parts, accessories, maintenance, etc.

Different types of bikes are measured in different ways. At 6'2" you will need a bit larger than most folks ride. In a road bike I would guess at least a 56 to 58cm. In MTB probably around a 20 inch. The measurements/geometry that matter most are stand over (not necessarily your clothing inseam) and top tube length (how long your torso and arm reach is). With the varying types of bikes and handlebar set ups this can lead to some confusion. It's best to have a reasonable idea of general size then test ride the bike. Remember things like bar stems and seat tubes can be adjusted/changed to help with fit.

TechKnowGN

Thanks so much! Powers out all over the place here in central ohio, so I might see if the local bike store is one of the lucky places with power and go take a look.

Jack Reacher

I'm 6'4" and around 310# now. I ride a Trek 7.3FX. New they are a hair over your limit of $500. My 2009 was $569. I have less than fifty miles on it since I only had it for a week so I can't personally tell you that the bike will hold up. Others on this forum have this bike and can tell you it will hold up. All I can tell you is that it's comfortable and easier to pedal on the road compared to my mtn bike and others I've tested. My frame size is 22.5.

Raven87

Does "TechKnowGN" have anything to do with Buick Grand Nationals?

TechKnowGN

Nope, sorry. I work for a gaming website (gamingnexus.com), and its a name associated with that. Couldnt think of anything good.