vatbrew

I'm 33, haven't ridden a bike since my bmx days back in the 80's-90's. I went to a LBS today and they recommended 2 hybrids: Specialized Crosstrail and the Trek Gary Fisher Kaitai. I'm not quite sure if I need a hybrid as I don't know of any trails around me. Right now I just want to do laps in my neighborhood(lots of hills, approx 4 miles in one lap) and lose some lbs. in the process. Any suggestions? Oh, and to maybe bunnyhop or jump some curbs every now and then Thats probably why they recommended the hybrid.

10 Wheels

I started at 6' 225 lbs. Rode 1000 miles in the neighborhood.
Met a group of road riders and finished the year with 11,000 miles.
Go with a road bike.

StephenH

My suggestion: Leave the bunnyhopping and curbhopping for the 140-pounders. (It's hard enough to keep wheels in good shape if you treat them gently!)

engstrom

+1

And since you won't be bunny/curb-hopping I'll agree with 10 Wheels - go ahead and get a road bike. I started riding a hybrid (that I already had) last year and after two months went out and bought a road bike. I couldn't be happier.

gunner65

Started at your age in your shape 6'1 235 and commuted to work on a mountain bike with road tires then I bought a road bike love them both lost 25 lbs in a few months. Good luck!

Doohickie

Get something comfortable. A hybrid is a decent way to get started again. If you decide you want to get something a little sportier, you can buy a road bike later on. My recommendation is to get smooth treaded tires though. If you're riding on the road and not on a trail, there's no reason to get knobbies.

vatbrew

Thanks for all the replies. Any recommendations for a road bike? I'm trying to keep this under $700.

10 Wheels

Here is just some to look at.

https://websterbicycle.com/product-li...formance-1002/

Also look for a friendly bike shop.
They can help you with quick adjustments and questions.
They can also get warranty issues taken care of fast should you need it.

Rob P.

Decent road bikes start at about $1k and go up from there (very very fast). For $700 you aren't going to get a road bike that has more than bottom level components and a heavy frame. But, look at Performance Bike for their spring deals - you may get lucky as they sometimes have carbon Fuji's on sale.

On the other hand, for $700 you can get a fairly decent mountain bike which you CAN use to bunny hop and go over small drops. It won't be fast on the roads but it will climb better than most road bikes. Look at Trek or Specialized bikes (Specialized Rockhopper not the "Hardrock") in the +$500 range. Under that price and you're at bottom of the barrel again.

In the end, buy the most bike you can afford. It'll suit you better and last longer.

exile

Buy whatever bike you like, that fits, and is within your price range. Any bike will be able to do the laps you have in mind. Some will be better at it than others.

If you definitely want to do Bunny hopping or curb jumping than look towards a mountain bike (although you can do it on road bike). However, learn how to do it properly or else you may damage your bike.

Basically your first bike is your learning bike. You may get a road bike, but realize you want to tackle some trails. You may get a MTB but realize you want to commute to work on the local MUP's.

The only way you know for sure what type of riding you will do is to start riding. If you feel your current bike is inadequate, then get a bike more suited for those purposes.

Don't look to spend to much or look for "top of the line" for your first bike. Get something you are comfortable riding and won't break the bank.

fietsbob

what brands are sold at your local bike shop? go with them, service after the sale counts a lot.

vatbrew

Specialized and Trek are sold at my LBS. I think im going back to my original idea of a hybrid to start with. Possibly the specialized crosstrail.

maidenfan

I'd seriously check out the 29er hardtail mountain bikes man. I've got some slicks on mine and it really isnt that much slower than my carbon road bike and its a lot funner to ride as I can jump some curbs and such. You can easily find a last years Rockhopper or any other brand in that range for the $700 range you want to spend. And on the upside you can throw some knobbies on the sucker and hit the trails. IMO, its really a win/win scenario.

rick458

What kind of slicks did you go with?and did you just change tires or get new rims as well
I ride my Hard Rock 29er much more on the road than the dirt

skilsaw

I looked up your two choices of hybrid. Either the Kaitai or the Crosstrail would be excellent first bikes and I assume they have a model in your price range.

Talk to the bike store about "Bike Fit" and make sure you get a good test ride with the seat and handlebars adjusted.

Get a lock and you can ride it to the grocery store, post office... etc.

Don't feel rushed in to getting a road bike.

And most important, Enjoy the fresh air and exercise as you ride.

clydeosaur

I've been down this road & can give you this - skip the hybrid / road bike for now & go to a MTB. the wheels can & will be an issue with a road bike or hybrid, especially at that price. Chances are if you really get into riding, you will want to upgrade to a roadbike or sport minded hybrid (not comfort) in the future. So, why not ride an MTB with sturdy wheels now & save you money for when you decide to make the jump. Otherwise, you will by the hybrid/road bike & have to spend the time, money & aggravation dealing with broken spokes and bent wheels until you by new wheels or have them built. Then you are left with trying to seel a bike that you invested more money in just to keep it reliable.

Going the MTB route will simply leave you with an option of rides when you make the move. Get tired of the road bike? Go hit the trail or take the kids on a ride.

Neil_B

Second-hand. Try Craigslist or Ebay - carefully.

bengreen79

Wheels on an entry level road bike will usually be heavy 32 spoke wheels built for durability. They usually weigh over 2000g per set and will be fine for someone who weighs 230 lbs.

I have to agree with all of those who recommended a road bike. I think you'll enjoy it more and make better use of your investment.

maidenfan

I ride panaracer ribmos, but there are a ton of options for tires. I just change the tires - all it takes is a few mins.

meanwhile

The right bike would have no problem with curb hopping - decent MTBs can cope with 250lbs riders taking 8 foot drops. Instead of telling the guy to get a road bike because y'all have them and to change the way that he wants to ride to fit, why not tell the guy what sort of bike he needs to ride the way that he wants to?

The poster who suggested a 29er is correct. Fit it with Big Apple slicks and attack those curbs, if that's what you want to do. You can probably buy a suitable 29er from Bikes Direct for around $600. It will be a lot more fun that a hybrid, even on the road.

contango 

In 2009 I was looking at bikes having not ridden anything since about 1987. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with the bike other than turn the pedals, but did know there would be times when I wanted to follow trails rather than be restricted to roads only. Nothing seriously technical but possibly including gravel, mud etc, and perhaps the odd tree root across the path.

I ended up with a Rockhopper and absolutely love it. There are times I'd like a road bike as well but I wouldn't want to lose the ability to go off-road. I've put more road-friendly tyres on my bike which means I can get to decent speeds on the road while also being able to cope with gravel paths, tree roots etc. It's not as fast as a road bike would be but so much more flexible.

I'm still somewhere around 250lbs and my Rockhopper copes with tree roots, bumpy paths, the odd (slow) bump up or down a kerb etc. A friend of mine periodically jumps double-height kerbs on his touring bike (a Ridgeback of some flavour) - he's somewhere around 200lbs I think.

meanwhile

Also: getting a road racing bike, even if you do want drop handle performance, is very questionable if you're a Clyde - unless you're *maybe* a 230lb mesomorph who intends to race. Why? The very narrow tyres have poor traction and this limits emergency braking and turning. A Clyde has a LOT more momentum than the riders road racers are designed for, so an at least slightly wider tyre makes sense - in this way he'll at least have the same braking power as a "normal" 150lb roadie. Although that isn't great..

Admittedly, this argument would make more sense if the average rider knew how to use his brakes properly - but the OP is an ex-BMXer, so his bike handling skills are probably pretty good.

But, basically, if you're a Clyde and want drops -and I don't see why the OP should - then consider a Surly Pacer or a tourer or cyclocross bike.

(Also: that slightly wider tyre won't cost any speed outside the conditions met by a really athletic rider outside a race. In fact it will probably improve cruising speed:

https://www.bikeradar.com/news/articl...e-myths-29245/)

clydeosaur

..Provided they are decent wheels tensioned properly. Other wise it's alot of busted spokes & aggravation. I had good luck with CXP 22's & 33's that were hand built & bulletproof. I also had a set of Vuelettas & CR18's that were JUNK. All were 32 spoke.

Being a clyde on a roadbike is not a problem at all. I've done it for the last three seasons. Never have a problem with traction or cornering. I ride a 61cm Cdale with 23's @ 6'4 217lbs and love it. I do run handbuilt wheels that NEVER give me issues.

contango 

My LBS has a customer who's somewhere around 350lbs and who rides a pretty mean and lean looking road bike. His wheels have aero-bladed spokes, I think 20 of them. He loves that bike and just accepts that he's going to be in the LBS every few weeks to get another spoke replaced because of his weight.

Nightshade

At 230lbs just about any bike will do provided it has 36 spoke wheels on it.