Rifford

Hey guys -

I've been lurking on here for a while, but finally decided to make my first post in hopes of having you guys help me get on my first bike since I was a wee-toddler. I'm 6'2" and weigh roughly 360 lbs. I live in southern California and have this great stretch of bicycle path right next to my house that I'd like to take advantage of and try to get into some sort of shape that isn't a circle. I haven't visited the path yet, but it seems to be mostly flat pavement and runs for miles. I'd like to get a bike that I can use for that purpose, as well as getting around town. So what sort of bike would you guys recommend that I show some interest in? I plan on visiting my LBS to get some tips, but figured it couldn't hurt to ask you, as well. I've perused CraigsList and came across some nice looking bikes, but, to be honest, I'm not sure what type of bike would be best for my intentions. I'd like to keep my budget under $1,000 and plan on making cycling a serious and everyday part of my life to work on getting healthy, as well as taking in some scenery. I've browsed the forum already and have come across the brand Kona a few times and gave their site a visit to find some good liking bikes. Of course, I'm not sold on any brand. I just want to find the best bike for me and one that can stand my size. Suggestions?

peckma

Recommend one of the hybrid bikes. Upright geometry, lots of gears, street tires for smooth rolling. With cleated pedals or not, as you choose. For $1K, most of the name brands will be about the same in terms of quality, componetry, set up, and so on. I have a 2004 Trek Hybrid (FX7700) I ride as an alternate to my road bike. Kona is a solid brand, there are multitudes of others. You can put a rack on the back to carry a lock, windbreaker, etc. if so desired.

Make sure you leave some room in your budget for a helmet, gloves, and bike shorts.

If and when you want to get off the bike path, the hybrid will serve you well as an all around street ride.

Visit a few LBSs, ride a few bikes and off you go - good luck.

Fletch521

When I started riding again I was 365 pounds. The biggest problem I had was braking spokes on the rear wheel. I bought a TREK 720 with 32 spoke wheels and broke one the first week. Then another 6 miles after that first one was repaired. After braking several TREK replaced the wheel under warranty but that wheel did no better. After switching to a 36 spoke wheel I have had ZERO broken spokes! So, the bike store will tell you that 32 spoke wheels are fine but they will not hold up to a heavy rider. Any deal you make should include upgrading to a 36 spoke rear wheel. As for brand choose one from a local bike shop that can service it for you too.

Rifford

I definitely will look into getting wheels with a high spoke count? Not that I will notice it, but how does the spoke count affect the quality of the ride?

Fletch521

The quality of the ride goes way up when you can actually be out riding instead of waiting for the wheel to get rebuilt.

Rifford

Got it. Also, as a first time buyer, would you recommend going to my LBS or searching CL? And if I go through CL, what are some things to look out for when purchasing a used bike, especially one that will be used for a large body?

Fletch521

I out grew my Hybrid real fast. I ride longer distances and once the weight started coming off I tried to ride a vintage road bike whenever possible. Just starting out it is hard to help you decide. I would have to know what type of riding you will do and you don't really know that yet. I betting in SoCal there is a lot to chose from on CL. You could expect to save 60-70% vs new.So if your riding habits change you can get another bike or two and still be under your 1G price.

Rifford

This is going to be a very amateur question: I often see people riding bicycles with those very thin looking tires (something I did not see when I used to ride bmx and MTBs as a kid), can tires like those support someone my size?

Push

They will...

but I prefer to have a higher volume tire under me when I ride, lots of people recommend road bikes and or hybrids and I always wonder why a mountain bike isn't first choice for a fella of your size... of my size. I am currently 360 pounds and have been as low as 300 in that past couple years and I find that a mountain bike does everything that I need it to do and I feel more confident on one (whether it is perceived or real) because they are built to take hits so they just feel better to me. I ride probably 75% rail trail and single tracks 25% on the road, that figure was probably reversed for the first year after I got back into biking and I have never felt that the bike was not able to handle me and my as my brother calls them tree trunk legs pounding away.

I started off on a K2 Zed which many consider low end, cheap etc and it is don't get me wrong it is not a high end bike but I have had it since 2009 and have put if I had to guess more than 2000 miles on it in that time, yes I destroyed the bottom bracket, the pedals and the front derailleur... hell I even broke a chain (I did not know how to properly shift back then) but the 32 spoke count double walled wheels have never given me issue, not once and they are still true as I type. I have made many upgrades to the K2 in the 3 years that I have had it but I still ride it the most of all of the bikes that I own and knock on wood its going strong.

I have since bought a much higher end mountain bike and again I trust it completely to carry my weight, I get on an old steel schwinn cris cross that I have with 700c wheels and I suddenly get timid because of the smaller/thinner tires and I don't enjoy the ride nearly as much because I find myself worrying about the bike too much and again I say whether that is real pr perceived its how I feel.

I think that what you buy is dependent on where and how you plan on riding but I would look at mountain bikes if it were me (and it was me back in 2009) and as far as what bikes to look at, in the $1000 range you have lots of options.

Trek Mamba is right around a grand and for me anyways the fit is awesome (top tube feels stretched out for me).
Specialized Rockhopper 29er is just under that price point too.

I went with a Trek but the Rockhopper was an option for me (it felt short to me saddle to bars when I rode it so it was a fit decision for me) when I was looking for an upgrade, if it were me I would look in the direction of a mountain bike.

mkadam68

Get your bike for what you want it to do. You started off asking the right question(riding on the road (pavement) or off-road (dirt)?), but didn't go far enough. Here's some more questions for future considerations:

• Will you be able to get another bike in the future, or are you stuck with what you get right now? (How you answer this one will determine whether you should even ask the next...)
• How long of a ride will you eventually be doing?
• Will you be carrying anything extraordinary with you?
• Will you be riding on any hills or permanently staying on flat roads?
• Will you be looking to go fast or just cruisin' around?

I rarely recommend hybrids because they are rarely comfortable for rides longer than 30-45 minutes. Mountain bikes, too, are not comfortable for extended periods on pavement. Obviously, road bikes aren't intended to go off-road, although they can easily handle packed dirt (Strade Bianchi, anyone?)

(If interested, I did a post on this issue, here, that goes into it more in-depth.)

floatsinwater

Get a cross bike. You can't go wrong with a cross bike. A cyclocross bike is like a mix between a road bike and a mountain bike, with a little more bias toward road. The good thing about cross bikes are that they're built really tough, and can handle bigger tires, which I highly recommend (28's based on your weight). Most even have lugs for racks/panniers if you want to do some touring or go grocery shopping.

I wouldn't get a hybrid for several reasons... It's hard to "grow" with a hybrid, because the more you get serious into cycling, the more it becomes obvious that a hybrid is a little too casual. You might not think about it now, but sooner or later you'll be itching to go on group rides. Then you'll be kicking yourself for getting a hybrid, since many groups are roadies only. There's honestly not much a hybrid can do that a cross bike can't do better.

Rifford

Thanks for all the feedback. As for not being more in depth about how I plan to use the bike, first and foremost, I want the bike I purchase to last a long time. I don't plan on buying multiple bikes or buying one to replace this one next year. As for my travels, it would be strictly pavement. Again, the path I'm sticking to is paved and, at the same time, I would use the bike to get around town (streets). For duration, I'd like to work a steady pace - maybe 30 mins - 1 hr a day, but definitely want to build on that and possibly take rides where I just sort of lose track of time. Most of my travels will be flat with not much incline, so I feel like I won't need something the forces me to shift in and out of gears. I'm definitely taking into consideration all the input you guys have provided and am really looking forward to getting out there.

TrojanHorse

You should probably see if you can find something on Craig's list - there are tons and I mean TONS of bikes on CL in SoCal. Sometimes it's hard to sort through, but you can create a little RSS bookmark with your search criteria ad wait for something to crop up.

if you are in more of a rush, the suggestions above are all good - in addition to spoke count, it would be worth asking the shop to retension your wheel before they give it to you. most of these cheap wheels break because they are machine built for skinny freaks and it doesn't matter if the spoke tension varies widely. For us manly men, it matters.

Last, I would ABSOLUTELY expect 1 of two things to happen... you don't really care for cycling and your bike gathers dust, or you love it and you need / want a bike more suited to your (new / upgraded ) skills. And that's a good thing, just don't think you have to stick with the same bike for eternity just because (which is another reason to buy one used... and sell it when you outgrow it)

Happy shopping!

Rifford

So at 6'2'', is there a particular sized bike I should be looking at? I'm likely going to test the CL waters, but since I'm likely to buy a used bike, will it be devastating if the size of the bike is slightly too small or too large?

Fletch521

There are lots of post on these forums about proper sizing of bicycles. I don't have time right now to help but I am sure someone can post some links. Slightly big or slightly small won't kill you.

Push

come back after a year and let me know how many bikes you own I said the same thing... more importantly my wife did! I currently have 19 bikes (most are for fixing up and selling) but check out my sig line for the ones that I call my own


I am 6'4'' and both of the bikes that I ride regularly are 21 inches or XL, I may be able to ride a large or a 19 inch but I have a long torso and short legs and the 21 just fits me better (top tube length plays a big role in fit for me). You will have to go sit on and ride a few bikes until you find out what fits you right and go from there, the general guide lines of height and frame size is a good start point but getting on a bike is the best way to find out.

TrojanHorse

I'm also 6'2 and wear 32" pants and fit nicely on a 58cm road bike. I have no idea how to fit mountain bikes, but most fit issues can be fixed by adjusting the seat height or the stem (that thing that clamps on to the handlebars... they come in a variety of lengths and angles) so as long as you're not grossly out of whack you can work things out.

Find a bike buddy who's willing to shop with you if you can.

IBOHUNT

Absolutely! If I were to do it all over again I would purchase a cross bike that had a compact up front with an Apex xx-32 cassette on the rear. This allows for group rides and skinny tires if that's the course you want to take or stick with the 28-32's and take it on the trails.

himespau 

This might provide a useful help at sizing if you look for a road bike.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...xZt_08FdjYWbRQ

Hikezilla

I'm 5' 10" at 300 on the dot. I have a Trek 800 and just bought a Trek Pure. The 800 is more of a lower profile ride, and has medium width road tires. I do zero off roading. My Trek Pure has a more upright rider profile and bigger tires. I am just getting back into riding and the Trek Pure is VERY comfortable for me. It has a big seat, higher handlebars, and only 7 speeds. I have taken it out on a couple of 10 milers and I am far more comfortable on it than on the Trek 800. The Trek Pure ride is a little bit more bouncier, so I may look at changing to a different wheel/tire combo later this summer. Good luck to you!

Rifford

Hey everyone -

Again, thanks for all the valuable input. I visited my LBS today and after telling the gentlemen what I was looking for and what my intentions were with riding, he recommended a hybrid bike (Giant was the brand. Not sure on the model). I test rode it and it seemed like a good fit and was plenty affordable. I told him that I thought I would be best suited with rims that had a high spoke count (32-36) and he told me that I would be just fine with the stock rims (32). He also mentioned, after riding the hell out of the tires that were already on there, about upgrading to a stronger tire (gator skins?). Might anyone have any input on any of his advice?

mkadam68

I would think seriously about his advice on the wheels. Sounds like he might be trying to maximize profit. Although a hybrid, and probably with stronger wheels than just "regular ol' road bikes", I'm guessing your 360lbs is pushing it.

Although there may be an additional charge for you, 36-spoke wheels would be stronger and last longer. I think, in the end, for you, the largest cost of the bike will be (should be?) the wheels. You can't ride if the bike's in the shop getting the wheels trued or rebuilt.

Fletch521

They are still telling me that 32 spoke wheels will be just fine. The sales people do not know what they are talking about(!) two wheels and three complete rebuilds later with the 32s and countless broken spokes. Not to mention all the wasted time. ZERO broken spokes on the same bike with a 36 spoke rear wheel. Zero broken spokes on a 30 year old Trek with 36 spoke wheels with light weight road rims. The dam replacement 36 spoke wheel cost less than repairing two spokes. Tell them it's a no deal unless they can include a 36 spoke wheel.

goldfinch

There are so many opinions so it is easy to get analysis paralysis on the question of what bike to start with. However, couple of people did diss the hybrid. I have both a hybrid and a road bike. This winter I ended up riding my hybrid more than the road bike because of rough chip seal roads, rough bike paths, and lots of thorns that were giving me too many flats. I rode with a bunch of other guys. We regularly did rides of 20 to 45 miles, all on hybrid bikes. I was comfortable enough and could have ridden all day. Though my Ergon grips helped.

Try out as many bikes as you can and see what speaks to you.

As far as the wheels, if you get the Giant you could ride it until the wheels start giving you too much grief (like if you start busting spokes or having the wheel go out of true) and then upgrade.

Rifford

It seems that, as a beginner, a hybrid might be the way to go. Especially when it concerns someone of my size, it seems that the way the body is positioned on a hybrid would be more comfortable as opposed to a road bike. The hybrid seems to have me set up more up-right, while the road bike is definitely more hunched over. I don't think I'm going to be going out there trying to break any speed records at this point. This purchase is to get me into biking and to get off the couch. Went to another LBS today and the guy there told me 32 spokes again. I will definitely press for the 36 spokes.