homeriscool

Hi all, im 245 lbs and need to lose at least 35 lbs. im buying a new bike this weekend and i have likened the idea of buying a road bike and doing some long distance rides. but then i started reading about touring bikes.

i like the idea of cruising around and taking in the views, but i also like the idea of smashing down a road at break neck speed

anyone recommend which maybe better and what did you use?

JerrySTL

Weight lose is more of a calories in versus calories burned. Either bike could do that for you. I have a road and touring bike but enjoy riding the road bike more. However the touring bike has uses such as the crushed limestone KATY Trail and riding where there may be some ice and snow. If I had to chose just one, it would be the road bike.

homeriscool

thanks for the comment. im leaning towards the road bike. im a bit concerned about the 23mm tires that come as standard on the bike. i weigh 245 lbs do you think these tires are ok for my weight?

TrojanHorse

They're totally OK for your weight, but you'll want to inflate them to the max pressure on the sidewall. You shouldn't have to worry about weight limits on anything at 245, although some of the wheels they put on bikes as stock these days are shameful. You'll want to take special care of anything with fewer than 28 spokes... 32 would be better. More = sturdier.

As for which bike is superior... as Jerry mentioned, either can do the trick, but dawdling around town taking in the sights doesn't burn a lot of calories either. Get whichever one makes you want to go ride more.

Rock31

At your weight they will be fine (and here I go jinxing myself) but I was WELL over 300lbs when I started riding my Road Bike with stock tires, over 1k miles on them now and only 1 flat so far (piece of glass)

IBOHUNT

^This or get both. Why not start the N+1 deal right out the gate eh?

chasm54

How many calories you burn has nothing to do with the type of bike, it is all about how much energy you use. The same amount of energy on a light road bike will cause you to go a little bit faster than on a tourer, that's all.

Which you choose depends on what sort of riding you do. A tourer or a cross bike is the more versatile machine, because as well as handling moderate off-road riding it will be equipped to carry some gear.

CommuteCommando

Road bike=go fast (for a clyde that is)
Touring bike=carry more stuff (good if you use it for commuting)

Pick your poison.

JerrySTL

I'm 220 lbs and rode on 23's for years. As others said, you probably need to inflate them to the max on the sidewalls to prevent pinch flats.

Once those tires are worn out, change to 700x25s. I ride them at 100 psi and haven't had a pinch flat.

jerseyJim

I vote light touring for a first bike. More Versatile. You can do more with it and may ride more. Put a rack on the back, get some panniers and use it for shopping and local errands, put some fenders on it so you can ride when the roads are wet and you can still go bombing down hills with it for kicks.


Get the racer for your second bike.



Then there's Cross bikes. You can get something like a Surly Crosscheck that is the best of both worlds.

Mr. Beanz

I'm heavier than you and I ride 23's with no problems, have for 16 years. although I think most stock tires are junk. I ditch them right away just to avoid flat problems.

I prefer road bikes, I can cruise at anytime and pretend I'm on a touring bike.

Waht do you consider "distance"? Most of us here have done 100+ miles on road bikes, doesn't take a touring bike to do distance.

If you plan on switching out the stock tires, go online to buy the new set. You can get $75 (each) tires at the shop or get them for $40 online. You might have to wait 10 days for delivery but it's well worth it.

https://www.probikekit.com/us/tyres-t...road-tyre.html


------------------

Another thing you might think about is that you can ask the bike shop to leave your fork tube uncut. This will alow you to use the handlbar stem at a higher postion eliminating that super low racer bent over position. It makes the position more comfy for newr riders to start. As you develope, you can slide the stem down, flip the stem to angle down if you desire the race poisition.

I prefer mine raised for comfort. Some bike have taller head tubes as well. More of an upright position vs the super racer position.

But if you want to go with the upright position, be sure to inform the shop to leave the fork tube uncut. Once it's cut, you can't get high!


My stem angles up and the bars are set at the highest position.



compared to this bike, handle bars low and stem angled down max race position

homeriscool

thanks for the heads up - i will use this tip

TrojanHorse

I just got some probikekit coupons in the email this morning...

DOLLAR8 - spend $80 and get $8
DOLLAR15 - $150 / $15
DOLLAR40 - $300 / $40

I used SPRING15 the other day, which gave me 15 percent off. Try 'em. You can also get tubes, bar tape and other accessories at reasonable prices. Shipping takes for ever but it's free, so keep extras on hand. I don't keep as many as Beanz does but I like having a complete set of spare tires and about 4 tubes just sitting around (not including the two tubes I keep in my seat bag)

I would also just ride the stock tires till you're done with them and then change. Unless you get tons of flats.

Ronno6

There is nothing inherent in the design of a touring bike that mandates that you ride slowly.
Get yourself a touring rig and have a second set of wheels with 23c tires on them.
When you want to ride fast, swap them on and go!
Then, when you want to cruise or tour, you can put the fat wheels/tires, fenders and racks back on and
take to the road! (Or, just ride in comfort on those 32c tires.)

adrien

The distinction between the two is not as clear as you think. There are road bikes that tend to silly twitchy (crit bikes) right the way through incredibly stable and not very lively touring rigs.

The real difference is how they feel. A touring bike is made to handle well with extra weight on it -- not the rider, but panniers over both wheels. They can feel rather, um, dead unless they have that weight.

Road bikes come in various degrees of "lively" depending on materials, geometry and other factors.

Personally, based on what you describe, I'd go for the bike that I'm most likely to want to ride. Are you a family sedan guy or do you like sports cars?

I would recommend what I ended up with -- a long wheelbase, maybe steel, road bike with clearance and that is ok for light touring. Depending on the LBS you go to, I'd suggest asking them for a sportive or all-day road bike. It'll be more comfortable, less aggressive and still plenty lively, and it will have room for at least 25 or 28 tires. Specialized Roubaix, Trek Domane, or something more interesting like a Lynskey Sportive.

jsigone

I'd vote road bike...you can look side ways and ride whatever pace you want

curbtender

I tend more to road bike, but either works. Just buy quality stuff that keeps you going.

brianogilvie 

For weight loss, it doesn't much matter. Get the bike that will make you want to ride. I do think that having a bike with a decent low gear for going up hills, and fenders for riding in the rain (or after the rain), will make you want to ride more. You could split the difference and get a bike like the Raleigh Clubman, which comes equipped with fenders, and can be used for light tours, but is sporty and snazzy.

digger531

I would go for a light touring. Salsa Casserole comes to mind. Still has room for some tire and fenders if you choose.
Steel is real (anyone counting how many times I have posted that in the last two weeks)

lenny866

It doesn't matter which one you get.....once you get hooked, you'll buy both.

Terry66

I think I would vote for a light touring bike like the Salsa Vaya. It is way versatile....I use it for weekend touring, commuting and all around riding. It will take tires from 23c up to 42c (been told it will handle 45c, but never tried it). When I am riding like the GAP or Katy trail, I ride the fatter tires. When I commute I have been using a 32c WTB Slick and I can cruise along at 18-20, which isn't bad on a steel touring style bike.

I think at your weight, you should be fine on 23c tires. As someone else mentioned, I would make sure you have a 32+ spoke count. I have 20/24 spoke count on my carbon road bike and I popped a spoke last fall. Not sure if it was weight related or just one of those things. I am in the mid-180s these days, but I was almost 300lbs about 6 years ago. I rode 25c tires with no problems.

Mr. Beanz

If you pay close attention to detail, you will see that some roadbikes like the Domane by Trek is a road bike but has fender mounts. Made for endurance and comfort rides.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...ies/domane_2_0

Much like Gina's Trek Pilot. Not many would notice but it has rack mount eyelets. More of a comfort roadie but it is fast!

sstorkel

Split the difference: buy an "endurance" or "plush" road bike like the Specialized Roubaix, Giant Defy, Cannondale Synapse, etc. You'll get road bike speed, with slightly less nervous handling and a more comfortable riding position. Based on what you've said, I don't think you'll appreciate the compromises that a touring bike entails: heavy frame, lethargic handling, and older-generation components (ex: bar-end shifters rather than STI or DoubleTap).

Mark Stone

I'm not going to bother to read any of the other responses, because I know all these guys and gals are wrong. For losing weight, any style of bike is great. It's a matter of taste. Get the one that you want, the one that will have the most "toy" value. Don't worry about your current weight, 245 is well under weight requirements on almost any bicycle, so you're not gonna break anything. One thing for sure: If you start riding, and alter your food intake and the content of what you eat, you can kiss that 35 pounds goodbye. Cycling makes skinny people. I think that's in the Bible somewhere, but I'm not sure - -

chasm54

It's a pity you were too lazy to read the other responses, because you'd have saved yourself the bother of making a post. They were, contrary to your expectations, right.