Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
Reload this Page >

Suggestions for Clydes just joining us

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.

Suggestions for Clydes just joining us

Old 06-03-14, 07:44 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Forest City NC
Posts: 189

Bikes: Miyata 615, Raleigh Aleska, Kona Ute, and a bunch of others.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Suggestions for Clydes just joining us

Hey, welcome back to biking. I think you're going to like it. I'm a Clyde who's stuck at 240 lbs, which doesn't sound like much until add the fact that I'm only 5'8" I'm overweight, ok?

I rediscovered biking in a big way about 15 years ago when I lived in Savannah Ga. Let me give you some suggestions that you might find helpful.

1a) Immediately go buy a copy of Grant Peterson's book "Just Ride". He does an excellent job of exploding the bull**** that a lot of the "bike racing" culture tries to foist on the public. 95% of the people who try biking as a hobby or a commute will never join a club, never go to races, and have no particular desire to buy special shoes just to ride their bike. If your local bike shop is 100% filled with bike that have pencil thin high pressure tires and the latest electronic shift mechanism, you are in the wrong place.

1b) Rule of thumb. No bikes sold by department store chains will last more than 2 weeks. They may have nameplates of "sturdy" brands you remember from your youth, but believe me, things aint what they used to be.

2) There are readily available bike which will work well for folks like us, you need to just know where to look. My favorite suggestion is to seek out an old school "hardtail" mountain bike, one preferably made with a steel frame, but look for a quality bike. For reasons I don't understand, collectors haven't sought out these bikes and they're absolutely wonderful all purpose bikes. Second suggestion, consider a vintage 3-speed bike with "upright" handlebars. These are bulletproof and trouble free. They may weigh an extra 10 pounds but who amongst will notice an extra 10 pounds. Third, once you've tried biking and discovered you really like it, getting to the point of plunking down sizable money to get the bike of your dreams, consider a bike made for loaded touring. Tour bikes are designed to carry the rider AND up to 100 extra pounds of gear. Everything about them is designed for the extra weight: the frame, the wheels, the brakes. When I bought my first Miyata 600 touring bike was when I was totally hooked.

2b) Fear of hills. Yeah, I get it. What if I have to suffer the humiliation of pushing the bike up a mountain? I commute the same road about 3 times per week and there's STILL a hill that I'm never 100% sure I'll get up without cursing, jumping off and hoofing up the last couple of feet. And when I actually do have to do that, I thank God that I'm not wearing cleats on the bottom of my shoes, they are sneakers. I stop, drink some water, wait until my heart slows to under 150 bpm, and calmly walk up. What's the big deal? Note also that two of the types of bikes I recommended (mountain bikes and touring bikes) typically have a tiny little "granny gear" which makes it extremely easy to get up almost any hill. Lastly, if you, like my wife, have a medical complication (her's is asthma), think about buying a bike with electric assist. Modern electric bikes don't work like mopeds, they just multiply the energy you put into pedaling, typically doubling the energy you put in. Some may consider this cheating, but screw it, it's helped my wife get outside and biking again.

3) Little things make huge difference. I won't give you specific advice about saddles because everyone's butt is different. I can just tell you when I found the saddle for me, it changed everything. I've moved that saddle between 4 different bikes at this point. The other thing that I found made a huge difference is a solid, high quality pedal. Most of pudgy feet won't fit comfortably on regular pedals. Get the massive platform pedal designed for BMX bikes.

4) Check your expectations. Biking isn't the magical perfect exercise, and it's not going to make pounds melt off your body until you look good in spandex. If you want to do ANYTHING for upper body strength, you need to do something else in addition to biking. But it IS excellent at cardio, and it will get your blood pumping. More than anything, it's enjoyable.

5) Enjoy the opportunities to be smug. Example - I teach high school math. One look at me and most of my students correctly peg me as a 55 year old out of shape guy. Most express surprise the first time they see me commuting on my bike. You have no idea how good it feels to tell a skinny little 16 year old "What's the big deal? It's only 11 miles."

6) If you are riding any time NEAR dark, lights are not optional.

And if you live anywhere near Forest City NC, drop me a line and we'll connect for a ride. If you're still just thinking about starting to ride, I have WAY too many bikes and would be happy to loan you one to see how you like it.
jburne is offline  
Old 06-03-14, 07:59 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
RhythmRider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 130

Bikes: '14 Giant Escape RX '08 GIANT Cypress

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
great advice!
RhythmRider is offline  
Old 06-03-14, 08:01 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
MRT2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 6,319

Bikes: 2012 Salsa Casseroll, 2009 Kona Blast

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1031 Post(s)
Liked 208 Times in 146 Posts
Amen, though I do love my clip less pedals.
MRT2 is offline  
Old 06-03-14, 09:34 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Black wallnut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Ellensburg,WA
Posts: 3,175

Bikes: Schwinn Broadway, Specialized Secteur Sport(crashed) Spec. Roubaix Sport, Spec. Crux

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 178 Post(s)
Liked 161 Times in 80 Posts
Let me get this straight your first post AFAICS in C&A this year is a welcome to C&A? If you are happy being 5'8" and 240 that is too bad that you have given up the quest for better health. Many come to this forum actually trying to lose weight believe it or not.

1a&b BS and more BS. Of that alleged 95 percentile how many do you really think will be joining us here? A large part of that same alleged 95 percentile will be buying BSO in ignorant bliss and never ride enough to wear them out and certainly not in two weeks.

2 do a poll of the members who frequent this forum and see how many are on touring or hardtails....... Then compare to how many are on other types of bikes, hybrids, road, cx, tandems...... I bet we can even dig up someone that rides the fat tires.

2b embrace the hills they are your friends. They let you know that you are alive. With practice you can make it all the way to the top every single time. jburne you are selling yourself short. Rule 5

3 well you are right that little things make a huge difference, like weight loss, clipless pedals, bike specific clothing, and actually having a training program whether one races or not. There are a number of us that race, there are also a number that just like to go on short leisurely rides, we are all right.

4 have realistic expectations....... Read the success stories. Cycling can help you lose large sums of weight and transform your life to think otherwise is keeping your head in the sand and to suggust otherwise is disrespectful to all those that have done it. By the way I make spandex look good!

5 humility is a great character trait, there is always someone lighter, faster and richer......... What feels good is when someone remarks I could never do that and you can say oh but yes you can with perseverance.

6 no argument here except that I would re-write it to say if you are riding in darkness and lighting should seriously be considered in poor visibility times.

Thanks for the offer. I don't have too many bikes and I'll not pretend that my hybrid (which by the way was purchased at Costco, not exactly assembled correctly, and has lasted with some maintenance and parts replacement for thousands of miles) with flat pedals will fit you but if you visit me I'd ride with you as well.
__________________
Sir Mark, Knight of Sufferlandria
Black wallnut is offline  
Old 06-03-14, 10:18 PM
  #5  
Mad bike riding scientist
 
cyccommute's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,251

Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones

Mentioned: 149 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6133 Post(s)
Liked 4,067 Times in 2,310 Posts
Originally Posted by jburne
1a) Immediately go buy a copy of Grant Peterson's book "Just Ride". He does an excellent job of exploding the bull**** that a lot of the "bike racing" culture tries to foist on the public. 95% of the people who try biking as a hobby or a commute will never join a club, never go to races, and have no particular desire to buy special shoes just to ride their bike. If your local bike shop is 100% filled with bike that have pencil thin high pressure tires and the latest electronic shift mechanism, you are in the wrong place.
Peterson's doesn't so much "explode" the myths of bicycling as add his on load to the mix. His ideas are stuck in 1992 but why not 1983 or 1973 or 1923 or 1883? An ordinary is wonderfully simple but it is much more complicated when compared to a 1883 laufmaschine. The bikes of 1992 have 6 or 7 gears and brakes...how advanced and complicated.

I can be something of a curmudgeon with respect to some things bicycle related but there are lots of improvements over the last 20 years that have made bicycling better. All of that has come from racing. Commuting and touring really don't help the sport develop.

And there's nothing wrong with skinny tires.

Originally Posted by jburne
1b) Rule of thumb. No bikes sold by department store chains will last more than 2 weeks. They may have nameplates of "sturdy" brands you remember from your youth, but believe me, things aint what they used to be.
Department store bikes aren't the best quality but they last longer than 2 weeks. The problem with department store bikes isn't necessarily the bike but with the support for the bike. A bike shop that is "filled with bikes that have pencil thin high pressure tires and the latest electronic shift mechanism" will have bikes that are properly prepared, work better and, most importantly, be properly sized. I've been in lots and lots of shops and I seldom find the kind of shop you describe above. I also work with people at my local co-op to keep those department store bikes rolling because that's all they have to ride. I'd rather work on a really cool wonder bike but not everyone can afford that.

Originally Posted by jburne
2) There are readily available bike which will work well for folks like us, you need to just know where to look. My favorite suggestion is to seek out an old school "hardtail" mountain bike, one preferably made with a steel frame, but look for a quality bike. For reasons I don't understand, collectors haven't sought out these bikes and they're absolutely wonderful all purpose bikes. Second suggestion, consider a vintage 3-speed bike with "upright" handlebars. These are bulletproof and trouble free. They may weigh an extra 10 pounds but who amongst will notice an extra 10 pounds. Third, once you've tried biking and discovered you really like it, getting to the point of plunking down sizable money to get the bike of your dreams, consider a bike made for loaded touring. Tour bikes are designed to carry the rider AND up to 100 extra pounds of gear. Everything about them is designed for the extra weight: the frame, the wheels, the brakes. When I bought my first Miyata 600 touring bike was when I was totally hooked.
There is just so much nonsense here that it's hard to decide where to start. I could not be described as anything but a clyde but I don't buy a bike based on the weight of the bike nor do I buy steel. I own aluminum and titanium bikes that range from 20 lbs to 30 lbs and from mountain bikes to a race bike. Just because we are big doesn't mean that we have to ride tanks. How you ride the bike is more important than what you ride or how much it weighs


Originally Posted by jburne
2b) Fear of hills. Yeah, I get it. What if I have to suffer the humiliation of pushing the bike up a mountain? I commute the same road about 3 times per week and there's STILL a hill that I'm never 100% sure I'll get up without cursing, jumping off and hoofing up the last couple of feet. And when I actually do have to do that, I thank God that I'm not wearing cleats on the bottom of my shoes, they are sneakers. I stop, drink some water, wait until my heart slows to under 150 bpm, and calmly walk up. What's the big deal? Note also that two of the types of bikes I recommended (mountain bikes and touring bikes) typically have a tiny little "granny gear" which makes it extremely easy to get up almost any hill. Lastly, if you, like my wife, have a medical complication (her's is asthma), think about buying a bike with electric assist. Modern electric bikes don't work like mopeds, they just multiply the energy you put into pedaling, typically doubling the energy you put in. Some may consider this cheating, but screw it, it's helped my wife get outside and biking again.
You should rethink your shoe wear if you want to climb hills. I know that Peterson doesn't like clipless but if you really want to be able to climb hills, clipless will go a long way to helping you pedal all the way to the top. You really can pull up on the pedals which gives a boost of power when hill climbing. Gearing also helps.

Originally Posted by jburne
3) Little things make huge difference. I won't give you specific advice about saddles because everyone's butt is different. I can just tell you when I found the saddle for me, it changed everything. I've moved that saddle between 4 different bikes at this point. The other thing that I found made a huge difference is a solid, high quality pedal. Most of pudgy feet won't fit comfortably on regular pedals. Get the massive platform pedal designed for BMX bikes.

4) Check your expectations. Biking isn't the magical perfect exercise, and it's not going to make pounds melt off your body until you look good in spandex. If you want to do ANYTHING for upper body strength, you need to do something else in addition to biking. But it IS excellent at cardio, and it will get your blood pumping. More than anything, it's enjoyable.

5) Enjoy the opportunities to be smug. Example - I teach high school math. One look at me and most of my students correctly peg me as a 55 year old out of shape guy. Most express surprise the first time they see me commuting on my bike. You have no idea how good it feels to tell a skinny little 16 year old "What's the big deal? It's only 11 miles."

6) If you are riding any time NEAR dark, lights are not optional.
Most of this I have no argument with, although I don't give a fig about what other people think about me in lycra. I wear it for comfort all year long and not fashion.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!



cyccommute is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 03:58 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Forest City NC
Posts: 189

Bikes: Miyata 615, Raleigh Aleska, Kona Ute, and a bunch of others.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Talking to the folks just joining the forum, not trying to start a flame war.

6. Bike folks have passionate arguments about things that are not relevant to where you are right now. Find cyclists who are riding with a smile on their faces and who are helpful to keeping you encouraged and on the road.

Now, let's see how I can respond to all this with generous good humor.

Originally Posted by cyccommute
Peterson's doesn't so much "explode" the myths of bicycling as add his on load to the mix. His ideas are stuck in 1992 but why not 1983 or 1973 or 1923 or 1883? An ordinary is wonderfully simple but it is much more complicated when compared to a 1883 laufmaschine. The bikes of 1992 have 6 or 7 gears and brakes...how advanced and complicated.

I can be something of a curmudgeon with respect to some things bicycle related but there are lots of improvements over the last 20 years that have made bicycling better. All of that has come from racing. Commuting and touring really don't help the sport develop.

And there's nothing wrong with skinny tires.

I happen to think that 1978-1992 is a particularly good place to be stuck as far as bikes go, especially if one considers value for dollar. I'm sure you know that there are plenty of hipsters who are happily riding around on fixed gear bikes, embracing the design of a 1900s bike, if not the actual one. Simple designs are nice.

I do know that one can build a wheelset that will carry the weight of a Clyde and then mount skinny tires on it. But if you go in a bike shop and look at their bikes being marketed to racers and wannabee racers, those wheels will not hold up to a rider in the 200+ range.

Peterson does do an excellent job exploding all sorts of myths, chief amongst them, the myth that racing has improved the standard bicycle. It has not. It has improved the racing bicycle.

Originally Posted by cyccommute
Department store bikes aren't the best quality but they last longer than 2 weeks. The problem with department store bikes isn't necessarily the bike but with the support for the bike. A bike shop that is "filled with bikes that have pencil thin high pressure tires and the latest electronic shift mechanism" will have bikes that are properly prepared, work better and, most importantly, be properly sized. I've been in lots and lots of shops and I seldom find the kind of shop you describe above. I also work with people at my local co-op to keep those department store bikes rolling because that's all they have to ride. I'd rather work on a really cool wonder bike but not everyone can afford that.
I've been told the design life for components on a Walmart quality bike is 200 hours. Seems about right to me. But rather than argue about such things, let's agree that the place to START and probably end, is at your local bicycle co-op if one happens to live in a location that has one. Now, most people I know who hang out at a bike co-op would not dismiss someone riding a bike from Costco, but how many would recommend Costco as a place to purchase a bike?

Originally Posted by cyccommute
There is just so much nonsense here that it's hard to decide where to start. I could not be described as anything but a clyde but I don't buy a bike based on the weight of the bike nor do I buy steel. I own aluminum and titanium bikes that range from 20 lbs to 30 lbs and from mountain bikes to a race bike. Just because we are big doesn't mean that we have to ride tanks. How you ride the bike is more important than what you ride or how much it weighs
I'll ignore the gratuitous insult about my nonsensical rambling, but let me list the bikes I ride. The hardtail I fell in love with was a Ritchey Ultra that I picked up for $200 back when I first started riding. You seem to think you know a thing or two about cycling, I'll go out on a limb and suggest you know hardly anyone would call that a tank. My touring bike is a Miyata 615 from, wait for it, 1992. I bought it for $350 as new old stock two years ago. I was given my father's Raleigh's superbe, and while admittedly that bike is somewhat hefty, screw it, so am I and it rides like a dream. Lastly I have a Kona Ute - and yes - that bike is a tank. More precisely a pick up truck. Now THAT bike I consider a well designed modern bike and I'll be forever grateful for the advancements that racing brought to cycling which helped create that bike. (OK, sorry about the sarcasm - but I really just couldn't help myself. I hope you at least chuckled over that)

Originally Posted by cyccommute
You should rethink your shoe wear if you want to climb hills. I know that Peterson doesn't like clipless but if you really want to be able to climb hills, clipless will go a long way to helping you pedal all the way to the top. You really can pull up on the pedals which gives a boost of power when hill climbing. Gearing also helps.
Much like frame material rolling friction of different widths of tires, clip pedals are a cycling holy war item. I'll admit there must be SOME benefit to racers, but I've tried them, I personally don't like them, and I'm comfortable with my decision not to use them. I believe having to wear special shoes which are uncomfortable and awkward once I get to where I'm going is such a bummer that it's simply not worth the minor benefit.

In my opinion, this is exactly parallel to one about whether to put a kickstand on a bike. Every one of my bikes has a kickstand, it's very useful. All but one has a rack. I'm sure I'd go up hills with a tiny bit less effort if my bike weighted a pound less, but the added utility is worth it.

Originally Posted by cyccommute
Most of this I have no argument with, although I don't give a fig about what other people think about me in lycra. I wear it for comfort all year long and not fashion.
My cycling clothes are whatever I happen to be wearing. At least if the trip is under 10 miles. I do have special clothes for extended touring, but they're mostly natural fibers.
jburne is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 07:07 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
ill.clyde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Brodhead, WI - south of Madison
Posts: 2,928

Bikes: 2009 Trek 1.2

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 239 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 1 Post
Originally Posted by jburne
Talking to the folks just joining the forum, not trying to start a flame war.
That's all well and good ... but you should probably avoid blanket statements with no basis of fact.

The thing about the C&A forum is that people come here looking for actual advice. There are no such things as "Suggestions for Clydes just joining us" because each of the people who come here are looking for different things. Sure, many come to lose weight, but the means of getting there are many. Some like hybrids, some like roadies, others like MTB. Rather than spouting off suggestions my advice would be to listen first, then offer advice.

And consider updating your "source material" before you go spouting your opinions.

Maybe it's your tone, but you come off as sounding like an arrogant a-hole ... perhaps reconsider your method of delivery and "do a little time" in the C&A before you proclaim to be an expert at anything.
ill.clyde is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 09:18 AM
  #8  
Just Keep Pedaling
 
Beachgrad05's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lakewood, CA
Posts: 3,355

Bikes: 99 Schwinn Mesa GS MTB, 15 Trek Domane 5.9 Dura-Ace, 17 Trek Emonda SL6 Pro & 18 Bianchi Vigorelli

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 251 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 67 Times in 34 Posts
Originally Posted by ill.clyde
That's all well and good ... but you should probably avoid blanket statements with no basis of fact.

The thing about the C&A forum is that people come here looking for actual advice. There are no such things as "Suggestions for Clydes just joining us" because each of the people who come here are looking for different things. Sure, many come to lose weight, but the means of getting there are many. Some like hybrids, some like roadies, others like MTB. Rather than spouting off suggestions my advice would be to listen first, then offer advice.

And consider updating your "source material" before you go spouting your opinions.

Maybe it's your tone, but you come off as sounding like an arrogant a-hole ... perhaps reconsider your method of delivery and "do a little time" in the C&A before you proclaim to be an expert at anything.
Agree. I did not feel the OP was necessary or on the mark. Regardless of intent, it felt "off" to me coming from someone who I had not seen posting here previously.

Also...this forum is also for Athena's not just Clydes.
Beachgrad05 is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 12:35 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 201

Bikes: 2012 Cinelli Xperience

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have to believe that your intention was good, it was just your execution that was lacking. Your thread may have been better as "What worked for me". Just because you don't like something, like clipless pedals or cycling shorts, doesn't mean they aren't right for the rest of us. You talk about wearing sneakers for riding then later talk about how the pedals can make your feet hurt, that is one of the biggest benefits I have found from going clipless the stiff soles make my feet feel so much better after a long ride. A older mountain bike may be a good way to start, many people do, making an investment on a good bike helped me stay dedicated to riding. You say little things make a big difference then say no one will notice 10 extra pounds. I would be willing to wager that given two identical bikes one 10 pounds heavier than the other all of us would notice it on the first hill. 10 pounds on a bike makes a huge difference, especially when you are doing a lot of hills, and for some of us hills are not optional they are the only option. There is nothing wrong with sharing what you have found to work, but it may not be what works for everyone. The same thing can be said for distance, diet, bike type, and so on.
LabRat2k3 is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 01:00 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Forest City NC
Posts: 189

Bikes: Miyata 615, Raleigh Aleska, Kona Ute, and a bunch of others.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by LabRat2k3
I have to believe that your intention was good, it was just your execution that was lacking. Your thread may have been better as "What worked for me". Just because you don't like something, like clipless pedals or cycling shorts, doesn't mean they aren't right for the rest of us. You talk about wearing sneakers for riding then later talk about how the pedals can make your feet hurt, that is one of the biggest benefits I have found from going clipless the stiff soles make my feet feel so much better after a long ride. A older mountain bike may be a good way to start, many people do, making an investment on a good bike helped me stay dedicated to riding. You say little things make a big difference then say no one will notice 10 extra pounds. I would be willing to wager that given two identical bikes one 10 pounds heavier than the other all of us would notice it on the first hill. 10 pounds on a bike makes a huge difference, especially when you are doing a lot of hills, and for some of us hills are not optional they are the only option. There is nothing wrong with sharing what you have found to work, but it may not be what works for everyone. The same thing can be said for distance, diet, bike type, and so on.
Thanks for your respectful tone, it's appreciated.

So, ok, for the opinion police still rankled by my use of the phrase "joining us". It was meant as joining the cycling public, and general readership of bikeforums. It's true that I don't post in this particular forum, and haven't really even read it recently. (Though this thread has helped me remember why) When I first joined BikeForums I read it religiously, and after a few months noticed I didn't get anything useful from it. I intended my post for those who were in my position of 15 years ago - out of shape, over-weight, and no clue where to begin. Now I'm just overweight. Then again, seems multiple members of the Clydesdale staff think I'm still clueless. To each his own. I'm going to hold onto the belief that what I posted was what I wished I had heard back then. If you're reading the thread because you're out there running Iron Mans, well, God bless you.

And OF COURSE my entire posting was my opinion. I thought that was obvious.

Last edited by jburne; 06-04-14 at 01:02 PM. Reason: correction
jburne is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 01:11 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
MRT2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 6,319

Bikes: 2012 Salsa Casseroll, 2009 Kona Blast

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1031 Post(s)
Liked 208 Times in 146 Posts
7. Cyclists come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and fitness levels. Don't be discouraged if you can only do 4 or 5 Miles the first time out. Ride regularly and the fitness will come.
MRT2 is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 01:14 PM
  #12  
The Improbable Bulk
 
Little Darwin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Posts: 8,401

Bikes: Many

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts
A couple of comments.

I loved Grant Petersen's book, because he is a different voice than is usually heard in cycling, but disagree with some of his assumptions and positions. It is refreshing to have an author that doesn't assume all of his readers desire to ride fast.

The greatest value in his book to me is that it shows that there is more than one way to do cycling. Which leads me to my second point.

While a post such as the one that started this thread might be a good starting point, it can lead to the assumption that there is a narrower scope of cycling within the Clydesdale ranks than there actually is (as is obvious from some of the posts in the thread). I did think the opinions offered were all valuable, but not the sort of thing that defines this group.

We are a varied group, from racers, to people with zero desire to race. From mountain bikers to roadies, or those that like both, and those somewhere in between.

To try to distill the aspects of large people riding bicycles to a single list could keep new readers from digging in to other threads and missing out on the wealth of knowledge available in the collective opinions and knowledge of this group. Of course, some of that gold is in this thread as well, with the varied comments.

The diversity should be obvious when even a simple question like "Which wheels should I use" can result in massive threads, since all of our needs are different, from a 200 pound rider needing racing wheels, to people like me, a 350 pound rail trail enthusiast who couldn't sprint at the speed that the racer rides on his recovery rides... who wants bomb proof wheels so he doesn't end up walking 10 miles when a wheel implodes. From people who have no interest in riding more than 10 miles at a time, to those who crave (or have) the ability to ride all day (either fast or slow).

So, while I like the helpfulness that the OP had in mind while compiling a list, I am not sure it provides a lot of benefit.

And thus ends this pile of opinions from this UberClyde.
__________________
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA

People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Little Darwin is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 01:16 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Forest City NC
Posts: 189

Bikes: Miyata 615, Raleigh Aleska, Kona Ute, and a bunch of others.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by MRT2
7. Cyclists come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and fitness levels. Don't be discouraged if you can only do 4 or 5 Miles the first time out. Ride regularly and the fitness will come.
True that. Ride as far as you enjoy. Enjoyment will lead to fitness in the long run. I commute by bike regularly and I still catch myself smiling like a 10 year old on their first bike.
jburne is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 01:35 PM
  #14  
Tractorlegs
 
Mark Stone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 3,185

Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 60 Times in 42 Posts
Originally Posted by LabRat2k3
I have to believe that your intention was good, it was just your execution that was lacking. Your thread may have been better as "What worked for me". Just because you don't like something, like clipless pedals or cycling shorts, doesn't mean they aren't right for the rest of us. You talk about wearing sneakers for riding then later talk about how the pedals can make your feet hurt, that is one of the biggest benefits I have found from going clipless the stiff soles make my feet feel so much better after a long ride. A older mountain bike may be a good way to start, many people do, making an investment on a good bike helped me stay dedicated to riding. You say little things make a big difference then say no one will notice 10 extra pounds. I would be willing to wager that given two identical bikes one 10 pounds heavier than the other all of us would notice it on the first hill. 10 pounds on a bike makes a huge difference, especially when you are doing a lot of hills, and for some of us hills are not optional they are the only option. There is nothing wrong with sharing what you have found to work, but it may not be what works for everyone. The same thing can be said for distance, diet, bike type, and so on.
↑↑↑↑ This. ↑↑↑↑
__________________
********************************
Trikeman
Mark Stone is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 02:07 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Black wallnut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Ellensburg,WA
Posts: 3,175

Bikes: Schwinn Broadway, Specialized Secteur Sport(crashed) Spec. Roubaix Sport, Spec. Crux

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 178 Post(s)
Liked 161 Times in 80 Posts
Originally Posted by jburne
Thanks for your respectful tone, it's appreciated.

So, ok, for the opinion police still rankled by my use of the phrase "joining us". It was meant as joining the cycling public, and general readership of bikeforums. It's true that I don't post in this particular forum, and haven't really even read it recently. (Though this thread has helped me remember why) When I first joined BikeForums I read it religiously, and after a few months noticed I didn't get anything useful from it. I intended my post for those who were in my position of 15 years ago - out of shape, over-weight, and no clue where to begin. Now I'm just overweight. Then again, seems multiple members of the Clydesdale staff think I'm still clueless. To each his own. I'm going to hold onto the belief that what I posted was what I wished I had heard back then. If you're reading the thread because you're out there running Iron Mans, well, God bless you.

And OF COURSE my entire posting was my opinion. I thought that was obvious.
Really man! Take a deep breath and re-read what we have written. My tone was respectful as I assume Cyclocommutes however was yours? We disagree with what you wrote, that does not mean we are opinion police. I see that you are a long time member of Bike Forums. I also see that you have a low post count. Perhaps you just do not "get" forums. You posted in a sections where you admit to not read in a way that several interpreted as coming from a know-it-all a-hole with information that is contrary to what many in this forum has posted lately. You feel attacked, sorry you feel that way. Maybe you read my post as being snarky, that is your choice if you like. Using phrases such as "opinion police" and "Clydesdale staff" is not making you any new friends and frankly does not seem to be called for. Had you posted with a different title I would have still disagreed with your conclusions.
__________________
Sir Mark, Knight of Sufferlandria

Last edited by Black wallnut; 06-04-14 at 02:34 PM.
Black wallnut is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 02:14 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
ill.clyde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Brodhead, WI - south of Madison
Posts: 2,928

Bikes: 2009 Trek 1.2

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 239 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 1 Post
now he has a martyr complex ...
ill.clyde is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 02:15 PM
  #17  
Mad bike riding scientist
 
cyccommute's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,251

Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones

Mentioned: 149 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6133 Post(s)
Liked 4,067 Times in 2,310 Posts
Originally Posted by jburne

I happen to think that 1978-1992 is a particularly good place to be stuck as far as bikes go, especially if one considers value for dollar. I'm sure you know that there are plenty of hipsters who are happily riding around on fixed gear bikes, embracing the design of a 1900s bike, if not the actual one. Simple designs are nice.

I do know that one can build a wheelset that will carry the weight of a Clyde and then mount skinny tires on it. But if you go in a bike shop and look at their bikes being marketed to racers and wannabee racers, those wheels will not hold up to a rider in the 200+ range.

Peterson does do an excellent job exploding all sorts of myths, chief amongst them, the myth that racing has improved the standard bicycle. It has not. It has improved the racing bicycle.
There really isn't anything special about bikes in that time period. There were lots and lots of lemons and few peaches in that era. Just because it's old and "hipsters" ride them, doesn't mean that the bikes up to the early 90s are special. From the simple stand point of brakes, you couldn't have picked a worse period.

The wheels on modern bike will, indeed, hold up to a heavier rider as long as the rider knows what they are doing. If you sit on the saddle like it's a Barcalounger and ride like a sack of potatoes, no wheel is going to last up very well. If, no the other hand, you ride light in the saddle and use your arms and legs to absorb impacts, you can ride just about any wheel currently made at just about any weight you want. I've ridden 20 spoke front/ 24 spoke rear on less than pristine roads without issues on my fast road bike. I have no hesitations whatsoever about lightweight components...if ridden properly.

What do you call a "standard bicycle"? Don't forget that there is both road and mountain bike racing. I've been riding bikes since the late 70s and can definitely see improvements in bicycle equipment and construction that comes directly from racing for both mountain and road bikes. Index shifting comes from racing and is a boon to using a bike. The ramps cut in the cassettes and in the chainrings make shifting much easier and quicker than the old friction systems. Better brakes came from racing in both mountain and road bike arenas. Suspension, clipless pedals, stiffer forks and stems and handlebars, better sealing on bearings, sealed bottom brackets, better frame construction, stronger but lighter frames, etc. have all come directly from racing...most of it mountain biking. To say that racing hasn't improved bicycling is to ignore the evidence.

Originally Posted by jburne
I've been told the design life for components on a Walmart quality bike is 200 hours. Seems about right to me. But rather than argue about such things, let's agree that the place to START and probably end, is at your local bicycle co-op if one happens to live in a location that has one. Now, most people I know who hang out at a bike co-op would not dismiss someone riding a bike from Costco, but how many would recommend Costco as a place to purchase a bike?
I think you have the wrong idea about Helmart bikes. The average life time usage of a Big Box store bike is less than 200 hours. But that's because most people buy them, find they don't work well and haven't been put together well and the bike sits in the garage until it's covered with dust and the kids move out. The design life of the components is much longer.

If someone only had a few dollars to spend on a bike and didn't live where there is a bike shop close by, I'd suggest that they buy at Costco or Walmart.

Originally Posted by jburne
I'll ignore the gratuitous insult about my nonsensical rambling, but let me list the bikes I ride. The hardtail I fell in love with was a Ritchey Ultra that I picked up for $200 back when I first started riding. You seem to think you know a thing or two about cycling, I'll go out on a limb and suggest you know hardly anyone would call that a tank. My touring bike is a Miyata 615 from, wait for it, 1992. I bought it for $350 as new old stock two years ago. I was given my father's Raleigh's superbe, and while admittedly that bike is somewhat hefty, screw it, so am I and it rides like a dream. Lastly I have a Kona Ute - and yes - that bike is a tank. More precisely a pick up truck. Now THAT bike I consider a well designed modern bike and I'll be forever grateful for the advancements that racing brought to cycling which helped create that bike. (OK, sorry about the sarcasm - but I really just couldn't help myself. I hope you at least chuckled over that)
The Ritchey was a pretty high end mountain bike from the late 80s. Perhaps not a team racer but aimed at the mountain bike racing crowd. It probably weighs in at around the same weight as a modern crosscountry suspension bike without the suspension. And many of the parts are top of the line Shimano race components.

I'm not sure what Miyata you have but you can't have a 1992 615. The last year of 615 production was 1988. In 1989, it was designated the 618, the 600GT in 1990 and they stopped production of them in 1991. The 1988 615 had splined tubing and SIS shifters, both of which were developed for racing applications.

The Superbe I'll grant you doesn't have much from racing.

Finally, the Ute. For the 2014 model, it has disc brakes (racing), SLX shadow derailer (racing), sealed bearing bottom bracket, seal bearing hubs and, although the Acera shifters are a long way from race components, the idea behind the indexing is still derived from racing technology. The aluminum frame has also benefitted from racing developments. So there are a lot of advancements even in something like your Ute that come directly racing technology.

Originally Posted by jburne
Much like frame material rolling friction of different widths of tires, clip pedals are a cycling holy war item. I'll admit there must be SOME benefit to racers, but I've tried them, I personally don't like them, and I'm comfortable with my decision not to use them. I believe having to wear special shoes which are uncomfortable and awkward once I get to where I'm going is such a bummer that it's simply not worth the minor benefit.

In my opinion, this is exactly parallel to one about whether to put a kickstand on a bike. Every one of my bikes has a kickstand, it's very useful. All but one has a rack. I'm sure I'd go up hills with a tiny bit less effort if my bike weighted a pound less, but the added utility is worth it.
The cycling holy war about clipless pedals, as well as frame material, is entirely one-sided. The rest of the world has moved on. Clipless pedals and aluminum frames as well as carbon frames are ubiquitous and used by far more people than those who rail against them. If you don't want to use them, feel free. The rest of us understand the benefit we get and know that it isn't "minor". You also shouldn't go telling people that they need to ride old steel frames just because they happen to be large or because you like them personally. Ride what fits and don't worry about the frame material.

Aluminum does a fine job, thank you very much and carbon isn't far behind. I've managed to break steel frames and aluminum frames in equal number. I've also got aluminum frames with tens of thousands of hard miles on them without any problems whatsoever. I have 4 mountain bikes and all but one of them is aluminum...the other one is titanium. The frame material just isn't something that I think about while riding. The bike will do its job and won't fall to dust under me.

Originally Posted by jburne
My cycling clothes are whatever I happen to be wearing. At least if the trip is under 10 miles. I do have special clothes for extended touring, but they're mostly natural fibers.
If that's what works for you, fine. Personally, I can't ride across the street without breaking out into a sweat so I stick to tech fabrics. No, I'm not out of shape. I sweat easily and readily and always have. A trip of 10 miles in any kind of weather leaves me dripping.

ill.clyde and Beachgrad05 are spot on their posts.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!



cyccommute is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 02:48 PM
  #18  
Just Plain Slow
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Posts: 6,038

Bikes: Lynskey R230

Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
****.
PhotoJoe is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 04:18 PM
  #19  
SuperGimp
 
TrojanHorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Whittier, CA
Posts: 13,346

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix

Mentioned: 147 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Liked 64 Times in 47 Posts
Originally Posted by PhotoJoe
****.
TrojanHorse is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 04:59 PM
  #20  
Just Plain Slow
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Posts: 6,038

Bikes: Lynskey R230

Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by TrojanHorse


Actually, I just grabbed my popcorn and am sitting here watching to make sure the tone of the thread doesn't rival P&R.
PhotoJoe is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 05:14 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
daviddavieboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Great White North
Posts: 937

Bikes: I have a few

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 340 Post(s)
Liked 208 Times in 104 Posts
All I remember from the 70's is a 3sp cruiser, a chopper and a dual shock mx WITH the red plastic tank!! that ALWAYS had to be welded back up cause they were rusting and breaking constantly. Aluminum MTN bikes are no problem. I had a se2000 Cannondale in 91' that I crashed twice downhill(wrecked rear swingarm) and a 95' Cannondale F500 that I crashed many more times downhill and singletrack that I still own.

Sugestions for newcomers?
I would say 1- read the stickies, 2- use the search button, and 3- enjoy you bike It's all about having FUN weather you want to race, cruse, or work your ____ off.
daviddavieboy is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 06:03 PM
  #22  
Uber Goober
 
StephenH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Dallas area, Texas
Posts: 11,758
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 190 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 32 Posts
One bit of advice: You get out of bicycling what you put into it. The bicycle increases the efficiency of motion, so if you ride at a walking speed, you'll get considerably less exercise than you would walking. If you put exactly as much effort into riding as you do walking, you'll get the same benefit out of it. So if you're using it as exercise, don't mosey around the block, tear around the block. Be breathing hard!
__________________
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
StephenH is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 06:06 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
MRT2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 6,319

Bikes: 2012 Salsa Casseroll, 2009 Kona Blast

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1031 Post(s)
Liked 208 Times in 146 Posts
Don't trust calorie counters in popular apps. They mostly over estimate how many calories cycling burns off.
MRT2 is offline  
Old 06-04-14, 06:07 PM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
MRT2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 6,319

Bikes: 2012 Salsa Casseroll, 2009 Kona Blast

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1031 Post(s)
Liked 208 Times in 146 Posts
Originally Posted by StephenH
One bit of advice: You get out of bicycling what you put into it. The bicycle increases the efficiency of motion, so if you ride at a walking speed, you'll get considerably less exercise than you would walking. If you put exactly as much effort into riding as you do walking, you'll get the same benefit out of it. So if you're using it as exercise, don't mosey around the block, tear around the block. Be breathing hard!
depends on what you are trying to do.
MRT2 is offline  
Old 06-08-14, 09:10 AM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
Null66's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Garner, NC 27529
Posts: 2,110

Bikes: Built up DT, 2007 Fuji tourer (donor bike, RIP), 1995 1220 Trek

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by jburne
Much like frame material rolling friction of different widths of tires, clip pedals are a cycling holy war item. I'll admit there must be SOME benefit to racers, but I've tried them, I personally don't like them, and I'm comfortable with my decision not to use them. I believe having to wear special shoes which are uncomfortable and awkward once I get to where I'm going is such a bummer that it's simply not worth the minor benefit.
Clip/Clipless war died out long ago...

I use keen sandals with Crank Brothers. They are almost as comfortable as normal sandals walking.

Benefit is NOT minor.
Null66 is offline  

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.