decision time-help!
10-08-05, 10:26 AM
#1
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Here is my aim.
Lose weight by riding DAILY for fun. I haven't ridden in a long while.
I like to be able to turn on a dime ( counterphobic factor at work, actually- ) I'll amplify.
I thought I didn't want to ride among the evil cars, but it seems a necessary fact of life.
I am looking for a bike that is the following constellation of qualities - (I am very overweight)
"Quick", both in acceleration and ability to make sudden turns ( avoid those menacing autos ) while in traffic ( relatively slow traffic )
Freeways are not my thing though- no way to avoid a hurling thru air, 3000 lb. object! Too many foot pounds.
Here are the bikes all 2005.
Trek 7500 fx I like it, but the shock absorption is negligible- wear me out, or make a man out of me??
Trek 7700 fx twice the $$ w carbon parts, much smoother- may break bank though.
Giant Cypress LX a third of the $ of the 7700/
Will I regret getting the Giant do you think?
How important is the shop?
What is the major differences between the Giant and the treks above?
Thanx, I guess you know I am a newbie.
Lose weight by riding DAILY for fun. I haven't ridden in a long while.
I like to be able to turn on a dime ( counterphobic factor at work, actually- ) I'll amplify.
I thought I didn't want to ride among the evil cars, but it seems a necessary fact of life.
I am looking for a bike that is the following constellation of qualities - (I am very overweight)
"Quick", both in acceleration and ability to make sudden turns ( avoid those menacing autos ) while in traffic ( relatively slow traffic )
Freeways are not my thing though- no way to avoid a hurling thru air, 3000 lb. object! Too many foot pounds.
Here are the bikes all 2005.
Trek 7500 fx I like it, but the shock absorption is negligible- wear me out, or make a man out of me??
Trek 7700 fx twice the $$ w carbon parts, much smoother- may break bank though.
Giant Cypress LX a third of the $ of the 7700/
Will I regret getting the Giant do you think?
How important is the shop?
What is the major differences between the Giant and the treks above?
Thanx, I guess you know I am a newbie.
Last edited by cowboy curtis; 10-08-05 at 11:10 AM.
10-08-05, 03:50 PM
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It is more important to find a good shop than to find the right brand of bike. All makes of bikes in the same price range will be similarly equipped. Since part of your aim is to lose weight, I assume you may be overweight. In that case it may be advisible for you to get the bike shop to fit you bike with stronger wheels (deep V, double wall, 36 spokes), and check that they are properly tensioned and stress relieved. Good luck.
10-08-05, 06:30 PM
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I agree with AndrewP -- find a good bike shop that hopefully has dealt with other large riders. They will have some useful expertise on outfitting and fitting a bike to a larger rider. If you can't find a shop with experience with larger riders, then pick one where you feel comfortable -- someplace that is not just interested in the roadie and would-be racer crowd. Since you are likely to see a good bit of your LBS in the first year, its worthwhile finding one where you feel comfortable asking questions and have reasonable confidence in the answers you get. Probably no shop is perfect, but some will feel more comfortable and act more like they want your business -- that's the shop to pick. You will probably find that at each price point the bikles available are very similar so brand may ultimately be less important than the people you will deal with.
You will definitely want sturdier wheels. I put about 400 miles on my stock wheels and after breaking 3 spokes on the rear bought something sturdier. Double walled rims and 14 gauge butted spokes. In over 2000 miles I have yet to break another spoke, so it was well worth it.
I don't know much about the specific bikes you are looking at, but before buying a bike with carbon parts I would have a long talk with the LBS about their durability under your weight. You can also come back to the forums for a BS check if you don't feel confident in the answers the LBS give you. I would want to make sure that carbon will handle your weight under normal use. With all things bike a better informed consumer is probably a happier one. In general Giant seems to draw good comments here, but I have no personal experience. And whatever bike you start to look at, make sure you can take several comparative test rides. Rides that are long enough to really get a feel for the bikes.
You will definitely want sturdier wheels. I put about 400 miles on my stock wheels and after breaking 3 spokes on the rear bought something sturdier. Double walled rims and 14 gauge butted spokes. In over 2000 miles I have yet to break another spoke, so it was well worth it.
I don't know much about the specific bikes you are looking at, but before buying a bike with carbon parts I would have a long talk with the LBS about their durability under your weight. You can also come back to the forums for a BS check if you don't feel confident in the answers the LBS give you. I would want to make sure that carbon will handle your weight under normal use. With all things bike a better informed consumer is probably a happier one. In general Giant seems to draw good comments here, but I have no personal experience. And whatever bike you start to look at, make sure you can take several comparative test rides. Rides that are long enough to really get a feel for the bikes.
