latto

Hello, I need help picking a new bike first let me tell you my size
I'm about 6'2 maybe 6'3 have not checked in a while I'm about 250 lbs right now (in the process of losing weight) but I know I'm fat but I'm still rather athletic. oxymoron?
why I want the bike is mostly for commuting to college and around town I like to go over curbs but I can stop that I really like the way road bikes are but I'm just not sure they would hold my size. would I have to wait to get my weight down to buy a road bike? I'm fine with a mountain bike type thing but honestly I'd rather have a road bike style. but I will go with the suggestions
do you guys have any suggestions?
my budget is 700$ max I mean the less the better

thanks in advance!

stapfam

at 250 lbs you are ok on most bikes-----Except for the wheels. Most stock wheels are machine built and at the price you are looking at- they will not be quality. Two ways out- try to get a stronger wheel by upgrading when you purchase the bike- or find a wheel builder and get him to Tweak the machine built wheels from new. A good wheel builder can work his magic on most wheels- but think of wheels as your first upgrade.

Probably a bit above your price range but a Cyclocross bike might suit you. A road bike that is a bit more rugged. and s/h is always a possibility.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...ad/2299/32184/

Walfredo

Cyclocross sounds perfect for you with road styling and off-road abilities. Check out the cyclocross and clydesdale forum. I'm the same height as you and 25 lbs lighter and have no problem on a road bike. And I doubt you would either.

I recently got back into riding a few months ago after a 15 years. I ended up getting a windsor clockwork from bikesdirect.com. I am very happy with it. It was easy to assemble. And it serves me quite well. I will eventually upgrade after I ensure that I'm sticking with it, but will keep this bike in my stable for commuting and such. There is all sorts of information on bikesdirect.com and their products, but all I can say is I'm happy with mine especially for the $329 I spent.

This one looks sweet at a nice price.https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._cross_cx2.htm

latto

okay let's say I lost a few lbs so I was like 200-220 what bikes would you recommend then?
I do like the bikes you guys suggested and will see if I can invest that much into a bike @ first one

I really thank you guys for helping me!

Panthers007

You can ride most any bike. Possible exceptions is a kiddie-bike. That would hurt your knees. But bike manufacturers are cutting costs by providing truly horrible factory wheels with short spoke-counts. These wheels bite - regardless of your weight. It's just a matter of time.

So buy the bike you want and have researched. But do your homework on a new wheelset while you're at it. Try a rim and hub with 32 or 36 spokes that are laced 3-cross (3X).

stapfam

I would still suggest cyclocross with your riding style. There are plenty of them around in other manufacturers but beware of buying too cheap. 200lbs still means powerfull legs and too cheap a quality will mean plenty of upgrades.

I have a mate that rides MTB's and he is 250lbs. 9 years ago he bought a Giant Boulder and it was bought at my suggestion for the quality of the frame alone. And it was cheap. The only parts left original after 2 years were the frame- the handlebars and the bar stem. He has just upgraded to new bike as he finally broke the frame after 35,000 miles of offroad. Even on a $1500 bike we still had to upgrade the forks and wheels to take his weight.

Luddite

I have questions about cyclocross bikes, are they nearly as light as a regular road bike, ie: easier to ride uphill etc?

I have a hybrid right now that weighs a metric crap ton, I have a 25 year old steel road bike that I love but can't ride as it's a hair too big, I'm going to look into getting a shorter stem for it. Anyway, if I ever have the $ I might get a brand new road bike (it's a dream I have.) I ride in the city but sometimes I go off curbs/ride on gravel/across grass and we have roads that are extremely rough in parts here. I'm female almost 5'9 and around 150 lbs.

I love road bikes, I figure it's best I learn what I can now before I ever have the $ to buy a new road bike. I would not have lots of money to spend either, gonna be a college student in the Fall, too.

geo8rge

see Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) and folding bikes for ideas.

The turnover at your college implies lots of used bikes, possibly being discarded.