Kaimiloa

I'm 6' 200#s and will usually be riding long steep hills (and of course flying back down them) on curvy backroads. I'm open to any style of bike. I'm not racing, just riding for adventure and fitness and don't want to spend more than $1000. I'd like something that can take a bit of a beating with rough road and I'll take a little comfort over a little less weight. I see myself doing 20 mile rides and no more than 40. Any suggestions? What other info do you need to help me?

Kaimiloa

I've found 5 bikes I can get locally: Marin Belvedere or Portofino, Giant Defy 3 or Rapid 3, or Cannondale Bad Boy. I'll try to test ride them but was wondering if there was one or two that stick out as good choices for what I want to do. All are 2010 models and on clearance sale.

stapfam

Not bad bikes you have found and the choice will be up to you. They will all be good.

BUT_________ at 200lbs you may have a problem rear its head in the not too distant future. The bikes will take your weight and not cause a problem. The BUT is the wheels. Stay away from Low spoke count wheels unless they are warranted fully by the shop. Go for 32 or 36 spokes and you should be fine.

The Giant Defy and Rapid. Two similar bikes except for the Ride position. Basically the same bikes except for the Bars. If you plan on some more serious road riding- I would go for the Road bike in the Defy. If you "KNOW" you are going to enjoy more casual riding- then the Rapid may suit you better.

And That 20 miles max 40 may go by the board if you train a bit more and see the Weight loss and feel the fitness cycling can bring.

pablosnazzy

they are all good bikes. get the bike that fits you best, with sturdy wheels as mentioned. marin is a good choice i think.

safariofthemind

Hi. I am a big boy too. All those frames can easily take your weight. Ride the wheels a month or so then have them re-trued. That should extend their life a fair amount. Depending on how you ride and how careful you are with curbs and potholes they may last quite a while with a truing every 6 months or so. Eventually you'll probably want a set of hand made wheels with at least 32 spokes - much stronger and ride smoother to boot than machine-made factory wheels. But that can wait until you get your money's worth from the factory wheels.

GeorgePaul

Unless you're riding on very rough roads, stay away from the Cannondale Bad Boy.

Kaimiloa

Thanks gang. This is the kind of stuff I was looking for. I hadn't thought of the tough rims and spoke count.

NormanF

The Salsa Vaya is a rails to trails bike. Can ride it anywhere.

Kaimiloa

The Salsa Vaya looks great, but I'm not ready to drop $1400.

jbm

My ride requirements are much the same as yours, but I'm not your size. I'm 5'9" and 157 lbs.

I have a Trek Soho DLX on order at my LBS. It should be low maint. with its internal hub gears and carbon fibre belt drive.
I plan to take the fenders off, and will be riding it on our local Rails To Trails and the mostly hard pack canal trail.
No matter how dirty it gets all I will have to do is rinse it off with the hose, and no lube required.

The bad news is it's not expected to come in until sometime in November.