Over 200lbs
 

Im currently interested in getting into road bicycling looking to buy either the Trek 2200 or the Felt f5c. I currently weigh around 215lbs is there a bike better suited for me besides these two and would aluminum or carbon be the better choice?

First I would test ride the bikes and see how it feels, If it flexes under hard pedaling , you might want to consider aluminum. I weigh 240lbs (I started out at 275lbs last July) and I prefer aluminum since it is flex free for my weight. I have a Trek 1000 and so far it has held up to my weight without to many problems, I only had to swap out the rear wheel from a Alex AT-450 to a mavic deep dish CXP 30 rim so I would not lose any more spokes.

You aren't that heavy (some here are well above that weight) so you shouldn't be limited by material. Though some ultralight parts may not be the best option. I started roadbiking when I was around 207lbs.

Second, you will have to try different frame materials and geometries to determine which one feels the best to YOU. Many arguments erupt here because of loyalties and 'myths' surrounding particular types of frame materials.

The best thing I can recommend is to first establish a price range and then try out as many bikes as you can within that price range and see which one you like the best.

As for your two choices listed above, the Trek 2200 is very nice since it combines carbon and aluminum. I can't speak for Felt since I don't know much about them.

Welcome to the forum!

215lbs is not a problem for neither frames. Wheels can be and I am not sure about these Alex ALX270 on the Felt F5C. What does the Trek 2200 come stock with?

Check this thread out, many questions you have will probably have been answered here:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=150310

I am curious if either titanium or carbon has an advantage for guys near 250 lbs & up. I'm 240 now and in the process of picking a new frame.

My experience with Aluminum has been wonderful - my old steel bike would flex terribly, I never realized how bad it was until I changed to an aluminum frame.

As far as carbon I haven't tryed one long enough or hard enough to give you my opinion.

Wheels are going to be your biggest issue I'd hate to trash Alex wheels but I have seen first hand that they do not stand up to the beating us bigger guys can dish out.

Titanium. The Litespeed Ultiimate is one of the stiffest frames made.

I wouldn't rule out steel frames either. All frame materials vary from brand to brand and model to model. Personally, I like a steel frame and I weigh close to 200.

There is a guy in our club who is 6'3" and about 230 and he is torturing us all on his oldschool Litespeed Classic.

When I started road cycling I was 270lbs and my first two bike were a Lemond Buenos Aires and a Trek 2200. Never had a problem with either. Don't worry about the frames, they'll be fine. You might tear through wheels a little quicker then normal, but nothing too serious I wouldn't think.

I ride a Specialized Roubaix and have ridden it down from 240 to 215 so far. I did change out wheels from ALX to Mavic Open Pro 32/s with Ultegra hubs. I did that based mainly on the high praise the Open Pros get in this forum rather than any sign of failure of my ALX.

When it comes to wheel strength, more spokes make a wheel stronger and they hold their shape better if you do damage them.
I recomend a 36 spoke wheel at least on the heavily stressed rear. The tradoff is the weight of 4 spokes.