Lurch104

Hello everyone!

This is my very first post, so please be gentle. I am a pretty big guy at 6'6" and 245 lbs. (down from 305 in May). I have been doing a bunch of running to get fit, and I think my knees are at their limit (about 40 MPW). So, I decided that I would get a road bike for additional fitness and likely a few sprint triathlons.

I went to LBS with a budget of around $1000 and thought I needed a touring bike for my needs (read heavy weight). I was looking at a Trek 520, and a Cannondale T2000. The owner (also a bigger fella) steered me away from the bikes I thought I wanted, and ordered a 2007 red Cannondale CAAD8 Optimo 1 60 cm for me to try out. If I like it, he would put me on it for $1,100.

My question: is there another bike suited for big guys in the 1k price range? Anything I should ask before purchasing this bike? Clipless pedals scare the heck out of me, are baskets really only for dorks? I am not finding a bunch of information on the Optimo series, but the CAAD8 seems to be a good frame, any thoughts on the Optimo?

Basically, I don't know what I don't know. I trust this guy as we have a few mutual buddies, but as I will be spending more than twice the amount I spent on my last bike (Trek 4500 MTB from the same guy) I want to be sure I am well informed.

I must admit that I am pretty excited. From the photos I have seen, the bike looks really cool and I think he is really being generous on the price. The more I consider road biking, the more excited I get. Thank you in advance for your input.

John

barba

I think that you will be happy with that bike.

onRoffR

This is a good price for this bike.retail is like $1350. It is basically a shimano 105 10 speed equiped bike with a smathering of Cannondale OEM parts and a truvativ triple. but a CAAD 8 frame is an awesome frame extremely responsive, almost jittery at high speeds. You should test ride one.I'm sure if the ride feels good to you it would be hard to find a better bike at that price. Cannondale is a great company when it comes to customer service and with a lifetime warranty on the frame. if I were you I would go for it.

Gomez308

That seems small for a guy your size. I'm 6'4" and I ride a 64ctt.

CrimsonKarter21

Go for it, but ask if you can upgrade the saddle and seatpost. The post and seat they give you are both Cannondale, but the post just sucks, it's a really thick aluminum post wrapped in carbon, and it's super heavy even for an aluminum one. The saddle was an ass hatchet for me, after about 10 miles it started killing me. It might be different for you though.

dur4ce

I ride on a CAAD7 Optimo frame, which is very similar to the CAAD8 you are looking at; the CAAD8 is just a smidge lighter. "Optimo" isn't as much a model name as it is the material of the frame. It is an aluminum alloy that Cannondale had formulated by Alcoa for its ability to maintain stiffness at thinner (and lighter) thicknesses, which makes for an very lightweight frame. Thats why you're having difficulty finding out about the Optimo model. Go with the info you find about the CAAD8, which is overwhelmingly positive.

Mine is an 05 model year R700 and came speced almost the same as the one you are looking at (+ an Ultegra rear derailleur). The drive train is solid and should give you lots of good life, which is what it sound like you're looking for, not something that's gonna fall apart and need upgrading in the near future. The 105 drive train, while technically different from the Ultegra and Dura Ace, functions much the same and, being heavier, will prove a little more durable than its lighter weight brethren. The CAAD7 I have was the first optimo frame produced by cannondale. The frame is excellent in the areas of stiffness and lightness, and as was previously said, communicates road information second to none. I love mine and I think that you will too.

That being said, I'm not exactly in your weight category (5'11", 150lbs), but I know there are a lot of bigger guys riding the frame who love it too.

If it feels good when you ride it, I'd hit it!

-Steve

Lurch104

I am tall, but my inseam is short (I wear a size 30 in jeans). Most of my length is in my torso. Apparently, that is why the fellow at the LBS steered me toward this bike as the Cannondale is better for a fellow with a long torso.

Lurch104

This is good news in disguise! When I was still thinking touring bike, I was looking at Rivendell and fell in love with the idea of a brooks saddle. Is this an option on a full on road bike? Otherwise, I'll ask to swap out parts and upgrade the saddle/post.

Lurch104

...for your input. It seems as I suspected that the fellow at the LBS knows what he is talking about. My only real issue at this point is that I will not be able to bring it home until Thursday or Friday assuming the test ride goes well. I think I will also trust him on what he recommends for clipless pedals, he was really against me leaving with baskets.

Happy New Year, and thanks for all of your input. I really appreciate it. Justifying that big of an expense to my wife is never easy, you have given much much ammo.

big john

Just keep an eye on the wheels, big guys tend to be hard on wheels. The Brooks thing is personal, like any saddle, only you can say if they work for you. For me, no way, you couldn't pay me to ride a Brooks.
You'll get used to clipless in no time, just practice starting and stopping a lot, and be sure to get the cleats adjusted for your knees sake.

spiderbike

at that weight you can ride any road bike, you don't need to buy a touring bike then get another bike later. you'll prbably lose a few pounds being to work out more between running and riding. Just make sure it fits you well, at 6'6" I don't know how you are going to fit on a 60cm bike...thats what I ride at 6'3"

Lurch104

Okay, I'm starting to get a bit worried. I just had my wife measure my actual inseam, 88 cm. Is there any rule of thumb as to how to calculate what is the best size frame from that measurement?

I guess the best measure is when I try out the bike when it comes in. This may sound stupid, but how will I know if it fits me? I have never had a road bike before, and at 6'6" not much does fit me. Is there some objective test I can preform while on the demo ride?

Thank you all for your patience in your responses. I know this is really basic stuff for most of you on this forum, but your input is incredibly helpful. Also, your help is probably more efficient before I pay for the bike, instead of listening to me whine after I buy a bike that does not suit me.

indygreg

bike fit for n00bs (I just went through this) is harder in that in reality nothing really feels great. It is all a bit uncomfortable.

Seek good help and all the advice you can. 30" inseem at 6'6" is freakishly short I think.

Oh, I just read the post above - a 34" inseem. So you wear a 30" pant? Do you go to Pee-Wee Herman's tailer?

Lurch104

I don't know how that works out. I buy pants with a 30 length, and they touch the ground at my heels. I guesss the people who make Dockers have odd rulers. I don't know, I'm hopeless!

CrimsonKarter21

Sure, get whatever you want on your bike. hell, paint it pastel purple, neon red, baby blue with yellow tyres and green wheels with a pink wang instead of a seatpost and I couldn't care less, it's all about you. Have you ever seriously thought of going bulemic because someone looked at you wierd?
Back on topic, there are so many people who love Brooks saddles, just go into the touring and ss/fg sections. But the B17 is more suited for long touring type rides, and isn't aimed at performance and racing. I think the Swallow is the racing one, it's more trimmed down, and I think it had Ti rails.

goodall

Definitely get some form of clipless pedals. There was a thread on here last year asking what was the best single thing you bought for your bike, and almost everyone said clipless pedals. They're that good.

bvfrompc

Lurch great bike, can't understand the fit. I am 6'2", short legs (34" floor to pelvic bone, 32" pants inseam) long torso and I had to swap out my stem on my R1000 for a 120 instead of the stock 110. The Cannondales are not known for their long top tubes, on the 60cm the top tube is only 59 and change. My fitter actually looked at me with rolled back eyes when I brought it in post purchase to be fit. So if I had to go with a longer stem I can't imagine what you will need to get a decent fit.

I can only think custom for your short legs and long torso, even the 60 crowds my manly parts on the stand over and I have an extra 2 inches on my inseam.

Lurch104

Well, today was the day. I picked up my new bike. 2007 Cannondale CAAD8 Optimo 1 60cm, Diadora 3815TRC shoes, Shimano pdr540 pedals, Trek 9 function computer, and a Park Tools shop pump all for $1,350. I think I made out ok. Although I was a bit nervous about using clipless pedals, I was fine after about 5 minutes of goofing around. I took a quick 2 mile spin, everything seemed very nice, I just wish I had something to compare it to. I kept the ride short as I am scheduled for a 5 mile run of hill repeats today, I don't want to tire myself out before that. After I recover from this afternoon's run, I try for a longer shakedown cruise.

Thanks everyone for your input. I appreciate the help.

CrimsonKarter21

Well, you do have something to look forward to. You're going to fall.

DocRay

Few frames even go that large. 58-60cm is about right.

onRoffR

very nice ride I'm sure your gonna love it. I just got a pair of Diadora shoes myself. mine are the pro racer carbon shoes and they are awesome. good luck with the new ride. Cannondales are great bikes.

Eyeseeu

congrats on the new bike!!! Double congrats on the running and dropping 60 pounds, that is quite an accomplishment.

GaryA

Well I would have been no help on the bike guy part since I am 5' 7" and about a buck forty-five. The pedals and shoes though I think are as much a neccesity as good bike shorts.

Lurch104

OK, I did my run (yuck, it was snow flurries and very windy). I then took a a nice slow 1/2 hour cruise to stretch my legs out and get a better feel for the bike.

Wow!

First of all, it took a bit to get used to the drops as I currently ride a Trek MTB. Not quite used to it, but I think I'll get it. Also, I had absolutely zero problems with the clipless pedals! I don't know if the clipless on the MTB were set up wrong, but these are a breeze to use. Never once did I feel unsure. I put the bike into its easiest gear and slowly rode up a pretty long hill, no problems. Finally, WOW! I would go from a slow pace to a quick acceleration and back to slow (a running fartlek, not sure if the term is used on a bike) and the response was incredible. I told my wife it was like riding the GSXR sport bike I had when I was younger. It seemed like there was no wasted energy. Let me tell you, when a fat guys stomps the pedals of this bike, it takes off!

Needless to say, I am very pleased with my purchase. It will be slow going for the next few weeks as I ease into a comfort zone with this bike. Hopefully by late spring i'll feel comfortable enough to ride along with the local (Central PA) bicycle club rides.

Thanks again everyone.