What bike for a guy of 215lbs?
 

I'm on a budget (college student) but I'm wanting a quality bike. When I worked out seriously I weighed about 175 but since then I've gotten a little lazy. I'm not real sure where to look and I dont know how MSRP relates to the real price as far as manufacturers sites go but I'd like to stay under $500. Some that interest me:

Raleigh Grand Prix
Fuji Newest 3.0
Trek 1000
Jamis Ventura Sport

Which of those would you recommend? Any other suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

None of those are under 500 new, as far as I know.
Try seeing if you can find something used for that amount or try finding an older model. You might not have much luck in the sub 500 level, but look at the thread on sub 750 road bikes for ideas. It's a sticky!

What about the Clydesdale forum?

At 215 you'll be fine with any of the bikes you're looking at. The only place you'd get into trouble would be if you were going for some super-light Wunderframe, especially Ti. None of those should be a problem.

If you're really worried about weight bearing ability, look for a good used touring bike, then when you drop weight, you can go with lighter/narrower tires & have pretty good performance.

I'd be more concerned about the wheels than the frame. I'm 270(but dropping) and ride an '89 Paramount steel frame, a '99 Cannondale and even a '71 Proteus steel lugged frame with no problems....the wheels and fork are more important, imho.... A cheap(inexpensive) wheelset is the Neuvations M28 aero....they take my weight easily and a friend of mine is 290+ and rides them with no problems....I'd shy away from the carbon forks , too.....however I am riding the carbon "slice" fork on my Cannondale with no problems after 1000+ miles (so far)....I've heard some horror stories regarding crashes and carbon forks that keep me away from them, generally speaking.....I'm not coming down on carbon forks in general, just for "heavier" riders.....
(runs away ducking and rolling) :)

I just bought a Specialized Allez, I havent ridden it yet, my boss had to pick it up when he was out of town and hasnt came back yet, its my first road bike, I guess technically I'm a clydes but im more of just a musclebound meat head trying to go a different route for fitness, I'm about 205 lbs, after reading somethings you guys say about clydes, am I gonna break something on my bike or should i try and drop weight before riding it?

I think you are fine on just about anything at your weight. The bikes and wheel sets that are problems for clydes will generally have a weight limit published. Think of the liability. If a bike shop sold a bike, wheel set, or component to a fat guy as a "fitness" product and it failed because of stress due to rider weight that "fat guy" would own the bike shop and the bike company by the time the sharks got done.

I ride a C-Dale six 13 at about 17lbs. and it is rock solid. Mavic Kysirium Sls, still true after about 2K miles. My weight fluctuates from about 260 out of competition all the way down to 205-210 in competition shape (body builder) and I have never felt like my bike was an issue at any weght.

I'd say wheels (spoke thickness, butting, count, rim strength, etc) are more important than bike choice.

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Wish I knew how tall you were and where you are I know where you can get a real nice bike for that price ;)

6' and Kansas.

Doh probably a little to tall for a 56cm although the guru is long on the top tube.