fishermansfly

Hey guys I posted in the big boy forum hoping to find someone close to home. I'm a 240lb police officer who isn't in bad shape but could stand to loose a few pounds. I'm looking to get into road biking and need a little help. I made purchase of a mountain bike to shed a few extra pounds and enjoy riding it. Unfortunately I believe I made a mistake, other than already losing 10lbs. I'm enjoying longer distances, on the road at higher speeds.

As I said I've never jumped on a road bike with the exception of riding one a few laps around the lbs. I'm wanting someone close who could steer me in the right direction towards the purchase of a bike. Secondly I'll need someone to ride with.

I've found a bike I believe I might like and I'm trying to be price cautious. I have been told to look at a Specialized Roubaix after riding an Allez. I understand the difference in riding geometry but I'm wondering if this is more or less the sales person making the shop and extra $800. I really wanted to believe the guy, in the fact that he said they didn't work on commision. But it made me wonder. Need help cutting through some of the lbs bs!

I've been told several times to pay special attention to the wheels. I've also been told I should be fine for at least a year on most wheelsets. I've been told that until I reach 220lbs or less it would be a problem. I'd like to see a 40lb loss in six months. I shed weight pretty rapidly and would probably easily hit that wieght with in my first six months of riding. So should I really be concerned with wheelsets, especially when it's under a 1 yr warranty?

The two bikes I'm looking hard at right now are the Trek 2.3 and the Specialized Allez. Possibly a Trek Madone 4.7 or a Specialized Roubaix depending on the responses I get.

Finally my purpose in the purchase of the bike is not for competition. Possibly a few entry level Tri's (more of a personal "I did it" type deal), a few endurance charity rides, and getting healthy.

So is there anyone near Knoxville that would be willing to help out? I'm 5'09'' and ride a 54cm bike, just thought I'd throw that in there!

Thanks in advance,
Brett

novacommuter

There are plenty of wheelsets out there that can handle your weight.

My advice, however, is to hang in there with the MTB, lose the weight, save some more coin, and then pull the trigger on a road bike when you know you're going to stick with it.

fishermansfly

I'm in total agreeance with you sir! I know I'm going to stick with it, I used to ride a mountain bike all the time. Work and family life got in the way of things. I had a Lt. of mine say some time ago, that the resaon why he kills himself in a workout is to hang around for the grand kids, play with them instead of them coming to see him in the hospital. This started making more sense here lately.

I also agree on saving the coin and buying something good. I just don't think I wanna go overboard on a bike that I don't intend on using for racing. I have been told to buy a bike today that I could see myself riding 10 years from now. I'm not wanting to make a quick decision, just the right one, on a good bike that I'll at least get a few years of good service out of.

Velo Vol 

I'm nearby, but unfortunately I'm not the bike guru that many here are, nor can I offer help like you'd get at the LBS.

As far as riding goes, have you checked out the Smoky Mountain Wheelmen? They've got several events a week, of varied speed.

af2nr

I'm not in Knoxville, although I do stay at a Holiday Inn Express there ocassionally! On a serious note I think maybe what the guy at the LBS is telling you is this, at least in my experience/opinion. If you can comfortably afford the Roubaix you are getting more bike for your money. It is a full carbon bike with equal components compared to the aluminum of the Allez. The Roubaix will also allow you to sit in a little more of a upright, which equals comfortable, position. From what you say your goals are I think the Roubaix, or something along that line, would work well. Keep in mind there are comparable bikes to the Roubaix, like the Giant Defy, Look 566, Cervelo RS, etc. Good luck!

Flatballer

I would recommend a staple gun.

fishermansfly

Velo-thanks I was looking for something along those lines. Couldn't find a local forum.

af2nr-I'm not 100% sold on anything yet. I believe after the mountain bike purchase I'll take my time and make the right purchase this go round.

Flatballer, man maybe it's late, or I'm out of the loop, or I'm just dumb but I'm not grasping the one liner regarding weight loss.

Thanks again guys,
~Brett

H1449-6

*decides not to post comment about overweight cops and doughnuts*

ptle

Give me a private message. I live in Knoxville and road bikes are my specialty As for a riding partner... I don't really do much other than commuting now a days.

CollectiveInk

Brett,

Having been in your shoes (is there a flatfoot joke in there somewhere? j/k ) I can understand. Started on a mountain bike and found myself riding more distance on roads than off. Ended up with an Allez Elite and have been happy with it. At 275 (now 250) the bike has been great, and the wheels have been fine for over 1,600 miles. I too was looking at a Roubaix, but instead decided that would be my "goal bike" for when I break 199.

Your other alternative would be to search Craigslist for a good/great used bike for getting started, and reward yourself with a new wonder bike later on. I search the Knoxville CL often (as I'm only an hour north) and there have been some pretty good deals.

If you need help with size, components, etc, PM and I'll be glad to offer assistance. I've been looking for an excuse to get down to Knoxville anyways.

fishermansfly

Former grouch-Wow man hope that negativity inspires your pedaling. Sorry for what ever brush with local LE has you cop bashing. Remember, I've obviously got thick skin but be garuntee'd it didn't come from eating doughnuts. Feel free to bash away, just remember in todays society you'll more than likely need us one day. Furthermore I have a sense of humor, but that rather old dried up comment regarding cops eating doughnuts, is better suited for a 15 year old who has no sense of the word "humorous" maybe just "cute"!

See and why be just cute when you have the internet at your disposal. You could have just reccomended this ride and you would have at least inspired a laugh!


Seriously grouch, I'm sorry if you've had a bad run in with one or some of us. We're not all mindless jerks!


ptle-I'll be sending a pm shortly

collectiveink-Way to go sir...I'm thinking along the same lines with the Allez. My overall thought is over a few years span I will probably want something different anyway. As technology improves, I improve, I'll be looking pretty consistantly. I'm an avid fly fisher who owns several rods, a drift boat, and tons of gear. I'm seeing cycling as very similar with a large initial start up, but relatively low up-keep. I'm through Johnson City at least once a month..Sometimes I'm more there than at home. I fish the Watauga in Elizabethton and of course the SO-HO. Beautiful area, love Elizabethton.

~Brett

H1449-6

You've reached the wrong conclusion. I'm not cop "bashing" nor have I ever had a bad run in with a cop. Silly joke; nothing more, nothing less.

Flatballer

You want to lose weight, not loose it. If it is loose, you should use a staple gun to tighten it up.

govolsducks

As my screen name implies, I'm a former Knoxvillian. I would definitely recommend joining one of the clubs there. Unfortunately, I think that Knoxville isn't very bike friendly. There is the bike path just west of downtown, and if I remember correctly, I used to ride loops on Cherokee Blvd along with other K'town cyclists. My favorite shops are definitely Cedar Bluff Cycles, Bike Zoo, and Riversports.

fishermansfly

Oh wow, I feel at the least "mindless" now. I've been off the forums for a while now, glad to see grammatical errors can still make a knucklehead out of someone. I think I was too busy attempting to figure out where you were headed with the stapler. As I said I'm an avid fly fisherman..when on the forums regarding catching "stripers" folks constantly referred to them as catching "strippers", which could potentially make for a great day on the water! "loose", "lose" :headinhands:

You all are a tough crowd!

Grouch, I'm glad you've not had a bad experience. It's heart breaking for those of us who love our job to hear someone that has been blatantly mistreated by one of us. Ultimately were all here for the greater good, but there are a select few that do way more by harm to the profession then ever good. I guess it was the base of the sarcasm/cynicalness that inspired my response.

govol, you are absolutely right. I live south of Knoxville, around Maryville and would have to agree with K-town being non bike friendly. However I have the luxury of being 15 minutes from a bunch of great rides. Though not the safest, but still yet beautiful rides along the Little River in Townsend, Cherohola Skyway, Cades Cove, long ascent of the Parkway, and the list goes on! I'm actually looking forward to climbing the Parkway. I will probably hook up with Cycology on 321 E for some of thier local rides. I think they do several a week.

Seeing as your familiar with the Knoxville Bike arena is there one you would reccomend over the other? I've been looking at the Zoo. Met a 60 year old guy there that rides fixed gear from the shop to Seymour for his commute. That's just awesome, helluv a commute! I also like the guys at Cycology, but they appear to be more about making a big buck now and not about making alot more money over the long haul of things. Though it was a mountain bike purchase and not a road bike. I can now begin to see a difference in sales tactics, practices and terms with a road bike. I noticed that they charge for bike fit ($150) whereas the Zoo does not. Could be the deal breaker from Trek to Specialized.

~Brett

cdubb

My brother lives in Knoxville and I have been to West Bicycles in Farragut with him several times. It's where he bought his bike and he swears by them.

ptle

https://mattstegall.com/knoxvillecyclingforums/index.php (Knoxville Cycling forums)

Tennessee Valley Bikes (TVB) has Kona bikes
Cedar Bluff Cycle (CBC) has Treks
Knoxville Bike Zoo has Specialized
TVB and CBC are very friendly and have good customer service. I feel like the Zoo only wants you to buy their expensive bikes.
Those are the only stores I've been to in Knoxville.

As for rides check Knoxville Cycling forums. They have a lot of group road rides. I know CBC has a Tuesday and Thursday night rides. I believe the Tuesday night ride is possibly no drop at a moderate pace. The Thursday night rides have an A and B group. They are pretty quick though from what I've heard.

Just wondering are you KPD or UTPD?

This is getting off topic but... I had a friend who was hit on her bicycle. I feel like KPD did not take her case seriously because she was on a bike and was struck by a car. However I felt like UTPD took it more seriously, but my friend had to use KPD's police report, which caused her to owe lots of money to the hospital along with damages to her bike.

As a result I'm not too fond of KPD. I've also heard stories of other people that commute or bike around Knoxville and the troubles they have encountered with KPD. I wonder KPD has a negative outlook on cyclists even though they have their own "bike cops" whom I've met a few. They all seem pretty friendly.

ptle

From your posts looks like you're going to be buying a bike from a local store. If that's the case I would just shop to see which gives you the better deal. Also make sure the you like the bike and that it fits well before you decide to buy it.

I also forgot to mention River Sports Outfitters and Earth Traverse Outfitters (ETO) have some bikes. They are right next to each other on Sutherland Avenue. River Sports mainly carries Bianchi and ETO has some Cannondales, Scotts, and Raleighs I believe. They are worth checking out as they sometimes have good deals. I saw an 08 Bianchi Volpe going for $640 in a 55cm at River Sports. Not exactly what you're looking for but you could always throw some slicks on the bike and use it for road biking.

Many people on the forums reccomend a Cannondale CAAD9 (as do I, I used to own one). I believe ETO has a white with red accents in a 54cm. The bike has a full Tiagra groupset.

parabrand

I am a Knoxvillian. I will confirm that CBC, Bike Zoo, River Sports, and Harper's are great shops. I am always up for a ride -- shoot me a PM and I will give you my phone number.

On a side note [this may have been mentioned above], there is a GREAT book about local rides here in Knoxville. You can pick it up at all of the above bike shops and it is called MINI Adventure Series - Bicycling Routes. It is a small blue book that is spiral bound. I highly recommend it.

Good luck!

under18cyclists

I say go for a CAAD9 also great bikes and I use to like in Nashville, so much better then New York I miss Tennessee so much.

Velo Vol 

Do they? I've never had a run-in with them.

Kuma

Not directly on point, but welcome to the sport and to the forum. Those of us who try to use the road along with cars need as many law enforcement people as possible to see the world as cyclists do.

I don't subscribe to the view that cops are against, or out to get, cyclists. I do think, though, that relatively few cops are cyclists, so they don't view riding in traffic from a cyclist's perspective. They can't help viewing traffic incidents through the filter of their own experience. Nothing wrong with that - it's just human nature. Because of that, though, the more cyclist cops out there, the better. It can only result in a more complete understanding on the part of law enforcement of the interests of all road users.

/A&S Soapbox

To your question, novacommuter has a good point about waiting until you're sure you're interested in road cycling before pulling the trigger on a more expensive bike. Another way of looking at it, though, might be to go ahead and buy a road bike if it appeals to you more than your MTB (and if the finances work out) because that way you'll WANT to ride it and be more likely to reach your fitness goal. Dunno which one is right for you, but food for thought.

As far as which bike is concerned, all the bikes you mentioned are fine machines. Test ride them all, pick the one that feels most comfortable/fits you best and then, well, ride it like you stole it!

Pinyon

I suggest that you try riding with a couple of local bike clubs. Take your old mountain bike out on a few rides with them, and decide which one you like better. You will also get great advice on where NOT to buy your road bike from. Most major brands make a bicycle that will fit you nicely. The big deal, is finding a bike shop that honors warranties and has a great repair department when things need to be fixed.

I say test ride lots of bikes, to see what feels right to you. And I'm talking about test rides of 15-20 minutes minimum, on the bikes that you feel serious about. After you narrow it down that far, go for the one that has the best bike shop...or that you just like the best. You ARE allowed to pick out a bike because you like how it looks. Yep, you are.

Here is a link to some local bike clubs in the Nashville, TN area. Go for some slower group rides with these people, and see what you like.

Have fun out there!

af2nr

This can be a VERY tricky subject. Most shops will do a "free" fitting with a bike purchase. The trick is what exactly you are getting for your fitting. In my experience a free fit is just what it says, basic adjustments to make sure you are comfortable on the bike. Usually when you get into a $150 fitting you are going to get a MUCH more in depth fit than a "free" fit.

af2nr

He is in Knoxville, TN...