Wmacky

Looking for my first roadbike, and i'm considering a Motobecane as Bikes direct is local for me. Currently i'm over 250, but rapidly heading back to my 175lbs. So weight is a temporary issue.

I hear of Racy, and relaxed geometry, and I feel i'd do better with relaxed. Being new, i'm not sure how to spot this? The following is the level bike i'm considering but it looks to be of the racier geometry?

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...d_sprint_x.htm

Comments on this bike?

Is there another bike from there 105 / Ultegra groups that would be a better choice. Currently the non sold out 54cm frames are few! I do have other local "Name Brand" dealers, but not sure about paying more for a lesser componet group. I've been to the Bike directs local store and ther bikes looked great for the price.

Palomar01

See the top tube and notice how there is no rise in it? It's pretty racy and if you are coming from a comfort bike or MTB, you will need some time to adjust to that riding position. If you have a pot belly, you will have a harder time riding in the hood portion of the handlebar because your legs will constrict your breathing. Forget about riding down in the drops.

Once you drop the pounds and your pot belly (if any) shrinks, you will get used to it and enjoy that riding position more.

High performance road bikes like that favor fit riders.

RoboChrist

Meh..keep riding what you have. By the time you lose that weight you would have gone through 2 bikes if you spend any time on here.

Wmacky

Well currently i'm bikeless, so I need something. I just can't bring myself to go the granny cruiser route! I may need a touring type bike?

Quel

If it's your first road bike, I say go for it. If it's your first real bike and you aren't a competent bike wrench I would go with something other then BikesDirect. Performance and REI have a lot of stores and has some similarly priced bikes with a better service package and return policy. If you are looking for a bargain I'd start there.

old and new

Look at that 105 Corvus. I see plenty of bikes, that one stood out. I've spotted that one on 'n' off for years. It's 520 CHRMLY Reynolds frame with reg. NOT carbon stays. Bikes at bike shops; Jamis, Giant etc. have a higher price but on paper compare to the Corvus by two to four hundred more. I'm not wild about bikes from your place but that's a different subject. I read you on your WT. .. Still though I like the wheels on the Corvus. The Grand Sprint has good wheels, they may be strong but for all-around use, conventional wheels are the toughest. New design type wheels are aimed to be light. You say yourself that you like "relaxed", the corvus, its wheels, the overall profile seems consistant with your needs. Pertaining to the geometry, I see no extraordinary differences nor do I see that any of their bikes having strong leanings one way or the other in that regard. I went from 368 to 245 then 215.. @ 220 my skinny wheel bikes still scare me. The one I use most I've put stronger, heavier wheels with 28mm tires. I'm no stranger to the weight thing.

Wmacky

Nevermind!

I took a Look at the " Pic of you on your bike thread". I think I'm still way to big to consider this. Looks like a catch 22. Great sport to get fit, but you must first be fit. I'll be back when i'm 175.

noise boy

Whoa, whoa, don't give up like that. If BD is local to you, have them swap the stem for a more upright one, to move the bars up closer to the level of the seat. The big issue for you will be bars height vs. seat height. If you move the bars up higher, it will reduce that drop. As you get fitter (and if you stick with it, that will happen, you can move the bars down via a different stem to get a better aero position. Your leg length and overall size won't change, so moving the bars is an easy way to adjust the fit as you go, as long as you start off with the right frame size you will be in good shape. There is a Clydesdale (big riders) forum here, have a look there. PS, although my weight goals aren't quite the same as yours, I dropped about 10 pounds in a month of riding for 45 minutes weekday mornings, and a 20-25 mile ride on the weekend, it's a great method

Quel

Check out the Clydesdale forum. No point to waiting until you are a Michael Rasmussen-esque 5'8 130 to enjoy cycling.

limelitesc

Curious why people always say this?

I am at about 500 miles on mine and short of the fine tuning at set up and slight derailer adjustment this morning (which I attribute to normal break-in), I don't see any additional maintenance necessary.

no shill - just wondering what I am missing - I have read the history - but I am curious if I should be checking cranks, skewers, pedals? What is this mystery maintenance I am not seeing?

GP

Quel

I don't think BD has much more maintenance than anyone else. A bit more, because from what I've read I think their quality assurance is pretty crappy. But I just wouldn't recommend it for someone who does not know how to do the more basic things: greasing, headset adjustment, drive train adjustment, etc.