ClydeTim

....and that is why even after running the cable through, I run the U lock thru the frame and wheel so it will not roll even if one cuts the cable.

If they do cut the cable, it is a bit of a deterrent not being able to ride away. If it's someone in a pickup truck, then you're SOL!

Powerlifter

Maybe someone needs to invent some tracking/exloding device for bike thieves. If they do get it in a truck you can alert police then set off a smoke bomb/flash bang concealed as a water bottle :-)

Terryble

Don't they have gps chips you can put anywhere on the bike now? I got one of those 19mm protector chains and the kryptonite mini u, wicked duo so long as you don't mind carting 20 pounds of chain around.

Powerlifter

Ha. Hauling a few locks would be worth saving a $650 bike to me.

Snuts

I like the name of your new ($500) bike.





-Snuts-

FBOATSB

This was talked about here at great length not long ago. Check this out: This lock can deter would-be bike thieves by making them puke - Shareable - The Daily Telegram - Adrian, MI - Adrian, MI

Joeyseven

Would also check out some hybrids.More upright riding postion vs A mountain/urban bike.

I like the Urban type bikes for riding around town and some offroad.Kind of A relax geometry all around type bike.
Some have A triple ring up front or single chainring.
Like the Giant ATX Lite,Raleigh Redux and the Cdale BAD BOY and A few others.

Powerlifter

Very nice!! I'd buy the exploding alarm with 3 refills!! I can only imagine in this country these days - especially LA - if I blew the eardrum out of some scumbag I'd be the one that got sued for victimizing them.

Powerlifter

Next week I'll hit the bike store that has more options than REI and try out whatever hybrid and mountain bikes they have. If any of the Cannondales seem to be a good fit I'll see if I can order them from REI. I don't think REI carries Guant or Raleigh. I think they had the Bad Boy but it's quite pricey.

Until/if I'm ever as hard core as you guys I don't wanna spend a ton. Well even the $500 - $650 range seems like a lot of money to me , plus will be getting the U lock and cable lock, maybe the lockable spindlers or whatever they're called for front wheel, water bottle holder etc money adds up! I forget what the mountain bike was I bought in my early 20s but it was pricey back then and really nice. I barely used it despite my intentions and enthusiasm and 10 years later gaff it to a friend who needed a bike to ride with his kid...and I literally sold a Specialized mountain bike like 6 months ago because it was hanging in my garage for 5 years and I rode it only 2-3 times. So I don't wanna go bonkers plus I am on a fixed disability income. I do think this time I'm actually gonna make a serous effort to ride regularly. Body is too banged up for MMA right now, and lifting has been minimized due to injuries past few months. Plus I have borderline high blood pressure.

Will definitely check out both mountain bikes and hybrids then see what REI offers or will offer this spring as new models come in. But that cannondale Trail is on sale so if it works out seems like it would be a good deal.

dagray

REI is not a bad shop, but is not bike specific.

They don't have riding clothing except socks, shoes, and helmets for my size in the store, and only one set of bibs online that fit me (I am 360 pounds).

They do have bikes, but I would have to buy wheels from another source (currently I run Rolf Prima wheels).

REI does have good quality if their items work for you, and at 250 pounds there isn't anything they offer that you can't ride.

MAK

I didn't see this mentioned...Depending on how much of a rush you're in, REI is coming out with a new line of bikes in March or April. I was told by an REI mechanic today that there will be mountain, hybrids, road and touring bikes. March or April is also when REI dividends and their 20% off deal come into play. You didn't list where you're from so winter riding may or may not be an option for you till spring anyway.

BTW... I rode an entry level Felt road bike with 23c tires and less than 36 spokes when I was around 250 lbs. I was careful and didn't jump curbs and tried to avoid obstacles and had no wheel problems.

Powerlifter

Thanks! Visiting parents for holiday weekend and taking dad hunting but when i return will be back to bike shopping mission. Especially after this holiday season I've packed on some weight.

10 Wheels

While at 225LBS broke spokes on 24, 28, 32, wheels. Never on a 36 Spoke Wheels.
Put 39,000 miles on my Felt

MAK

Looks like the same F 80 that I rode. Maybe you broke spokes because you loaded it with a rack and various bags. It looks like you toured with it which is not what the Felt F 80 was intended for.

Then again I just might have been lucky.

ClydeTim

You need a better wheel builder. Heavier than you and never any trouble with a 28 or 32 spoke wheel I built myself.

Yes, lots of trouble with 28, 32, 36 and 48 with wheels built by inept bike shop wheel builders.

chunkymonkeybik

Man, power, it is like you are expecting a new born! But you don't know what it will look like! this is exciting news on 1-1-17.

chunkymonkeybik

thanks for sharing the picts, 10. What an adventure.

Powerlifter

Looks like REI sales changed and inventory at my local store is minimal to try out. Stopped at another bike store they only had a few Cannondale but sales was busy for long time with family full of kids to size and test ride. Stopped at another bike shop and all they had was one brand - Jamis bikes that were priced really low.

Wish REI had a larger selection so I could just test ride a bunch and take one home. Right now they only really have the Diamondback Insight 2 available in my use/size/price range.

If it weren't for the REI gift certicates I have for over $400 I'd just hit the one bike store that I know to be good people and get whatever hybrid or mountain bike they suggested. They carry some Cannondale stuff and have many other stores they can get stuff in if I requested, plus a ton of Trek and some of the Trek hybrid and mountain bikes were in the $400-500 range So more options than REI. But I have the REI gift cards so gonna have to figure out some sort of option there to save me from using my savings account!

jsigone

go blind and order a medium cannondale, fine fit to your body with a $20-50 stem

Powerlifter

Not sure what the stem means - what the handlebars attach to? Going to visit the local bike shop again this week and hope someone has time to fit me on what Cannondales they have...as it looks like I will have to order from REI blind without getting to sit on anything. At this point according to their website, the only Cannondale in my price range will be a Catalyst 2 at $589. They must have sold out of the 2016 Trails they had on sale, but as I tried to order the Novaris from the sales listed on the website, if it does not come direct from Warehouse they jam you with big fees so it ends up not really being a sale.

On the REI website for the Cannondale Catalyst 2 they say a medium is for folks up to 5'9 (and I am barely 5'10 so medium could be good to go)...but plenty of reading I've done says you cant go strictly on height. I would rather play it safe though and try to at least have someone size me up on a Cannondale at local shop but they did not have Catalyst when I was there last.

I may get sick of waiting and get the darn Diamondback Insight 2 haha, but for $90 more I assume a Cannondale is worth it.

ClydeTim

A stem is the part that attaches the fork tube to holding the handle bars.

You can swap it out to fit you better. Some are long, some are short, some have a rise that angles the stem down for a racer look. But can also be flipped so that it angles up in case you want to sit more upright.

I like mine angled upward and a bit shorter to make the reach easier. Been told by a tailor that I have short arms for my height. Probably why I suck in basketball!

If you buy a new bike from a shop, many will swap out the stem to fit you better free of charge.

If you buy a bike from REI, you could later buy a stem to fit you better if you are not happy with the comfort of the bike. IF you need a shorter reach to the handle bars or want to sit more upright.

I like the comfort of a shorter reach and the upright angle. I'm more comfortable on a century (100 mile ride) that way.

You can find stems all over the net for good prices. Be sure to figure out what length, and bar diameter you need first. Some may be $20, some may be $200 depending on what you want to spend and need.

Powerlifter

100 mile ride?!!? Dang that sounds intimidating haha...I figure I would prefer a more upright position as well as tight as my back and hips are.

ClydeTim

It sounds intimidating till you get a new bike!

You'll be there in no time.

indyfabz

REI is re-branding its bike line for 2017. IIRC, they are abandoning the name Novara in favor of Co-Op or something like that. I am sure that, combined with the time of year, explains the currently small inventory.

bbandu

Powerlifter, I am not going to pretend that I know half as much as most of the others on this forum. However just over a year ago I was in the exact same place you were. Bikes have change a ton since I was a kid and built them out of the scrape pile in the back yard. The only real difference is that I was pushing 350lbs when I started.

Like most have said If you are going to use your REI gift certificates all the bike that you are looking are are close in quality. After reading through your thread you should be alright with pretty much any of the bikes you have looked at. Just make sure that it fit your frame. Then start saving your money for a nicer better quality bike later down the road, If you decide that cycling is not for you then you are not out a ton of money.

When I started I purchased a hardtail mountain bike and rode it 95% of the time on the street, yes it requires more energy to ride it on the streets then a hybrid or road bike but the extra resistance provided by the mountain bike helped me get into better shape and lose some weight.

My first ride was only about 2.5 miles and I though I was going to die, but I continued with it and rode over 6000 miles in 2016.