Good road/hybrid bike for 235lb. person ?

In article ,
(Bretton) wrote:

I'd like to get a new road or hybrid bike (I want a more upright
riding position and don't like drop bars). I weigh 235lbs. and
wondered if this will cause any problems?

I'm currently looking at the Cannondale Road Warrior 900 and the
Cannondale Bad Boy (plain version without shocks). I live in a very
hilly area of the country and wonder if the gearing on the Bad Boy
might work better...

I have a Specialized Crossroads (about 4 years old, steel frame), but
I'd like something a bit nicer as I've started doing longer rides and
will be doing a 20 mile and two 50 mile rides in September and
October.

Any suggestions or comments? Should I be worried about riding an
aluminum frame because of my weight?

I'm 6'4" and 215 lbs. right now and have a dream of a time with it,
especially after some drivetrain upgrades. I cannot speak to good,
better or best, but I do have to say that I really do enjoy my Gary
Fisher Zebrano. Maybe you can move up a notch or two (Nirvana / Utopia),
depending on your budget. A friend of mine has a Nirvana and it's nicer
for sure.

"Roadside Artist" wrote in message
...

| The Marin Mill Valley has loads of space for fenders,
| and fat old me (240+-lbs) hasn't succeeded in
| bending it yet. Worth a look...
|
Really? Cuz, I was going to eliminate that as a choice for heavier people
(I'm helping someone shop right now!) due to the spoke count. I just sorta
assumed that wheels of this type would be anathema to the heavyweights,
but
maybe I'm all wet (ha, I wish!...no, that's an inside joke) ...so,
enlighten
me!!


No problems whatsoever with the wheels so far,
but I've only done about 1200 miles. Maybe
I'll hit one pothole too many one day, but after
initial wariness, I feel quite confident in
the bike.

Also, the guys at the lbs I use seem to know their
stuff wrt wheelbuilding.

Tim.



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The Marin Mill Valley has loads of space for fenders,
and fat old me (240+-lbs) hasn't succeeded in
bending it yet. Worth a look...


When I was a veryhugelydisgustinglyobesefatbirdonabike of greater weight than
that stated above, my Bianchi San Remo coped without a problem, groan or creak
when I perched on the saddle. Now I'm a bit slimmer, I go a bit faster, a bit
further and it's all a bit easier.

Cheers, helen s



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omcom (wafflyDIRTYcatLITTERhcsBOX) wrote:

When I was a veryhugelydisgustinglyobesefatbirdonabike of greater weight than
that stated above, my Bianchi San Remo coped without a problem, groan or creak
when I perched on the saddle. Now I'm a bit slimmer, I go a bit faster, a bit
further and it's all a bit easier.

I recommend a Raleigh SC-30 (with the nifty integrated-gizmo handlebar).

"Bretton" wrote in message
om

I'd like to get a new road or hybrid bike (I want a more upright
riding position and don't like drop bars). I weigh 235lbs. and
wondered if this will cause any problems?

Any suggestions or comments? Should I be worried about riding an
aluminum frame because of my weight?

Hi Brett,

First I have to say that I'm only recently back on a bike since I traded
by Schwinn (with fat tires and a horn in the tank) for a used 1949 Ford
back in the late 50's.I got back into bikes this summer as a means of
exercise and relaxation. After about 3 months, I'm riding about 20
miles a day, and it's becoming "routine".

I'm about your size, and also dislike drop bars and leaning over to
ride, probably becuz I'm approaching "geezerhood" at age 63.

I'm not familiar with a lot of the brands mentioned here, but my bike is
a Marin "Redwood" model. Not sure what a "good" bike ought to cost, but
paid a little under $400 for. It's bone stock, with no modifications,
and I like it a lot.

The frame is aluminum, has front fork shocks and seat-post shock, and
the tires are 26 x 1.95". Gearing seems pretty flexible, with a total
of 24 gears so you always seem to be able to find a proper combination.
The shifters and associated stuff at the sprockets are all Shimano. The
handbars have a slight rise, perhaps a couple inches, and the stem has
some adjustment for rise so there's a lot of flexibility for determining
your posture.

Hope this info is of some help.

Regards,

Hans







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I'm about your size, and also dislike drop bars and leaning over to
ride, probably becuz I'm approaching "geezerhood" at age 63.

That is sort of a cop out.

I am also 63 - almost 64, and love riding the road bike. I don't consider
myself a "geezer" at all.

Most folks don't think they would like a road bike because they haven't taken
the time to get used to the position, and don't realize that a road bike can be
adjusted so that you are not lying "flat" all the time. A road bike has three
general positions, the "drops," (laid out fairly flat), the "hoods" (sort of
medium), and the "Bars", (which can be adjusted to be fairly high, if desired).

At 230-245 pounds (Hey, I am down to 220 right now) I have ridden both a
standard Specialized mtn bike and a stock Lemond Buenos Aires road bike (each
for many 1000's of miles) the past 5 years, without any trouble of any kind,
save normal and routine maintenance. I did have the wheels on the Lemond
"tension relieved." They are still perfectly true and in great shape. I do
have my bike tuned up by a competent shop every year.

There is nothing like he thrill of a good road bike ride - every muscle in yor
body coordinated and working together, a cadence of over 80 rpm, whizzing
along, passing folks - to me it is sort of another world. Don't knock the road
bike untilyou have tried it!!


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That is sort of a cop out.

No, it's not a "cop out". It's just my opinion. You are free to hold a
completely different opinion.

Yep!! The only difference is, I am right. I like brown eyed blondes with long
legs, and you might
like blue eyed readheads with big bobbers. I ain't knocking redheads
just because I have a different preference.

Hmm. Thatis a tough one. I think I like brown eyed blondes with long legs,
and blue eyed readheads with big bobbers. Both!! I also like mtn bikes, road
bikes, and I guess I could tolerate a comfort bike.

But, using your age and "geezerhood" as an excuse to not be open to new things
and ideas IS a copout. You didn't say it was your preference or whatever, you
stated you would not want a road bike essentially because of your advanced age
of 63 yo. Bah, humbug. Attitude is half the battle, and yours is slipping.


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"Hans Kohb" wrote in message
news:60adbf3859b790b685963a938bae9a00.128005@mygat e.mailgate.org...
"Denver C. Fox" wrote

But, using your age and "geezerhood" as an excuse to not be open to new
things
and ideas IS a copout. You didn't say it was your preference or
whatever, you
stated you would not want a road bike essentially because of your
advanced age
of 63 yo. Bah, humbug. Attitude is half the battle, and yours is
slipping.


My attitude may be slipping (whatever the he11 that means), but yours is
sanctimonious and insulting. For further details, please see
http://www.amishrakefight.org/gfy

With all kind wishes,

Hans

It never fails to amaze me when people say "f- off" to someone, but are too
lazy to snip their syrupy polite sigs afterwards.

Bill "kind regards...aw, screw it" S.

My attitude may be slipping (whatever the he11 that means), but yours is
sanctimonious and insulting. For further details, please see
http://www.amishrakefight.org/gfy

With all kind wishes,

Hans

Now that was really very clever.

You really impressed me.

My point is, please don't use age as an excuse to retreat from the world, and
from trying and being open to new things.

I would accept, "I have real bad arthritis in my back" or "I tried the road
bike position for awhile, and simply did not like it" or "I can't afford a road
bike." Those are all valid reasons, IMHO, to not want to use a road bike.

But, just to close a door because you are approaching "geezerhood" (whatever
that is - and being 63 is NOT being a "geezer") is to me a very unfortunate
sign of giving up, of not relishing the world for all that it has to offer.
That is the attitude I am talking about.

We have folks here in Colorado who are 85 and ride road bikes, and do "Ride the
Rockies" (500 miles of Colorado mountain passes in 7 days). That is the
"attitude" that I hope to keep in my life.

Have an even greater day, and please stay out of the "Geezerhood" mind set. It
will kill you, literally.


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I'm with the old-timer. Road bikes are *loads* of fun.

Okay - one "old-timer" saying thanks!!



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