Posted: 4/1/2012 5:52:33 AM EDT
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I'm thinking about getting a bike to supplement my P90X workouts and just to get away from the house sometimes. I have no idea where to start but was wanting to keep it on the cheap if possible.
I'm about 270lbs right now. I've dropped 10 or so pounds from the 282 I started at, and have converted some fat into muscle but I want an extra way to burn fat and my knees can't take running at this weight. Any good recommendations for a decent road bike on the cheap for someone at my weight? I'm going to look a bit on craigslist and other similar places but I don't have a clue where to begin. I'm just looking for something to get started riding 5-10 miles on a weekend or something. Nothing fancy yet since my stamina has gone to shit. |
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Go to a bike store, get fitted and keep track of which brand you use for the sizing... then hit craigslist and find a bike with that measurement... Also, considering you're a big guy like me, Watch the weight restricitons... Many road bikes state "250lbs" as a max... I had luck with a trek 1xxx that I tested and replaced the wheels on... occasionally 100+m/w... |
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Quoted:
"I don't have a clue where to begin" = Don't buy a bike off craigslist. If you're going to go through the trouble of getting fitted, you may as well buy the bike at the shop or at the least, buy it from Bikesdirect and have the shop assemble it. I'll have to find a local shop and take a look at what they have. |
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Seriously. Sizing people on a bike isn't free. If you bring in a bike, we charge you. If you take out a bike, we do it to make sure everything is right. Be upfront with a store - tell them what you want to do and how much you want to spend. Instead of buying a used bike, make sure your first bike is backed by a warranty, assembled by a mechanic and supported with at least a future tune-up. |
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I'm a big supporter of the LBS.
I ride with a few "Clydesdales", and they all have broken various things that don't typically break on skinny guys bikes. A good shop will hook you up with stuff that will work for you. I can not emphasize enough how important a good fitting is. A few years back I had a little knee pain when climbing so I went back to the bike shop to have my position checked out. My man there made a few very small adjustments to my cleats, saddle & stem and it made a huge difference. |
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If your local bike store gives you a free fitting if you buy a bike, its well worth it over buying used. Plus you'll get advice from someone who knows what they are talking about, a bike with a warranty and they'll usually throw in the first tune up in for free. If you are looking to save money many will have left over stock from the previous year at a discount also.
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Don't be afraid of a somewhat heavier road bike - in the first place you're a big guy so rigidity is good for you (and the bike), and secondly you're in it for fitness - you might pedal a tiny bit harder, but that just means you get stronger. I bought a Specialized Sirrus (it's a hybrid, but basically a road bike with flat bars) for working out on the bike trail and it's a great bike. Very tough and pretty reasonable, price wise. |
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in the same boat with you OP.
go to a cycle shop and ask around what bike fits you. grab the sizing and their advise and search around. box store bikes - assembled by back room specialists which may or may not know what they are doing. you need to go over every nut and bolt. the beauty of this is returns are usually hassle free if and when it breaks. craigslists - prepare to be blown off, ignored, or look at stolen machines. spend some time on the phone with sellers before you commit to even look at a bike. old derailers, bent wheels, tire conditions, type of seat.... even buying a used machine, one could spend an addtional $100 just to get the required comfort. don;t need a bike shop to get a tuneup. basic mechanical ability is needed for what your doing. cycle shops - bikes are not cheap. entry level mountain bikes will run around $500 which usually include a year's worth of free tune-ups. as someone mentioned, last year's bikes can be had cheaper. there was another thread which listed the holy grail of which brands are best. swingset noted speciaized... good machines. cycle shops will have limited used bikes / consignements for sale and even they can be expensive compared to new. check for boot-leg bike shops usually around colleges.... end of school year is coming and so should be the increased availability of bikes. check paper for community bike sales. usually held in the beginning and season of season. you can get a bargain but can also get a piece of shit. do some reasearch before you lay out any $$$ / plastic. rummage and estate sales - hit or miss. lastly... get sized (echo in here). (have you looked at recumbent bikes? great way to loose weight, build cardio, and not loose any money when the snow flies). much luck! |
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Quoted:
Don't be afraid of a somewhat heavier road bike - in the first place you're a big guy so rigidity is good for you (and the bike), and secondly you're in it for fitness - you might pedal a tiny bit harder, but that just means you get stronger. I bought a Specialized Sirrus (it's a hybrid, but basically a road bike with flat bars) for working out on the bike trail and it's a great bike. Very tough and pretty reasonable, price wise. Weight doesn't make much of a difference unless you are doing hill climbs. Even then dropping bodyweight will make you lighter and more aero, and is a hell of alot cheaper than dropping weight on the bike. |
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If your only wanting to ride that few a mileage- get a good mountain bike !!! no weight restrictions on them and you have the option of taking your riding off rode also  I've actually considered this some given the terrain in the area versus the traffic on the roads. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
If your only wanting to ride that few a mileage- get a good mountain bike !!! no weight restrictions on them and you have the option of taking your riding off rode also I've actually considered this some given the terrain in the area versus the traffic on the roads. I have a awesome 29er mountain bike that I can hit the rode with if I want. $1000 bike I got off CL for $600... Just look for one with a lockout option on the front fork that helps with rode rides. 
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