Newbie (big guy) looking for advice

[ckdsaddlers]

Hi everyone

I'm a proper newbie here, and really looking for some good advice on what bike to get.

I commute to work (currently at the rate of 4 miles each way, with a train journey in between) and have a really poor mtb (stupidly) purchased from Amazon.... (for not a lot of cash). Anyway, it's basically already falling apart. This is likely due to me being hugely overwight (we're talking 18+ stone here) and also probably due to the poor equipment.

I'm looking for a bike that I can use for the daily commute, which I can increase to 10 miles each way by getting the train from an intermediate stop (I've done it once, so know it can be done) but also something that I can go out on and cycle around for the day. I've stupidly (?) signed up to a charity ride of 60(!!) miles at the end of September. I know .... I'm thinking it too!! Anyway, that'll either kill me or not.

So, a strong bike more suited to roads than trails or mountains is what I'm after. Budget is up to £800 (ish) so please lots of advice would be ace.

Thanks for reading

Cheers, Chris

 

[musa]

Probably look at Specialized Alle Elite 2014 model with the new Shimano Claris (Sora basically)
or a trek 1.2 same tramission basically

Alu frame carbon forks

£750 and £700 respectively

 

[vickster]

Giant defy 2, cannondale synapse

 

[Kies]

Do you want a road hybrid with flat bars or a road bike (called racers not so long ago).
18+ stone would probably be better on a quality hybrid as the tyres will be a little wider than a road hike which will have very thin tyres.
You have enough time to get comfortable with 20-30 mile rides before the big 60 miler. If you watch what you eat and cycle a plenty you should be a lot lighter which will help you no end with the cycling.

My advice would be a flat bar hybrid such as the Giant rapid, Specialized Sirrus, Trek 7.3 and such like. Go try a few out, anything in the £600-£800 range from a decent bike store will last you a long time.

 

[downfader]

The Giant Roam might be a starting point
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/bikes/model/2013.giant.roam.1/11844/56841/

Its not a hybrid but they are quite tough. I know a family friend who rides one. They can do roads, and some gentle trails... The Giant Defy and the Specialized Allez are more traditional road bikes. They've great components, if you wanted a proper road bike you might have to email the companies and ask about whether the frame and wheels would be up to the task (sorry to sound blunt.. I maxed out at 15 stone last year and managed on a Kona Jake and a Kinesis TK2 custom bike so I cant judge anyone on weight).

 

[ecotype]

There are quite a few good bikes in this category. I can't fault my Specialized Tricross. I got it in 2011. It's the cheaper Triple version, i.e. same nice frame as the more pricey comp or sport models, but cheaper components. They're easily good enough for a commuter though. About £750, less if you can find a 2nd hand one or a discount. I changed the front brakes and the saddle, nothing else. It's not quite as fast as a road bike but surprisingly speedy considering I'm riding it (I averaged about 14mph on my last 100k on it, keeping up with the roadies except on the worst hills). The gears are good for the hills around here.

It's a *very* tough bike: it has fairly wide tyres and wide carbon forks with shock-absorbing rubber inserts. I was 16.5 stone when I first got it, and have hammered it over bumpy towpaths, terrible road surfaces, deep mud and woodland trails, and it's never let me down. I now weigh 13st and the bike goes (mysteriously) a lot faster! It's not heavy compared with a mtb - I've often carried it over my shoulder up and down awkward steps.

If not the Tricross, either the Sirrus or possibly one of the very similar Merida bikes. The Tricross if you prefer wider tyres, a tougher bike, and dropped handlebars; the Sirrus if you want a flat-bar road bike. The Sirrus Elite Disc has disc brakes, which I recommend if you're hefty and live around a lot of hills. Personally I go up hills like a rheumatic snail, and go down them like an elephant falling off a cliff*.

*Your experience may differ ;-)

 

[downfader]

There are quite a few good bikes in this category. I can't fault my Specialized Tricross. I got it in 2011. It's the cheaper Triple version, i.e. same nice frame as the more pricey comp or sport models, but cheaper components. They're easily good enough for a commuter though. About £750, less if you can find a 2nd hand one or a discount. I changed the front brakes and the saddle, nothing else. It's not quite as fast as a road bike but surprisingly speedy considering I'm riding it (I averaged about 14mph on my last 100k on it, keeping up with the roadies except on the worst hills). The gears are good for the hills around here.

It's a *very* tough bike: it has fairly wide tyres and wide carbon forks with shock-absorbing rubber inserts. I was 16.5 stone when I first got it, and have hammered it over bumpy towpaths, terrible road surfaces, deep mud and woodland trails, and it's never let me down. I now weigh 13st and the bike goes (mysteriously) a lot faster! It's not heavy compared with a mtb - I've often carried it over my shoulder up and down awkward steps.

If not the Tricross, either the Sirrus or possibly one of the very similar Merida bikes. The Tricross if you prefer wider tyres, a tougher bike, and dropped handlebars; the Sirrus if you want a flat-bar road bike. The Sirrus Elite Disc has disc brakes, which I recommend if you're hefty and live around a lot of hills. Personally I go up hills like a rheumatic snail, and go down them like an elephant falling off a cliff*.

*Your experience may differ ;-)

Ahh yes, the Sirrus. Good bike. My Brother owns one but the v brake system on the lower end. He's got pannier rack and mudguards on his

 

[Deleted member 22722]

Hi,

I wouldn't worry too much about your weight if you intend on spending that sort of money as you'll end up with a decent bike that'll take your weight.

12 months ago I was over 19st and I purchased a Giant Defy 1. I took advice from an LBS because I too was concerned about my weight on what seemed to me at the time such a lightweight bike.

They said not to worry so I didn't. I'm glad to say I've had no issues at all with the bike and it still rides and looks as good as the day I bought it even after 2500 miles. I've also lost over 3st since then.

I'd say go for a Giant Defy if you're looking for a road bike. But then I'm biased

 

[Saluki]

Another one for the Defy here. I have a Defy 2 and my husband has ridden it (when he thinks that I am not looking) and he was 16 1/2 stone and it didn't break. He is now just shy of 14 stone and has a Boardman.

Actually what about the Blue coloured Ally Boardman. I saw a chap in Halfrauds with one, going in for a service. He was a good 18+ stone and getting lighter, he said. He loved his Grey/Blue coloured Boardman. Can't remember its name though.

 

[ckdsaddlers]

Wow!! Thanks for all your advice!! Definitely got lots to think about.... Type of bike being the first

Going to a bike shop tomorrow morning (Evans in Birmingham) to have a look at some "in the flesh" as it were. Looking at their website, it would seem they have a good range.

Thanks everyone. I'll post up when I've made my choice and got the machine

 

[vickster]

Evans don't sell Giant

These guys in/near Birmingham do though http://www.fortdunlopcycling.co.uk/

http://www.fortdunlopcycling.co.uk/bikes/road/mens-2/2013-giant-defy-2-compact-v2/

They also sell Specialized for a comparison

 

[ckdsaddlers]

Thanks. I thought I didn't see Giant on the site. I don't have a car, so Fort Dunlop no good for me (at least Sadat as tomorrow goes).

I'll go and look at Evans, ten decide if a further trip is needed. Looking to cruelly get the bike two weeks time. Plenty of time yet (!)

 

[Spinney]

Thanks. I thought I didn't see Giant on the site. I don't have a car, so Fort Dunlop no good for me (at least Sadat as tomorrow goes).

I'll go and look at Evans, ten decide if a further trip is needed. Looking to cruelly get the bike two weeks time. Plenty of time yet (!)

Are you using a device with predicitive text, by any chance?

 

[ckdsaddlers]

Haha yes. And I haven't got my specs on..... Standard

 

[vickster]

Cycle surgery sell giant too. Perhaps one in brum? Also there's an on your bike somewhere