Road bike for a heavy rider.

[g0kmt]

Okiedokies, here we go.....

I have a Halfords Carerra Kraken, its a great bike and copes with my 156kg weight admirably. I have a pannier rack on it and pannier bag. I use it for recreation and commuting, well part distance commuting. I bought it on the cycle to work scheme, and it ends next month. I believe I can go for another bike in my companies C2W scheme next month, so why not. I have seen the flow chart that ends in "You need another bike" and yes, its correct :-)

Whilst I don't get out on the Kraken as often as I should, I was thinking about a road bike for something different. I remember as a kid having a drop handlebar bike and loving it - maybe that's the wrong motivation, I don't know.

I have in mind two bikes:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId_1016236_langId_-1_categoryId_165710#tab2

and

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId_1014919_langId_-1_categoryId_165710#tab4

I know that I want to put a pannier on the bike, I couldn't find an answer on this one and the latter bike does not seem to have mounting points on the frame. I think the Boardman has mounting points but not sure.

Interestingly most bike manufacturers, if not all, design bikes and stress them to 1.5 times the working load. So if they are designed to work with 120kg, I am inside the max working load ;-) That's my man maths to the extreme. I am always willing to give it a go. However, I am always open to advice too :-)

'tother question. I don't currently use cleats and am still adjusting my bike to get the best fit - had it a year hehe Can I use a road bike without them? I am not into racing, just another experience.....

So is it a) or is it b) thoughts on a postcard, or postage stamp please :-)

 

[srw]

Touring bike. Designed for toting heavy weights long distances in comfort and for carrying panniers. Use that to support your weight loss target, and treat yourself to a flimsier bike when you've reached your target

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Are you restricted to Halfords by your works C2W scheme and what's your budget?

and what @srw said.

 

[John the Monkey]

If it has to be Halfords, there's this;

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...productId_1021788_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

Ridgeback & Edinburgh Bike Co-Op's own brand have some nice tourer/cyclocross type bikes that would fit the bill as well if you can go outside Halfords.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

@John the Monkey Where you been? You ok?

 

[John the Monkey]

Fine, ta

Just had that feeling of having the same discussion over and over, so I took a break for a while.

 

[g0kmt]

John et al, thanks. the company scheme is with Halfords although some stores take the Halfords letter of collection, Leisure lakes for example. Someone posted a list of alternative shops that take the LoC on the company intranet. I may do some more research.

 

[srw]

When my firm had the scheme with Halfords you could, in theory, get Halfords to get bikes in that they wouldn't normally stock.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I'd go for the Sojourn or a Boardman CX if it were me