Looking at another bike, Pic enclosed, Your help needed !

gb155

Evening all

I am considering another bike but I have no idea if its a bad idea, Because of my size I have always shunned away from road bikes, But this has just come up and im really considering it as the deal is right for me,

So will this (or any) road bike actually take my weight (25st) without falling apart, bucking the wheels, popping spokes etc etc etc, Many Thanks

STEFANOS4784

I think L.I.T has one of those, 90 quid brand new off of ebay, anyhoo bit off topic but under your posts it says "lost 14 stone" does that mean you were 39 stone :shock: ?
Hats off to you chap for the effort and on-going endeavors, don't have experience in that bike but i'd guess that for that price might not be suitable :?
Only things probably likely to wrong though are the wheels, maybe just upgrade to some 'better' ones

gb155

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

I think L.I.T has one of those, 90 quid brand new off of ebay, anyhoo bit off topic but under your posts it says "lost 14 stone" does that mean you were 39 stone :shock: ?
Hats off to you chap for the effort and on-going endeavors, don't have experience in that bike but i'd guess that for that price might not be suitable :?
Only things probably likely to wrong though are the wheels, maybe just upgrade to some 'better' ones

Yes mate, 12 Months ago I was 39 stone, I cant believe that im even considering a road bike, Let alone looking at a speedo telling me I have done 991 Miles in 6 months, Its amazing how the body can repair what took years to break, AMAZING.

Ok so if I got a half decent road bike then even at 25stone It should hold ? My commute is 7 miles each way and ALL on road.

STEFANOS4784

P.s the fellas over on road beginners forum are always most helpful with matters such as these might be worth posting there

redddraggon

TBH I'm not sure I'd touch a bike like that with a barge pole.

I'm sure that the frame might hold up, but I doubt the rest of the components would last 5 mins. It's probably worthwhile to spend a bit more (if you can afford it).

gb155

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

P.s the fellas over on road beginners forum are always most helpful with matters such as these might be worth posting there

Good point, Not sure I dare venture over there yet lol

gb155

redddraggon wrote:

TBH I'm not sure I'd touch a bike like that with a barge pole.

I'm sure that the frame might hold up, but I doubt the rest of the components would last 5 mins. It's probably worthwhile to spend a bit more (if you can afford it).

Yeah fair point, How about a half decent road bike ? Whats the chance of that holding up ?

STEFANOS4784

gb155 wrote:

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

P.s the fellas over on road beginners forum are always most helpful with matters such as these might be worth posting there

Good point, Not sure I dare venture over there yet lol

Perfectly honestly, this is the only forum i go on due to not liking strangers threatening me with violence, anyhoo they're trully some of the friendliest folk about, post there, you wont look back 8)

STEFANOS4784

gb155 wrote:

Yeah fair point, How about a half decent road bike ? Whats the chance of that holding up ?

Should be fine if you get something half decent, i think i remember a bigger bloke on the road beginners but can't seem to find the thread

gb155

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

gb155 wrote:

Yeah fair point, How about a half decent road bike ? Whats the chance of that holding up ?

Should be fine if you get something half decent, i think i remember a bigger bloke on the road beginners but can't seem to find the thread

Cheers man, Im sure they are all nice peeps, Will venture over soon-ish

STEFANOS4784

Lol to late, i stitched you up..............................................

*waits in anticipation of some great knowledge and advice*

gb155

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

Lol to late, i stitched you up..............................................

*waits in anticipation of some great knowledge and advice*

lol, runs and ducks

meagain

"I'm sure that the frame might hold up, but I doubt the rest of the components would last 5 mins. It's probably worthwhile to spend a bit more (if you can afford it)."

If it's a 99 quids special, then I agree with redddraggon.

While there are I am sure "race" bikes that would cope with your (decreasing!) weight, not likely to be cheap - even 2nd hand. Perhaps an interim step in the form of a light tourer might make a good choice?

Have a skim on ebay - I'm sure that if you flag up any possibles someone on Road Beginners will give an opinion.

And absolutely top admiration for your achievements.

joe1983

If you already have a MTB have you considered some skinny tyres? that way you will benefit from the reduced rolling resistance but have the peace of mind that the frame etc are up to the job? Then you can always move to a roadie in the future

downfader

Good luck with the bike search... you've ridden more miles than me this year :shock: :oops:

gb155

joe1983 wrote:

If you already have a MTB have you considered some skinny tyres? that way you will benefit from the reduced rolling resistance but have the peace of mind that the frame etc are up to the job? Then you can always move to a roadie in the future

Im running 1.5's at the moment, The reason im after another bike is really as a backup as opposed to a every day bike, For those days when its dry and not windy etc (so about 3 days a year lol)

gb155

downfader wrote:

Good luck with the bike search... you've ridden more miles than me this year :shock: :oops:

Thanks Man :shock:

Mister W

Hello
Well done on your weight loss. That's fantastic. I'm not sure I can offer any advice on the best frame to get but you need to look for wheels with a high spoke count. I'm sure most 36 spoke wheels will do the job but if you're worried then look for some tandem wheels, which will have 40+ spokes and will easily cope with whatever you can throw at them.

redddraggon

As I said previously the frames should hold your weight - afterall you're not buying a <6.8kg bike - the frames should be plenty strong.

But you might find the cheaper bikes to have imploding wheels, breaking spokes every 5mins, flexy/bars stems, and poorly working derailler systems. And I'm sure that using downtube shifters might put you off road bikes aswell.

TBH, I'd look at drop barred touring bikes - they're designed to take loads along with the rider, they also tend to be able to take wider tyres - I'm not sure I'd be after 23mm or 25mm tyres if I was 25st, as you'd probably have to the pressure in them so high to avoid snakebite punctures that they'd destroy any comfort that the bike would have.

Possibly look also at cyclocross bikes, they'll also have the required strength, and the tyre clearance, just be wary that some won't have fixings for water bottles or mudguards.

2tired2ride

What about a touring road bike? They are designed to be stronger and in a more comfortable position. It's just a thought but maybe it would suit you more?

(I think what you are doing is amazing, keep the updates and pictures coming)

lost_in_thought

Aha! Check out the 'rubbish roadie' in my sig - it's that but in blue.

I wouldn't buy it if you can afford something else - downtube shifters SUCK.

BIG TIME.

However, other than that it's pretty hardy. I've had it for nearly 2 years, and everything still works. All I've done is pumped up the tyres a couple of times and increased the cable tension to the front mech after it stopped shifting. I've probably done over 3000 miles on that thing.

However, try to get something without downtube shifters. Reaching down to change gear when you're working hard uphill is not fun. I can't emphasize this enough.

robbarker

I'd be looking at something like a Dawes Sardar until you've lost a bit more weight - stick to 26" wheels and 36 spokes minimum for now, buy yourself a nice 700c road bike as a reward when you reach your target.

greg66_tri_v2.0

redddraggon wrote:

As I said previously the frames should hold your weight - afterall you're not buying a <6.8kg bike - the frames should be plenty strong.

But you might find the cheaper bikes to have imploding wheels, breaking spokes every 5mins, flexy/bars stems, and poorly working derailler systems. And I'm sure that using downtube shifters might put you off road bikes aswell.

What's your budget? Whatever it is, you need to use it to buy something that will last. Easy as that.

So:
(1) plenty of road frames in steel or alu will be fine. Take a look at the Giants in alu.
(2) wheels are the next big thing. At your weight, I would root around for a wheelbuilder - they're not hard to find on t'internet. Tell him your weight and ask him for a pair of wheels - cheap as possible. The trick is to use lots of spokes, probably 32, use a good lacing pattern with some very strong spokes, and quite possibly solder or wire the spokes where they cross for added strength. Seriously, the wheels will take the brunt of your weight, so spend wisely there.
(3) brakes. You have a lot of mass and therefore a lot of momentum. Get the best brakes you can - Dura Ace if Shimano or Chorus differential if Campag. You can get these on ebay; there's no magic to them.

The rest of it should be fairly straightforward. You're going to flex the frame, so get used to it. But I reckon the drivetrain should be fine even if you spec 105/Mirage level bits.

Sooooo... in your position I'd look for a cheap second hand ebay complete bike, get some wheels made for you and retro fit some decent brakes.

You don't have to spend a fortune to put something together that's good, but if you start looking around the £100-£200 level, you'll end up spending more on replacing bits than if you'd bought the right stuff in the first place.

redddraggon

Greg66 wrote:

The trick is to use lots of spokes, probably 32,

Only 32? Personally I'd think at least 36, maybe even more........

greg66_tri_v2.0

redddraggon wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

The trick is to use lots of spokes, probably 32,

Only 32? Personally I'd think at least 36, maybe even more........

Yeah, possibly. I think the right spokes and lacing pattern is worth a lot.

alfablue

On the tourer theme, I reckon a Dawes Galaxy from Spa Cycles upgraded with some of their handbuilt wheels would be ideal - not cheap I am afraid, but it would probably last you for years. Or a Hewitt Cheviot, Paul Hewitt will spec the bike and build wheels to your exact needs.

Crapaud

lost_in_thought wrote:

Aha! Check out the 'rubbish roadie' in my sig - it's that but in blue.

LiT, I just clicked on your link to the 'rubbish roadie' and Zonealarm's blocked it with the message:
High Risk Website Warning! :shock:

It may just be the fact that it's a 'tinyurl', but I've never had probs with them betore.

nick hanson

The wheels would be the only real thing to worry about.
Some handbuilt 36 spoke,three cross spoke pattern should be the minimum (maybe talk to a specialist such as Paul Hewitt)
The Americans have a polite term for the larger cyclist,called the Clydesdale,i seem to remember.You could do a search for any useful info.
Don't think you have to be down to race weight to venture onto the road section of the forum.
When you read various postings such as times up various climbs,there is a full spread of ability.
Congrats on the weight loss,& do keep us posted on your progress.

Rich158

Greg66 wrote:

redddraggon wrote:

(2) wheels are the next big thing. At your weight, I would root around for a wheelbuilder - they're not hard to find on t'internet. Tell him your weight and ask him for a pair of wheels - cheap as possible. The trick is to use lots of spokes, probably 32, use a good lacing pattern with some very strong spokes, and quite possibly solder or wire the spokes where they cross for added strength. Seriously, the wheels will take the brunt of your weight, so spend wisely there.

I'd second the advice on wheels, I'm not sre about soldering the spokes where they cross though. Wheels do flex and if you solder or weld the spokes they may well rip themselves apart, as well as making it nigh on impossible to change a spoke of you break it.

I wouldn't go for anything over 32 spokes with a three cross pattern, anything more just adds weight for dimishing returns in strength. Find yourself a good wheel builder, a badly built 32 spoke wheel will still be weaker than a well built 20 spoke. i would recomend

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/

I've never had a bad wheel from them and they're pretty reasonable

lost_in_thought

Crapaud wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

Aha! Check out the 'rubbish roadie' in my sig - it's that but in blue.

LiT, I just clicked on your link to the 'rubbish roadie' and Zonealarm's blocked it with the message:
High Risk Website Warning! :shock:

It may just be the fact that it's a 'tinyurl', but I've never had probs with them betore.

Huh, well I never!

It's only a tinyURL to flickr...

Weird.

hisoka

Wow dude, congrats on the loss there.
I'm a larger rider (20+) and looking to loose it too. I've been looking to get a tourer myself actually, asked and advised they are stronger and more suitable for my weight/style of riding also.
And wheels, strong wheels I think is the other main advice I've had also. Handbuilt mavix a319 I think was the main one with DT spokes.