Big lad wanting his first road bike... Advice please.

kn0bby

Hi Guys..

After some advice, want to get back into cycling to get fit and have an interest.. I currently own a Scott Reflex 40 mountain bike that I've been using to get out with my pal who has just purchased his first racing road bike. Have found it really tricky keeping up, changed to road tyres (Continental Ultra Gator), and although these have helped i'm still way behind. I've not been cycling for 2-3 years since getting back into it I know I want to get a racer to keep up with my pal.

As the title says, I am a big lad was just over 18 stone about 6-8 weeks ago, I am now 16 1/2 stone after going on a no carb diet and looking to shift a lot more weight by getting back into cycling. I'm 6 foot tall.

I want to buy a racer on the cycle to work scheme, can anyone recommend a bike for me? Something thats going to be up to holding my weight. I am looking to spend up to £1500.

Thanks

Dave

carrock

All bikes will be fine. also, at the cheaper end of the market, all the wheels should be fine. Only some high end expensive wheels have weight limits. Just buy a bike that fits properly.

16 stone is nothing to worry about at all.

ALaPlage

A friend of mine was in a similar situation to you last year he was riding a Cube mountain bike and could not keep up with me on my road bike although at the time we were probably of similar fitness. Certainly similar weight at around 161/2 stone.

I had been riding a Boardman which was fantastic and really got me hooked back into cycling however treated myself to a Trek Madone 5.9 bought used via Cycling Weekly classifieds and haven't looked back.

My friend had C2W option and purchased a 2009 Pinarello FP2 with 105 groupset paying £1200. He loves the bike and it made an immediate difference on the road in terms of keeping up which backs up that we believed fitness and strength levels to be similar and it was the bike that was holding him back.

Lots of good bikes out there that will suit you and it is the same basic boring advice - go out and see what fits you and what you like within your budget.

If Shimano gearing is your preference I would advise Tiagra or 105 as although there is nothing wrong with Sora the gear change system on Tiagra and above is easier to use for most in changing gear from the drops. However each to their own and the only way you can suss what suits you is to go to a bike shop and have a try.

Cannondale supersix 105 is at the top of your budget and is a great bike but plenty of choice around £1200 for a bike with 105 groupset.

Enjoy the search and enjoy your riding.

fludey

Just as a note for you I to was 18stone and I have been riding an Orbea Aqua with no issues at all and have been riding this since last summer, no issues with wheels, pedals, bottom bracket or anything.
I was a bit concerned swapping from my MTB as well but it has held up just fine.

nicked

I had to change my wheels as i kept pinging the spokes other than that i've had no probs(fulcrum 7s)

fat lad in lycra

i weighed 21st 10lbs and bought a cheap claud butler san remo 2010 and ive never had a problem from it, im now down to 19st 5lbs and use a cannondale caad8 sora which i bought new for £450 so with £1500 i'd buy a cheaper bike and spend the rest on road gear, shoes etc, but at your weight you should have no problems with any bike

navrig

Keep some of that £1500 back for the extras:

tight shorts,
jerseys,
shoes,
sunglasses,
helmet,
gloves,
wind cheater,
bottle cage (negotiate when buying),

and so on.

kn0bby

Thanks for all the advice... Much appreciated.

Is my budget high for a first bike? I wanted to spend the max I could afford on the cycle to work scheme so I could upgrade in a year and the bike still be worth a decent amount.

I've seen a few bikes I like the look of, but like everyone has suggested I need to go jump on a few and to see how they fit.

carrock

kn0bby wrote:

Thanks for all the advice... Much appreciated.

Is my budget high for a first bike? I wanted to spend the max I could afford on the cycle to work scheme so I could upgrade in a year and the bike still be worth a decent amount.

I've seen a few bikes I like the look of, but like everyone has suggested I need to go jump on a few and to see how they fit.

If you're positive you'll keep cycling, spend as much as you can afford

I wasted a lot of time and money buying cheap bikes and constantly wanting a better one

unixnerd

Personally I'd not spend 1500 on a bike if I were you. Until you learn a bit about road bikes you won't know what you want from a higher end bit of kit. I'd spend 800 max and look to keep it for a year or two then upgrade. Personally I tend to buy second hand on ebay / gumtree, a lot of folk buy a nice bike then never use it so there are bargains to be had!

For 500 quid this Cannondale is superb value:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 3114&rs=gb
It's cheap as it's last year's model. You might find similar deals on a Specialized Allez if you shop around. Either is a great starter bike.

If you want to spend more look for a Cannondale CAAD9 with Tiagra, should be under 1k and gets rave reviews (I have the older CAAD5 and love it).

Once you're used to the bike get some SPD shoes and pedals, well worth it.

kn0bby

The reason why I don't mind spending more is because it should only cost me 50% of the bikes value on the cycle to work scheme. So realistically a £1400 bike is only going to cost me £60 ish pounds a month out my pay packet, which seems great value..

I've been looking at this one..
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/pinarello-fp2-carbon-105-2010/

unixnerd

You can't spend more than 1k on C2W bike, it's against the rules I'm afraid.

kn0bby

unixnerd wrote:

You can't spend more than 1k on C2W bike, it's against the rules I'm afraid.

If the employer wants to supply bikes costing over £1000 (retail price including VAT) they will need to purchase an individual Consumer Credit Licence, so many employers limit the package value to £1000 inc. VAT.

Straight from the C2W website... I'm pretty sure our company has that license so it shouldn't be a problem.

Stuy-b

2 bikes and £4500 is the max limit on C2W if your employer has a higher lending license

kn0bby

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/focus-cayo-105-ltd-2011/

This one looks nice and gets some great reviews.. might be a better value for my first bike too..

The Jack

Link didn´t work for me so I wasn´t able to check out the specs. Anyway make sure that the saddlepost is sturdy enough for a heavy rider if it´s made from carbon. The carbon ones sometimes carry a weight limit. Same goes for a carbon stem and bars (unlikely to be found on a bike in your chosen priceframe).
Otherwise your weight is absolutely no problem. I was about five stone heavier when I bought my first roadbike.

navrig

Depending on your scheme you may not be able to sell after only 2 years.

There appears to be 2 options open to schemes at the end of the initial 12 month hire period:

1. Ownership transfers to the renter for an agreed fee and the HMRC hit you for a hefty taxable benefit in kind. This completely screws up your 50% cost saving reducing it to less than 20% I think.

or

2. You and the scheme agree to extend the hire period by a further 3 years for a nominal fee (about £50-70). At the end of the further 3 years the bike becomes yours and the HMRC regard its residual value to be so low that they do not try and tax you on the benefit. However during those additional 3 years the bike is not yours to sell. It still belongs to your employer through the scheme.


Just be aware. Unlikely you will get caught but if you are, then you have a small problem.

Thebigbee

unixnerd wrote:

Personally I'd not spend 1500 on a bike if I were you. Until you learn a bit about road bikes you won't know what you want from a higher end bit of kit. I'd spend 800 max and look to keep it for a year or two then upgrade. Personally I tend to buy second hand on ebay / gumtree, a lot of folk buy a nice bike then never use it so there are bargains to be had!

For 500 quid this Cannondale is superb value:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 3114&rs=gb
It's cheap as it's last year's model. You might find similar deals on a Specialized Allez if you shop around. Either is a great starter bike.

If you want to spend more look for a Cannondale CAAD9 with Tiagra, should be under 1k and gets rave reviews (I have the older CAAD5 and love it).

Once you're used to the bike get some SPD shoes and pedals, well worth it.

I agree with this post completely. Even if I was included in the cycle to work scheme I would shop around and spend about half of that. As others have said, there are lots of extras to consider.

The other thing I would point out is if you go for a £1500 bike now - like the Carbon you mentioned - a step up from that is likely to cost you double that.

I got into road cycling at the beginning of the year, upgrading from a mountain bike, with a second hand Scott Sportster p6 2010 for £170.

That got nicked and needed another bike so picked up a Scott Sub 30 2010 for £300.

With the insurance I got from my first Scott bike that got nicked I bought a Spesh Allez 2011 - that cost £589.99.

Long and short I have spent about £800 all in with extras like computers, lights, tyres etc and I have 2 great bikes.

The Scott is my everyday bike and I think cracking and love hacking it. Did 50 miles on it the other day and only problem was sore balls!

The Spesh is my fairweather bike and again is great. I am no slouch but when I am out on that I still get overtaken by "serious" riders that want a race and I just can't keep up.

It's nothing to do with the bike - more my fitness level.

Personally I'd feel a bit of a knob if I had an amazing bike but not the engine to power it but it's your choice.

If I felt the need, and had the means to spend £1500 on a bike then I would be pretty confident in my cycling and could regularly do 70+ miles on it.

HTH

Butterd2

kn0bby wrote:

Thanks for all the advice... Much appreciated.

Is my budget high for a first bike? I wanted to spend the max I could afford on the cycle to work scheme so I could upgrade in a year and the bike still be worth a decent amount.

I've seen a few bikes I like the look of, but like everyone has suggested I need to go jump on a few and to see how they fit.

£1500 is what I spent on my first road bike (Scott CR-1) and it has served me well. I am 16-17st and it has had no problems with the weight. I have upgraded bits and pieces from time to time but having bought what is a very good frame there is no need to ditch it to buy something else later.
Ultimately it is all about what £1500 means to you, to some people they could not imagine spending that on a car to others they will spend that on a bottle of Crystal only you know where you sit in that range.
If you can afford it then go for it otherwise you will spend £800 on a bike and still end up wishing you had something else. It will not make you go faster but it will make you feel better.

Thebigbee

Butterd2 wrote:

[quote="kn0bby"
If you can afford it then go for it otherwise you will spend £800 on a bike and still end up wishing you had something else. It will not make you go faster but it will make you feel better.

Amen. But will it?

Will it make you feel better when you meet up with the people who think you are a complete amateur with more money than sense and they are whizzing past you in the saddle?

I reiterate my point - I could have the best bike that money could buy, I'd feel embarrassed to be getting smashed by people who had a bike that was worth half or less than mine.

I'd just feel like a ponce, but I guess it is each to his own.

That's my opinion only. I'd only spend that if I could do 70+ miles and keep up - maintaining an average of around 18-20 mph (at least) that whole distance.

You have to be pretty damn fit to do that!!

Your choice....

solboy

carrock wrote:

kn0bby wrote:

Thanks for all the advice... Much appreciated.

Is my budget high for a first bike? I wanted to spend the max I could afford on the cycle to work scheme so I could upgrade in a year and the bike still be worth a decent amount.

I've seen a few bikes I like the look of, but like everyone has suggested I need to go jump on a few and to see how they fit.

If you're positive you'll keep cycling, spend as much as you can afford

I wasted a lot of time and money buying cheap bikes and constantly wanting a better one

+1 and still learning from my mistakes

unixnerd

I'd just feel like a ponce, but I guess it is each to his own.

That's a bit harsh. I'd not judge anybody just because they had a nice bike and were new to cycling. One day I'll be a lot less able to cycle than I am now but I'll still want a nice bike.

carrock

The only thing I notice being 16-17 stone is that my bottom bracket starts creaking every 6 months or so and needs replaced. About the only symptom. Wheels and bike will be fine

kn0bby

Thanks for all your replies guys...

Ok, i've reduced my budget to £1000.

and I think its between the Cube 2011 Attempt and the Focus Cayo 105. I just need to sit on each one now to see which one is more comfortable. Finding people who stock both is interesting..

joe1966

If you have not seen already - I highly recommend you read Gav's blogs. Google "39 Stone cyclist". You may find him very inspirational.

Joe

kn0bby

Jesus he's lost some weight. I have got that much weight to shift but it certainly shows you if he can do it anyone can.

Im getting very close to 16 stone now but it's really slowed up. I'm trying to get out on the mountain bike at least 3 times a week, 10 miles each time. I do that in about 40 minutes. When I get the racer I'd like to be doing 15-20 miles 3 times a week in under an hour, not sure how possible that is but that's my target.

Work have finally agreed to sign up to C2W, not sure how long the sign up process starts but fingers crossed I'll be up and on a racer soon!

bakerstreet

ALaPlage wrote:

If Shimano gearing is your preference I would advise Tiagra or 105 as although there is nothing wrong with Sora the gear change system on Tiagra and above is easier to use for most in changing gear from the drops. However each to their own and the only way you can suss what suits you is to go to a bike shop and have a try.

I'd avoid things with the Sora Shifters. They feel pretty poor in comparrison to the Tiagra shifters. £1000 should get you something with a 105 group set.

As others have said, go and sit on a few thnigs. Its worth a visit to yor local Evans Cycles shop as they usually have a large variety if its a big shop.

Don't forget to budget £200-£250 for accessiesies if you dont all ready have them.

I'd advise setting £100 aside for a set of pedals and MTB shoes. Makes a huge difference.

Avanti Roman

Both great bikes but I'd be tempted to go for the Focus as it has 32 spoke wheels and 25c tyres (cube has 24/20 spokes and narrower 23c tyres) so they should be a bit stronger.

The slightly wider tyres will also be less susceptible to pinch flats for a heavier rider.

Secteur

Budget for non-bike stuff (pedals, shoes, clothes, accessories).

Whatever figure you budget - triple it.

Seriously.

I spent £1k on my bike recently, and easily another £1k on all the accessories (the Garmin 800 was a big chunk of that).

PS, look at the 2010 Secteur Comp - £1k price tag, a racer/road bike but noted for it's relative comfort, and it should have been £1300 new - it's the one I bought, and still available if you search. It's has carbon forks and full Shimano 105 groupset (although the brakes are crap Tektro's - I upgraded them myself for £40 to 105's + £20 kool-stop pads to **massive** benefit). Plus it's black with a bit of white, so looks cool!

unixnerd

I'd avoid things with the Sora Shifters. They feel pretty poor in comparrison to the Tiagra shifters. £1000 should get you something with a 105 group set.

105 is great, I have it on my road bike. But there's nothing wrong with Sora for a tourer. It shifts positively and it's reliable. I'd say the thumb buttons are nicer than 105 if you spend a lot of time on the hoods - which you will on a tourer. If I were to ever replace my tourer I think I'd stick to Sora for the new one.

kn0bby

Avanti Roman wrote:

Both great bikes but I'd be tempted to go for the Focus as it has 32 spoke wheels and 25c tyres (cube has 24/20 spokes and narrower 23c tyres) so they should be a bit stronger.

The slightly wider tyres will also be less susceptible to pinch flats for a heavier rider.

Yeah I like the Focus, but looks like only Wiggle do it in the UK so I cannot go and look and sit on one locally and If i do the C2W scheme they will not allow the 7 day return period. I really like the look of the Cube, but was just my concerned on the wheels. However my current mountain bike is just a standard bike and i've never had any problems, I guess the mountain bike wheels are build stronger in the first place.

With regards to accessories, I will start off with what i have with standard pedals to start with. I know I need to look at clip ons but I want to get used to the bike before I start pedals etc.

It looks like thr 105's are the best option, so pleased both bikes come with then.