Newbie bike for a tall rider

bigharj

I am 6ft 7in tall and weigh 19st and have been looking for a first road bike upto £750. Looking around it appears a 61cm bike would do the job.

My main concern is that websites do not specify whether bikes will take mudguards, as I want to ride in a group and all yar round. Everything else is really a blur and I suppose over the next year or so I will build up an idea of what an ideal bike is for me.

Oh it would be nice if it were in White!

Any ideas?

Harj

whitebait01

I'm 6'6" and started on a 60cm Ridgeback Horizon. Ended up with a 64cm Ribble Audax, more comfortable and better fitting. It's blue, rather than white, but it'll take (indeed, comes supplied with) mudguards. £750'd get you the Tiagra groupset version with some left over, or alternatively you could chuck and extra £50 in and get the 105 groupset version...

bigharj

My LBS has advised me to stay away from road bikes as he fears the 23mm tyres will not be able to cope with my weight. I weigh 19st however having asked my other LBS they advise that they have had heavier riders without any problems.

Before I spend my pennies, has anybody got any advice or experience in this matter. I have been measured for a 64cm frame.

Thanks

MichaelW

I think your LBS has a point. Heavy, newbie riders tend to be harder on their bikes than experts. A fatter tyre, 28-32mm will be more comfortable, protect your bike from impacts and the weight is not an issue for you. Audax style roadbike can usually fit 28mm+ mudguards. Touring bikes for 32mm+guards.
You should also consider strong wheels: the std 32spoke wheel is OK but there is no harm in using a touring style 36 spoke for extra strength.
Check out the Ribble winter trainer, they do a-la-carte bike builds. Ask about the strongest wheel they can supply. You also need 175mm cranks (at least, 180mm are better) and possibly wider bars and longer stem to fit.

bigharj

Thanks for the reply, a very detailed insight.

I will start to 'build' my Ribble.

Martin818

Definitely go and sit on some and if possible get a proper fit session. I've just bought a bike mail order and sizing is a nightmare - frame geos are all over the place - just look how short the Ribble top tubes are relative to C-T.

My advice - buy local.

bigharj

I've been to a few bike shops and nobody stocks a large bike and even the 64cm frame I am remotely interested in is aval. Jan 2013.

It has been quite a nightmare trying to get a bike to meet my requirements. I am used to this as I simply never get anything 'stock'. After quite a few days of research I think the Ribble Audax 7005 fits the bill.

It is easily within budget and will eventually become my winter bike. I can test out both racing and touring rims with this bike something I cannot do with say a Trek 1.5.

My eventual aim is to get a decent road bike once I have lost some weight and have the confidence in 23mm tyres and racing rims.

I may even take the trip to Ribble (Preston) to check for fit they are about 2 hours drive from me.

whitebait01

The Ribble's a good choice! Only issue with it, is you'll struggle to get tyres over 23 (poss. 25mm?) to fit with mudguards on it. If you're willing to go without mudguards then I think you'll get 28s on there easily.

I wouldn't worry too much about 23s. When I started I was 17st and rode on 25s (Schwalbe Durano +). Haven't noticed a huge difference now I'm 14st and on 23s. There really isn't that much of a performance drop with 25s and they'll be a little more comfortable (in my experience).

bigharj

I contacted Ribble and was appaled with the level of service I received, as simple email saying sorry cannot supply a bike for your height requirements.

My other LBS (Leisurelakes) have confirmed that the Trek 1.5 will take tyres up to 28mm and that there are no user weight limits in the warranty. They are of the opinion that the stock tyres will be able to accommodate my weight as a number of heavy weight (20st+) mountain bikers have cross over to road bikes without any issues.
Anyway if they don't cope I can get a wider tyre.

One last question...I have seen a Cube Peloton 2011 and want to know whether this can support wider tyres. It's just that the Peloton is a 'hot' looking bike, I can hear the purists saying WTF but looks are important when you're ignorant about performance.