07-04-2004, 12:22 PM
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#46 (permalink)
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| | Re: Big Guy
Hi. Ken... I'm 57 years old and was 348 pounds as of March 04... I'm now
295... I originally had a 1994 Bridgestone Chromoly frame, standard all the
way and it is still in good shape. I broke 4 spokes in 10 years. I
averaged about 6 miles a day (Spring, Summer Fall and "good days" in winter"
I bought a "Specialized Expedition" in July, last year - 26 inch tires...
comfortable but weighs too much, imo. The seat suspension post didn't hold
up it was replaced with a non-suspension one, which noticeably made the ride
"stiff" I took the bike back to the shop and insisted that I wanted a
suspension post instead of the one they gave me. I'm waiting for that
order to come in at this time. In the mean time, I bought another bike
(last week) It's a "Marin, Kentfield" - bottom of the line ($299), chromoly
frame, 700c wheels, has no suspension forks but does have a suspension
seatpost. I had the shop swap the handlebar stem for an "adjustable."
I've been riding it hard for the past 7 days (12-17 miles a day, which is a
lot for me!) and nothing has broke yet. My local bike shop says, if
anything does break, they will replace the part... it's under warrantee for
on year. I figure, "what the heck" by the time the warrantee expires, I'll
be down to 230 pounds and won't be breaking anything. Frankly, I doubt
that anything will break; I don't "pull wheelies" or jump curbs, just ride
on the street, and a very good 20+ mile bike path.
The "Marin, Kentwood" is a nice light-weight bike. I'm using it as my
exercise bike. I put a speedometer on it ($16) and that tells me how fast
I'm going and what distance, as well as some other stats. My "Specialized
Expedition," is set-up for night riding (10 watt, rechargeable light, spoke
reflectors, taillight), and my "Bridgestone Trailblazer" has a milk carton
clamped on a rear rack. I use that for grocery shopping. Who, needs a car?
 ). Good luck!
Glenn
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