Re: Bike for big AND tall person - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

07-16-2003, 05:23 AM

I can respond to the "big" @ 5'11" tall, 250 lbs of rider + 35 lbs
touring gear.
I have had good luck with Trek AL & Cannondale AL MB bikes and frames.

Wheels were my problem as the rest of the various stock componets held
up just fine.

I have commuted to work for three years and both frames held up well.
I started with my Cannondale MB (year one) and then purchased a Trek
MB as a dedicated commuter bike so I could return the Cannondale to
dedicated off road duty.
The 36 spoke wheels on both bikes were initially troublesome within a
short period of time. I purchased and assimilated the "Bicycle Wheel"
book and built both new commuter MB wheels and then rebuilt the old MB
wheels as well.
The new commuter wheels are Shimano XT hubs to Mavic rims, 36 hole
with double butted spokes assembled with blue Loctite. 2" slick city
tires with Kevlar are holding up well after 4000 miles. I believe the
Loctite was the key as both the new and rebuilt old wheels have now
remained true and sound. On the commuter I did swap out the long HB
stem to a shorter one with a bit of rise and added Aero style
"Longhorns" as bar ends. The postion is more upright and I have a
comfy aero for the flats and such.

I have toured on the commuter bike and enjoyed it very much. The
gearing is great and it is like rolling thunder on the downhills.
Stable and durable and comfortable to say the least. Quite a few
friends have tried it and were suprised how it handled given the
weight it carried.

Ben

07-16-2003, 06:47 AM

<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> The new commuter wheels are Shimano XT hubs to Mavic rims, 36 hole
> with double butted spokes assembled with blue Loctite. 2" slick city
> tires with Kevlar are holding up well after 4000 miles. I believe the
> Loctite was the key as both the new and rebuilt old wheels have now
> remained true and sound.

I don't think Locktite is necessary, and (from recent experience) it is a PITA
when it comes time to replace a worn rim. Locktite makes wheel truing
difficult, without necessarily also making it unlikely. Sufficiently tightened
spokes won't unscrew, even on the left rear, which is the only potential
trouble spot.

07-16-2003, 03:00 PM

I have had excellent luck with my Gary Fisher Tarpon. (non suspension)

Personally I feel that unless you get a "REAL" suspension, all you are going
to do on the "lightweight" suspension is bottom em out.

Stick with steel, non suspension....