Larger rider looking for new bike

I'm looking for thoughts and advice on buying a new bike...
My specs: I'm heavy, but working on losing weight. I've also got big (heavy) breasts. I'm 5'5, and currently about 250lbs, but relatively active and fit. I exercise regularly (5-6 days/wk 60-90 min) and enjoy swimming, spinning, walking/hiking.
My current cycling experience: I ride an Electra cruiser around town. I also have a Bike-E recumbent that I ride with my SO for fun on bike paths. I spin 2-3 times per week, but have never done any serious or consistent road cycling.
How I plan to ride: I would like to train for, and ride in the AIDS/LifeCycle San Francisco to LA ride next June, which is 545mi in 7 days. This means that between now and next June, I'll be building up to longer and longer distances, with rides of 70 to 100 miles in the final month or two. After the event, I hope to continue to ride often, though probably distances under 50mi.
My concerns: Being as big as I am, I'm putting a lot of pressure on some fairly tender bits. While I intend to lose weight as part of my training process, realistically I expect to still be around 200lbs at the time of the event, and have some concerns that extended time in the saddle could be damaging. I'm confident in being able to build my leg and cardio strength, but I'm worried that I'll be too uncomfortable to make the longer rides, especially in the forward posture of a road bike. On the other hand, I've had several people advise me against a hybrid with flat bars for the kind of distance I'll be doing month or two before and during the event.

I've test ridden about 6 bikes, 2 more traditional "road" bikes, 4 "hybrids", most of which were women specific geometries. I need to make my mind up and buy a bike already, but I just don't feel confident about any of it. I'm looking to spend under $1K, and so far the Trek 7.5 fx WSD is the bike I've liked best.

I deeply appreciate any wisdom, advice, suggestions, experiences, and perspectives you care to share. TIA!
Teppi:confused:

Teppi,

Welcome to TE :)

This is not only the best place in cyberspace for women (and some men) riders but you will find a lot of ALC experience here (including myself :)) as well as many experienced multi-day tour riders of every sort.

This was a pretty good thread on picking a bike for a heavier rider.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=29427

More thoughts and links and stuff as I think of them.

There's plenty of time to find the perfect ALC bike. :D

Hi Teppi and welcome to TE. :)

I'm curious as to why you want to go with a traditional diamond frame rather than a recumbent. There are some pretty zippy and responsive recumbents that are excellent for distance riding. A bent bike offer better aerodynamic position, comfort in the seat, less strain on hands, wrists, elbows, neck and shoulders.

Have you considered a crank forward bent bike like the Rans Fusion?

If you prefer the other frame, I can suggest either a 'plush' bike or cyclocross bike with an adjustable stem and touring handlebars and a Brooks sprung saddle. Some people ride mountain bikes set up for touring as well.

Sundial is right! There are a lot of bents on ALC. If you like the 'bent, ride it to LA :)

How's it doing on your training rides or which of your current bikes do you train on?

Wanted to add, the Rans 4 man team won the RAAM this year. They rode this.

Hi Teppi and welcome!

I'm about your size and I ride a regular diamond frame bike. An Orbea Aqua Dama, to be exact. I questioned my LBS (Bike Gallery in the Portland area) about my weight and possible damage that might be caused on longer rides before I took the plunge and bought the bike. As I was getting fit for the bike, I asked again, and the fitter said that most bikes are built to take more weight than we think. My frame is aluminum and my fork is carbon. I have a Brooks B68 saddle and love it. I just rode 73 miles in a local supported ride yesterday. Yes, there were a few aches and pains associated with a hilly 73 mile ride, but I wasn't uncomfortable. The most important thing is fit. After you get your bike, spend the money on a professional fitting. It's worth every penny!

Hi Teppi,

There are a lot of larger women riding road bikes and doing well. Oxysback is one example. I weighed more myself too, though not as much currently. The road bike allows you to do the distance. The weight is mostly a factor on the climbing because the more weight you pedal up the hills, the slower you will be, and the slower your overall average speed will be.

Yeserday, with my cycling buddy, I did the same event ride as Oxysback. My GPS Garmin said there was 3354 feet of climbing. In 2007 I finished that ride with a 13.3 average. Yesterday I weighed a lot less and I finished the ride with an average of 14 mph, so you can see how the weight loss is effective for getting up the steep grades more quickly.

If you want to put in the distance, you will need a road bike. The right saddle will make you comfortable. I use the same Brooks saddle as Oxysback and I rarely experience any discomfort. Trust me, your weight won't be a factor on a road bike except for on the hills. Get fitted to the bike properly, have the right saddle, wear the right clothes, learn how to fuel yourself before, during and after the ride, and you will be able to do the distance.

Darcy

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Originally Posted by oxysback

The most important thing is fit. After you get your bike, spend the money on a professional fitting. It's worth every penny!

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Your bike must fit if you want to ride and enjoy ALC or any long multi day tour. Last night I ran into a member of the Yellow Jackets club who also shops at my fave LBS. We were bemoaning the demise of the Breast Cancer Bike Against the Odds ride which is not being held this year.

That one day ride has kicked my @zz each year and I've done 4 ALC's although must admit I've only ridden every mile but 10 on one of those.

She asked why I thought BAO is a harder ride. ALC is not that hard a ride in some senses. Yes there are hills, yes, they are tough, yes there are lots of them. But what fells riders is the back to back to backness of multi day touring. Ride a hard century, sleep in a tent, get up, do it again x 6. :rolleyes:

BAO is/was just TOUGH.

Things that are bothersome but minor on a short ride become irritating and painful on a long training ride are agonizing on a century and will land you in the medical tent on a multi day tour :(

Fit first, then buy the bike. In other words if you decide on a new steed rather than either of the bikes you have now find a shop and bike you love, have them fit you for that bike.

Don't buy a bike and spend your precious training time trying to get it to fit after the fact.

OTOH if the bikes you have fit and feel fine now, ride the bike you have and love. Nothing wrong with that. How are your training rides?

Sundial - I find my current recumbent uncomfortable after about an hour of riding, plus it's a pain to transport, so I've been looking at diamond frames.

I think the aspect that has me spooked is the more upright riding position of the flat bar hybrids I've looked at, vs. the more forward position of the curved bar road bikes I've tried. Leaning farther means lest wind resistance, but for me at this size, it's very uncomfortable. I don't mean just the strain on by back, or upper body. In that position there isn't a lot of clearance between my thighs and my body, and my boobs are in the way despite the steel belted sports bra. OTOH, while the more upright position is more comfortable, I'm concerned that as I add more milage, the increased wind resistance, and single grip position will become the greater limiting factor.

Maybe I'm over-thinking all this, and I just need to get something to start with, that has a good fitting basic geometry, and adjust as I go.

Thanks again, everyone. I appreciate the warm welcome.
Teppi

For that kind of mileage, it could take you a lot longer to get through it on a more upright bike instead of a road bike. Plus, you are right about having various hand positions at your disposal with drop bars.

If you don't want to buy a bike now for improving your fitness and losing weight and then have to buy another bike later to make long distance riding more enjoyable, then perhaps you can find a touring bike that you can set up into a relaxed position and then you can make it slightly more aggressive (bent over) down the road. Touring bikes are already have the most relaxed geometry of road bike styles, and they are built to hold a good amount of weight. You may find that the right saddle at the right angle will make all the difference, too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Teppi

....Leaning farther means lest wind resistance, but for me at this size, it's very uncomfortable. I don't mean just the strain on by back, or upper body. In that position there isn't a lot of clearance between my thighs and my body, and my boobs are in the way despite the steel belted sports bra.

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Found it. I knew we'd had a serious discussion of "boobage" on bikes ;)

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=2551

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Teppi

OTOH, while the more upright position is more comfortable, I'm concerned that as I add more milage, the increased wind resistance, and single grip position will become the greater limiting factor.

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If you like the hybrid and it fits you well there are lots of things to do for more hand positions. Wind resistance will not be that much of an issue but pressure on your butt vs pressure on your hands could be.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by aicabsolut

Touring bikes are already have the most relaxed geometry of road bike styles, and they are built to hold a good amount of weight. You may find that the right saddle at the right angle will make all the difference, too.

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I agree! Surly Long Haul Trucker comes to mind as well as the Cross Check.

I had the trek 7.5 and I hated it. I loved it when I first got it, but as a started to do more miles, it just got more uncomfortable. I just got a road bike and it is infinitely better. There are some nice road bikes in your price range. Two that come to mind or the orbea fleche (http://www.orbea-usa.com/fly.aspx?la...xid=57&pid=160) or jamis ventura (http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...turaracef.html)

mary

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mraguirre

I had the trek 7.5 and I hated it.
mary

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Oh no! I just upgraded my brand new 7200 WSD to the 7.5 last week. It hasn't arrived yet but I absolutely loved the test ride.

Hopefully I will not hate mine!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by graceomalley

Oh no! I just upgraded my brand new 7200 WSD to the 7.5 last week. It hasn't arrived yet but I absolutely loved the test ride.

Hopefully I will not hate mine!

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Not every body fits every bike. The perfect bike for one ride is another riders torture device. You might be fine. :D

There are many more things to confuse/consider when picking the right bike, and from my ALS experience and sponsoring tons of women who have done it here in Cali) there are many things to consider.

Each frame material will have a certain ride quality. Each will transmit vibration to your back and body more or less than another. Also, it's hard to generalize materials because of the new technologies in frame tubing etc. Steel is generally a nice option, but it's heavy and you generally do not find steel bikes off the rack with the quality components you might want.

Also, consider that the bike you buy now might not be the bike you own in 2 years... so buying a bike for your goals now will create a more comfortable and positive experience in achieving those, keeping you more motivated to be involved in cycling and excited about setting more and more goals for yourself!

I don't want to say one bike style is worse or better than another, because they are all valid, and that's entirely up to you! I can tell you on the ALS in Cali, there are some hills and an extended gearing range will allow you to feel confident tacking all of them!

If you have found a bike you like, and it sounds like it's a Trek performance hybrid, than you might want to go with that. It's a very valid, fast bike. As mentioned, there are many ways to add features for variable hand positions, but you aren't even worried about that yet... you need something you can get on, everyday (or so) and ride it. Your body will go through many changes to accommodate the new demands being placed upon it, and it will be sore but only get better.

A proper fit is key, but I might encourage you to get a bike that is the correct size, work with the sales person to adjust the saddle position and bar position, and then RIDE!

A majority of your riding on the ALS will be with other riders... since there are thousands. Wind resistance is less of a concern when you are in a line since the wind is being broken by the riders in front of you somewhat. I can guarantee if you got a bike with drop-bars (curved bars, ala road bike) you would never ride in the drops. This is the worst position for your back while it provides a very slight aero-dynamic advantage. For most of us, it's a disadvantage physically to fold ourselves into this position. :eek:

So, think of the ways to improve your quality of ride: shorts with a VERY GOOD chamois... a supportive seat (squishy seats seem appealing, but actually are less supportive than a proper-fitting one with less padding... your chamois will provide all of the support you need), proper saddle height and feeling good about your joy and pain!! Everyday you will be stronger, you will be faster, you will be one-day closer to riding 585 miles to LA!!

Sorry for the long post. ;)

Special thanks to Vanderkitten!! That was great input.

This weekend I did another round of shopping, and did some side by side comparisons of flat bar/hybrid style bikes, and curved bar road bikes. I stumbled across a sale at one of my LBSs (Mike's Bikes) and a woman there was very helpful, and had also done the ALS. She was good at helping me sort out whether the comfort/discomfort I felt on the different bikes was a function of the bike, or of my experience and confidence.

I decided on a Specialized Dolce Comp Triple. I probably would have been fine with the Elite (one level down), but decided that if I opted for the carbon rear stays, and 105 components now, I'd probably be happier with the bike longer. We are going to try swapping out the stem for one with a higher angle to start with so that I'm in a little more upright position. As I lose weight and get more confident on the bike, I can choose to swap the stem back. I also picked up a more forgiving saddle to use while I get my sits in shape, again figuring that I may elect to swap back to the original saddle when I'm in better road shape.

I'll get fully fitted later this week, and bring the bike home. Then I just need to find some beginner rides, and learn how to use the darn thing! :D

I really appreciate everyone's time and consideration!
Teppi :D

~~ sniff ~~

:: wipes away a tear of joy ::

I just love a happy ending!! Good riding to you!!