Yet another thread looking for first road bike advice

[kat_h]

I know a lot of people are asking about first bikes, and I've read through a lot of old topics, but I have a specific question I haven't seen addressed.

Are entry level road bikes (Giant OCR series, Trek 1000, etc) able to carry a heavy rider? I've heard a few people talk about problems with broken spokes, etc, as a result of overloading their paniers. I'm 100kg (220lbs), so probably more than most riders (and their paniers.) Eventually I will get a touring bike but it's not in the budget right now.

Are cyclocross bikes built sturdier? I've been thinking the bigger tires would be nice to have anyway since I have a habit of finding sections of road that aren't paved.

I'm not planning to do any racing, purely just commuting right now then in the summer some 2 day to 2 week camping trips. Is weight going to be a problem with a road bike?

[maillotpois]

As long as you're not going with ultra lightweight carbon and components, you should be fine. I think "entry level" by default isn't going to be ultra low weight. You may want wheels that are a bit more durable, more spokes, etc. - if you say you occasionally g on unpaved roads, wider wheels/cyclocross set up might be what you want anyway.

As I understand it, weight is often more of a factor for components than for frames. Really, SK is the one who knows a lot about and has researched this so I hope she sees this.

Moreover, 220 isn't that heavy.

We know a guy who's 350 easy, who rides a standard LeMond steel frame bike. I often worry about that bike, but it's held up fine.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Kat-h....hi!
I think your question is excellent. If you don't get a lot of replies to this thread, I actually would suggest that you retitle your thread (or start a new one) with a title more like "Road Bikes for heavier riders?"
There are many experienced riders here on the forums who are larger women and they may not check out a thread just asking for general road bike advice- but they would much more likely see and respond to your question if they catch the title. They have much excellent combined knowledge on the subject and I'm sure you'll get lots of good info!
Good luck and welcome to TE!

[Eden]

I doubt you have to be overly worried about your weight. Plenty of guys are heavier than you and do just fine on their light carbon racers. Broken spokes could become a problem if you load up a bike with light duty wheels for touring. (that's the only time my 200 lb husband has had a problem)

You will want to check out what you are going to purchase carefully considering how you want to use it. Many bikes marketed as sport bikes or road bikes these days don't have any eyelets for attaching a rack, so you'll automatically be limited away from the lightest raciest bikes if you want to do some loaded touring. A cross bike is a good choice for a light duty tourer. Most can take a rack and will come with sturdier wheels too. They also have a slightly more upright geometry that is popular with tourers, for day long comfort.

[firenze11]

I don't really have any advice considering weight and bikes as I am a newbie, too. It seems to me that it shouldn't be a problem.

I can put a vote in for cyclocross bikes, though. I really wanted a road bike, but living in a rural area like I do means there are a lot of cruddy roads and dirt roads. I opted for a Kona Jake and have found a lot of freedom on the rides I have been on. I even found and explored some trails in the woods that a road bike wouldn't dare go on. There's a lot of versatility, you can always add on skinnier tires. I have one on the back now while I ride the trainer. That being said, I still want a road bike someday. There's an allure about them.

I'm sure you're going to get a lot of good info from some much more experienced/knowledgeable women here. But that's my .02

[kat_h]

Thanks for the advice, and for everyone telling me to not worry about it. Since I have no interest in racing I won't be tempted towards lightweight components, so it sounds like I should be okay. Are there any types of wheels that are particularly sturdier than others?

I still honestly haven't wrapped my head around the idea of buying a bike. Over the last few years I've been finding bikes in dumpsters, fixing them up, riding them for a few months, then selling them when I find a better one. I've had 3 beater mountain bikes that I've ridden a fair bit, and 3 10-speeds from the 80s which I couldn't ride because the frames weren't even close to the right size. I'm finally starting to admit that getting the bike I want will involve shopping, and that's just something I'm not used to. I've managed to avoid a lot of decisions by riding literally whatever I found.

[kat_h]

I can put a vote in for cyclocross bikes, though. I really wanted a road bike, but living in a rural area like I do means there are a lot of cruddy roads and dirt roads. I opted for a Kona Jake and have found a lot of freedom on the rides I have been on. I even found and explored some trails in the woods that a road bike wouldn't dare go on. There's a lot of versatility, you can always add on skinnier tires. I have one on the back now while I ride the trainer. That being said, I still want a road bike someday. There's an allure about them.

A quick update to this thread - I finally test-rode a Jake yesterday and I think I'm in love. I went into a shop on Saturday because a friend had recommended it. The guy there spents lots of time asking me about what I wanted, what sort of riding I do now, what I want to do, what kind of bike I have now. Then he pulled out a Jake and had me just stand over it. It was a 52 cm and the bar was right up to me, so he got a 49 cm, had me stand over it again, then lift it up so he could see how much room there was. Then he had me sit on it, then get off while he adjusted the seat, then get back on, and then he talked about the stem length. Then he suggested a test-ride. I said no because my husband was in the car and I wasn't dressed for it. He told me to come back when I had some time.

On Sunday I went back. I rode my current bike (which is junk and doesn't fit me) over to the shop. About 10 k into the ride my back and left shoulder were hurting. That's pretty standard for me. It was 15 K total to the shop and by the time I got there I was fairly sore. I started thinking that riding over there was a bad idea because since I already hurt I wouldn't be able to judge the new bike. Even standing hurt. When I got on the Jake everything stopped hurting. It felt really, really good. I rode around a bit, went back and asked some questions, then rode around a bit more. The roads were basically covered in slush and ice and the knobby tires did as good as my mountain bike. Normally hills are trouble for me. I have to get into the granny gears and usually end up walking. I found a hill and went right up without struggling and still had gears to spare. When I finally went back to the shop I couldn't stop grinning. The guy told me that once I get the bike I should plan on coming back every week or so at first so they can keep adjusting the fit while I get used to riding something that isn't a mountain bike. He also said he wants to get me clipped in and put me in a trainer and work on technique stuff.

So, bring me back to reality for a second and let me know if there's anything I should be thinking about that I haven't. I'm planning to do a lot of short (3 day, maybe 1 week) tours this summer but staying in hostels so not carrying too much gear. I do believe this bike will do that. Next summer I'm hoping to do a 2 or 3 week tour, either to the Yukon or north of Winnipeg. If I get into much more than that I'll start looking at steel frame touring bikes, but for now are there any others under $1000 that I should be looking at?

Also what other questions should a newbie be asking the staff in the shop?

[RoadRaven]

I'm 100kg (220lbs), so probably more than most riders (and their paniers.)

Hi Kat

When I first started riding at the end of October 2005 I was about 115kg
My first bike was an Avanti Black Thunder (mountain bike)
My first road bike was a Scorpio RA

When I first started racing in April 2006 I weighed 112kg.
I began racing on the Scorpio, but my partner had bought me a Giant TCR2 in March as the Scorpio frame was a tad big for me and I raced on that and passed the Scorpio onto my son.

In November 2006 I weighed about 108kg and my partner bought me a women's specific race bike - an EMC2 Femmetape road bike, which is my road race bike. My Giant TCR2 is now set up specifically as my time trial bike.

As of the start of this year I weigh 99kg, and hope to be down to 90kg by the end of the year (this will make it easier to get up hills).

I guess what I am trying to say is that most bikes will handle girls our size with no problem. Frames that have weight restrictions will say so. The others who have already responded are saying the same thing - your weight should pose no probs unless you decide for an uber-lightweight frame for racing - and you have already stated that you don't want to race (at this point ).

The only issue I have had problems with are wheels (a point Eden has already mentioned).
My partner bought me a beautiful set of Grammo Vipers for my birthday last year, but they have a weight limit of 90kg on them and my weight loss is soooo slow and steady (like the proverbial tortoise) that I still can't ride them However, he uses my Grammos in time trials and I use his tri-spokes, and all is sweet.

Enjoy your shopping - hunting for the right bike is so much fun.

[lauraelmore1033]

Are cyclocross bikes built sturdier? I've been thinking the bigger tires would be nice to have anyway since I have a habit of finding sections of road that aren't paved.

I was told that cyclocross bikes are not only sturdier, but that they have a wider wheel base and less "agressive" geometry than a regular road bike, which apparently means that a heavy rider isn't sitting right on top of the rear axle, stressing out the spokes (again, this is just what I was told). I would confirm that my cyclocross bike (a Specialized Tri cross sport) is indeed the sturdiest bike I've had so far. I've put in 1500 miles so far without any broken spokes (or wheels) or drivetrain problems. I'm considerably heavier than you are, so this was a problem with my first two bikes. I'd also point out that the brakes are beefier and much more effective and the wider wheels do give any rider more options as far as riding surfaces go. Also, the gearing runs to the low range, which is important for getting those extra pounds over hills comfortably. Much as I love this bike, I do have to report that it just isn't as zippy as the regular road bike, however. As the others have said, You're not *that* heavy. Just get yourself a bike that fits you and that thrills you when you ride it!

[kat_h]

First thank you to everyone who says I'm not that heavy. I don't normally think of myself as heavy, but there are some really small people out on the bike paths. I guess the guys who were breaking spokes either really overloaded their panniers or had really bad wheels.

I'm going to go to Bow Cycle on Sunday and have a look at everything there. Will report back on Monday!

[sundial]

I don't normally think of myself as heavy, but there are some really small people out on the bike paths.

Not everyone is meant to be a greyhound.

I take pleasure in knowing that I'm working on my bone density.

TE'ers are very supportive here and they will be happy to answer your questions regarding bike choices. My first road bike was a Terry. Then I graduated to a Specialized Sequoia. I like having relaxed geometry because it's very comfortable and the more comfortable I am, the more likely I will ride it.