Larger rider looking for new bike

[Trek420]

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

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.

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?

[Teppi]

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

[aicabsolut]

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.

[sundial]

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.

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

[abejita]

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

[graceomalley]

I had the trek 7.5 and I hated it.
mary

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!

[Trek420]

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!

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

[Trek420]

....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.

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

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

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.

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.