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OrangeUte · 07-07-2008, 04:37 PM

I am wanting to get into the street bike scene and commute to work on the days that I don't have to meet with clients, etc. I am 6'4" 235-240 lbs... any suggestions on a good bike that i could invest in?

Thanks!

MikeWaters · 07-07-2008, 04:39 PM

what's a street bike?

Do you mean mountain bike, hybrid, road bike, cruiser?

You probably want a hybrid or a road bike. There is no one bike that is perfect. Go to a bike shop and check it out.

Archaea · 07-07-2008, 04:40 PM

I'd go to the local bike shop, to buy a Trek or Giant or Specialized frame. You may also consider a mountain bike frame with road wheels.

MikeWaters · 07-07-2008, 04:42 PM

I have a friend who rides all the time at about that weight, but slightly shorter, and he uses a titanium bike (one of the expensive ones, can't remember which) with Kysrium wheels.

But I doubt a first-time bike buyer would want to spend the $ for titanium.

creekster · 07-07-2008, 04:46 PM

Are you going to ride off road? At all? If not, do not get a mountain bike. You don't need it and it is not descigend to do what you want it to do.

Go to a bike shop or maybe a place like REI (where they have bike guys that work there;not just guys that also work on bikes, but guys that only work on bikes) and ask for their commuter bikes and their touring frames.

I commute on a touring frame. I am a short but wide clydesdale (you can figure that out) and the touring frame is perfect. It is sturdy, as it is intended to be ridden with a large load; it has all the brazeons needed for racks, front and back; it has larger but still road appropriate tires; it has sturdier wheels; it has freidnly gearing, designed to allow climbing with panniers and rack bags crammed full of clothes, food and camping gear.

Some examples: Surly Long Haul Trucker; Cannondale"T" series. There are others.

If you have some cash to spend, consider a custom frame. If you think you might like that, look at somebody like Bruce Gordon and then study from there.

This having been said, a touring frame is not a fast road bike and definitely not a racer. SO if you need somehtign for more than commuting or fitness rides, you might want something esle.

OrangeUte · 07-07-2008, 05:01 PM

i am just looking for a commuter and for a fitness bike. only roads, i'm not interested right now in a mountain bike. also, i'm not looking to set a speed record, but i don't want a huffy that is a p.o.s. either! thanks for the tips - i am also wondering what size i need. my inseam is 35", and i thought i read somewhere that the size bike frame is based on the inseam length.

creekster · 07-07-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeUte

i am just looking for a commuter and for a fitness bike. only roads, i'm not interested right now in a mountain bike. also, i'm not looking to set a speed record, but i don't want a huffy that is a p.o.s. either! thanks for the tips - i am also wondering what size i need. my inseam is 35", and i thought i read somewhere that the size bike frame is based on the inseam length.

I assure the touring frames I am talking about are not a huffy-esque POS. Fraem fit depends on a lot fo things. You can't do that on-line. You need to go to a comeptent shop and find out what fits and ideally you should also ride the size to make sure you like it.

Btw, while I am no racer, I very, very rarely get passed on the ride home. A touring frame is fine for fast recreational riding.

OrangeUte · 07-07-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creekster

I assure the touring frames I am talking about are not a huffy-esque POS. Fraem fit depends on a lot fo things. You can't do that on-line. You need to go to a comeptent shop and find out what fits and ideally you should also ride the size to make sure you like it.

Btw, while I am no racer, I very, very rarely get passed on the ride home. A touring frame is fine for fast recreational riding.

creekster and all, gracias for the helpful advice! like investing in so many things, there are a lot of options out there and i don't want to throw money away on something that won't ultimately give me what i want!

MikeWaters · 07-07-2008, 05:22 PM

What's your budget.

My first bike was a KHS steel road bike. They are pretty cheap. And mine didn't break.

OrangeUte · 07-07-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

What's your budget.

My first bike was a KHS steel road bike. They are pretty cheap. And mine didn't break.

i am looking for around $1500.

07-07-2008, 04:37 PM	#1
OrangeUte Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 748	Suggestions I am wanting to get into the street bike scene and commute to work on the days that I don't have to meet with clients, etc. I am 6'4" 235-240 lbs... any suggestions on a good bike that i could invest in? Thanks!

07-07-2008, 04:40 PM	#3
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	I'd go to the local bike shop, to buy a Trek or Giant or Specialized frame. You may also consider a mountain bike frame with road wheels. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα Last edited by Archaea; 07-07-2008 at 04:44 PM.

07-07-2008, 04:46 PM	#5
creekster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: the far corner of my mind Posts: 8,711	Are you going to ride off road? At all? If not, do not get a mountain bike. You don't need it and it is not descigend to do what you want it to do. Go to a bike shop or maybe a place like REI (where they have bike guys that work there;not just guys that also work on bikes, but guys that only work on bikes) and ask for their commuter bikes and their touring frames. I commute on a touring frame. I am a short but wide clydesdale (you can figure that out) and the touring frame is perfect. It is sturdy, as it is intended to be ridden with a large load; it has all the brazeons needed for racks, front and back; it has larger but still road appropriate tires; it has sturdier wheels; it has freidnly gearing, designed to allow climbing with panniers and rack bags crammed full of clothes, food and camping gear. Some examples: Surly Long Haul Trucker; Cannondale"T" series. There are others. If you have some cash to spend, consider a custom frame. If you think you might like that, look at somebody like Bruce Gordon and then study from there. This having been said, a touring frame is not a fast road bike and definitely not a racer. SO if you need somehtign for more than commuting or fitness rides, you might want something esle. __________________ Sorry for th e tpyos.

07-07-2008, 04:39 PM	#2
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	what's a street bike? Do you mean mountain bike, hybrid, road bike, cruiser? You probably want a hybrid or a road bike. There is no one bike that is perfect. Go to a bike shop and check it out.

07-07-2008, 04:42 PM	#4
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	I have a friend who rides all the time at about that weight, but slightly shorter, and he uses a titanium bike (one of the expensive ones, can't remember which) with Kysrium wheels. But I doubt a first-time bike buyer would want to spend the $ for titanium.

07-07-2008, 05:01 PM	#6
OrangeUte Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 748	i am just looking for a commuter and for a fitness bike. only roads, i'm not interested right now in a mountain bike. also, i'm not looking to set a speed record, but i don't want a huffy that is a p.o.s. either! thanks for the tips - i am also wondering what size i need. my inseam is 35", and i thought i read somewhere that the size bike frame is based on the inseam length.

07-07-2008, 05:22 PM	#9
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	What's your budget. My first bike was a KHS steel road bike. They are pretty cheap. And mine didn't break.