And I didn't realize you have to choose the diameter of the tires as well?? And I can't ask him what he prefers cause it's a surprise Valentine's gift. Which size is best? He's 6 ft, 190 lbs. (if that helps)
Thanks so much!!
2007-02-08 06:17:26 · 12 answers · asked by candy- capped 5 in Sports ➔ Cycling
You're best bet is to give him a card which says that you'll take hime to a local Bike shop to be fitted for a road bike. He really needs to be fitted for it and to pick it out himself. It will save you the aggravation of returning one that he doesn't like or fit correctly.
2007-02-08 06:25:27 · answer #1 · answered by Oz 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about wheel diameter. A road bike, from a real bike shop, will most likely have 700c wheels.
The FRAME is what should be sized. If he is new to cycling a bike with a shorter top tube and stem may be better. He won't be as stretched out.
At 6' a bike in the 58-60cm range is probably what he needs.
Buying a bike as a surpise (unless you can return it for a different size) is generally a bad idea. It's a real personal relationship. Let the love of your life help pick out his "other" partner.
Buy from a bike shop. Depatment store bikes are crap.
Vive le VELO!
2007-02-08 14:42:14 · answer #2 · answered by brucevelo 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
get one from a bike shop and you can get a wealth of advice from the guys there. i work at a shop that sells $3000 road bikes so i can help out a bit. for a 6' tall, i would recommend a 56cm frame. take whatever size wheels come on it, either 26" or 700c, theres not really a huge difference.
if you are looking for something inexpensive, then you might want to look at the Trek 1000. a 2007 model is around $750 and its pretty light and comes with decent parts.
the entire Trek lineup is pretty impressive so if you have a lot of bank, then you check out the others. they go all the way up to the $1800 trek 5000, or even the $3500 madone 5.5sl, the bike that Lance rides.
i wouldnt advise spending less than $600 for a roadie, anything cheaper is just crap and it wont hold up to a 190lb dude.
theres always the easy way - take him to a bike shop and let him pick one out on his own. that way you know he'll be happy with it.
good luck
2007-02-09 13:31:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Online bike buys are a very advanced skill - reserved for those that know exactly what they want and have been fitted in the past. If you're not sure what he wants, better get him a nice gift certificate, or even better take him to a bike store you've reconned in the past. Getting a bike properly fitted for you is like having your first tailored suit. Most modern road bikes have 700 c wheels.
If you really want to go this way (online), I recommend opting for a compact geometry bike with lots of adjustability - chance for catastrophic size mismatch is smaller, but odds are you'll still get an imperfect fit.
2007-02-08 17:15:18 · answer #4 · answered by tycho_mx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you know his frame size in centimeters? His seat width and height? His crank-arm length, stem length, handlebar height and width, oversize clamp or standard? ALL measurements are important down to the millimeter.
Do you know if he likes Campagnolo or Shimano, Look or Time? Steel, aluminum, titanium or carbon fiber? There are a LOT of things to consider when buying a road bike, and unless you know ALL the information listed above I wouldn't recommend buying online.
Your best bet is to take him to a good bicycle shop on Valentine's Day with a budget in mind and let the good people there help you both find the perfect bike.
2007-02-09 09:52:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Online bike buys are a BAD IDEA if you want to get him hooked on cycling. The chances of buying a badly set up, ill-equipped bicycle are high online. You'll pay a little more in a bike shop, but doing so will insure that your bike was put together by professionals, that it will actually fit your husband's height, weight, and riding preferences.
And most people at bike shops are pretty friendly, especially this time of year.
2007-02-09 00:54:14 · answer #6 · answered by meowgirl36 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably 56 or 58cm for frame size, most good quality road bikes will come with 700c wheels. Don't buy on-line, go to a local bike shop. They can assist you with options and sizing. Plus most shops will give you a free 30 day tune-up. The prices on line might be attractive, but shipping a bike is expensive, plus you won't get the 30 day tune up.
2007-02-08 20:05:03 · answer #7 · answered by crazydave 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with the Gift Card and Professional Fit - We do it all the time.
MOST SHOPS, ours included, fit for free when we know the customer has made up their mind on a bike and is ready to get going on it.
MOST MAJOR BRANDS offer NO WARRANTY if their products are bought online!!!
BEWARE of Cheaper, "ME TOO" bikes - Do not by one on Derailleurs and Shifters alone, there is a LOT to be said about the "Ride" of the bike as well. You can put Durace on a crappy frame - It's STILL a crappy frame.
2007-02-08 22:50:45 · answer #8 · answered by bigringtravis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree. Take him to get fitted for it. This way he gets exactly what he needs for the type of riding he is goin' to do. I know guys that tall. One friend rides a 58cm the other rides a 62cm. So it really depends on leg as well as torso length.
2007-02-08 14:43:37 · answer #9 · answered by Madrider 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On WheelWorld website---check these great bikes--- 06 Giant OCR Composite 3 ( 1,399!),Giant TCR Composite 2 ($1,649!)Size ----I would let the others do the advice. Just make sure its WELL-EQUIPPED and bombproof!
2007-02-09 19:39:51 · answer #10 · answered by hummerhead2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋