2007-06-11 15:16:15 · 9 answers · asked by Vincent W 1 in Sports ➔ Cycling
Yeah, to sum it up briefly, go to a reputable bike shop and be prepared to drop a few bucks on a good bike. Get a few ideas from the bike shop, research their suggestions on line and then make your decision. If you find someone you can trust, worth their weight in gold. Good luck!!
2007-06-11 20:16:18 · answer #1 · answered by steinwald 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First...go to a bike shop...DO NOT, I Repeat DO NOT get a bike from Wal Mart, Target, Toys R Us, etc. Why??? Those bikes are of low quality both in frame materials and components such as shifters gears and wheels. The parts are usually difficult to find, and by the time you do find the parts once you have to repair the bike (not if, but when) the repair bill can eaisly be equal or more than the origional cost of the bike. Not to mention assembly is usually very poorly done. (While at "Wally World" take a look at the brakes, are they semetric? can you twist the brake handles around the handle bar?) A good bike has professional mechanics and sales staff who are knowledgable about bikes and accessories (I went to a two week school to learn about bicycle mechanics)
A quality bike from a bike shop can be had starting around $250.00 and then goes up from there. Here are some things to look at and to consider when buying a bike:
First things first, what type of riding are you gonna do? Mountain biking (all off road)? Road Riding? A little of both? Second, ask yourself, how often you plan on riding? Once a week? 2-3 times or more? Next, how far or how long duing each ride? 1-2 hours, 2-3 hours, 10-15 miles 20-40 miles and so on. Once these questions have been answered, you can consider what bike you need to get (MTB, Road, Comfort) Then what price level ($250.00-$500.00 for light riding 1-2 times a week @ 1-2 hours; $500.00-1200.00 3-5 times a week @ 2-4 hours per ride, and $1200.00+ for more serious riding i.e. every day for 2-6 hours a day.) *note, some of the price ranges do overlap* Also you want to consider frame material. Steel, while Resiliant can be somewhat heavy. It will take away some road shock but for the most part will add overall weight to the bike. Aluminium is light weight but rigid, and will beat you to death on the trail/road espcially in a hardtail (no rear suspension) MTB or on long road rides. Carbon Fiber is resiliant and light weight, but expensive, and lastly there is titanium which has similar qualities to Carbon Fiber. If you plan to ride often and can afford it, consider carbon fiber. A good Carbon Fiber bike can be bought around $1400.00 and up. If that is to much, go for aluminimum (particularly on a MTB) with front and rear suspension. However, if doing road, I would reccomend steel as opposed to aluminium because of it's shock absorbing properties. You can also do a combination of aluminimum and Carbon, but again, those bikes start around $1200.00. Lastly, for a LOT of riding, plus a coolness factor, and a total comfort factor, is a fully customized bike. The bike is made specfically for you. They can be made of any material mentioned above, however they are mostly road bikes. There are a few companies that do make custom MTB however. Those companies usualy use Titanium or steel though. Some manufacturers of Custom bikes include Moots, and Serotta, while stock bikes include Bianchi, Raleigh, Trek and the like. I used to own a bike shop,have worked at Galyan's, and REI, worked at two other shops, and now work in a shop called Black Bar Bicycles in Virginia.
2007-06-11 17:10:31 · answer #2 · answered by SSgt 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are several options. Banshee, Kona, and others have some bikes that will handle your weight without any problem.
Pay attention to the wheels and fork and frame, which are the most important thing in the bike for a clyde, and also don't get carbon fiber parts.
2007-06-12 02:07:55 · answer #3 · answered by Roberto 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kona for sure is the best big person bike clydesdale is the model
2007-06-12 02:45:25 · answer #4 · answered by keith p 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
find your local Kona dealer
Kona makes a bike called the "Hoss" it is a bike built for the bigger guys..I have a buddy that rides with me and he is 280..he loves the bike, and it holds up good
2007-06-11 21:01:16 · answer #5 · answered by huckster 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most bike shops have a large selection of bikes that will accommodate just about anyone. good luck in your quest....
2007-06-11 17:30:43 · answer #6 · answered by michelobjohn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the kona Clydesdale. I have one and i was at 300 pounds. rides great and is quite affordable. The design is for the bigger heavier riders.
2007-06-11 16:38:40 · answer #7 · answered by reinfield666 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well if i were you the bike I probably would use would be a Shwinn.....thats my opinion, my mongooses broke too easily.
2007-06-11 15:46:02 · answer #8 · answered by Paintball Bob 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a tank
2007-06-12 04:44:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋