New road bike for a big guy

[Hunterforce]

I want to get more onto road use, but I have a big issue at 23 plus stone I'm being put of big time from Evans , every time I talk to them it's said in not to many words, your to big sir don't bother, I understand with my weight I'm going to put more pressure on the components but what's your thoughts, I want to get more into it, but it seems I'm being out off!!! What would you guys do??

 

[Hunterforce]

I was btw looking at the specialized range and wanna spend upto £1000

 

[vickster]

Go to a Specialized Concept store http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/ and have a serious chat with them,

they should be able to pull up the data on max rider weights etc. which is also in here
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCgQFjAB&url=http://static.specialized.com/media/docs/support/0000037057/0000037057_r1.pdf&ei=JSesU8HkKuLX7AbKv4CADg&usg=AFQjCNG7U-Wd2UpkGkV7VQ38RQJ1giKyoQ&sig2=HamDWaMDVPplazLdqVbyug&bvm=bv.69837884,d.ZGU

You may want to add stronger wheels with more spokes, and consider a Tricross rather than an Allez (although 23 stone is still 50lbs beyond the 275lb limit)

Some manufacturers, e.g. Focus, do cite max weights.

I reckon however with US brands, Specialized, Trek, Cannondale you might be better off. Especially as you'll be looking at Alu not carbon in your price range

 

[gazguildford]

23 stone or not they should still advise you even if they don't have suitable bikes

 

[Dave 123]

How much would a custom build in steel cost?
I'm sure more learned folk than I could suggest a decent British bike builder.

 

[Dave 123]

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/recommended-bikes-for-heavier-rider.80776/

 

[vickster]

Looks like trek have similar limits to specialized

http://www.trekbikes.com/faq/questions.php?questionid=104

Giant also 275lbs on the defy range

 

[KneesUp]

How much would a custom build in steel cost?
I'm sure more learned folk than I could suggest a decent British bike builder.

£800 to £1300 near me.

http://www.wilsoncycles.co.uk/shop/bespoke-frame-range.php

 

[Hudsy86astley]

I started 7 months ago I was 23stone I bought a focus culebro sl-3 cheap bike not very good but it got me into cycling I'm now at 18 stone and I've jus purchased a specialized Tarmac comp today coz I luv riding now so ignore em there's loads of bike

 

[Hunterforce]

Cheers guys, i did speak to the concept store who were very helpful i have to say, they have recommended the cirus hybred as the wheels are stronger than the allez , with thinner wheels, i think this mught be the way to go although id love the road bike NOW, i guess i need to be realistic about things. any thoughts on the cirus??

 

[vickster]

Plenty of happy Sirrus owners. I had a couple in the past, decent enough fast hybrid, personally they didn't excite me but did the job well enough

@Supersuperleeds uses one for many miles I think, and there are other positive owners. Ask Evans for a free test ride

They are very widely available second hand, which might be better if a stop gap until you've shed a few pounds. They also get nicked a lot so make sure you ask for proof of purchase and ownership if you go that way

 

[Kestevan]

Have you thought about a touring bike?
http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p2983

Steel frame, and built to carry some serious loads I can't see a mere stripling like yourself proving too heavy

And when you do slim down a bit and get light enough to consider a more racy bike, the tourer will make an exemplary winter commuter/trainer and you may even try touring

 

[MacB]

Good advice from Vickster and Kestevan, second hand and/or don't be afraid to try something that could become your everyday training bike as you move on and up.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Plenty of happy Sirrus owners. I had a couple in the past, decent enough fast hybrid, personally they didn't excite me but did the job well enough

@Supersuperleeds uses one for many miles I think, and there are other positive owners. Ask Evans for a free test ride

They are very widely available second hand, which might be better if a stop gap until you've shed a few pounds. They also get nicked a lot so make sure you ask for proof of purchase and ownership if you go that way

Cheers guys, i did speak to the concept store who were very helpful i have to say, they have recommended the cirus hybred as the wheels are stronger than the allez , with thinner wheels, i think this mught be the way to go although id love the road bike NOW, i guess i need to be realistic about things. any thoughts on the cirus??

I love my Sirrus, bought it last June and have done just under 10,000 miles on it, done lots of 40 - 50 mile rides on it. I changed the wheels on it to some hand built ones quite quickly. Mind you it didn't help that I hit the mother of all potholes and knackered the rear rim.

I originally bought it as a commuter, but this year bought a Tricross for the commuting and have relegated the Sirrus to a pootling with the missus bike / winter bike. I was hit by a car and wrote the frame off - replaced it on insurance but decided whilst it was being settled to get a drop bar for commuting, otherwise I would probably be still on the Sirrus for commuting

I would agree with @vickster and go down the second hand route as if you really want a road bike I can see you using the Sirrus to help shed some weight and then quickly moving onto a road bike

 

[Hunterforce]

Good advise Supersuperleeds, i have the cycle to work thing so ive opted for £1000 to spend, so looks like the cirus is gonna be the one, its just ive got a 29er scott, and in my simple mind, they just look the same, if im gonna spend a grand id want something different, although i know riding them should be worlds apart, well hopefully anyway lol
Roll on 21st july i get my letter of collection lol