bsurkan

I'm in the market for a commuter bike since my beloved Bianchi Campione D'Italia 1999 had a catastrophic frame failure and my Trek Belleville rear wheel keeps torking out of alignment. It might help to know that I'm 6'4" and weigh 260 lbs.

The options I'm debating are:

1. A new bike like the Motobecane Omni Strada SPORT ($699) or Windsor Tourist ($599) on BikesDirect.com
2. A fully refurbished lotus 25" vintage bike with Suntour ARX componentry ($300)
3. A fully refurbished 25" vintage Bridgestone Kabuki Synchro Memory ($180)
4. A somewhat tuned up 25" vintage Raleigh Super Record ($140)
5. A fully refurbished 25" vintage Shogun 100 ($225)

I love the feel of a vintage ride and my heart (and teacher's pocket book) want to avoid option 1, but after my Bianchi broke right through the middle of the bottom bracket lug, I'm a little worried about large bicycle frame fragility. I'm also leery of overpaying for a mediocre bike.

O cycling sages, might you have advice for me?

P.S. My favorite bicycle ever was a perfectly balanced vintage Fuji racing bike. I LOVE a long top tube, though I now tend to commute with panniers.

Insidious C. 

Could you see yourself riding a touring bike? They make good commuters. I commuted on a 96 Novara Randonee for a number of years. It was a great value and tough as nails.

Gary Fountain

I'd be drawn to the Lotus but, with all your size and power, a well built frame must be the #1 priority.

verktyg 

Almost all of those bikes from Asian importers BikesDirect.com take advantage of the names of former European bike makers (and Mexican in the case of Windsor).

Ersatz past glory! For $600-$700 you get a $200-$300* bike that may serve a lot of less than serious cyclists well.

At your size and weight, I'd look for a bike with a strong alloy frame and good wheels then go from there.

The frame and wheels are the most important parts of a bike and you want to look for reliability.

I'll concede the floor to other BF members as to what bikes to look for.

One other suggestion, if you are mechanically inclined, you might want to look for a replacement frame and switch your components over, replacing or upgrading as needed.

* $200 probably the maximum cost ex China.

verktyg

cudak888 

Large size Novara Transfer. 7-speed IGH, front 6V dynohub, factory rack and fenders, upright riding position, and 700C's. Anywhere from $200-350 on Craigs and OfferUp.

The overall architecture of it makes it highly Upgradable if it seems too commonplace and modern hybridy at first glance.

-Kurt

clubman 

[QUOTE=bsurkan;21079188 It might help to know that I'm 6'4" and weigh 260 lbs.... after my Bianchi broke right through the middle of the bottom bracket lug, I'm a little worried about large bicycle frame fragility. I'm also leery of overpaying for a mediocre bike.

[/QUOTE]

I broke my beloved Bianchi right through the BB shell on a train track

I've always been a 230 lb + rider, albeit much shorter than you. I ride any of the good butted cro-mo frames without a second thought. Columbus SP frames are stiffer if you can find one.

John E

All of us break frames and components. I'm a small/midsize guy (5'8", 145 lbs.), and over the years I have broken two frames, two cranks, a hub flange, and several spokes while riding. (To be fair, I don't include a third frame, which eventually failed after having been restraightened following a crash.) Among these breakages, only one, an alloy crank across the pedal eye, caused injury or otherwise endangered me in any way.

Either a good road frame designed for loaded touring or a no-suspension mountain bike with street tires could serve you well. Don't drop below 32, preferably 36, spokes per wheel.

JohnDThompson 

If all that is wrong with the Trek is a bad rear wheel, the most cost-effective solution is probably a new, hand-built, full spoke count (36 or more spokes) wheel.

Unless you're looking for an excuse to buy a new bike, anyway.

Bianchigirll 

Where do you live? How long is your commute? Have you consider a hybrid or a mountain bike with slicks?

John E

Slicks, or just wide road tires with a bit of tread? I second your vote for a mountain bike, particularly one without suspension. My Schwinn can serve a commuting / transportation / grocery shopping purpose admirably.

randyjawa 

As much as I love my vintage road bicycles, not one of them is a decent commuter. The old school transmissions and outdated braking systems are not commuter friendly, in my opinion. I also feel that vintage road bicycles are flimsy, when compared to many other types of bikes. And, they attract thieves! Just a few days ago, my son found his Empire Professional gone and the cut in half lock laying on the ground...


With that in mind and in need of a decent "rider", I blew sixty dollars Canadian to buy this old Rocky Mountain mountain bike, changing this and that to meet my personal preferences and riding needs. The project has proved to be a great success and I think that I should have built something like this years ago, when I was commuting to and from work. After a month or so of riding the paved and dirt roads at the cottage, this thing seems to be almost bullet proof. That said, this one is still too pretty for me to consider using it as a city commuter since it, too, would attract thieves...


So, one other option might need to be considered. Check the prices of old mountain bikes and, if you find one, consider using some of the components (bars and brake levers) from the busted Bianchi to build something cheap that meets your personal riding needs.

bsurkan

I like to always have at least two bikes in my stable, and my Trek has proven an unreliable second bicycle which I generally tried to avoid because the rear wheel kept coming out of alignment. I have learned that fenders are a pain to align well and that I prefer quick release wheels. I also really enjoy drop handle bars. I do like touring bikes as well. I tried putting a rack on my Bianchi Campione D'Italia and it literally bucked it off.

crank_addict

The 26" mtb road drop conversions don't cut it enough.

Go for a higher end 1990s hybrid 700c. Steel or aluminum. Let the big wheels take the punishment. Convert flat bars to road drop type and dual control levers. Meaty / faster 36 - 40 width rubber to blast through most terrain, trashed and roads under construction. Suggest having a set of quick detach fenders.

Many available for $200 USD.