Looking for a Fast Bike
04-27-20, 07:03 AM
#26
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Location: Brighton, Michigan
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Bikes: Optima Baron LR, '14 Nishiki Maricopa,'87 Trek 330 Elance, '89 Miyata 1400, '85 Peugeot PGN10, '04 Fuji Ace, '06 Giant Rincon, '95 Giant Allegre, '83 Trek 620, '86 Schwinn High Sierra
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If I were down to one bike, I'd have two sets of wheels/tires. One for fast 20-30 mile rides, where I'm maxing out my speed. The other wheelset for randos and tours. Then again, I have two bikes setup for each purpose. I can imagine any frame material would be good, and instead focusing on the strength of your wheels.
04-27-20, 04:02 PM
#27
Senior Member
I'm 6' 270 , I ride a Lynsky Helix Pro titanium, motobecane immortal force full carbon(rain bike) and a Volcanic mountain bike...dont let someone dictate , ride what you want. Get good wheels..a lot of big guys ride very nice road bikes....
05-03-20, 12:39 AM
#28
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Bikes: Current: 2016 Bianchi Volpe; 1973 Peugeot UO-8. Past: 1974 Fuji S-10-S with custom black Imron paint by Stinsman Racing of PA.
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I had not considered anything vintage because I don't think I'm interested in a bike build. The more I think about it thought... I may be overthinking this. Perhaps I should just choose new tires for my LHT and see how that changes the performance. I mean... if I'm looking at staying with steel then how much of a difference would there actually be?
I ride the C&O without problem. I used to use 27x11/8 (28mm) tires on the towpath on my old bike without issue. The Compass tires (700c x 32) on a new custom wheel set, are much more sure footed and fast. In fact they are the nicest non-tubulars I have ridden.
If they do not make a big enough difference, keep them for the new bike...
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10-05-20, 02:06 PM
#30
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You'd be surprised what you can ride. You're not THAT big/heavy. I'm 6'8" and a tish over 250.
I had a specialized roubaix that I loved, have a custom 64cm Gunnar Sport custom geometry that I built to run looooong (210) cranks, and currently am enjoying a Canyon Endurace. I also have a 60cm Ritchey Breakaway Cross that has been epic awesome and fits into a standard luggage sized case. I was worried about the wheels (zettas) but they've been solid.
Stock wheels are likely a weak point. I never rode the DT's that came on the Specialized as they flexed too much. Had some HED Belgiums built up with 32H and never looked back. The Reynolds Assaults that came with the Canyon have been bombproof in the 2 years I've had it.
Find a fast bike you like, maybe get some beefier wheels and ride it like you stole it.
I had a specialized roubaix that I loved, have a custom 64cm Gunnar Sport custom geometry that I built to run looooong (210) cranks, and currently am enjoying a Canyon Endurace. I also have a 60cm Ritchey Breakaway Cross that has been epic awesome and fits into a standard luggage sized case. I was worried about the wheels (zettas) but they've been solid.
Stock wheels are likely a weak point. I never rode the DT's that came on the Specialized as they flexed too much. Had some HED Belgiums built up with 32H and never looked back. The Reynolds Assaults that came with the Canyon have been bombproof in the 2 years I've had it.
Find a fast bike you like, maybe get some beefier wheels and ride it like you stole it.
10-05-20, 02:15 PM
#31
Junior Member
10-14-20, 06:48 AM
#33
Senior Member
I have a 2020 Endurace with the stock seatpost (not the spring steel post) and have had zero issues with mine as well. I am absolutely thrilled with the bike overall.
11-04-20, 05:56 PM
#34
Drip, Drip.
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Southern Ontario
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Bikes: Trek Verve E bike, Felt Doctrine 4 XC, Opus Horizon Apex 1
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Have you considered a vintage (80s or 90s) MTB or road bike? I know that there are a lot out there that are made for someone your height. Because they're so tall, the prices are pretty decent--there are more bikes than possible riders. 
Bonus, a lot of them are steel.
At 250, I used to ride a 2002 Trek hybrid. I wasn't a fan and moved back to a road bike after a couple of years. But it did handle my weight just fine.
Bonus, a lot of them are steel.At 250, I used to ride a 2002 Trek hybrid. I wasn't a fan and moved back to a road bike after a couple of years. But it did handle my weight just fine.
07-31-21, 07:14 PM
#35
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I'm a big guy, 6'5" and 107kg and ride a 2005 Trek 5000 62cm.
In ~2000 miles the stock Bontrager rims are cracking at the spokes, but no other weight related issues noted. The stock rims were soft to begin with and recalled I believe, but they didn't disintegrate. I don't see any issue with your size or weight to hold you back.
Even on my ~21.5 lb / ~9.75kg bike, I can keep up well in the flats; anyone behind me loves to draft, I'm a huge wind block.
In ~2000 miles the stock Bontrager rims are cracking at the spokes, but no other weight related issues noted. The stock rims were soft to begin with and recalled I believe, but they didn't disintegrate. I don't see any issue with your size or weight to hold you back.
Even on my ~21.5 lb / ~9.75kg bike, I can keep up well in the flats; anyone behind me loves to draft, I'm a huge wind block.
08-10-21, 01:17 AM
#36
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Yolo County, West Sacramento CA
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Bikes: Modified 26 inch frame Schwinn Varsity with 700c wheels and 10 speed cassette hub. Ryan Vanguard recumbent. 67cm 27"x1 1/4" Schwinn Sports Tourer from the 1980's. 1980's 68cm Nishiki Sebring with 700c aero wheels, 30 speeds, flat bar bicycle.
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Nick on a bike, Earlier I tried to sell the used bike approach but upon rereading your posts I realized you are open to modifications to your LHT. I have found that one of the easiest ways to speed up a bike is to mount a good quality low spoke count aero wheel set. At your weight you have to be careful when checking the specifications for wheels. Your LHT may have rim brakes so be aware that good carbon aero wheel sets can be had that have rim brake tracks. I see all kinds of aero 700c wheel sets for sale on our local Craigslist for cheaper than new. I'm 6'5" at 265lbs and ride a early 80's Nishiki Sebring with a 69cm seatpost tube CtoC. I bought this bike for $35(Craigslist) and got rid of the 27"wheels and worn out hubs, changed the crank to a 180mm Raceface MTB triple, aluminum seatpost and straight bars. I'm not a fan of drop bars. The wheel set is a Vuelta 700c SL37 aero set. This bike cost way less than a thousand dollars, is my fastest bike by 2-4mph average speed and fits me the best of all the bikes I've had over the years. Because of our heights and weights it is hard to find really tall bikes that give us good cockpit room, and keep your feet, size 14 for me, out of the front wheel when turning. I also use 32mm Gatorskin tires and tubes.
08-19-21, 01:11 PM
#37
Tractorlegs
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Looking for a Fast Bike
My bike is looking for a fast rider lol
My bike is looking for a fast rider lol
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Trikeman
Trikeman
