(Ben White) said:I am a new tri-athlete looking for a bicycle to train and race on. Can
anyone suggest what brand/model components are tough enough for the Big
Men? I am 6'4" 235lbs. I was told by the bike shop guy that a trek 1000
would fall apart underneath me...is there any truth to that?
Steel is real baby.
You may break a steel frame, but at least it's repairable. I love my
Landshark. (http://landsharkbicycles.com) A good custom builder can build
the _right_ bike for you. Get a good bike fit from a pro, preferably before
you buy a bike. I ride Campagnolo stuff. I recently broke two Wipperman
10-speed chains, so I'm going back to Campagnolo chains. Shimano works
well, but it's designed for obsolescence and their components are not
rebuildable, while Campagnolo stuff is rebuildable. (And I hate
monopolies.) Stay away from the low-spoke-count wheels, stick to 32-hole
(or 36 for training) deep-dish aero-rim wheels and 23mm or bigger
tires. The low-spoke wheels may seem strong enough to support you, but the
individual spokes are under a lot more strain from a big guy: pop! It's not
so much your weight as your torque that's at issue. More spokes are
better. Get a tensiometer to go with your truing stand and learn how to use
it. Make sure your spokes are properly tensioned. Stay away from tires with
a max psi under 110, unless they're really fat. I've been riding on carbon
bars (Easton) and seatpost (Campagnolo) and fork (Kestrel) for a year now,
no problem yet. Carbon steerer tubes are a bad idea for you. If you believe
what the manufacturers write, the carbon stuff that's not built to be
stupid light is stronger than its aluminum analogs. I rode a carbon frame
once (Kestrel 200SCi) and I loved it, but it shattered in a crash. I've
broken aluminum handlebars. Don't go for the really light saddles, go for
comfort and think about durability. I used to ride Flite saddles, but they
sag too fast for a big rider. I really like the San Marco Concor
Light. I've never broken either, but titanium pedal spindles and bottom
bracket spindles just don't seem like a good idea for the rider over
200lbs.
Worry about aerodynamics and efficiency (stiffness, durability) more than
weight. They mean more to you as a big triathlete than weight does. And
don't believe the hype that big guys can't climb. They won't climb fastest,
but if you concentrate on your riding, your weight and the hills, you'll
climb with your undersized friends and maybe even make them hurt.
Morgan Fletcher
6'2", 215lbs, 175 miles a week
Oakland, CA