One bike for the following needs

"Chris Sprague" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Perhaps Preston Crawford, whose posts I've been reading, can advise me
the best. I welcome any answers though.

I'm 28, and have recently been trying to get myself back into my high
school/early college shape. I'm 5'6", and at 155lbs back then, with a
bit of muscle, I considered myself to be in good shape. In the past 8
years or so, though most of the damage was done by 4-5 years ago, I've
managed to let myself get up to around 260. Ouch.

Anyway, for the past month, I've been doing quite a bit of walking and
have climbed a few peaks in Maine, where I live, and have taken off
11lbs. The thing is, walking is about the most boring fitness activity
I can think of, but my motivation hasn't waned yet. Hiking is a lot of
fun, but I can only do that once a week. I live in a fairly bike
friendly city, Portland Maine. I live about 2 3/4 miles from my office
in downtown, and there's one hill to get over both to and from work,
which climbs no more than 100 feet or so, and gradually at that. A
flat route is also possible at the expense of about 2 extra miles of
riding, but that is a gravel path, not asphalt.

So, I'm looking for a bike which will:

1) Be strong enough to hold up a 250lb (and falling) guy.
2) Be a decent short commuter bike, ridden primarily on asphalt.
3) Be up to the task of some longer weekend pokes through the country,
again mostly on asphalt.
4) Not be unstable or prone to wiping out when it sees a bit of hard
packed, and occasionally loose gravel.
5) Be up for the occasional trip to the carriage roads in Acadia
National Park.
6) Not cost more than $600 or so.
7) No cutting edge, prone to looking VERY aged, frame designs or
colors. My last bike was a white on purple 1991 Nishiki Ariel.

Right now, I have my eyes on a Trek 7.3fx. Is a hybrid even my best
answer, though? FWIW, I don't like drop handlebars. My gut would get
in the way of me hunching over anyway, at least for now 🙂

Should I just fix up my Nishiki Ariel and put up with the early 90s
paint scheme and dated elevated chainstay look? Oh yeah, I was 14 when
I bought it, and it's on the small side now.

Some model suggestions? I plan to ride a bunch of stuff on Saturday,
and there's a dealer for pretty much every brand I know of in Portland.

Thanks in advance!

- Chris

May I be so bold as to suggest you visit your personal health care provider
before buying anything. The fact is, extreme weight change is not something
to be taken lightly--so to speak. The weight gain you describe sounds
dangerous. There may be some physiological issues at work here (other than
just abnormal weight). Just my opinion.

Lee said:

May I be so bold as to suggest you visit your personal health care provider
before buying anything. The fact is, extreme weight change is not something
to be taken lightly--so to speak. The weight gain you describe sounds
dangerous. There may be some physiological issues at work here (other than
just abnormal weight). Just my opinion.

I appreciate your concern. Rest assured that I have regulary
(bi-annual) check-ups with my doctor, and there's nothing going on with
me other than poor lifestyle habits. The start of my weight gain
coincided with a few things. First, my running partner moved away and
I lost a lot of my motivation (fall 1997). Secondly, I went from
working long physially grueling hours on a commerical landscaping crew
in the summer to being a cubicle monkey, and have been one ever since
(spring 1998). Thirdly, I dated a girl who didn't have a very active
lifestyle, and I got sucked in a bit, and at the same time figured,
"hey, I got a girlfriend, I no longer need to obsess about fitness"
(fall 1998).

Number 3 was dealt with a loooong time ago. But 1 and 2 persisted. 25
lbs/year or so of gain for 4 years, reaching a plateau in 2001 or so.
My weight hasn't changed much since then.

Doctor's advice? Eat a bit better, and for God's sake, be more active!
Walking and biking are two things he specifically suggested as
low-impact activities. The only thing he advised against for the time
being was jogging, since it would just about ruin my knees were I to do
that right now. Not that I really could anyway.

So, no worries mate.

- Chris

"Chris Sprague" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Lee said:

May I be so bold as to suggest you visit your personal health care

provider

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

before buying anything. The fact is, extreme weight change is not

something

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to be taken lightly--so to speak. The weight gain you describe sounds
dangerous. There may be some physiological issues at work here (other

than

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

just abnormal weight). Just my opinion.

I appreciate your concern. Rest assured that I have regulary
(bi-annual) check-ups with my doctor, and there's nothing going on with
me other than poor lifestyle habits. The start of my weight gain
coincided with a few things. First, my running partner moved away and
I lost a lot of my motivation (fall 1997). Secondly, I went from
working long physially grueling hours on a commerical landscaping crew
in the summer to being a cubicle monkey, and have been one ever since
(spring 1998). Thirdly, I dated a girl who didn't have a very active
lifestyle, and I got sucked in a bit, and at the same time figured,
"hey, I got a girlfriend, I no longer need to obsess about fitness"
(fall 1998).

Number 3 was dealt with a loooong time ago. But 1 and 2 persisted. 25
lbs/year or so of gain for 4 years, reaching a plateau in 2001 or so.
My weight hasn't changed much since then.

Doctor's advice? Eat a bit better, and for God's sake, be more active!
Walking and biking are two things he specifically suggested as
low-impact activities. The only thing he advised against for the time
being was jogging, since it would just about ruin my knees were I to do
that right now. Not that I really could anyway.

So, no worries mate.

- Chris

Good for you, Chris. Yeah, the life style can definitely affect a person.
Good luck on your choice of bike. Later.

Chris Sprague said:

Perhaps Preston Crawford, whose posts I've been reading, can advise me
the best. I welcome any answers though.

I'm 28, and have recently been trying to get myself back into my high
school/early college shape. I'm 5'6", and at 155lbs back then, with a
bit of muscle, I considered myself to be in good shape. In the past 8
years or so, though most of the damage was done by 4-5 years ago, I've
managed to let myself get up to around 260. Ouch.

Anyway, for the past month, I've been doing quite a bit of walking and
have climbed a few peaks in Maine, where I live, and have taken off
11lbs. The thing is, walking is about the most boring fitness activity
I can think of, but my motivation hasn't waned yet. Hiking is a lot of
fun, but I can only do that once a week. I live in a fairly bike
friendly city, Portland Maine. I live about 2 3/4 miles from my office
in downtown, and there's one hill to get over both to and from work,
which climbs no more than 100 feet or so, and gradually at that. A
flat route is also possible at the expense of about 2 extra miles of
riding, but that is a gravel path, not asphalt.

So, I'm looking for a bike which will:

1) Be strong enough to hold up a 250lb (and falling) guy.
2) Be a decent short commuter bike, ridden primarily on asphalt.
3) Be up to the task of some longer weekend pokes through the country,
again mostly on asphalt.
4) Not be unstable or prone to wiping out when it sees a bit of hard
packed, and occasionally loose gravel.
5) Be up for the occasional trip to the carriage roads in Acadia
National Park.
6) Not cost more than $600 or so.
7) No cutting edge, prone to looking VERY aged, frame designs or
colors. My last bike was a white on purple 1991 Nishiki Ariel.

Right now, I have my eyes on a Trek 7.3fx. Is a hybrid even my best
answer, though? FWIW, I don't like drop handlebars. My gut would get
in the way of me hunching over anyway, at least for now 🙂

Should I just fix up my Nishiki Ariel and put up with the early 90s
paint scheme and dated elevated chainstay look? Oh yeah, I was 14 when
I bought it, and it's on the small side now.

Some model suggestions? I plan to ride a bunch of stuff on Saturday,
and there's a dealer for pretty much every brand I know of in Portland.

Thanks in advance!

- Chris

You might want to look at a used cyclo cross bike. They are super
strong (both frame and wheels) and will easily support your weight. In
addition they give a road bike feel to riding on pavement and can still
tackle the type of off road situations you describe (and more).
Since New England is a big center for cyclo cross you should be able to
find something at a reasonable price.

Quoted message said:

Right now, I have my eyes on a Trek 7.3fx. Is a hybrid even my best
answer, though? FWIW, I don't like drop handlebars. My gut would get
in the way of me hunching over anyway, at least for now 🙂

Should I just fix up my Nishiki Ariel and put up with the early 90s
paint scheme and dated elevated chainstay look? Oh yeah, I was 14 when
I bought it, and it's on the small side now.

Some model suggestions? I plan to ride a bunch of stuff on Saturday,
and there's a dealer for pretty much every brand I know of in Portland.

You beat me to it. I was going to suggest the 7.3FX as a fun, capable bike
that doesn't cut any corners anywhere. Main issue is finding one; they're
typically on back-order for extended lengths of time (although Trek promises
they'll be taking care of that shortly). The 7.5FX is another rock star, but
costs about $700. More of the same plus a lighter carbon fork (but a very
beefy lighter carbon fork... this isn't one you have to be afraid of). But
seriously, I just picked up a 7.3FX for my daughter for college, and it's a
great machine. There will be similar bikes from other manufacturers, but
since I don't deal with them I can't give much of an opinion. I can say that
the quality of shop can sometimes make a bigger difference than what you
find between two bike brands... if the 7.3FX is available from a dealer that
seems like a place that won't run away if you come back in the door with a
problem, sounds like you've got a solution at hand.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

"Chris Sprague" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Perhaps Preston Crawford, whose posts I've been reading, can advise me
the best. I welcome any answers though.

I'm 28, and have recently been trying to get myself back into my high
school/early college shape. I'm 5'6", and at 155lbs back then, with a
bit of muscle, I considered myself to be in good shape. In the past 8
years or so, though most of the damage was done by 4-5 years ago, I've
managed to let myself get up to around 260. Ouch.

Anyway, for the past month, I've been doing quite a bit of walking and
have climbed a few peaks in Maine, where I live, and have taken off
11lbs. The thing is, walking is about the most boring fitness activity
I can think of, but my motivation hasn't waned yet. Hiking is a lot of
fun, but I can only do that once a week. I live in a fairly bike
friendly city, Portland Maine. I live about 2 3/4 miles from my office
in downtown, and there's one hill to get over both to and from work,
which climbs no more than 100 feet or so, and gradually at that. A
flat route is also possible at the expense of about 2 extra miles of
riding, but that is a gravel path, not asphalt.

So, I'm looking for a bike which will:

1) Be strong enough to hold up a 250lb (and falling) guy.
2) Be a decent short commuter bike, ridden primarily on asphalt.
3) Be up to the task of some longer weekend pokes through the country,
again mostly on asphalt.
4) Not be unstable or prone to wiping out when it sees a bit of hard
packed, and occasionally loose gravel.
5) Be up for the occasional trip to the carriage roads in Acadia
National Park.
6) Not cost more than $600 or so.
7) No cutting edge, prone to looking VERY aged, frame designs or
colors. My last bike was a white on purple 1991 Nishiki Ariel.

Right now, I have my eyes on a Trek 7.3fx. Is a hybrid even my best
answer, though? FWIW, I don't like drop handlebars. My gut would get
in the way of me hunching over anyway, at least for now 🙂

Should I just fix up my Nishiki Ariel and put up with the early 90s
paint scheme and dated elevated chainstay look? Oh yeah, I was 14 when
I bought it, and it's on the small side now.

Some model suggestions? I plan to ride a bunch of stuff on Saturday,
and there's a dealer for pretty much every brand I know of in Portland.

Thanks in advance!

- Chris

Chris Sprague said:

Perhaps Preston Crawford, whose posts I've been reading, can advise me
the best. I welcome any answers though.

I'm 28, and have recently been trying to get myself back into my high
school/early college shape. I'm 5'6", and at 155lbs back then, with a
bit of muscle, I considered myself to be in good shape. In the past 8
years or so, though most of the damage was done by 4-5 years ago, I've
managed to let myself get up to around 260. Ouch.

Anyway, for the past month, I've been doing quite a bit of walking and
have climbed a few peaks in Maine, where I live, and have taken off
11lbs. The thing is, walking is about the most boring fitness activity
I can think of, but my motivation hasn't waned yet. Hiking is a lot of
fun, but I can only do that once a week. I live in a fairly bike
friendly city, Portland Maine. I live about 2 3/4 miles from my office
in downtown, and there's one hill to get over both to and from work,
which climbs no more than 100 feet or so, and gradually at that. A
flat route is also possible at the expense of about 2 extra miles of
riding, but that is a gravel path, not asphalt.

So, I'm looking for a bike which will:

1) Be strong enough to hold up a 250lb (and falling) guy.
2) Be a decent short commuter bike, ridden primarily on asphalt.
3) Be up to the task of some longer weekend pokes through the country,
again mostly on asphalt.
4) Not be unstable or prone to wiping out when it sees a bit of hard
packed, and occasionally loose gravel.
5) Be up for the occasional trip to the carriage roads in Acadia
National Park.
6) Not cost more than $600 or so.
7) No cutting edge, prone to looking VERY aged, frame designs or
colors. My last bike was a white on purple 1991 Nishiki Ariel.

Two hands down great bikes would be a Breezer city bike, or an REI
Novara Transfer. Both have hub gears, fenders, and all the things that
will make cycling this fall enjoyable. With these bikes, there's little
to break, and they can be ridden wearing anything. They give you no
excuses. You also won't grow out of them, as you'll want to keep them
as utility/commuting bikes even if you go sportier.

http://www.breezerbikes.com/bike_details.cfm?bikeType=town&frame=d&bike=citizen
http://tinyurl.com/k5mzj

Either should run around $600.

On 20 Sep 2006 06:34:06 -0700, "Chris Sprague"
<[email hidden]> wrote, in part:

Quoted message said:

Some model suggestions? I plan to ride a bunch of stuff on Saturday,
and there's a dealer for pretty much every brand I know of in Portland.

You mentioned the Trek 7.3 fx and it appears to meet your
requirements. There are several bikes in that general hybrid
category. I think you'll do fine by choosing any one without a
suspension fork, seat post or stem.

At 250 lbs, doing the recreational and utility riding you've planned,
you're not going to be over stressing any but the stupid light bikes.

Stay away from the low spoke count boutique wheels but be sure to
have the LBS prepare (tension and stress relieve) the factory wheels
of whatever bike you do buy.

Good luck and have fun. Bicycling can take you places not yet
imagined. It's conducive to beneficial and lasting lifestyle changes.
--
zk

gds said:

You might want to look at a used cyclo cross bike. They are super
strong (both frame and wheels) and will easily support your weight. In
addition they give a road bike feel to riding on pavement and can still
tackle the type of off road situations you describe (and more).
Since New England is a big center for cyclo cross you should be able to
find something at a reasonable price.

Cyclocross bikes tend to have drop handlebars though, no?

- Chris

Chris Sprague said:

So, I'm looking for a bike which will:

1) Be strong enough to hold up a 250lb (and falling) guy.
2) Be a decent short commuter bike, ridden primarily on asphalt.
3) Be up to the task of some longer weekend pokes through the country,
again mostly on asphalt.
4) Not be unstable or prone to wiping out when it sees a bit of hard
packed, and occasionally loose gravel.
5) Be up for the occasional trip to the carriage roads in Acadia
National Park.
6) Not cost more than $600 or so.
7) No cutting edge, prone to looking VERY aged, frame designs or
colors. My last bike was a white on purple 1991 Nishiki Ariel.

Look at "http://bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/tourist.htm"

You basically want a steel-frame bike with strong wheels. You can always
put on different tires if you want something that can do okay on
non-asphalt, but of course there's no free lunch.

The $600 is the hard part. These days you really pay a lot for a bicycle
with very strong wheels and a strong frame, that can accommodate wider
tires.

The Bianchi Brava (http://bianchiusa.com/05_brava.html) would also be
good, but it's more expensive. Still, it goes on sale for around $650,
at least around where I live.

Chris Sprague said:

gds said:

You might want to look at a used cyclo cross bike. They are super
strong (both frame and wheels) and will easily support your weight. In
addition they give a road bike feel to riding on pavement and can still
tackle the type of off road situations you describe (and more).
Since New England is a big center for cyclo cross you should be able to
find something at a reasonable price.

Cyclocross bikes tend to have drop handlebars though, no?

- Chris

Yep! but 1) you can switch them out for flat bars or 2) you can try
getting used to them. Personally I find drop bars far more comnfortable
than flat bars. There are many more hand/ body combinations. You can
set up drop bars so that you are not super low on the bike. And when
riding on the tops it really does not have to be much different than on
a flat bar.

gds said:

Quoted message said:

Cyclocross bikes tend to have drop handlebars though, no?

- Chris

Yep! but 1) you can switch them out for flat bars or 2) you can try
getting used to them. Personally I find drop bars far more comnfortable
than flat bars. There are many more hand/ body combinations. You can
set up drop bars so that you are not super low on the bike. And when
riding on the tops it really does not have to be much different than on
a flat bar.

Well I suppose that on Saturday, when I hit the LBSs, it won't hurt to
at least try a couple out. Thanks for the suggestion. There are a lot
more categories of bikes on the market than there were in 1991, that's
for sure.

- Chris

Personally, I would go for an entry level mountain bike, fitted with
road or "hybrid" tires, at least 1.5/1.9 inches wide. Rear rack to carry
your lunch pail (a good handlebar bag too, if you need the extra room).

An MTB will let you conquer the occational off-pavement, the higher
pressure not-as-knobby tires will go easier on the pavement. Also, if
the "dirt-bug" bites (as it did me) being an actual MTB will let you get
out there at least somewhat, without busting your wallet like a TOOL
machine which wouldn't be appropriate if all you end up using it for is
basic road/occasional dirt road use.

- -
Comments and opinions compliments of,
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

My web Site:
http://geocities.com/czcorner

To E-mail me:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net

Chris Y.F.N.W. said:

TOOL machine

A what?

Chris Sprague said:

Perhaps Preston Crawford, whose posts I've been reading, can advise me
the best. I welcome any answers though.

snipped:

I live in a fairly bike

Quoted message said:

friendly city, Portland Maine. I live about 2 3/4 miles from my office
in downtown, and there's one hill to get over both to and from work,
which climbs no more than 100 feet or so, and gradually at that. A
flat route is also possible at the expense of about 2 extra miles of
riding, but that is a gravel path, not asphalt.

So, I'm looking for a bike which will:

1) Be strong enough to hold up a 250lb (and falling) guy.
2) Be a decent short commuter bike, ridden primarily on asphalt.
3) Be up to the task of some longer weekend pokes through the country,
again mostly on asphalt.
4) Not be unstable or prone to wiping out when it sees a bit of hard
packed, and occasionally loose gravel.
5) Be up for the occasional trip to the carriage roads in Acadia
National Park.
6) Not cost more than $600 or so.
7) No cutting edge, prone to looking VERY aged, frame designs or
colors. My last bike was a white on purple 1991 Nishiki Ariel.

FWIW, I don't like drop handlebars. My gut would get

Quoted message said:

in the way of me hunching over anyway, at least for now 🙂

Thanks in advance!

- Chris

Hi there Chris.

Perhaps a mountain bike with a rigid-frame and fork would work well for
you.

It can be fitted with narrow tires, fenders and a luggage rack.

For a cyclist who will have just one bicycle for conditios such as you
have mentioned I think a mountain bike is the most versatile.

It can even be ridden in winter with the knobby tires and it rides
nicely on pavement and rough roads or hard-pack trails with the thinner
1.5 inch tires.

I have an old Miele mountain bike I have put drop bars on. In winter it
can be refitted with the straightbars and shifters if I so desire. it
doesn't take that long.

This can be an option for you later on as you become more fit.

A picture of it with the drop bars can be seen at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/73832500@N00/193571690/

Good luck with whatever you decide on.

May the wind always be at your back and may your flats be few. Peter

Group: rec.bicycles.misc
Date: Wed, Sep 20, 2006, 11:58am (EDT-3)
From: [email hidden] (Chris Sprague)

Quoted message said:

Chris Y.F.N.W. wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

TOOL machine

Quoted message said:

A what?

That was supposed to be TOTL (Top Of The Line), sorry.

- -
Comments and opinions compliments of,
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

My web Site:
http://geocities.com/czcorner

To E-mail me:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net

Chris Sprague said:

Some model suggestions? I plan to ride a bunch of stuff on Saturday,
and there's a dealer for pretty much every brand I know of in Portland.

Enquiring minds wanna know . . . whad ya' get???

Frank Taco said:

Chris Sprague said:

Some model suggestions? I plan to ride a bunch of stuff on Saturday,
and there's a dealer for pretty much every brand I know of in Portland.

Enquiring minds wanna know . . . whad ya' get???

Being late in the year, I decided against putting up a bunch of money
for a new bike for the time being. I had my old Nishiki Ariel tuned
up, but on some less knobby tires, and will use that through the end of
this fall.

New bike in the spring, probably.