About 8 months ago, I posted a question here, asking for advice on a
commuter/fitness bike for a 250lb guy:
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.misc/browse_frm/thread/de017a44c6e25917/
In any case, 8 months later, I finally bought a bike. My acceptable
price went up, and my desire to have a bike that could do gravel paths
went away, since I fixed up my old Nishiki Ariel.
Oh, and I weigh 65lbs less now, too, thanks to a winter and spring of
rigorous walking, hiking (mostly on showshoes), and trips to the gym.
So what did I get?
A 2007 Trek 1500 (with the triple). I test rode a few others, such
as a Felt F85, but the geometry on that was just incredibly awkward
for me, and the Trek was on sale too (Hit The Road promotion). Oddly,
contrary to the literature, the real derailleur was not a 9-speed
Shimano 105, but rather a 9-speed Ultegra. Bonus, I guess they must
have some old 9-speed Ultegra stock they need to get rid of.
Total price came to $949. I think I got a decent deal on it.
More importantly, I LOVE riding this thing, which means I'll be riding
it a lot more often than if I'd bought something I thought was just OK
to ride.
I still have some weight to lose, but man am I having fun doing it.
Anyway, that's up my update.
- Chris