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| *Vultures Knob>>>Mountain Bike |
Buying my 1st bike and need advice.? |
I am going to be buying a bike but I have no idea what to look for. I had a knee injury and the doctor said that bikes are a much better way to go then running (for now). Where I live (So. Cal) we have a LOT of off road trails for mountain bike and a lot of canyons and other long tracks for a road bike. Is there a decent bike out there to do some of both? I am a little over 6'3'' and weigh about 225. So I would think a bigger bike would be good (and I dont know of any). I just dont want to look like I am riding a tricycle. get a mountain bike You could get a cyclocross bike...It's a sturdier version of a road bike with heavier duty tires and wheels. They are more expensive, since they are a bit rare. Depending on your budget, you can get a 2 decent quality bikes (1 road, 1 mountain) for under 2 grand. www.coloradocyclist.com If I had a knee injury, I don't think I would be doing any serious off-road mountain biking. It could be dangerous for you. Lots of bumps, rocks, humps, etc.. You're much more likely to take a spill and re-injure yourself I have been riding bikes for more than 30 years, and I have come to the conclusion that mountain bikes make AWFUL road bikes. Yes, their wheels are sturdy, (26 inches) and they are fine if you're only traveling a couple of miles. But try traveling a distance of 5 miles or more and you will feel like you're pedaling nowhere fast, even with street tires mounted. Hybrid bikes and road bikes have wheels which are about 2 and a half inches larger in diameter than mountain bikes. (called "700C") That makes all the difference in the world to me. They are thinner & use higher air pressure as well, which adds up to faster, easier rolling wheels. Hybrid bikes are great for those wanting a mountain bike style for the paved road, or for dirt roads. My only problem with them is that the straight handlebar riding position for your hands gets old really fast. You can add bar end grips to the end of the bars, for a slightly different hand position. There are lots of different types of handlebars out there these days, so it's not hard to swap out, as long as your brake levers & shifters will adapt. Traditional road bikes are very lightweight, and have those curvy, drop handlebars, which offer lots of hand positions for the rider. This keeps your hands from getting tired. Road bikes, with their thin wheels and higher prices, aren't exactly suited for beginners. And if you're up over 220 pounds, (I am too) I'd be careful about riding a road bike that has VERY skinny wheels & tires. But find a friend with a decent road bike, hop on and glide down a smooth road, and you'll feel like you're riding an ice skate. The feeling is exhilarating and addictive. Buy a bike from a local bike shop if at all possible. They are assembled & adjusted out of the box by the employees who work there. That's very important. They will also help you find a bike & frame that fits you. I've seen so many people buy a dept. store bike, then get discouraged because it never works right, or doesn't fit them, so it ends up collecting dust in their garage. That's a shame. I like a lot of what "kenaroni" had to say in his post. I also agree that mountain bikes, although the tires are larger width-wise and will provide more stability, are not a good fit for you because on an off-road trail a lot of things can go wrong; better to stay on more favorable ground. I happen to have a 60cm frame "Diamondback" road bike that needs a new home and you can have it for relatively cheap! (I paid $250 for it, but I am not asking for nearly that much). The bike is too big for me, is in good running condition, and I need to clear some space in my house. I, too, live in SoCal., so it wouldn't be a very far trip. E-mail me @ shooting4seven@yahoo.com Don't bother with a hybrid. They're just a bad compromise. You can't take them on any real trails, but they're not fast enough to hang with the roadies either. If you're sure you can't afford two bikes, pick one or the other. Personally, I'd go with the MTB because its the most versatile and rugged. Maybe not so fast on the road, but you're just looking for a workout, so who cares? Once you're hooked, then you can go get a road bike also. Size is a function of the frame. Frames come in a variety of sizes to suit various sized riders. My son, who is about your size or a little bigger, rides a Specialized Rockhopper. I can't tell you what size frame (I just looked, its not marked), just that its way too big for me (5'8"). The bike shop dudes will be able to fit you correctly, even if they have to order a larger frame. Going to a bike shop is your first step because you need to be fitted for frame size. Mountain bikes and hybrids are very versatile and great for beginners. Because you are tall and 200+, it might be worth your while to consult with the Clydesdales at www.bikeforums.net because they give great suggestions for big guys like you. Some of them are super athletic so need good solid bikes that can stand up to their strength. They usually advise a wheel with at least 36 spokes for uber riders. |
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