Why not full carbon? I'm by no means a racer @ 6' 215lbs. I bought my first road bike last July. A Trek 5000. Full carbon nothing real fancy but it does the job. $1999. I set out to buy a Trek 2300. After my fitting the LBS owner set up several bikes to test ride. I really liked the ride of the characteristics of the full carbon 5000. After almost 2200 miles I have no regrets. Go to your LBS and test ride a few let your butt tell you what feels best to you.Lonnie Utah said:My next question is why you think you NEED a full carbon bike if you are just starting? That's quite an investment. Most likely you won't be able to notice the benefits of a Full carbon bike for quite a while. Dr. Morbius, feel free to jump in here anytime...
L
At 255 lbs, the Trek 5000 frame might be stiff enough and strong enough if you stay away from rough roads. But I'd suspect the OEM wheels and tires would go south on you quickly.steve26 said:My first post!
Well I am looking into purchasing my first bike. I am 6'4" and 255lbs. My bodyfat would be somewhere in the teens...
Am I to heavy to buy a carbon bike? I am looking to buy a bike in the $1,500-$2,000 range.
Thanks.
Steve in
Minnesota
Lonnie Utah said:My next question is why you think you NEED a full carbon bike if you are just starting? That's quite an investment. Most likely you won't be able to notice the benefits of a Full carbon bike for quite a while. Dr. Morbius, feel free to jump in here anytime...
L
Well, not trying to jump into the "fray" here, but the original post DID say he was buying his FIRST bicycle. I think you're looking for bad motives in the response where none exist... If someone is buying their first bike and is completely new to riding, I don't think it's jealousy to ask their motivations for wanting to purchase a carbon fiber bike... Whether or not the person purchasing the bike can afford it, it seems a little extravagant (to me at least... a newbie as well), to spend thousands of $$ on a first bicycle that may or may not be used with any regularity. If the original poster really gets into the sport in the next year, and can afford it, sure upgrade to your heart's content. I don't know the poster or his motivations for wanting a CF bike... maybe it's the "Lance factor", and he saw the show on Discovery Channel last week about how great Lance's carbon fiber bike is...DaveB1234 said:Why do you care? Just answer the question instead of imposing your financial wisdom. I don't believe he asked if he could afford or buy carbon -- he simply asked the durability. Also, he didn't state he was a first time buyer either -- stick with the facts and stop being jealous of others ability to buy what they want.
Good idea. Stick with the facts. The OP most certainly DID state that he was a first time buyer. His second sentence is ... Well I am looking into purchasing my first bike.DaveB1234 said:... Also, he didn't state he was a first time buyer either -- stick with the facts ...
There are some out there.Lonnie Utah said:My question is where have you found a carbon bike for 1.5-2K?
L
DaveB1234 said:People like you are the main reason I avoid posting in forums -- you act like you know what's best for everyone and instead of answering the question you interject a bunch of BS about how a new rider shouldn’t do this or that – please, keep your opinions to yourself.
In reality it depends less on weight than wattage, but a carbon bike is no more likely to fail than any other and depending on which one probably less likely.steve26 said:My first post!
Well I am looking into purchasing my first bike. I am 6'4" and 255lbs. My bodyfat would be somewhere in the teens...
Am I to heavy to buy a carbon bike? I am looking to buy a bike in the $1,500-$2,000 range.
Thanks.
Steve in
Minnesota
HoWheels said:If you can't handle other people's opinions, perhaps you should avoid forums? Your rant doesn't exactly do much other than exascerbate the situation.
His post was on topic, and you are resorting to taking it personally because you happen to not like his opinion. What's that saying about relating opinions to a certain part of the anatomy?
Back on topic, my opinion is that 255 lb is not a problem for a full carbon frame.
-a
I'm a big guy as well, and I have never ridden carbon, however my steel frame has carbon seatstays, seatpost and full carbon fork. The carbon stays make the bike feel really sweet. The next time I buy a bike (which will be followed by my divorce if I don't hold out at least a few more years) I will look at all-carbon frames first. Carbon's pretty tough stuff and it has a very nice feel. I wouldn't worry about your weight, but I may avoid carbon rims or carbon rails on a saddle.DaveB1234 said:Point taken
Forgiven. Welcome to Cycling Forums.DaveB1234 said:My apologies -- reading is fundamental and I missed that .
But no one knew that.But as it turns out, this isn’t his first bike.
If that was directed at me, I provided some links to a few bikes with carbon fiber frames within the original budget. I don't know if any of those bikes will hold up to his weight. That's a question to be answered by the manufacturer or the LBS.But hey, you did a great job of answering the actual question.
People like you are the main reason I avoid posting in forums -- you act like you know what's best for everyone and instead of answering the question you interject a bunch of BS about how a new rider shouldn’t do this or that – please, keep your opinions to yourself.
Also, it really is none of your business how much a person spends for a bike, house, car, clothing, etc. So what if he wants to be like Lance. If people don't buy these bikes, companies may stop building them and then YOU won't be able to buy one.
DHK did state that the OP should go to the LBS and test ride as many of us do. I don't know how helpful it is for all responses to state the same thing. And even if they did, that wouldn't answer the OP's original question of whether or not he's too heavy for a CF bike.If the other posters really wanted to help you they would tell you to go to many bike shops and test ride carbon fiber bikes and talk to the sales person about longevity, durability, and warranty. Also, you may want to investigate other frame materials. Most importantly, look for a bike that fits you and is comfortable to ride. You can have the most exotic and expensive bike in the world, but if it doesn't fit, you probably won't ride it.
Hey, thanks for the acknowlegment Doc. One of the facts of life here is that you'll never know how some stranger takes a response. Even the ones I think are non-controversial, like "shop and compare before you buy", can backfire.Doctor Morbius said:Forgiven. Welcome to Cycling Forums.
But no one knew that.
If that was directed at me, I provided some links to a few bikes with carbon fiber frames within the original budget. I don't know if any of those bikes will hold up to his weight. That's a question to be answered by the manufacturer or the LBS.
If that was directed at Lonnie Utah, he was just suggesting that full CF is kind of expensive for a starter bike for someone new to cycling, which is a valid sentiment - one I happen to share with LU.
People who are just starting out in cycling - whether it be the "Lance Factor" or because their knees are shot and they can't run anymore or whatever - are often better off buying a starter bike because what they thought was important will change over time. It's not uncommon for somebody to have buyer's remorse 6 - 12 months after a 1st bike purchase. $1500 - $2000 is pretty expensive for a garage ornament if they opt not to stick with it or don't enjoy riding the bike for some reason.
DHK did state that the OP should go to the LBS and test ride as many of us do. I don't know how helpful it is for all responses to state the same thing. And even if they did, that wouldn't answer the OP's original question of whether or not he's too heavy for a CF bike.
Check out the recent "Best Road Bike under $1500" and "What if I increased the budget to $2000" threads in this forum. In fact DHK got a very terse reply from 50MPH for suggesting that he go test ride some bikes. 50MPH's reply was "I dont need someone to merely tell me to go to my lbs, that's not helpful advice for me." That was pretty rude on 50MPH's part if you ask me. DHK is one of the more helpful forum members here and has gotten me out of a bind on several occassions. He offered sound advice and got chewed out for it. Not cool!
Unfortunately - and this isn't really anyone's fault - the OP didn't provide enough information for anyone to provide any decent guidelines for what kind of bike to recommend. Cryptic comminication is an all too often pitfall of this and other forums.
It now sounds as though the OP has already changed his mind about CF and is looking at a Felt F55. As you can see it's only been a few days and he's already changed his mind. Buyer's remorse obligitory 6 - 12 month waiting period not necessary. Perhaps the responses have swayed him away from a CF frame at his weight. Who knows?
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