Hi All
My first post here after days of reading so I am hoping that I can get a few good tips.
First, thanks in advance for any help that can be offered.
I am particularly looking for feedback from experienced heavy riders and bike mechanics who have dealt with the particular quirks of big heavy riders but I am grateful for feedback from anyone!
I am about 6´10" (approx 205cm I think) tall and about 265 lbs (120kg). This weight can increase as I develop muscle mass (and yes, people do love to slip stream in a headwind lol).
Suffice it to say that I am the perfect build for road cycling... or not! (ROFL)
After a 17 year break I am getting back into cycling and have been riding on some kit which is being replaced now that I am up to 300 - 400kms a week.
I did the Cyfac custom measure and am now awaiting my custom (carbon) frame.
While this is being built I have been told have been told to go and choose wheels gruppos etc.
My main problem here is that while I was sitting watching the cycling on TV for nearly two decades, the world changed!
Campy is now reliable, Carbon is not weak, Aluminium is almost unheard of anymore, Steel is what the bike stands are made of and I have not got a clue! (OK... that last one was the same nearly two decades ago too ).
One thing that has not changed (and may even be harder to deal with now that all the materials are so lightweight) is that heavy guys kill cycling kit if they do not choose the right thing first time!
I am really looking for solid advice on what is best for the big guys now.
GRUPPO.
My measure showed I need a 177.5mm crankset but neither Campy Record nor Shimano DA do one in a compact so I am leaning toward 2010 SRAM Red.
I have never ridden SRAM, (Have been using Record for the last year which I have enjoyed very much) so I really know nothing here.
Can anyone comment on this as a gruppo?
WHEELS:
This is a real nightmare. I have already destroyed a pair of Mavic Cosmo Carbon aero rims and a lot of what I have seen on the market looks positively fragile for someone my size!
What is the best (read stiff and strong) wheel build to aim at for the jolly green giant?
STEMS (of various descriptions)
Should I be going carbon or sticking with metal? What brands/models are good?
BARS.
Same questions really. Should I be going carbon or sticking with metal. What brands/models are good?
Basically, I need to know everything because everything has changed!
As you may have gathered, I am spending the bucks to do it right first time (There really never is a cheap option when you are this size and weight) but I am not spending for brand or status. I really do want to get the best kit for the job.
Looking forward to all replies guys and girls and again, thanks in advance for any input.
Tig
My first post here after days of reading so I am hoping that I can get a few good tips.
First, thanks in advance for any help that can be offered.
I am particularly looking for feedback from experienced heavy riders and bike mechanics who have dealt with the particular quirks of big heavy riders but I am grateful for feedback from anyone!
I am about 6´10" (approx 205cm I think) tall and about 265 lbs (120kg). This weight can increase as I develop muscle mass (and yes, people do love to slip stream in a headwind lol).
Suffice it to say that I am the perfect build for road cycling... or not! (ROFL)
After a 17 year break I am getting back into cycling and have been riding on some kit which is being replaced now that I am up to 300 - 400kms a week.
I did the Cyfac custom measure and am now awaiting my custom (carbon) frame.
While this is being built I have been told have been told to go and choose wheels gruppos etc.
My main problem here is that while I was sitting watching the cycling on TV for nearly two decades, the world changed!
Campy is now reliable, Carbon is not weak, Aluminium is almost unheard of anymore, Steel is what the bike stands are made of and I have not got a clue! (OK... that last one was the same nearly two decades ago too ).
One thing that has not changed (and may even be harder to deal with now that all the materials are so lightweight) is that heavy guys kill cycling kit if they do not choose the right thing first time!
I am really looking for solid advice on what is best for the big guys now.
GRUPPO.
My measure showed I need a 177.5mm crankset but neither Campy Record nor Shimano DA do one in a compact so I am leaning toward 2010 SRAM Red.
I have never ridden SRAM, (Have been using Record for the last year which I have enjoyed very much) so I really know nothing here.
Can anyone comment on this as a gruppo?
WHEELS:
This is a real nightmare. I have already destroyed a pair of Mavic Cosmo Carbon aero rims and a lot of what I have seen on the market looks positively fragile for someone my size!
What is the best (read stiff and strong) wheel build to aim at for the jolly green giant?
STEMS (of various descriptions)
Should I be going carbon or sticking with metal? What brands/models are good?
BARS.
Same questions really. Should I be going carbon or sticking with metal. What brands/models are good?
Basically, I need to know everything because everything has changed!
As you may have gathered, I am spending the bucks to do it right first time (There really never is a cheap option when you are this size and weight) but I am not spending for brand or status. I really do want to get the best kit for the job.
Looking forward to all replies guys and girls and again, thanks in advance for any input.
Tig