k3vinjam3s wrote:ive been commuting to work for over a year now and through the summer put in some miles (15-25 mile rides) on the country lanes local to me. the bike ive been using is a diamond back mountain back with front suspension and slicker tyres so is heavy and not fully suited. im wanting to give road cycling a lot more attention in the near future but im unsure of what type of bike to buy. i see these road bikes with drop down bars and they all seem small to me and potentially uncomfortable for my size. im 6'2" and a well built 18+ stone. ive looked at the hybrid style bikes with normal bars and slim tyres like road bikes. would this be a good comprimise or should a road bike with large frame be fine? id appreciate any advice on this area as im really unsure at the moment.
Your height is fairly unexceptional and you should have no problem finding any kind of bike with a large enough frame. Riding a size too small is what leads to that hunched-over racing position, so be sure to try out a few sizes. I ride a frame that most bike salesmen would consider too big, as do a lot of people here - racers generally want small frames to get a good aerodynamic crouch, tourers and commuters are generally happier on a larger frame that provides a more upright position. Frame sizing varies between manufacturers, so don't just buy based on the stated size. You'll probably feel most comfortable on a bike sized such that the handlebars are about an inch above or below the level of the saddle, but it depends on your levels of flexibility. Bike shops can adjust the height of handlebars by an inch or two, or more if they change a part called the stem for one of a different shape - this should cost no more than £20.
Your weight is an issue, mainly regarding tyres and wheels. The smaller a tire and the greater a rider's weight, the more air pressure you need to pump into it. At your weight, the 23mm tyres that come on most racing bikes simply won't take enough pressure, so they'll feel squirmy and be more prone to punctures. You might also have problems with wheels - the racy sort with 24 or fewer spokes is designed for little 9 stone whippets, you want proper solid wheels with 36 spokes.
Fortunately there's a kind of bike that's a slightly more sturdy version of a road racing bike, often called an Audax or Sportive bike, designed to be quick and sporty, but more comfortable than a road racing bike. Look for one which can take 25mm or 28mm tyres with mudguards fitted. The best options I can think of are from the British company Dawes - their
Sportif or
Clubman models fit the bill nicely. They both have fittings to take mudguards and a pannier rack, which are vital accessories for commuting and day-to-day use.
Going sturdier still, you get to the sort of bike that many of us CTC members prefer, myself included - the Tourer. Somewhere in between a road bike and a mountain bike (but older than both), the tourer is built to cover long distances in comfort. They'll take big tyres with knobbly tread if needed, but are still reasonably quick with slick tyres. Tourers are built with long wheelbases for confident steering and a relaxed ride. They tend to be a bit heavy and dull compared to a racing bike, but they're also exceedingly practical and versatile - equally suited to popping to the shops or circumnavigating the world. The archetypal model of touring bike has for decades been the
Dawes Galaxy - not an inexpensive bike, but one that will last for 20 years or more with a modicum of care. Budget options include the
Dawes Vantage and the
Edinburgh Country Traveller, both very practical choices for all kinds of leisure riding. Second-hand touring bikes start at about £300 on eBay, or less if you scout around locally.
) simply because commuting in the winter is less fun if you get jetted with muddy water.