2011 Resolution -Shed a few pounds, live a little longer

[Kanga]

Right so where do I start.

 

I am a large little fella, 130kg, 6ft4" and need to lose a good couple of pounds doing something I enjoy (See I have my first being born in April and my wife reckons I need to be around for a while. I cant understand people who run when there is no one chasing them, love squash but I need to be a lot fitter first and gym has never quite done it for me. (Dont like the hyped up pimple ridden overeager roid boys staring in the window) Oh and I love gadgets etc.

 

Hence I thought cycling, it feeds my gadget addiction with gears and cycle computers, suspensions etc, I enjoyed when I did it for a while but I must say it will take me a while before I like the garb.

 

So for very social (i.e comfort) what size bike, what type of bike and what should I be looking for?

 

Thanks in advance!

Edited December 23, 2010 by Kanga

[chris_w_65]

Here you go. I am not too sure how accurate it is especially at the height extremes. Best bet is your LBS but this could be a guide.

ebicycles-bicycle-sizing-chart-mountain-bikes.pdf

[Tumbleweed]

Mountain bike, without a doubt. XL frame?

[Face Plant]

i have a farm gate that might fit seriously though, best is to get fitted to determine frame size but i would guess that it would be a xl i was looking at the raleigh nomad 2011 in the new bicycling mag .... dual sus for 12k i think!

[Starvin' Marvin]

You mentioned the word suspension, so your looking at a mtb I reckon. Now being a roadie I don't know much about mtb sizing. So first stop is a bike shop to get sized and then take it from there. Congrats on your 1st. My 1st due in May.

[rouxtjie]

Mtb for sure, maybe I am just bias

 

Go for a hardtail though, your skills will be much sharper when you do later decide to go for a dual-sus, also you will get more bang for your buck component wise. Look out for some good deals on second hand bikes right here which will stretch your zars even further.

 

Welcome btw

[Kanga]

OK guys thanks

 

So

MTB XL (to be checked)

Hard tail

 

What elso needs to be considered. Please bear in mind I know very very little about this.

[Tumbleweed]

 

What elso needs to be considered. Please bear in mind I know very very little about this.

 

Don't skimp when it comes to shorts. You need a decent chamois. Gloves too. Bar ends will give you some relief from pins and needles, and shoulder, neck and back pain. Don't go to cleats straight away. Get you confidence up with a couple of months of riding. Maybe use toeclips with the strap to keep your foot in a decent position.

[Face Plant]

i disagree about the cleaats, my opinion is get cleats immediately so you can get used to them ASAP i just think you must set them very light so they unclip easily and as your confidence gets higher you can tighten them up

 

got to agree with TW about the shorts!! cant spend enough on a deent pair of shorts!! your ass will thank you

Edited December 23, 2010 by Face Plant

[eggsovereasywithteandtoast]

Start by drinking more water and less coke.

[scotty]

XL sounds right but some bikes also have different XL sizes eg Meridas XL will be different to Commencal XL. Bikes are usually measured BB to TT height but also important is TT lenghth. Added further to this the frame geometry can differ between recreational and race, cant recall if it was in Bicycling or Ride mag where they explained it.

[chris_w_65]

Start by drinking more water and less coke.

 

Or Coke light like me

[flymango]

OK guys thanks

 

So

MTB XL (to be checked)

Hard tail

What elso needs to be considered. Please bear in mind I know very very little about this.

Full susser if your budget allows for it. I'm also a big guy, and your body can take a pounding with a hard tail.

[Top Fuel]

I have a XL 2008 Stumpjumper for sale. It is very well specked and is a great bike. If you keen to check it out sedn me a PM and I can show it to you. I am in Century City Cape Town. You can see it with no obligation of course. It will be easier for me to talk you through it than try and explain it to you over the forum.

[drubin]

Don't skimp when it comes to shorts. You need a decent chamois. Gloves too. Bar ends will give you some relief from pins and needles, and shoulder, neck and back pain. Don't go to cleats straight away. Get you confidence up with a couple of months of riding. Maybe use toeclips with the strap to keep your foot in a decent position.

 

+1 on the cleats thing.

 

I think I got them to early I am kinda unfit and often when cycling up a hill I feel like I need to just put a foot down and don't have enough time/momentum to take them out so I fall over

 

Either way par for the course, fitness will come! Good luck with your cycling mission.