Know much about bicycles?

[Big Dog]

If you are BIG big then a Clydesdale bike like Kona Hoss are designed for the extra punishment you would give a frame..... though pricey.

Already down to 135 kg (from 150 in November).
Saw a hoss on "Special" for $1200 very nice but just too damn much. (from memory that was a saving of $800
Currently looking seriously at the Avanti equivalent. Forget the name but heavy duty crank reinforced bottom end. Being end of season this too is on special.

[MisterD]

I know Karl from Hotcycles is 6-4 and seems to go ok on a pushbike (dont think his is custom made - but might be wrong). Definately a large size frame though.

You're wrong, but right EJT. The Hotcycles guys all ride Serotta bikes, which are made to measure...but that's not because a 6'4" rider can't fit an off the peg frame.

[Colapop]

For those of you that know me and don't know Big Dog - he's the only KBer that lifts me!
6'3"??? WTF you're 6'5" and then some... Bro if you really want to get some good overall fitness start rowing (on an erg) It is a bit more boring but you'll get better overall fitness.

[Grahameeboy]

For those of you that know me and don't know Big Dog - he's the only KBer that lifts me!
6'3"??? WTF you're 6'5" and then some... Bro if you really want to get some good overall fitness start rowing (on an erg) It is a bit more boring but you'll get better overall fitness.

I'll lift ya big fella.............agree with rowing..a real mental battle too which is good for overall fitness............

[sAsLEX]

I'll lift ya big fella.............agree with rowing..a real mental battle too which is good for overall fitness............

http://mtbr.com/reviews/Trainer/product_87774.shtml


Bikes on a trainer would be a close match would they not for cardio workout?

Though rowing is a bit more full body..

[Grahameeboy]

I think it is good to mix and match.............rowing matches the hard out work out a ride gives you.............you can get those cycle trainers for bikes which are good and you can watch TV at same time....plus you don't have to join a gym

[Big Dog]

6'3"??? WTF you're 6'5" and then some...

Nah, I just look taller than I am because I have good posture.
Big Dave LOOKS shorter but is in fact taller than I.

In my bike boots I am 6'5".

[Big Dog]

As per rowing, I have chosen cycling because:
It should be self funding in that if I spend less than a $G on the bike the savings in fuel, servicing, tyres etc will cover the cost in first year. (still not buying all the noncy gear. (Maybe some body armour will be called for but not acres of lycra.)
If I do not achieve a tangible result on excersising (or is that exorcising?) I find the gear gets left to it's own devices. A rowing club might be a different matter. With cycling the payoffs are plentiful and close together, mastered that hill, passed that car, jumped that trafic island, stoppied that grade or even got there alive.

[Grub]

I agree BD. On the bike you are out seeing things from a new perspective, commuting for (almost) free, getting fit and the most important reason is the one you give ... achievements that you can measure. Nothing to beat that.

The computer gives me important feedback too. Better top speed, better time, better average speed, "geez look how far i have been", more cycling efficiency (cadance), better hill climbing (cadence) ... all stuff that is directly fed back from the computer

My latest addition i the heart rate monitor. It benchmarks your limits, its how the Tour riders pace themselves. There's a rate over which you start losing efficiency and can't contine. It's different for everyone. I kept reading about "80%" effort and how riders store energy for the times they need to use 80, 90 or 100% of effort. Since I had no idea if I was using only 60% or 110% of my capacity it seemed I therefore wasn't able to really make the most of what I was doing.

[Street Gerbil]

Rule of thumb:
Steel is gentle but heavy as a brick.
Alu is light but brittle and hard on reproductive (and other) organs
Ti is heavier than Alu but gentle like steel.
Carbon feels like riding crystallized air but is brittle and very expensive.
Go with Ti if you can afford it. Your prostate will thank you.
It may be a good idea to start with a decent frame and upgrade the groupset and wheels as you go. Don't repeat my mistake and get a grouppie with a granny gear. Helps a lot for those infinite climbs.
Carbon fork and seatpost are worthwhile investments.

[sAsLEX]

Rule of thumb:
Steel is gentle but heavy as a brick.
Alu is light but brittle and hard on reproductive (and other) organs
Ti is heavier than Alu but gentle like steel.
Carbon feels like riding crystallized air but is brittle and very expensive.
Go with Ti if you can afford it. Your prostate will thank you.
It may be a good idea to start with a decent frame and upgrade the groupset and wheels as you go. Don't repeat my mistake and get a grouppie with a granny gear. Helps a lot for those infinite climbs.
Carbon fork and seatpost are worthwhile investments.

A decent seat is a must for protecting the man jewels from lack of blood and its all to do with sit bone separation and the seat squashing the nerves that run between them

[Colapop]

True but I reckon you can add a bit of variance to your training regime and get better results quicker

[Big Dog]

True but I reckon you can add a bit of variance to your training regime and get better results quicker

Two words. Limited Funds.

[Jerms]

I'm 6'3" and ride a Kona Kahuna Deluxe MTB...yes, that'll be more expensive than what you want to spend but you can buy them off the shelf for tall folk...

A good idea to look out for the older models as in the 2008 versions will be arriving soon and most bike shops half half price sales on last years version.

I also used to ride a Marin...KHS are good as are Giants but they're all good except for those at the Warehouse or Kmart...

[Big Dog]

I also used to ride a Marin...KHS are good as are Giants but they're all good except for those at the Warehouse or Kmart...

I used to assemble bikes for the warehouse 13.5 years ago.
There is nothing wrong with them for street use if you are under 85 kg over that you are likely to have issues.