Build up a Trek 7300 for a big man

[tyler.pederson@gmail.com]

I've been reading up on it and I've determined that the bike shop guy
lied to me. He told me that my bike would be just fine under the
stresses that my (6'5" 350) body would put on this bike under even
gentle riding conditions. I've rode the thing less than 50mi and
already the crank arm fell off, the chain broke, the wheels have
needed trueing twice, the chain seems to skip under certain gear
combos, and now the new chain is clicking. I paid a fair amount for
this bike and would like to continue riding it for no reason other
than to be nicer to it by losing some weight! :) It seems like at
the very least I will need new wheels and given that the pedals are
plastic, I imagine those will break off at some point as well. Are
there any other suggested replacement parts? What brands would you
guys suggest? And what can I expect to pay? I keep thinking back to
high school when I had an $80 bike from Target that lasted years with
much much MUCH harsher treatment and roughly the same me.

Thanks,

Tyler

[Mike Jacoubowsky]

> I've been reading up on it and I've determined that the bike shop guy
> lied to me. He told me that my bike would be just fine under the
> stresses that my (6'5" 350) body would put on this bike under even
> gentle riding conditions. I've rode the thing less than 50mi and
> already the crank arm fell off, the chain broke, the wheels have
> needed trueing twice, the chain seems to skip under certain gear
> combos, and now the new chain is clicking. I paid a fair amount for
> this bike and would like to continue riding it for no reason other
> than to be nicer to it by losing some weight! :) It seems like at
> the very least I will need new wheels and given that the pedals are
> plastic, I imagine those will break off at some point as well. Are
> there any other suggested replacement parts? What brands would you
> guys suggest? And what can I expect to pay? I keep thinking back to
> high school when I had an $80 bike from Target that lasted years with
> much much MUCH harsher treatment and roughly the same me.

The 7300 is quite sturdy for a bike of its price, in its price range. But
your size is going to be challenging. I agree that the pedals aren't going
to be sturdy enough for you, but no other bike in that price range would
have something appropriate either. You need a bit of special attention to
make sure things are dialed in right for your needs. Besides making sure the
tires are wide enough and pedals strong enough, during the initial break-in
period it's going to be a good idea for your bike to see the shop a bit more
often than most, to see how things are going.

In general, a hybrid-style bike is a borderline choice for someone 350lbs.
How was the choice made for the hybrid vs a mountain bike?

As for that $80 target bike, they must have been a whole lot better back in
the day! However, I know that not to be the case. Were you that "sturdy"
back then?

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

[joseph.santaniello@gmail.com]

On Jun 22, 6:30 am, wrote:
> I've been reading up on it and I've determined that the bike shop guy
> lied to me. He told me that my bike would be just fine under the
> stresses that my (6'5" 350) body would put on this bike under even
> gentle riding conditions. I've rode the thing less than 50mi and
> already the crank arm fell off, the chain broke, the wheels have
> needed trueing twice, the chain seems to skip under certain gear
> combos, and now the new chain is clicking. I paid a fair amount for
> this bike and would like to continue riding it for no reason other
> than to be nicer to it by losing some weight! :) It seems like at
> the very least I will need new wheels and given that the pedals are
> plastic, I imagine those will break off at some point as well. Are
> there any other suggested replacement parts? What brands would you
> guys suggest? And what can I expect to pay? I keep thinking back to
> high school when I had an $80 bike from Target that lasted years with
> much much MUCH harsher treatment and roughly the same me.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tyler

All new bikes will need a little adjustment and bolt tightening at
first, but your size exaggerates the problems of not addressing this
right away. Find a shop where they take your situation seriously.

The wheels will probably just need truing and spoke tightening to
start with. They probably will break eventually, but they should last
at least a while. If you want platform pedals, look into something the
BMX trick guys use. That should hold up.

As for the chain, that was improperly installed. Even with 350lbs,
chains should hold up.

Remember to have fun!

Joseph

[landotter]

On Jun 21, 11:30 pm, wrote:
> I've been reading up on it and I've determined that the bike shop guy
> lied to me. He told me that my bike would be just fine under the
> stresses that my (6'5" 350) body would put on this bike under even
> gentle riding conditions. I've rode the thing less than 50mi and
> already the crank arm fell off, the chain broke, the wheels have
> needed trueing twice, the chain seems to skip under certain gear
> combos, and now the new chain is clicking. I paid a fair amount for
> this bike and would like to continue riding it for no reason other
> than to be nicer to it by losing some weight!

At 350#, I'm surprised the shop didn't encourage you to go totally
custom. You weigh as much as two fit average height people, so your
equipment should reflect that. You want wheels strong enough for a
tandem. Something like a 40H Aeroheat rim rear and 36H front built on
strong hubs with double butted spokes. You're not an "off the rack"
kinda guy--so expect to pay a few hundred bucks for some wheels that
will be reliable for a guy your size. If your shop doesn't have a
grizzled veteran wheel builder that mutters in Italian, there are
several guys that post on this newsgroup that'll build you some good
wheels via mail order.

As far as your cranks coming off--most aren't torqued down in
anticipation of a rider your size, and you may very well want to
install a stronger bottom bracket/crank combo that is more weight
appropriate.

[Steven S]

I find it common to have problems with bikes the first year. All new bikes
have issues that make themselves known over the first year. The wheels are
probably under-tensioned and could probably benefit from a half turn or even
two half turns tightening on all the spokes. The crankarms were probably
left too loose. The derailleur will probably also need tightening at the
barrel adjusters as the cables stretch. The chain is a new one on me but it
could have been improperly installed. The new chain clicking is likely a
derailleur adjustment issue, could be cable stretch. Check that it doesn't
rub the front derailleur and try fooling a bit with the rear derailleur
barrel adjuster. A turn or two to the left will probably eliminate the
"chain clicking."

Once you work out the bugs, It should be fine for years with only minor
adjustments here and there.


"landotter" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> On Jun 21, 11:30 pm, wrote:
>> I've been reading up on it and I've determined that the bike shop guy
>> lied to me. He told me that my bike would be just fine under the
>> stresses that my (6'5" 350) body would put on this bike under even
>> gentle riding conditions. I've rode the thing less than 50mi and
>> already the crank arm fell off, the chain broke, the wheels have
>> needed trueing twice, the chain seems to skip under certain gear
>> combos, and now the new chain is clicking. I paid a fair amount for
>> this bike and would like to continue riding it for no reason other
>> than to be nicer to it by losing some weight!
>
> At 350#, I'm surprised the shop didn't encourage you to go totally
> custom. You weigh as much as two fit average height people, so your
> equipment should reflect that. You want wheels strong enough for a
> tandem. Something like a 40H Aeroheat rim rear and 36H front built on
> strong hubs with double butted spokes. You're not an "off the rack"
> kinda guy--so expect to pay a few hundred bucks for some wheels that
> will be reliable for a guy your size. If your shop doesn't have a
> grizzled veteran wheel builder that mutters in Italian, there are
> several guys that post on this newsgroup that'll build you some good
> wheels via mail order.
>
> As far as your cranks coming off--most aren't torqued down in
> anticipation of a rider your size, and you may very well want to
> install a stronger bottom bracket/crank combo that is more weight
> appropriate.
>
>

[Patrick Lamb]

On Fri, 22 Jun 2007 09:05:09 -0700, landotter >
wrote:
>On Jun 21, 11:30 pm, wrote:
>> I've been reading up on it and I've determined that the bike shop guy
>> lied to me. He told me that my bike would be just fine under the
>> stresses that my (6'5" 350) body would put on this bike under even
>> gentle riding conditions. I've rode the thing less than 50mi and
>> already the crank arm fell off, the chain broke, the wheels have
>> needed trueing twice, the chain seems to skip under certain gear
>> combos, and now the new chain is clicking. I paid a fair amount for
>> this bike and would like to continue riding it for no reason other
>> than to be nicer to it by losing some weight!
>
>At 350#, I'm surprised the shop didn't encourage you to go totally
>custom. You weigh as much as two fit average height people, so your
>equipment should reflect that.

ISTM you're jumping to a "custom" conclusion pretty fast. In 50
miles, ridden on a road or smooth path (as I would expect, given stock
700Cx35 tires), I can't see any reason for the problems he's had.
Chain broke in 50 miles? Come on! Wheels need truing not just once,
but twice? Poorly built wheels, some expert attention needed. Crank
fell off? Poorly assembled right off the bat.

> You want wheels strong enough for a
>tandem. Something like a 40H Aeroheat rim rear and 36H front built on
>strong hubs with double butted spokes. You're not an "off the rack"
>kinda guy--so expect to pay a few hundred bucks for some wheels that
>will be reliable for a guy your size. If your shop doesn't have a
>grizzled veteran wheel builder that mutters in Italian, there are
>several guys that post on this newsgroup that'll build you some good
>wheels via mail order.

You may be right about the ideal solution being tandem wheels, but the
originals shouldn't be that far gone so soon.

>As far as your cranks coming off--most aren't torqued down in
>anticipation of a rider your size, and you may very well want to
>install a stronger bottom bracket/crank combo that is more weight
>appropriate.

Doesn't follow. Poorly assembled higher spec will fall apart just as
quickly as poorly assembled lower spec.

I'd suggest the OP find another bike shop. You might also want to
send a tip to the Trek district folks about the mechanical ineptitude
of this shop -- it might pay dividends in them arranging for a
low/no-cost tune-up/fix-up/proper assembly of the current bike.

And if I were looking at a new and different bike for the OP, I'd look
at no-suspension mountain bike with slicks, after I found another bike
shop with clued-in mechanics.

Pat

Email address works as is.

[landotter]

On Jun 23, 4:48 pm, Patrick Lamb > wrote:
> On Fri, 22 Jun 2007 09:05:09 -0700, landotter >
> wrote:
>
> >On Jun 21, 11:30 pm, wrote:
> >> I've been reading up on it and I've determined that the bike shop guy
> >> lied to me. He told me that my bike would be just fine under the
> >> stresses that my (6'5" 350) body would put on this bike under even
> >> gentle riding conditions. I've rode the thing less than 50mi and
> >> already the crank arm fell off, the chain broke, the wheels have
> >> needed trueing twice, the chain seems to skip under certain gear
> >> combos, and now the new chain is clicking. I paid a fair amount for
> >> this bike and would like to continue riding it for no reason other
> >> than to be nicer to it by losing some weight!
>
> >At 350#, I'm surprised the shop didn't encourage you to go totally
> >custom. You weigh as much as two fit average height people, so your
> >equipment should reflect that.
>
> ISTM you're jumping to a "custom" conclusion pretty fast. In 50
> miles, ridden on a road or smooth path (as I would expect, given stock
> 700Cx35 tires), I can't see any reason for the problems he's had.
> Chain broke in 50 miles? Come on! Wheels need truing not just once,
> but twice? Poorly built wheels, some expert attention needed. Crank
> fell off? Poorly assembled right off the bat.


Well, I do doubt the shop dialed in the wheels and brought them up to
tension--and that would probably have had them hold up longer--but at
the OP's weight, do you really expect 32H wheels to hold up
indefinitely?

A proper shop would have suggested tandem strength wheels with the
correct axle spacing, and given credit for the stock wheels and not
sent the OP out the door without the new wheels.

[Anthony DeLorenzo]

Interestingly, today I just read about a similar story, with a
different ending:

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=311642

This shop did what some here have suggested, a custom build-up with
tandem wheels, big fat MTB tires and such. All stock parts mind you,
and nothing mind-blowingly expensive. It certainly cost more than that
Trek, but it sounds like you're already laying out more cash for
replacement parts.

I can speak from some experience (6'5", been close to 300 lbs. at some
points) that you probably need to go the non-stock route. I built up
my own mountain bike -- coincidentally, a Surly Karate Monkey as well
-- and with carefully chosen (not necessarily expensive) parts I have
a bike that I can ride full out and not be worried about breaking
stuff.

You don't need to build the bike yourself, just work with a good shop
to get something that can handle your needs.

Good luck, and keep riding. It's worth it!

Regards,
Anthony

[landotter]

On Jun 25, 6:29 pm, Anthony DeLorenzo >
wrote:
> Interestingly, today I just read about a similar story, with a
> different ending:
>
> http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=311642
>
> This shop did what some here have suggested, a custom build-up with
> tandem wheels, big fat MTB tires and such. All stock parts mind you,
> and nothing mind-blowingly expensive. It certainly cost more than that
> Trek, but it sounds like you're already laying out more cash for
> replacement parts.

Looking around the net, one should easily be able to get something
tough like Velocity Dyad 48H rear 40H front on Shimano hubs for ~200
rear and ~150 front. So perhaps 400 shipped--still, under a grand
total with the bike. Not bad at all considering the needs of the OP.
The LBS might even be able to build for less if they've got the know-
how.

[Dane Buson]

landotter > wrote:
>
> A proper shop would have suggested tandem strength wheels with the
> correct axle spacing, and given credit for the stock wheels and not
> sent the OP out the door without the new wheels.

Gusset Jury or Halo Spin Doctor hubs are super strong and available in
48 spoke versions in 135 mm OLD. That way you can use a normal
chainline and don't have to respace your rear triangle. They're cheaper
than tandem hubs too.

--
Dane Buson -
"It's good for young people to be angry about something."
-Former President Bill Clinton, after he was egged in Poland