Bicycles for large people????

[britt997]

I really would love to ride a bicycle again but I don't know if one will hold my weight. I am about 270lb and am worried that I'll pop tires or something. If anyone of size knows of or has a bike that has served them well PLEASE let me know the brand/where to find it/estimated price.
It's kinda for more than exercise, I moved to the country and now my car is dead so I am desperate for some quicker transportation than walking and a bike sounds like fun.
Thanks so much!

[apple]

Re: Bicycles for large people????

Hi there!

Yes, bikes will hold you...don't worry. For the best ride, choosing the "moutain bike" tires are better than the "ten-speed" tire for better ride and less bump over the roads. Since there's just a ton of bikes out there that I can't recommend, I do have a Schwin and love it. Walmart has some great bikes that are reasonable for about $60-80; whatever is in your budget. I'm not a bike expert, but I have active kids and a husband who drag me along once in a while for a bike ride I also know that the "green slime" inner tubes are PERFECT if you have a lot of thorns/goatheads/stickers of the like in your neighborhood like we do. OH, and I also have a nice "wide" seat for my rear...got to ride in style of course...LOL

Happy riding!

[Grant]

Re: Bicycles for large people????

When I was 300 pounds I rode my bike with no problems. No special tires or anything, though it is a mountain bike, so defiantely more rugged then a standard 10 speed.

[Richt]

Re: Bicycles for large people????

When I was at my biggest I weighed in close to what you are now, and I didnt have any problems with cycling. You shoul be ok honestly.

Rich

[not2late]

Re: Bicycles for large people????

The guy who lives down the street is at least 300 pounds. He owns a racing bike, like the kind Lance Armstrong uses. It supports his weight fine.

I have a mountain bike because it fits my needs: neighborhood errands and recreational/exercise biking. Enjoy!

[britt997]

Re: Bicycles for large people????

Thanks for your responses, I feel better about going out and testing out a couple at walmart and I would have never known that a mountain bike is mostly like what I need. I thought I was being insane for thinking a bike would hold my weight so thanks!!!

[pj7]

Re: Bicycles for large people????

Maybe I can help you out on this one. Everyone I work with calls me "The Bicycle Guy" which is both cute and ironic considering that I do not look the part of a cyclist and that I work in the auto industry.
I ride a bicycle as my main mode of transportation. I commute well over 5000 miles a year to and from work (including the harsh Detroit winter) as well as mountain biking, liesure and road riding, and family outings.
I started out with the weight of 360lbs or so and have learned alot those many months and 80lbs ago.

Just about any bicycle frame will support your weight. In fact, all non art-deco type frames can and will support 300+ pounds on them. The main components of interest to a heavier person are the wheels, the pedal spindles, and the crank arms (in that order). department store bikes are very lacking in this department though they will do the trick if you are tight on cash, just don't expect the experience to be as good as a well built and assembled bicycle from a reputable bike shop.
There are two basic styles of bikes when it comes to the wheels. The "Mountain bike" type with 26" wheels and the "Road Bike" type with 700c (70 centimeter) wheels. Other types can be grouped into those categories depending on their wheelsets. I'm just using those names as a reference for my discussion here.

For the type of riding you have described I would suggest a "Hybrid" style bicycle. It has the frame geometry and components of a Mountain bike with the wheelset similar to a Road bike.
For the rear wheel 36 spokes is a must! They will stay round and true much better than a 32 spoke wheel will. The front wheel isn't as big of an issue since a majority of your weight and impact is on the rear wheel. the crank arms and pedals that come with "decent" Hybrid bikes are of good quality and so are all of the other components. A couple of good manufacturers of Hybrid bicycles are "Giant" and "Trek". Both companies make really good quality bikes for reasonable prices.
I do highly suggest that you go to a local bike shop and purchase the bike instead of getting one at a department store. The reasons to do so are so vast that I dare not try and type them all out here but I'll give examples.
Department store bikes are assembled by someone who has no real concern for safety or properness. They follow some basic instructions and bolt things on quickly so that they can earn their minimum wage and go outside to have a smoke. The manufacturers are more worried about selling quantity of bikes than quality bikes so they pump them out using low cost materials.
Bike store bicycles are assembled by bicycle mechanics. People who have decided to make a living around working on bicycles. Bike shops warrant their work and do free tuneups and care about your return business so they want you to be happy. The bikes they sell are expensive for a reason, because they are worth it!

A bike shop will actually fit you to the right bike. there are so many different things involved in fitting a bicycle it can get rediculous, really. But they are trained to do so. My local bike shop "Fraser Cycles" http://www.fraserbicycle.com/ has an example on their website about bike fitting. they do this free of charge when they sell you a bike because they want you to enjoy it and be injury free. After all, they want your return service, not just your money!

Moving on...
A decent hybrid such as the Trek 7100 or 7.1FX will cost around $300.00 but will last you much longer than a cheap bike, and thei resale value is much higher as well. the Trek 7100 comes with 700x38mm tires on them which have low rolling resistance for the road but can handle hard packed dirt roads and gravel. It has plenty of gearing to make pedaling easier and a shock absorbing front fork and seat post to smooth out the bumps. That's just one example. I used to own that very bike and was quite happy with it. After a year I sold it for a better bike. I think I paid $350 for it and sold it for $275, I probably could have gotten much more.

For more information you can go to http://www.bikeforums.net/ and check out the "Clydesdale" forum. It is for heavier people, there is even a section devoted to women and their specific issues.

hopefully I have aided some, I can get quite long winded.

[meltinglady]

Re: Bicycles for large people????

My hubby got me a gazelle power plus...they hold up to 350 pounds. I am a little over that and it holds me.LOL...so far anyway.HEHEHEHE!

I just started saturday and and working slow at it to build up. I acn do 20 minutes so far...I know that doesn't seem like a lot but I am real out of shape and anything is better than nothing.

Here is the link so you can see what I am talking about:
http://www.gazelle-store.com/catalog...orkout_Trainer

[staziaw]

Re: Bicycles for large people????

I recently purchased the Trek 7100 - a hybrid bike. I'm about 220 and have no problems at all. With the bike, 2 locks (I live in a major metropolitan area!), a bike helmet and a basket (for all the errands I'm running . . . on my bike!), it was just under $500. And worth every cent. I bought mine at a good local bike shop, where they took the time to put the bike together, install the basket and lock clips, and give me a tutorial on how to use my bike (remove the front wheel, etc).

So, go buy a bike already!!!! It's summer and the perfect time of year for long bike rides!

Oh, and I recommend getting the comfiest seat you can. Nothing like sore butt bones! Ick . . .

Stacy