Big guy bike

[DarinM]

Hi. I have a vague idea of what a bicycle is and if the adage is true, I'll remember how to ride one. I hope, otherwise this may be a painful endeavor.

I'm presently riding a recumbent exercise bike. This is getting boring.
I'm wanting to begin looking for a real bicycle to continue getting regular exercise in an environment that offers more excitement than my bedroom.

Jeez, that really sounded pitiful...

Austin offers a wide variety of biking. I'm thinking I want a mountain type bike rather than a road bike or a cruiser. I'm going to start riding on gravel/dirt trails - some paved areas, relatively flat, but as my conditioning improves, I may move on to more hilly terrain. I don't think I will likely drive over rocks or stumps or anything like that. I have a Jeep for that.

I'm about 5'10" and I don't have really long legs - I have about a 30" inseam. I am obese - my weight right now is probably in the 370 range - and I'll probably be around 325 or so when I have the $$ to make a purchase. I'm going to eventually be in the 250-270 range when I plateau from my weight loss and I'll be happy and healthy there.

Please educate me. Make suggestions. I figure suspension bikes are not going to like me. Aluminum frames? Steel frames? If I buy a bike for me at this weight, will I still like it when I'm 100 pounds less? Will it like me? Am I better off buying an OK bike now and then buying a quality bike later or should I just get a good bike now and it will still work later?

I'm hoping to find something in the neighborhood of $1000, preferably less as I am not one of Expo's wealthier members - probably one of its poorer. But I'm ignorant and if I can spend less and get more or if I should spend more and it's really worth it, I am willing to listen and learn.

And if I forgot to ask some really critical questions or asked some stupid ones, again, I am listening.

Thanks for your help.

 

[lamontagne]

While I dont have any suggestions about what kind of bike to buy, I do have one very good suggestion for you.

Go over to www.mtbr.com and find the Clydesdale subforum. That is a forum dedicated to big guys on bikes and there is a wealth of info about what works and what doesn't.

Good luck!

 

[DarinM]

Excellent suggestion. Thanks very much.

 

[Christophe Noel]

For most heavier riders, the challenges are usually with wheels. It's not as if the frames aren't capable of handling larger riders. There are thousands of riders over 250 pounds riding sub 20 pound carbon fiber road bikes with no issues, so frames are pretty strong. Now, if you're launching that 250+ pounds into the air....that's a different ball of wax.

Another common challenge is with suspension components. Forks without much adjustment for preload can often be pretty soft under a big guy. If you don't plan on doing too much offroad, you may not even need a suspension fork. You certainly won't need full suspension, and that right there will save you bundles.

Regarding price, you probably won't have to spend that full $1000 to get your feet wet, and definately won't need to spend more. That's an ample budget.

 

[mountainsoul]

lamontagne already beat me to it but I was going to suggest perusing the Clyde forum on MTBR. That would be my first stop for sure. All the info you will ever need. There is also a good support group on MTBR that trains, tracks and motivates one another with their weight loss goals. It's pretty cool.

As for the actual bike, I would personally look into a steel frame. Strong, durable, will last a long time, and it will provide you some compliance for a little extra comfort as you get back into biking. And Flounder's points about wheels and suspension are spot on. Pay particular attention to those parts. Good luck.

 

[Christophe Noel]

As for the actual bike, I would personally look into a steel frame. .

That might might narrow the options a tad too much. Steel these days comes in two variations. Either very chi-chi, expensive and not overly durable, or pretty basic 4130 Chromoly. Even the most basic 4130 frames like those made by Surly, Vassago and the like are north of $400 for just frames. There's very few entry level steel complete bikes these days. Even the Jamis Dragon 29 is over $1500 as I recall.

I'd also mention even the most brauny of big hit bikes these days are made of aluminum or even carbon, so the material alone isn't really all that big of a consideration.

 

[DarinM]

This is very useful info so far. Thanks, it's greatly appreciated.

 

[Howard70]

Darin:

I've used bicycles to loss 45 pounds or so a couple of times. In my opinion they're the perfect tool, especially when you're heavy and your knees can't take running and your condition doesn't let you hike steep uphill trails for long periods.

I'd suggest you figure on any geared bike with wide (2+ inches) tires for the trip from 370 down to 325 or so. Plan on dirt roads & bike paths and riding hard enough to sweat and breath hard but not gasping. Start easy - 10 minutes for a couple of days, then 15, then 30 and in two weeks you'll handle an hour well. The really important thing in the beginning is to protect your knees and ankles from injury that could require long periods of time off the bike. I'd suggest rejecting single speeds, fixies and other types of bikes you'll hear about - they're all great but probably more appropriate for you once you're below 320 or so.

When you're using a bike to lose significant amounts of weight consistently riding at least five days a week is what you're after. The effort of any single ride isn't really important, and the intervals that racers use to train aren't important either (for losing weight - they are vital for speed and recovery needed to race). Save that for the trip from 270 to 220 and beyond. A great rule of thumb that someone told me a long time ago is that three evenly spaced rides a week lets you hang on to your condition - no improvement but little or no loss either. Four evenly spaced rides can get minor improvement, but five evenly spaced rides are golden - two consecutive days then one day off then two on then one off. If you feel good do three on once in a while, but try to never take more than one day in a row off. The goal is to use cycling to get your metabolism high and keep it up there burning fat. Personally I find riding in the morning is best because I get it done no matter what before work and other responsibilities distract and tire me.

Some coaches suggest riding first thing in the morning on an empty stomach for no more than 90 minutes as a great weight loss strategy. Some of those suggest coffee before that ride to help metabolize fat. Just make sure you start getting some nourishment after 60 to 90 minutes or you'll bonk and that can take even more time off the bike to recover.

When you're in that 325 neighborhood you could reward yourself with a nicer bike and plan on some road miles mixed with the gravel and bike paths. I'd suggest staying off the trafficed roads until you get to this point. Safely riding with automobiles can require agility and speed to flow with traffic and those won't be your best skills in the beginning. Also, once you're at that point you might have a better appreciation of what type of riding you want to move into and thus what type of bike would be best.

The comments from others regarding wheels are important. One way to get great wheels for a heavy guy is to check out shops and online vendors that deal with tandem bicycles. Tandems teams often approach 400 pounds (and more) so their wheels need to be strong.

For years I tried to find a single bike that did it all - fast climbs on smooth pavement, commuting to work, reasonable gravel roads and two-track, etc. The closest I came was a Tom Ritchey Swiss Cross that I still enjoy riding. However, once I accepted that it was OK to have a stable full of bikes (currently 15 between my wife and I) I found I enjoyed riding a really good road bike on the road and really good dirt bike off road, and a really good multipurpose bike when a single ride took me onto both. Thus when you pass below 270 you might think of rewarding yourself again!

While you can always do well buying used or from online sources, you might also consider establishing a relationship with a shop. If they treat you well, provide good advice and a friendly atmosphere, reward them with your business. Some shops have used bikes available and that might be a good place to start.

Good Luck. You can do this and you can weigh 250 ---- or even less.

Howard L. Snell

 

[Cackalak Han]

Redline D440's are in the $600 range. 29er's might give you more tire selections for the type of riding you'll be doing. If you're not going to be on mountain bike trails, something like 700x45c tires might suit you better.

 

[Hawk Thor]

As others have said the wheels are an important consideration when you´re heavy.

I weigh 275lbs and I have given up on the traditional wire spokes in favor of solid spoke wheels like the MAG wheels used on BMXs. I have yet to damage or bend one of those on my hard-tail.

 

[DarinM]

Continued thanks to y'all for your responses. As I get closer to going and kicking some tires I'm sure I will have more questions. Hopefully I'll keep learning and can ask some semi-intelligent ones. Again, thanks.

 

[AchillesBogart]

Have you considered a recumbent bike or trike at all? They are more of a road/gravel road bike, but some people do use them for pure mountain biking.

I'm a big fat guy too, 6'3 and 290, and I ride a recumbent ever since I screwed my wrist up. Mine has no suspension and it doesn't really need it, its like riding in a lawn chair, so your weight is on your butt and not on your arms and shoulders.

My bike is rated to 275lbs, but it does fine over that weight, its just the wheels; spokes break like crazy. If you find a frame that you are comfortable putting your weight on you might want to get wheels for a tandem bike, they are designed for a lot more weight and I think they cost less than solid spoked wheels. Though solid spokes look way cooler.

 

[Wander]

Good for you to make this decision Darin! Cycling is an excellent way to loose weight and gain fitness with little to no impact to the joints. Being in Austin you have a wealth of great shops and a great cycling community to help-use as many resources as possible.

The replies have already covered the biggest detail-the wheels. To get more specific I would recommend a hybrid style bike that will allow you to ride greenways, roads and light trails. I think the more upright position and comfort focus if these bikes will keep you riding which is what you want. If a bike is too aggressive or uncomfortable you will not be a happy guy and it will gather dust.
Get your self into a shop you like and tell them your budget and intentions-if they are worth their salt they will take it from there. You might have to change some things like the saddle or the bars/grips to get it just right.
Get your self a good pair of shorts with the padding-it will make the difference. They make MTB versions that looks like regular shorts if you don't like the spandex look. Focus on wheels, and the areas where you and the bike connect-these are the areas that changes make the biggest difference. Sign up for group rides-riding alone can be cathartic but it ca also be too much if you don't know the roads or just need the encouragement of a crowd.

Finally....have patience! The weight didn't happen quickly and it won't come off quickly enough, take it one step at a time, set reachable goals and don't forget to have fun. If a ride is cut short or you just didn't have the legs it's still better than doing nothing.

If you have any questions or need any help feel free to PM me-I've been a cyclist for almost 30 years, was a pretty serious racer once and did my time at a shop.

 

[DarinM]

Thanks again, y'all. I'm still working on my recumbent exercise bike - roughly 40-50 miles a week on it right now.
I'm hoping to buy a real bike sometime in the spring when I get a few bucks ahead again.
I definitely have a plethora of great places to ride around here, and I'm looking forward to getting out and seeing how things go.
I'll be back with questions before too long.
Happy holidays!

 

[jimed43]

Hi. I have a vague idea of what a bicycle is and if the adage is true, I'll remember how to ride one. I hope, otherwise this may be a painful endeavor.

I'm presently riding a recumbent exercise bike. This is getting boring.
I'm wanting to begin looking for a real bicycle to continue getting regular exercise in an environment that offers more excitement than my bedroom.

Jeez, that really sounded pitiful...

Austin offers a wide variety of biking. I'm thinking I want a mountain type bike rather than a road bike or a cruiser. I'm going to start riding on gravel/dirt trails - some paved areas, relatively flat, but as my conditioning improves, I may move on to more hilly terrain. I don't think I will likely drive over rocks or stumps or anything like that. I have a Jeep for that.

I'm about 5'10" and I don't have really long legs - I have about a 30" inseam. I am obese - my weight right now is probably in the 370 range - and I'll probably be around 325 or so when I have the $$ to make a purchase. I'm going to eventually be in the 250-270 range when I plateau from my weight loss and I'll be happy and healthy there.

Please educate me. Make suggestions. I figure suspension bikes are not going to like me. Aluminum frames? Steel frames? If I buy a bike for me at this weight, will I still like it when I'm 100 pounds less? Will it like me? Am I better off buying an OK bike now and then buying a quality bike later or should I just get a good bike now and it will still work later?

I'm hoping to find something in the neighborhood of $1000, preferably less as I am not one of Expo's wealthier members - probably one of its poorer. But I'm ignorant and if I can spend less and get more or if I should spend more and it's really worth it, I am willing to listen and learn.

And if I forgot to ask some really critical questions or asked some stupid ones, again, I am listening.

Thanks for your help.

pm any questions, been riding a few years now, around 300... changing the my lifestyle for 2011...