|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Heavy friend wants a bike--help?
Hey there, I've been doing lots of lots research before getting my MTB
recently, so I kinda have an idea of what to look for and recommend...normally. However, my friend who is all of 270lbs wants a bike and I know theres a different criteria set for riders like these. His budget is up to1200 (but probably would like to spend around 800) for a mountain bike for beginning riding. Should he look for CroMo frame? (higher tensile and yield strength vs 6061-T6). Which shocks are typically recommended for heavier riders? Are there any companies or bikes that are geared specifically towards this market? I'm guessing one would need a good, strong front fork, bottom bracket, crankset, and wheelset...tell me if I missed anything or got anything wrong. Thanks. |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Heavy friend wants a bike--help?
However, my friend who is all of 270lbs wants a bike
and I know theres a different criteria set for riders A good mountain bike with 36 spoke wheels should do just fine for normal trail riding. These are designed for heavy use and drops. Many of us on the 200-300 range ride successfully. Personally, at 245 (now down to 220) I have ridden a stock Lemond Buenos Aires with 32 spoke wheels for several years now. I have 32 spoke wheels and 7,000 miles on the BA with absolutely no problems. I did have the spokes "tension-released" when it was new, and do have an annual tuneup. I have ridden a $300 Hardrock Specialized mtn bike (36 spoke wheels) for 5 years for over 8,000 miles, again with absolutely no problems. Your friend should enjoy riding and it is a good aerobic (cardio) exercise. Tell him to have fun, go to a good Local Bike Shop to be properly fitted and not to worry. http://members.aol.com/foxcondorsrvtns (Colorado rental condo) http://members.aol.com/dnvrfox (Family Web Page) |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Heavy friend wants a bike--help?
they would be affectionately known in the cycle jargon as a clydesdale and
should shop appropriately. I know of someone @ 150kg that rides both "standard" mountain bikes and road bikes with regularity with minimal problems. Remember that there are necessories not just the cost of the bike to consider (shorts, gloves, helmet, cmoputer, lock, water bottles & cages, lights etc) "tsp" wrote in message ... Hey there, I've been doing lots of lots research before getting my MTB recently, so I kinda have an idea of what to look for and recommend...normally. However, my friend who is all of 270lbs wants a bike and I know theres a different criteria set for riders like these. His budget is up to1200 (but probably would like to spend around 800) for a mountain bike for beginning riding. Should he look for CroMo frame? (higher tensile and yield strength vs 6061-T6). Which shocks are typically recommended for heavier riders? Are there any companies or bikes that are geared specifically towards this market? I'm guessing one would need a good, strong front fork, bottom bracket, crankset, and wheelset...tell me if I missed anything or got anything wrong. Thanks. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Heavy friend wants a bike--help?
"tsp" wrote in message
... Hey there, I've been doing lots of lots research before getting my MTB recently, so I kinda have an idea of what to look for and recommend...normally. However, my friend who is all of 270lbs wants a bike and I know theres a different criteria set for riders like these. I'm not sure he has much to worry about. If he wants a mountain bike, then any entry level mountain bike will probably suffice. I lost most of my 150lbs. on a Trek 4300 that cost like $380. I went from 400lbs. to around 290lbs. on that bike, then got a road bike. Also stock. Trek 1000. The only thing I had to fidget with is I had to have the back wheel on the road bike remade with better spokes by hand because spokes were breaking on me. Other than that I haven't had a problem. So I'd say the most important part (once again, unless he's mountain biking or hopping curbs) is to make sure the back wheel is strong. Otherwise, I wouldn't imagine he'd have much of a problem. In fact, there's an argument to be made that if he has $1200 to spend it might not be a bad idea to buy an entry level bike with a decent back wheel and wear that out. Save some money and buy a better bike once he's lost some weight (if that's a goal or at all possible). That's my plan. Preston |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Heavy friend wants a bike--help?
"Preston Crawford" wrote in message
... I'm not sure he has much to worry about. If he wants a mountain bike, then any entry level mountain bike will probably suffice. I lost most of my 150lbs. on a Trek 4300 that cost like $380. I went from 400lbs. to around 290lbs. on that bike, then got a road bike. Also stock. Trek 1000. The only thing I had to fidget with is I had to have the back wheel on the road bike remade with better spokes by hand because spokes were breaking on me. Other than that I haven't had a problem. So I'd say the most important part (once again, unless he's mountain biking or hopping curbs) is to make sure the back wheel is strong. Otherwise, I wouldn't imagine he'd have much of a I'd agree. I'm 230-265 (riding/not riding). Wheels are the problem, or is it finding a mechanic who knows how to fix a wheel is the problem. An ordinary mtb should work but more expensive equals less bike weight from fewer, lighter spokes and that may lead to more problems. problem. In fact, there's an argument to be made that if he has $1200 to spend it might not be a bad idea to buy an entry level bike with a decent back wheel and wear that out. Save some money and buy a better bike once he's lost some weight (if that's a goal or at all possible). That's my plan. Not a bad idea at all, although, it can be a lot harder (even dangerous) to use a crappy bike on tougher rides and that might discourage him, especially if he's trying to ride with people with great bikes. Doug Toronto |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Heavy friend wants a bike--help?
In article ,
Denver C. Fox wrote: However, my friend who is all of 270lbs wants a bike and I know theres a different criteria set for riders A good mountain bike with 36 spoke wheels should do just fine for normal trail riding. These are designed for heavy use and drops. Many of us on the 200-300 range ride successfully. Personally, at 245 (now down to 220) I have ridden a stock Lemond Buenos Aires with 32 spoke wheels for several years now. I have 32 spoke wheels and 7,000 miles on the BA with absolutely no problems. I did have the spokes "tension-released" when it was new, and do have an annual tuneup. I have ridden a $300 Hardrock Specialized mtn bike (36 spoke wheels) for 5 years for over 8,000 miles, again with absolutely no problems. Your friend should enjoy riding and it is a good aerobic (cardio) exercise. Tell him to have fun, go to a good Local Bike Shop to be properly fitted and not to worry. What I want to know is there any hope of a heavier rider to ride significant hills and steep, real, mountain bike courses trails? I could ride like a maniac when I was 155 in college. But since I bulked up and did body building, I was like struggling on moderately hill courses at 185-190. Now, I'm at 225-230, and it's even harder. I don't even attempt some locations that i didn't use to think twice about, even at 184. Gently rolling hills are hard on the quads. I would just think at 250, you'd be consigned to level trails basically. ;-( IOW, is there a limit where the mechanical advantage 'breaks' on a bike? I'm planning to lose down to at least 200 so I can continue, and maybe even lower than that. I'm trying to figure how low I should go. I hear every 10lbs adds 3 min to your ride times. Just wondering what other ppl experience. I'm sure if you've been riding at 245 for 10 years it doesn't matter. Certainly you wouldn't go to the Tour, or Rockies, or even the Appalacians, right? -B -- Email Replies to johnsonnospm01j att ntelos dott net |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Heavy friend wants a bike--help?
"Badger South" wrote in message
... What I want to know is there any hope of a heavier rider to ride significant hills and steep, real, mountain bike courses trails? I could ride like a maniac when I was 155 in college. But since I bulked up and did body building, I was like struggling on moderately hill courses at 185-190. Now, I'm at 225-230, and it's even harder. I don't even attempt some locations that i didn't use to think twice about, even at 184. Gently rolling hills are hard on the quads. I would just think at 250, you'd be consigned to level trails basically. ;-( You will notice even pro sprinters can't keep up on mountain stages. The same thing happens in a casual group of riders. The lightest are up first, the heaviest last. While it would probably take me a few days to do a mountain stage of the Tour, as long as it's ok to fall behind on the climbs, maybe pause now and then, I don't see any problem on the road except for the accumulation of too much unaccustomed climbing on knees. People ride up these hills all the time carrying an extra 50 to 100 pounds, it's called self-contained touring. Of course, this assumes you've been riding a while, and are willing to use touring bike gearing (like mtb.) Off road on more technical trails I have found hills that are steep enough for long enough that I don't think I can climb them. I chicken out when I start imagining backwards sommersaults and I would not want to try some of the things they do in pro mtb races. Doug Toronto |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Heavy friend wants a bike--help?
In article ogers.com,
Doug Purdy wrote: "Badger South" wrote in message ... What I want to know is there any hope of a heavier rider to ride significant hills and steep, real, mountain bike courses trails? I could ride like a maniac when I was 155 in college. But since I bulked up and did body building, I was like struggling on moderately hill courses at 185-190. Now, I'm at 225-230, and it's even harder. I don't even attempt some locations that i didn't use to think twice about, even at 184. Gently rolling hills are hard on the quads. I would just think at 250, you'd be consigned to level trails basically. ;-( You will notice even pro sprinters can't keep up on mountain stages. The same thing happens in a casual group of riders. The lightest are up first, the heaviest last. While it would probably take me a few days to do a mountain stage of the Tour, as long as it's ok to fall behind on the climbs, maybe pause now and then, I don't see any problem on the road except for the accumulation of too much unaccustomed climbing on knees. People ride up these hills all the time carrying an extra 50 to 100 pounds, it's called self-contained touring. Of course, this assumes you've been riding a while, and are willing to use touring bike gearing (like mtb.) Off road on more technical trails I have found hills that are steep enough for long enough that I don't think I can climb them. I chicken out when I start imagining backwards sommersaults and I would not want to try some of the things they do in pro mtb races. Doug Toronto So if I've just come back off a long layoff (1 year), and I train everyday (45min on rolling hills, mostly flat trail) and lift (squats, dl, bp), how long should it take me to be able to do medium hills; what do you consider a medium hard hill for you at 240? Like how long and how steep? Just trying to set a goal for myself. -B -- Email Replies to johnsonnospm01j att ntelos dott net |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Heavy friend wants a bike--help?
|
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Heavy friend wants a bike--help?
On Wed, 08 Oct 2003 04:48:39 +0000, Badger South wrote:
What I want to know is there any hope of a heavier rider to ride significant hills and steep, real, mountain bike courses trails? I could ride like a maniac when I was 155 in college. But since I bulked up and did body building, I was like struggling on moderately hill courses at 185-190. Now, I'm at 225-230, and it's even harder. I don't even attempt some locations that i didn't use to think twice about, even at 184. Gently rolling hills are hard on the quads. I would just think at 250, you'd be consigned to level trails basically. ;-( IOW, is there a limit where the mechanical advantage 'breaks' on a bike? Not really. I know what you mean about the memory of how easy it was way back when. Now, I place part of the blame on my belly, the rest on my age, but it is harder to get up the hills. What I have to do is recognize that I*can't climb as well as the children I ride with, but no matter what, I*can still get up the hill given a low enough gear and enough time. I'm planning to lose down to at least 200 so I can continue, and maybe even lower than that. Yeah, I'm planning to weigh 160 real soon now.... Just wondering what other ppl experience. I'm sure if you've been riding at 245 for 10 years it doesn't matter. Certainly you wouldn't go to the Tour, or Rockies, or even the Appalacians, right? Why the hell not? With low enough gears you can get anyone up anything, if they are otherwise in shape. Not fast, perhaps, but it is still possible. -- David L. Johnson __o | Accept risk. Accept responsibility. Put a lawyer out of _`\(,_ | business. (_)/ (_) | |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
buying my first road bike | Tanya Quinn | General | 28 | June 17th 10 10:42 AM |
Single Speed Cruiser vs. Mountain/All Terrain Bike for Commuting? | Luigi de Guzman | General | 2 | August 21st 03 05:02 PM |
Considering a Road bike for commuting... good idea? | Mike Beauchamp | General | 116 | August 18th 03 11:44 PM |
Best Way to Travel with a Bike on an Airplane | F1 | General | 5 | August 14th 03 10:39 PM |
Looking for a cheap road bike | Mike Jacoubowsky | General | 8 | August 7th 03 12:12 AM |