Getting a new Bike or Trike...HELP!

[JumboRider]

Heh, thanks for helping.

I am a 6'4" 350 lbs out of shape guy that is going to start 14 mile round trip, road, medium hill, commuting. The commute will be 5 days a week in all weather. My old bike just can't hack it. So I get a chance to buy a new bike and maybe a chance to change my perspective too.

My choice is simple, heavy duty MTB or a heavy duty trike. I may also consider electric assist. Having read the forums and searched the web I have concluded that a trike may be a good choice. Price, now that is a another story.

I am looking at the following:

EZ-3 USX
USS is cool. I don't like the Delta design and worry about wheelies going up hills. I am worried about the strength and quality of the bike. There have been several posts about issues from frame to slanted bolt holes. I also worry about securing the triike while I am at work. I had planned on bringing my bike in the office with me, but the trike will not fit. Can this thing make the hills? That being said, the price is right.

Greenspeed GT3 or GT5
These bikes have great reputations and fold. The folding would allow me to bring the trike inside at work. The seating position looks uncomfortable and the price...OUCH.


I can get a MTB DF for about the price of the EZ. The extra money is needed to get a beefy ride for my size. The pros of a DF is size, handling, and securing of the bike. Cons of the DF is comfort, safety, and no chance to wear my propeller beanie.

So what is your advice? I will be making a decision this weekk, and if it is a trike I will be buying without seeing it.

Thanks,
Dave

[aikigreg]

I'd go for the greenspeed if it were me - not uncomfortable in the slightest, but TRY before you BUY. When I was a biggun two years ago, I started on a beefy mtn bike and then bought a comfort bike - which was CRAP, but it helped me lose enough weight to get both a road bike and a bent. I love the bent so much more.

[ppc]

My choice is simple, heavy duty MTB or a heavy duty trike. I may also consider electric assist. Having read the forums and searched the web I have concluded that a trike may be a good choice. Price, now that is a another story.

I'm on the portly side as well. I have one piece of advice to give you, regardless of the bike you choose: get a frame from a manufacturer that explicitely, IN WRITING, states a maximum acceptable load greater than your weight for the frame, and offers at least a 5 year warranty for frame failures. Don't settle for "oh, that bike will withstand anything": bike shops will tell you any old lie to sell their bikes. Also, if you want to be safe in the long run, choose a steel bike over an alu one: alu is brittle, and gives no warning when it breaks. Steel can flex, therefore can take a lot more beating without developing stress cracks in the metal, and has a tendency to warp before breaking.

I reckon you should look at tourers (upright or bent): touring bikes are designed to take the weight of the rider as well as a lot of cargo. A serious tourer will be fine with you alone on it, and as you drop weight after you start biking, you can start lugging extra stuff on it.

I've broken several alu MTB frames that looked like they could survive an atomic blast, the last one only 2 months ago. My flimsy-looking all-steel Brompton on the other hand is still fine after well over 8000 km, and I expect a lot of miles out of my brand new all-steel bent. I really think you should get a good no-nonsense steel bike that comes with a warranty on the frame.

Finally, congratulations on your decision to start cycling again, it's a fun activity as well as a healthy one. I wish you many pleasurable hours of riding when you get your bike!

[Dchiefransom]

Easy Racers sells the EZ3 trike. Just e-mail them and ask them about the weight limit for their trike.

[squeaker]

Dave
In case you've not found this already, take a look at www.yellowjacketsystems.com/trikes/index.html (http://www.yellowjacketsystems.com/trikes/index.html) for inspiration.
Wishing you good luck with your choice and sunny days :)

[jeff-o]

Though they don't list the maximum weight limits, you should check out this one:

http://www.trimuter.com/Big-Wheel-Tricycles-P10C5.aspx

It's made of chromoly steel, and lots of it. Email them for weight limits.

Also, this one may intrest you even more!

http://www.kmxus.com/product.php?ProdID=8

It's built even sturdier than the one above, and is in fact meant for off-roading. Again, no weight limits, email them about it. But the best part: $1300 US, shipping included!!!

:D

EDIT: Nevermind, the KMX User's Manual lists a weight limit of 209 pounds... Odd. Sorry to get your hopes up on that one.



Oh! But I have another idea! Tom Teesdale (http://www.tetcycles.com/Trikes/trikes.html) will custom-build a trike frame for about $1400, according to the website. I'm sure he could build one capable of supporting your weight (though it would weigh more than a standard trike). I think this is almost your best option...