Mountain Biking - How does a Clydesdale keep from busting his frame?

Okay, I'm new here and didn't see a thread like this; if I'm duplicating, gimme a link and I'll shut up.

I'm a Clydesdale in the biggest sense of the word. I'm 6'1" and 250# and I just got into mountain biking. I have an entry level MTB at best (1999 Raleigh M40) with stock everything (except the clipless pedals :D . I've been out a few times and been bunnyhopping and even jumping. My fear is that my beefy frame is gonna crunch this aluminum frame that I'm riding right now.

So here's what I want to know:

1. Has anyone out there demolished a frame and if so, how?


2. Does anyone have any suggestions on how a big guy like me can avoid mangling this aluminum frame? (Keep in mind that an upgrade of bike is not possible because of the Mrs. and I know one obvious answer is to lose some weight, lard lad. To which I say, "Why do you think I bike?")

Thanks!

This may not be what you want to hear, but there really isn't a way t make that frame any stronger than it already is. If you are 250 and really pounding that frame (and if you're jumping and hopping, you are pounding it) it's going to give out sooner or later.

My recommendation would be to look into buying a new, stronger bike that is made to withstand riders of 200+ pounds. Some companies make aluminum frames that are strong enough, but you should also consider a full-suspension bike that will absorb the impact and put less stress on the frame.

Remember, the frame isn't the only part that is taking stress. Your crank, stem, headset, bars, wheels (rims and spokes), etc. are all feeling the heat. Buying a new bike with stronger parts may be just the thing.

A freeride bike is your answer. MUCH heavier construction...but not really that much heavier in weight (maybe 30 - 35lbs).

Check out the Cannondale Gemini...I ride with a guy that was ALWAYS breaking his XC bike. 6'2" and about 225. His Gemini has been rock solid.

If you want a stout, good frame check out Surly, they are high quality affordable stuff

Originally posted by Bik'n' Rev.
1. Has anyone out there demolished a frame and if so, how?



Yes. I broke a chromoly rigid commuter way back. I snapped the chainstay from the toptube.



2. Does anyone have any suggestions on how a big guy like me can avoid mangling this aluminum frame? (Keep in mind that an upgrade of bike is not possible because of the Mrs. and I know one obvious answer is to lose some weight, lard lad. To which I say, "Why do you think I bike?")

Thanks!

Frames don't break that often and I wouldn't worry about it too much. Even xc bikes can take some abuse, I would replace it when you need to. Its the basic parts I am surprised you haven't gone through. Myself at 250 pounds I ended up needing a new fork right away as the stock one felt quirrelly, the whole drive train was swapped out as I destroyed my bb within two weeks of riding. I now run all dh parts on my light freeride bike. I don't have any worries of parts breaking as often...luckily I also have a burly frame...

Since your parameter were "how not to break the bike you own", I won't suggest you spend $3,000 on a really cool bike that will do all the rad things we see in the magazines (oh, it's true, if you get one, you'll be guzzling Red Bull, riding off cliffs and laughing about it in no time).

Here's the deal, coming from a 235lb rider, and with consideration for the level of bike and components you're riding:

--stop jumping, unless you're only doing mild burps over things on the trail. You exceed the weight limits for some of the components on the frame and will start to bend things like axles, or break things like handlebars.
--focus on riding smooth, like an XC racer, and less on "Mountain Dew style". Oh, sure, some kids will think you're uncool, but when you pass the little huffers up the hills, you can flick their ear and listen to their cries fade in the distance. ;) Seriously, focus on smooth and fast, maximize your mileage and you will have fun without breaking things.
--be happy you have aluminum: it's popular for whippet-like twerps to talk about "steel is real", but the other REALity is that steel is whippy under heavy riders. Aluminum frames flex just enough under larger riders and are designed to last and last (barring Red Bull maneuvers). I only say this because I've got two aluminum mtb's with thousands of hard trail miles on each of them...hint hint.
--when the time comes that you want to upgrade, do look at more "serious" rigs than what you intend to ride, because everything other than "DH" or "freeride" bikes are built with 175lb riders in mind.

Oh, and cut your daily calories, get at least 30 hard miles per week with lots of hydration, and you'll drop 15 pounds in two months without even noticing it, plus get stronger. More miles, more results.

Being a RhinoRyder (that's a Clydesdale ++++) at over 250, I've broken my share of bikes and parts.

The frames I've broken have not been "catastrophic seperations resulting in yard sale crashes", but more of the the "cleaning the bike and noticing a crack in a weld".

I've broken a shock mount on my Gary Fisher Z-1 frame. A headtube weld from casing a jump, a down tube weld at the bottom bracket from an impact with a "not wide enough gap in that last rock garden".

Regardless, I tend to go through rear wheels like crazy. It took me at least 4 XC wheels to realize, I need to ride heavier duty stuff. I know use ONLY DH or FR equipment. I'm runnin a Mavic D321 rim.

I've also gone through my share of lightweight aluminum cranksets. The new FR specifc cranks are head and shoulders above the old XC types.

For me, the biggest problem I had was with seatposts and seats. I'd strip the threads on bolts, or strip the knurled clamps. I now ONLY use two bolt type clamps like those found on Thomson Elite Posts. Seats? I keep bending rails, so only use chromoly railed seats.

Regarding forks. You WILL need to change out the springs for any fork you use. I get the stiffest spring rates the manufacturer makes regardless of brand. STAY AWAY FROM AIR SHOCKS. Being 250 +, you will need so much pressure, the seals can't handle them and an air shock will be a constant maintenace problem. Stick to a coil sprung shock (front or rear).

Oh yeah, get bigger tires. 2.1" minimum. WTB's making a lot of their tires in 2.3 which is a nice size for general use.

L8R

Wow! What great suggestions. You all have given me a some great advice.

Don't worry, EBasil, I don't even DRINK Mountain Dew, let alone imitate their commercials. I bike in Sheboygan, Wisconsin where extreme is two bratwurst on a Kaiser roll with sauerkraut and mustard...*droool* Which of course leads to your second suggestions, which I am working on. I've been laid up for 6 months with a pretty serious knee injury from running. But, my "usual" weight is still about 225#. So, even though I won't always be this big, I'll probably always be a Clydesdale, and proud of it!

It's also good to know that my suspicions were true; manufacturers are discriminating against heavier riders. WHY DO THEY ALWAYS GOTTA PERSECUTE THE FAT PEOPLE?! as my brother would say. Thanks for the tips on what to tell my wife when my current components break and I need to shell out some coin to get decent replacements. "Yes, honey, I do need to spend $500 for a rim. You can have that surgery next month."

Ride on, heavy brothers, someone has to be in the front of the draft line and we can block wind for two!

Draft line riding! I always get a kick when my wife and I ride our road bikes together. She has no trouble staying in my draft, yet I have a heck of a time keeping on her back wheel. She's 5'6" and maybe, maybe 120 lbs.

She wonders why???????

Honey, Ever watch NASCAR?

L8R

Originally posted by Bik'n' Rev.
...extreme is two bratwurst on a Kaiser roll with sauerkraut and mustard

Oh man, and I only had a Clif Bar and tea for lunch...you are killing me!! AAaarrgghh!!

I am successfully maintaining a 17lb "riding drop", even through our 4th of July Bratwurst Bonanza, where I proved my capacity for "extreme". (The July 5th hammerfest ride was painful but burned a lot off.)