Bikes for Clydes

[making]

A friend of mine is 200 lbs and looking for a road/commuter bike. The LBS told him to stay away from aluminmum. Is there a perfered material for big guys? I am 200+ and love my aluminum bike.

[cyccommute]

A friend of mine is 200 lbs and looking for a road/commuter bike. The LBS told him to stay away from aluminmum. Is there a perfered material for big guys?

No but there are better LBSs out there;)


Over the 26 bikes I've owned, about 1/3 have been steel and 2/3 have been aluminum. I've broken just as many steel frames as aluminum frames (2 each) and just as many steel parts as aluminum parts.

Buy whatever feels good and don't worry about it. I'd probably stay away from low spoke count wheels.

[LordBass]

Time to try a different LBS? Aluminum is fine for 200 lbs.

But.. Steel is a great ride. 80s Japanese 12-speeds are comfortable, reliable, and cheap. Depending on your friend's budget and interest, used can be a good buy.

[funrover]

275 here.. I have an aluminum ride for a commuter, XC, and SS. NO issues from the frame.. time for a new LBS

[making]

Thanks guys, kinda what I thought. Now he is just confused. I think they were trying to jump him to a more expensive bike. Cost them a sale, I bet he buys somewhere else.

[vXhanz]

He better buy somewhere else. I'm 260lbs and ride an aluminum/carbon frame and it hasn't fallen apart. As has been mentioned before it's the rims and low spoke count that are more of a problem.

[stevel610]

235 and no problem with aluminum frame.

[Takabrash]

280 and I've had 2 aluminum bikes with no problem. Like everyone said- frames will hold about anything- it's the wheels you gota look out for. :D