Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - clydesdales on recumbents

Im still trying to figure out what kind of bike I want and im wondering would a recumbent bike support my 380 pounds is their any clydesdales on them. Any suggestions.

Look at Lightfoot Recumbent Trikes....

They're a little pricey, but are well built for a heavy rider

http://www.lightfootcycles.com/

way out of my budget.

Check out Sun Bicycles. When I first got into bicycleing, I checked out the Sun EZ-1. It is rated to carry 360 lb so a little more wouldn't overload it. There is a 2 year old EZ-1 on bentridersonline for $400 depending on where you are in the U.S. Sun also makes a delta trike that may fit your needs.

I'd suggest to look 'em all over, pick what's interesting, and then start checking on weight ratings from there.

Some of it may depend on you, as well. Some of those things look more awkward to hold up when starting, compared to a regular bike. It wouldn't be so much a matter of weight as weight/strength ratio.

On regular bikes, apparently it's the wheels that are often the weekpoints, and that's liable to be the case with recumbents as well.

Also, it seems there are a number of recumbents that are made in fairly low numbers, so it might not be that hard to get a beefed up frame on one if you were interested.

I'm 350 and ride a Rans Stratus XL. It works fine and I've never had an issue, but I did have a bombproof rear wheel built up for me.

Hey Phatkat- I'm in the same boat/er bent- only I'm 5'5" and an Athena- not a Clyde- I too am searching. Anyone know anything about Organic Engines? They build a tadpole that seems to be able to handle 400lbs-

Bicycle Man is some guy in New York state who has the best supply of bents to try- he also lists lots of reviews...I'm thinking of taking a few and driving there from Chicago- just to check out all the bikes.

taking a few...DAYS...not bikes... sorry b

Hey Phatkat- I'm in the same boat/er bent- only I'm 5'5" and an Athena- not a Clyde- I too am searching. Anyone know anything about Organic Engines? They build a tadpole that seems to be able to handle 400lbs-



In my search for a Trike for my wife (See the thread), I went to Connecticut Yankee Peddler in Chariton, IA. (www.cypbikes.com) He told me that organic engines will do custom beef ups on a trike and he had a 400lb+ customer for whom Organic engines warrantied the frame. I haven't ridden one, but I would like to.

I got a Sun EZ-Tad SX back in February. The owner of my LBS (Fairfield Cyclery) told me that although the weight limit on the trike is 300 lbs, it would be fine; his only concern was whether or not the wheels would be strong enough. He said if they weren't, he could build stronger wheels for it. I started out at over 430 lbs; after 375+ miles and some minor diet changes, I'm down to 360. I'm glad I got it; just yesterday I went out for a short ride and wound up going 52 miles on it. I had a great time, even with two flats (the excess weight sure seems to be killing my tire life!).
- Bob

From all of my reaserch that I did before getting my recumbent, I found that Sun recumbents are a good place I found to start, both in strength and in cost for a first recumbent. I suppose if you were extremely worried about weight you could start with a trike, 3 wheels spread out the force more and all that. Being that a lot of the weight on some recumbents is on the rear wheel you may want to just have them make a custom extra-strong rear wheel when you get your bike.

I'm riding a Sun EZ-Speedster SWB recumbent. It's handling me fine so far. The Bentrider Online review (http://www.bentrideronline.com/reviews/sun_bicycles_ez_speedster.htm) even mentioned that its frame seemed very strong.


The frame is of course the most important part of any bike...

All of this triangulated strength adds a bit of weight to the frame and, at least in theory, comes with a miniscule aerodynamic drag penalty too, but for the most part, this is of no consequence to most “normal” recreational riders. On the upside of the weight issue, Sun Bicycles designed these frames to easily support a 300-pound rider but I think they’re being conservative. I see no reason why this frame could not handle a significantly heavier rider. This brings me to the often-overlooked real need that these bikes fill. When you look at the weight range of most SWB bents, you note that they’re designed for the “athletic” types, or those who’re lucky enough to tip the scales at less than 250 pounds. The selection of recumbent bikes that support the more robust riders is really limited and, I think it is safe to say that SWB bikes designed to safely carry a 300-pound rider are pretty hard to find.

Are there weight ratings on all bicycles? One of my family members is riding a Trek 800. They just had the gastric by-pass surgery, but still 300 lbs.+. Is this too much weight for this bike? Where would I find this info?

Are there weight ratings on all bicycles? One of my family members is riding a Trek 800. They just had the gastric by-pass surgery, but still 300 lbs.+. Is this too much weight for this bike? Where would I find this info?

There are weight ratings (Some makers publish, others don't.) Real engineering ratings are never published, but sometimes lawyer ratings are. I am 350#, ride a recumbent rated for 275#, have over 2000 miles with no weight related problems save replacing the wheel with something stronger. Follow suggestions here for strong bike suggestions and wheels and ride.

Hey, I'm working on a 'bent purchase now. I would def. recommend calling someplace like the Bicycle Man or RBR (http://www.rbr.info/index.php) and speaking with someone with detailed knowledge of a range of products. At 250 lbs I am at the max for the monotube short wheelbase bikes (like Bacchetta Giro) but I plan on weighing less in the near future :)

Try Toxy recumbents - 4 similar monotube, fully suspended models, all with a weight limit of 150kg (330lbs). The exception is their soft tail lowracer with a limit of 120kg (264lbs).

http://www.toxy.de/index_en.html

edit: old thread :lol: