General Cycling Discussion - new bike suggestion

hi all,

a mate of mine is looking for a new bike. He's a complete newbie and wants to cycle to cut down weight plus get a bit of exercise into his life. He'll be doing mostly cycle path though once he gets better might hit some dirt. He is 200lb + and is a bit worried about what bike can take his weight.
There's also the question of full suss or HT. I know that a HT should be better for a beginner but dual suss might be more comfy for him. Pricewise, probably in the mid range. Thanks.

Well, im 240lbs and ride an HT and a ride good trails. The way bikes are built these days, im sure a HT could handle him. I love FS but HT is just more of that bike feel. Just my .02cents

Hammerthehill,

looks like anything will do then. Thanks.

If looking for a bike for a heavyweight, get a Bike with a known strong frame, or at least a long warranty. The cheaper bikes will not have components up to his weight or strength. Suspension? Go hardtail but get a bike with a decent fork that will have some adjustment for weight. The rest of the components, unless you are prepared to get a decent bike, will probably need replacing in the first year.
A friend of mine started 3 years ago, and he is 220lbs. We got a Giant Boulder and got it for the frame alone. First to go were the wheels, Cheap crappy hoopsters, no name hubs, Screw on freehub gears. (Replaced under warranty By Giant for something that would take his weight) Then the bottom bracket, then the forks, then the Crankset, then the deraillers. Got some recompense out of Giant as it was pointed out to them that a 23"frame was not going to be ridden by a lightweight, and they had not built it strong enough for the weight of riders that would use such a large frame. Giant admitted that the majority of cheap mountain bikes sold get used for two weeks, then go in the shed until resold, and cheap mountain bikes very rarely see rain, let alone a bit of mud.
I know it may be above your price but look at the Kona Hoss. The only bike that I know is sold for Clydesdale's. (Big heavy riders). This is the bike that my mate is looking at now, to save him the cost of the bike in replacement parts in the first year.

hi all,

a mate of mine is looking for a new bike. He's a complete newbie and wants to cycle to cut down weight plus get a bit of exercise into his life. He'll be doing mostly cycle path though once he gets better might hit some dirt. He is 200lb + and is a bit worried about what bike can take his weight.
There's also the question of full suss or HT. I know that a HT should be better for a beginner but dual suss might be more comfy for him. Pricewise, probably in the mid range. Thanks.

200+lb shouldn't be a consideration for a entry level off road bike (Im 210 and ride a road bike for 4 years. Started riding at 280 :) ). those bike are most likely be made of aluminum and as such over engineered to carry the heaviest riders with no issues. since the weight of the bike shouldn't be an issue, your friend may want to choose a bike that has good components (trouble free riding) and tires that will be a good compromise for road and dirt riding.