Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Uber clyde needs advice

Hello all, I'm an uber clyde at 395#s.....I ride a chromloy framed Kona Smoke.....I did my first charity bike ride in Dec '08.....16.5 miles. It was a big deal for me....I'm trying to do longer distances, but my question is this....should I look into a road bike for longer distances and if so, which road bike would support my weight? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hello all, I'm an uber clyde at 395#s.....I ride a chromloy framed Kona Smoke.....I did my first charity bike ride in Dec '08.....16.5 miles. It was a big deal for me....I'm trying to do longer distances, but my question is this....should I look into a road bike for longer distances and if so, which road bike would support my weight? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I suggest you ride, ride, and ride again the bike you have. It's not the bike that's keeping you from the longer distances.

From reading here, I gather it can be a challenge to find a bike/wheel combo that works for heavier people. If you have something that works, I'd say stick with it for now.

There is some inconsistency in exercising with a bicycle. A bicycle is fundamentally a labor-saving device. If you have a certain number of miles you have to cover, or you're racing or touring, it makes sense to use the lightest most efficient bicycle possible to get the job done. But if you're doing it for exercise, there's not much to be gained by making it easier- you'd just need to ride farther and faster to get your exercise. So the "ride, ride and ride again" sounds like the solution, and that's what I'm doing now, while riding my Worksman cruiser.

Congratulations on riding 16.5 miles. It won't be any time at all until you ride 20, and then the sky is the limit. ;)

I have done rides of up to 68 miles on a Giant Sedona in the past few years which is similar to your Kona Smoke.

I am just over 50 years old, and have weighed between 300 and 365 pounds in my recent riding years... So, the bike will handle longer distances if you will. And as it does, you will hopefully lose weight.

There will come a time when a different bike will be beneficial, but you are probably still well within the range of the bike you have.

If you do want to move up to a bike that is smooth riding for the longer rides, I would suggest that you consider a touring bike, with stout wheels. That is my current ride of choice when I am not riding my Sedona.

2 years ago i was riding a Raleigh mountain bike and would ride short distances just fine but would get so tired it would deter me from riding because i could not make the distance. last year that bike was stolen so i replaced it with a 2008 Specialized Sequoia Elite road bike and it was like night and day i still cant ride as far as some of the folks around here but i was able to go further distances and enjoy my ride more. im a solid 350lb and this bike is all stock.

I suggest you ride, ride, and ride again the bike you have. It's not the bike that's keeping you from the longer distances.

+1 Short story with a moral:
On my 1st century, the last 20 miles or so were directly into a 20-25mph wind. I was on my fairly new, lightweight, carbon fiber "performance" bike and was struggling to keep pace with a nice "older lady"and her husband on their fat tire hybrids. As it has been said here "It's not the bike but the engine."

However, if you want to "reward yourself" for acheiving health / cycling milestones, then a new bike w/ a bit more zip / performace is not a bad idea. IMHO, 1 hr of cycling on a hybrid @ a given heartrate is about the same amount of exercise as if you were on a top of the line road racer. You just won't cover as much ground and you may prefer the ride (comfort) of one over the other.

Congrats on your 1st charity ride. :thumb: There are many people in this world who cannot achieve what you have already completed. Keep riding and overall health will improve and the miles will get easier.

Depending on how flexible you are, it may be a while before you are ready for drop bars that are commonly used on road bikes. I've dropped from a 44" waist to about 39" since last summer and find it much easier to ride down in the drops now than when I first started. I've also been doing a lot of upper body and core exercises so that probably helps as well.

There are potentially changes you could make to your current bike to make it roll faster. Number one would be to put some slick tires on if you currently have tires with aggressive tread. Number two would be to put on a different handlebar/stem combo that gives you a more aero option. Some people who use mt bikes for touring put on a trekking bar like this (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600092&subcategory=60001049&brand=&sku=9756&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20MTB%20Handlebars) which allows you to lean forward or sit upright.

Thank you all for the encouragement....it's truly appreciated. I like the advice that's been given to me by all of you who have responded. I'll keep riding my Kona Smoke and like was suggested. Keep that good advice coming folks.

there will come a time when a different bike will be beneficial, but you are probably still well within the range of the bike you have.+1


if you do want to move up to a bike that is smooth riding for the longer rides, i would suggest that you consider a touring bike, with stout wheels. That is my current ride of choice when i am not riding my sedona.+1