Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Questions about upgrading some things on my new K2 Zed 3.2

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Push
06-29-09, 10:35 PM
I just bought a K2 Zed 3.2 mtn bike, I bought it without a lot of research (not that there is anything online about this bike anyways) but currently at 333 pounds I have a couple thoughts in my head about things that I should maybe upgrade and maybe a few newbie bike rider questions.

Pedals come to mind first, the pedals and crank arms (I don't know if the correct term is crank arm but for the sake of the question we shall call it that) The crank arms that came on the bike seem thick and sturdy but the pedals appear to be plastic (I assume the rod through them is metal) but is this a place that as a 300 plus pound rider I should be concerned with an upgrade? or is it one of those things that I should just wait and see how things go?

2nd is the rims, the rims that came on the bike seem sturdy and look like they are aluminum (I assume aluminum) coated in some kind of plastic and have 32 spokes, it has Kenda Klaw XT tires that look really beefy, I do not plan on riding the bike off road much if at all, I live on a lake and there is a short part of the route that I plan on familiarizing myself with the bike on (maybe 250 feet) that is through the woods (on a path) then over a dam and onto some grass and a short dirt road but the rest of the ride is on paved road and honestly once I am use to the bike and taking it on longer rides it will be on the street. Are the rims something that I should be considering upgrading? or am I being too cautious because I am a big fella?

3rd Brakes, the bike has disc brakes on it, I think I know the answer to this but I may as well ask, are they suitable enough to keep on slowing me down correctly for a good long while? or should we as heavier riders upgrade in this area? the bike came with TekTro Iox disc brakes.

I appreciate any and all answers/suggestions and sorry about the newbie type questions, we gotta start somewhere right? :thumb: and here is a pic of the new ride before I even rode it just for kicks :) http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z-Gdy0u7XD4/SkeBg3gp-PI/AAAAAAAABpU/s125f9RRfm8/s1600-h/Side.jpg

As Ever
Me


c_m_shooter
06-29-09, 10:42 PM
I would ditch the plastic pedals, get some slick tires and ride until it breaks. Look for a good set of BMX platforms if you want to stay with flat pedals. A lot of people on these boards give in and switch to clipless sooner or later.