Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - new cylde been lurking decided to finally post

Decided since today was the first time in at least 15 yrs on a bike that it was a good time to finally post. Stumbled upon this forum when i started searching for bikes that could handle someone as big as me, 400+ range. I got convinced from reading on here that a kona hoss is what I needed. I know nothing about bikes so when it came in the mail i was completely overwhelmed with all the parts, a day later its all together though. I picked up a bike tool and a mounted air pump for the just in case situation.

I went for a ride to test it out and the tires didn't exploded like how i feared they would. The front one did however give more than i felt comfortable with though. The tires on this bike are Maxxis Holy Roller 26"x 2.4". The bike seat also had some getting use to since it was riding all up in my junk. The bike seat is WTB Speed-V w/ 9.5" alloy seatpost. Heres a picture of my bike:

http://imgur.com/wQuP2.jpg

Welcome to the Herd.
My seat used to ride up in my junk too, I tilted my seat's nose down one notch at a time till it got comfortable. It just takes a bit of time and minor adjustments till you get your bike the way that you like it.
Just keep your tires aired up to the recommended pressure and you shouldnt have any problems with them. I am 255 pounds and on my touring bike, I put an additional 40 pound of weight on, so 300 + pounds on 700x32 tires running 75lbs of pressure. They will withstand more weight than you would think.
Nice ride.

Nice bike! Are you sure you weren't feeling the fork moving instead of the wheel flexing/giving?

Nice bike! Are you sure you weren't feeling the fork moving instead of the wheel flexing/giving?

I saw the front tires get squished where i thought they were going to pop any minute. Thats what made me think it was the tire but the fork is a suspension one so that may have been it.

Just make sure you have the recommended air pressure in them. The tires will squish some when you hit a rock or something like that. If your really concerned a lot about it, carry an extra tube with you as some added insurance. It never hurts to be prepared.
You seem like you scared/nervous since your just starting to ride again, and that normal. Just relax and take the bike out for a nice cruise through the neighborhood, through the city, or down a country road. It will all work out in the end. If you have a issue, take care of it and just keep on riding.

Good choice, that bike should last awhile. I have a set of Holy Rollers and really like them on one of my bikes. They roll much smoother on the road than you would think, but do great on the trail and better on sand then anything else I have tried. At your weight you may be happier with a rigid fork, but ride it like it is first.

Perhaps your fork has a lockout mechanism. If it does, try locking it out and see if you prefer a solid fork to riding with suspension.

I like your new bike and welcome to the clyde/athena forum. In my opinion the most helpful and kind in the BF family.

It's odd that the front tire would squish since the rear tire is the one w/ most of the weight on it. What's the max psi?

Welcome!!! Your tire should not squich just by sitting on it to where it is noticeable. I'm 385 and don't have nearly as nice a tire as you do and they don't do that. Two things.........some tires offer a range of pressures. I'd take it up to the max of the range. If you are going over bumps and your front suspension is bottoming out, consider this.....when it bottoms out, you will be putting a lot force down on the tire whichcould cause it to compress a bit.

It was mentioned earlier that most of the weight should be on the back tire, but with the bent over posture you will be putting more weight on your front tire than perhaps a more upright comfort bike. Regardless, I am sure you will get it figured out soon and really enjoying your new ride. She sure is a beauty.

Sounds like you might need more air in your front tire ( actually in the tube :D ). Give that a try, and also look to see whether your shocks have a lockout mechanism, or at least a way to "dial in" the amount of tension vs give they have. Even if they have nothing to do with the particular squishiness you're feeling, you can set them so they'll help you when you hit a bump, but not rob you of all your energy.

I've had two Kona bikes, and loved them both. The first one was stolen, and the second was bent in an accident with a minivan. But before their tragic demises, they were comfortable, fast, and pretty much everything else I wanted out of a bike. I don't know much about their Hoss, but I'm sure it's a great bike.

thanks everyone for all your input. the max psi on the tires is either 60 or 65 depends on what site i look at them on.

I just got back from my second ride and I learned I'm really out of shape, gonna keep at it though. I noticed that the tires mainly squish like that when I'm starting and trying to get moving, once i get going they don't look like their are bout to burst. The fork is Marzocchi Dirtjam Comp, i think its the stock one. There are some dials on the fork so i'm going to assume it does but this the first bike I've had in ages so dunno whats what in bikes.

@mthayer yea I'm actually terrified of popping the tires when I'm out riding and getting stranded. The tires didn't go flat today so my worries are slowly going away. This weekend I plan on meeting up with my friend who rides a lot to have him teach me to change my tires. once i know how to do that i wont be as worried anymore.