Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.AzTallRider
07-05-11, 12:37 PM
Hi folks,
My nephew is well over 300#, and I promised I would help him find the right bike to get going cycling. I've sifted through the index threads to get a general idea of what is important, but am hoping for some specific brand/model recommendations. I'm thinking what most of the manufacturers are calling "Fitness" bikes is what he needs: flat bars, 3x9 gearing, able to take 35+ tires, built to last.
The tough part is of course the wheels. Having destroyed a wheel as I lost pounds, and knowing how much heavier he is than I was, I'm wondering if it is even possible to buy off the rack for him, without replacing the wheels immediately or having them rebuilt? The index threads point to rebuilding as a good approach. But I'm thinking of buying the bike, as a gift, and having it delivered direct to him. I would love to find an off-the-shelf solution that won't disintegrate out from under him.
So... any brands to focus on? Any of them known for providing solid wheels out-of-the-box? Any specific pre-made wheels that hold up well. As we all know, broken spokes and wobbling wheels really and truly suck. And of course just having 36 spokes doesn't mean it's a quality wheel. I had 32's when I got started, and popped spokes like popcorn. Replacement was also 32 (hand built using great components) and stayed perfectly true.
Thanks in advance for any specific suggestions.
My nephew is well over 300#, and I promised I would help him find the right bike to get going cycling. I've sifted through the index threads to get a general idea of what is important, but am hoping for some specific brand/model recommendations. I'm thinking what most of the manufacturers are calling "Fitness" bikes is what he needs: flat bars, 3x9 gearing, able to take 35+ tires, built to last.
The tough part is of course the wheels. Having destroyed a wheel as I lost pounds, and knowing how much heavier he is than I was, I'm wondering if it is even possible to buy off the rack for him, without replacing the wheels immediately or having them rebuilt? The index threads point to rebuilding as a good approach. But I'm thinking of buying the bike, as a gift, and having it delivered direct to him. I would love to find an off-the-shelf solution that won't disintegrate out from under him.
So... any brands to focus on? Any of them known for providing solid wheels out-of-the-box? Any specific pre-made wheels that hold up well. As we all know, broken spokes and wobbling wheels really and truly suck. And of course just having 36 spokes doesn't mean it's a quality wheel. I had 32's when I got started, and popped spokes like popcorn. Replacement was also 32 (hand built using great components) and stayed perfectly true.
Thanks in advance for any specific suggestions.