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11-12-11, 09:56 PM
I've been reading here for several years now, finally signed up.
I'm 6'4" tall and 300lbs or so.
I used to ride extensively but haven't for 25 years or more.
Both work and a few injuries to both knees, one ankle, and years of back strain have put off me getting back onto a bike.
I need to do something for some exercise, especially since my job lately has put me behind a desk most of the time.
I used to ride a 64cm frame road bike, but these days I'd say my proper fit is more in the 60-63cm range, depending on the bike.
Years ago, even at a much lighter 240lbs and in good shape, I had issues with both crank arms, frames, and wheels giving out. I seemed to destroy front cranks and wheels the fastest.
I cracked two frames, both were upper end models, one was a cracked bottom bracket shell, the other frame's chainstays separated from the bottom bracket.
Both were upper end road bikes from the late 70's/ early 80's. It was recommended to me that I avoid higher end tube sets.
I need to find or build a decent bike to slowly get back into riding, even if I only ride a few miles a day, I want a bike that's better suited for a big guy.
I prefer the common road bike layout and would love to find something from back when I used to ride.
A few trips to local bike shops pretty much told me that they really don't make anything suited for big people these days, one shop told me that they don't make big frames anymore. One told me to buy a cruiser.
The frame should be steel, the wheels need to be somewhat stout both for my size and weight, and to tolerate the roads these days. I'd most likely run heavy tires and tubes at the very least. I like a longer frame, something more relaxed than a full on racer. I used to ride a Panasonic DX2000, and before that a Motobecane Grand Jubile, and a Raleigh Super Grand Prix.
They were all good bikes, but I sold them years ago. On each bike, I had custom wheels built and ran only forged cranks.
I'm looking for suggestions. I've got my eyes on a few on CL but still have to go see them in person.
I'm open to suggestions on building up a bike that will hold up under 300lbs.
I'm 6'4" tall and 300lbs or so.
I used to ride extensively but haven't for 25 years or more.
Both work and a few injuries to both knees, one ankle, and years of back strain have put off me getting back onto a bike.
I need to do something for some exercise, especially since my job lately has put me behind a desk most of the time.
I used to ride a 64cm frame road bike, but these days I'd say my proper fit is more in the 60-63cm range, depending on the bike.
Years ago, even at a much lighter 240lbs and in good shape, I had issues with both crank arms, frames, and wheels giving out. I seemed to destroy front cranks and wheels the fastest.
I cracked two frames, both were upper end models, one was a cracked bottom bracket shell, the other frame's chainstays separated from the bottom bracket.
Both were upper end road bikes from the late 70's/ early 80's. It was recommended to me that I avoid higher end tube sets.
I need to find or build a decent bike to slowly get back into riding, even if I only ride a few miles a day, I want a bike that's better suited for a big guy.
I prefer the common road bike layout and would love to find something from back when I used to ride.
A few trips to local bike shops pretty much told me that they really don't make anything suited for big people these days, one shop told me that they don't make big frames anymore. One told me to buy a cruiser.
The frame should be steel, the wheels need to be somewhat stout both for my size and weight, and to tolerate the roads these days. I'd most likely run heavy tires and tubes at the very least. I like a longer frame, something more relaxed than a full on racer. I used to ride a Panasonic DX2000, and before that a Motobecane Grand Jubile, and a Raleigh Super Grand Prix.
They were all good bikes, but I sold them years ago. On each bike, I had custom wheels built and ran only forged cranks.
I'm looking for suggestions. I've got my eyes on a few on CL but still have to go see them in person.
I'm open to suggestions on building up a bike that will hold up under 300lbs.