Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - friend wants a bike... hes 350lbs any suggestions?

a friend of mine is looking into getting a bike but has limited funds. he is around 350lbs and is afraid he wont be able to find an affordable bike that will work for him.

i suggested he find a solid built older high end mtb without suspensoin and get higher psi rated tires but i would like more imput on what to look for for him.

thanks for any help.

Being a Clyde myself, I decided to quit smoking and go into biking about a month ago. I bought a TREK 7.3 off of CL for $100.

There are Hybrid bikes available in the local market here for $ 100 to $ 250 range.

At one point I was too thinking about a bike with suspension, After riding the 7.3 for a month now (did about 450 miles) unless you go off road, IMHO suspension is just excess weight. I am sure some of the experienced members will chime in on this subject. (i.e. dont take my advice yet:) )

Matt

myself im over 200lbs and after a long time off biking i was 260ish. im back to 210lbs.

thanks. his main concern is bike/tires holding his weight

myself im over 200lbs and after a long time off biking i was 260ish. im back to 210lbs.

thanks. his main concern is bike/tires holding his weight

I didnt have any problem with tires, rims etc I was 265 when started.

It came with bontrager tires 700 x 35 (I guess). I dont know the rims but its whatever they put on the bike originally, nothing fancy . .

ok. i know a buddy of mine lost his liscence and got a bike he was 450lbs and it ran him $3000 for a good bike. he bought one for aroung $1200 but it kept breaking

oh and my friend is also 6'6" tall is the other prob im having

Being a Clyde myself, I decided to quit smoking and go into biking about a month ago. I bought a TREK 7.3 off of CL for $100.

There are Hybrid bikes available in the local market here for $ 100 to $ 250 range.

At one point I was too thinking about a bike with suspension, After riding the 7.3 for a month now (did about 450 miles) unless you go off road, IMHO suspension is just excess weight. I am sure some of the experienced members will chime in on this subject. (i.e. dont take my advice yet:) )

Matt

A great example of what a new rider should do. Great bike choice and buy used - many good Trek Fx bikes out there that need a loving home :)

A few years old Specialized HardRock MTB is a really good place to start for someone of that weight. Slap on slicks if he wants to ride road, or some "hybrid" tires if he wants to ride road and gravel paths. They used to be the Clyde bike of choice. If he has any wheel issues, have him get a set of mtb wheels with Sun Rhyno lite rims, 14ga spokes, and any shimano hub from LX on up, handbuilt would be best.

That is my suggestion. A mid-1990's Specialized Hardrock or rockhopper rigid mountain bike might not be bad either, but you would probably want him to upgrade wheels. Those would be all cro-mo and 94 and up should be 135mm rear hub spacing, which is what is still current.

Ok thanks for the advice everybody. I was thinking a good specialized would be a good choice as I've seen people try to break them with little luck.

Oh and by few year old hardrock ... What year range? I'm going to start hunting for one for him and a year range would be great. And on the older ones if he sticks to road riding and watches potholes and the like do you think he'd be ok?

Agree with an older non suspended mountain bike as a good choice, and very affordable. I'd suggest something with a steel frame.

Your idea about non suspension is good. (IMO)
I'd get a "beefed up" rear wheel at a minimum. (>32 spokes) (Maybe time for you to spring for that tensionometer?)

Most any tire will work if the pressure is kept up, but a "fatter" tire will absorb more road shock (pot holes etc.) and help avoid as much strain on the wheel.
A 135MM drop out spacing would be a little more laterally stable than a 130.

Unfortunately I won't be able to do much for him but help watch cl on his area as I'm in Nebraska and he's in New jersey.

I already told him old steel frame steel wheel or double wall aluminum wheel no less than 36spokes with 2"+ tires
Was hoping to get more specific bikes to look for.

I have a tensionometer just need it calibrated. I got it used from a retired bike mechanic

Unfortunately I won't be able to do much for him but help watch cl on his area as I'm in Nebraska and he's in New jersey.

I already told him old steel frame steel wheel or double wall aluminum wheel no less than 36spokes with 2"+ tires
Was hoping to get more specific bikes to look for.

I have a tensionometer just need it calibrated. I got it used from a retired bike mechanic

Again, stick with the trek fx series. Plentiful and a clyde favorite.

Again, stick with the trek fx series. Plentiful and a clyde favorite.

I understand that I just rarely see them up for sale. And is there specific years or models that are better suited?

I understand that I just rarely see them up for sale. And is there specific years or models that are better suited?

Apologies - I misunderstood.

I think I sometimes forget that living in 'wet and wild' Seattle does have its advantages - big cycling city with lots of used bikes. I bought my 2010 Trek Fx 7.3 Disc with less than 50 miles on it for $300. Heres another decent Trek deal:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/2891291038.html

Perhaps they'd ship ;)

Your lucky. Here most good bikes don't hit cl and if they do they want a small fortune I'm not sure about my friends part of NJ yet but not super promising so far.

At 430 pounds I chose the Specialized Hard Rock right out of the LBS. I just keep the pressure at 60 (almost max for my tires) and I am all over the mountain trails here in KY.

Thanks. Good to know.

Does he have a budget in mind? It's hard to go wrong with a Surly complete (LHT or Troll come to mind), but if money is a factor, then I'd say check the big cities for bike co-ops.

+1 on the Surly bikes, but I'd suggest either the Troll or Ogre. Both are rigid MTBs, basic difference is the Troll has 26" wheels, the Ogre 29" wheels. And the Ogre can be bought with a big 24" frame that should fit a 6' 6" body. Might be kinda spendy ($1300-$1500), but might be the best option for a tall 350 lb person, since older large rigid MTB frames are hard to find.

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/bik/2911543070.html

Worked for me at around 400 pounds.

Thanks everybody for the suggestions. Yea he's on a very tight budget now that he's lost hours at work.
I suggested a co op but he hasn't found a big enough frame at one so far.

I'm hoping hell get something by summer.

As someone who started riding at 6'6" 400lbs my recommendation would be... go to a bike shop, get some built up wheels on a cheap frame and ride the hell out of it.

If you can find a Long Haul Trucker on Craigs List, get it. Even if you have to drive a couple hours to pick it up. Its built for bigger people, for the long haul.

I understand but there's only so much I can do for him... Like scan cl and tell him recommendations

Unfortunately I won't be able to do much for him but help watch cl on his area as I'm in Nebraska and he's in New jersey.

I already told him old steel frame steel wheel or double wall aluminum wheel no less than 36spokes with 2"+ tires
Was hoping to get more specific bikes to look for.

I have a tensionometer just need it calibrated. I got it used from a retired bike mechanic

You really don't want a steel wheel.
Where do you find a "good" one.
Also, poor braking.

You really don't want a steel wheel.
Where do you find a "good" one.
Also, poor braking.

Yea I know steel rims are a bit poor braking wise but I also know they can take a heck of a beating.
As far as finding good steel rims. I have 2 sets that have less than 10-20miles on them. They were take offs that are flawless. I had more sets but been using them on cheap flip bikes.