I weigh 308 lbs... will Trek 520 hold up?
#1
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I weigh 308 lbs... will Trek 520 hold up?
Hi all... I'm currently at 308 lbs and I just purchased a new 2006 Trek 520 touring bike. I'm steadily losing weight (I was at 336 three months ago, goal weight is 200).
My question is, should I wait to ride this bike until I get below a certain weight threshold (like 250, 275 or so), or will a Trek 520 hold my current 308 lbs??? (the bike has a 21" frame with stock wheels).
I don't plan on doing any loaded touring with it until my weight is down below 240.
Thanks for any help you can offer!
Mark
My question is, should I wait to ride this bike until I get below a certain weight threshold (like 250, 275 or so), or will a Trek 520 hold my current 308 lbs??? (the bike has a 21" frame with stock wheels).
I don't plan on doing any loaded touring with it until my weight is down below 240.
Thanks for any help you can offer!
Mark
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Chromoly you should be fine....
and
I would not wait 1 min to ride it....get out there and have a great time...
Congrads!!!!
and
I would not wait 1 min to ride it....get out there and have a great time...
Congrads!!!!
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I don't see any issues, I rode a Royce Union (Dept Store bike) at 450 pounds with no issues! You might have to true the wheels a little more often, but that's nort a huge issue, especially if you bought it new and get a year of free tuneups! Enjoy the bike and ride that thjing, lad! That's what it's for!
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. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
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Originally Posted by Tom Stormcrowe
I don't see any issues, I rode a Royce Union (Dept Store bike) at 450 pounds with no issues!
I guess I'm a bit paranoid about wrecking my new $1200 bike. I purchased a cheap used Schwinn World bike a while back and under my 308 lbs, one of the wheels collapsed. Of course, it was a one-inch aluminum wheel.
#6
Destroyer of Wheels
What are the 'stock wheels?' If it's brand new you may want to see if the shop would swap out something beefier if you're worried about them. Check my sig for wheel discussions.
Welcome and get ridin'!
Welcome and get ridin'!
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Originally Posted by markwayne
Tom, I just watched your video... pretty cool. What weight are you at now?
I guess I'm a bit paranoid about wrecking my new $1200 bike. I purchased a cheap used Schwinn World bike a while back and under my 308 lbs, one of the wheels collapsed. Of course, it was a one-inch aluminum wheel.
I guess I'm a bit paranoid about wrecking my new $1200 bike. I purchased a cheap used Schwinn World bike a while back and under my 308 lbs, one of the wheels collapsed. Of course, it was a one-inch aluminum wheel.
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. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
#8
Destroyer of Wheels
Though I would say that cheapo mtb stock rims are going to hold up really well compared to cheapy road wheels (says the guy who tacoed two road rims but haven't been able to dent my mtb rims! )
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Ride that sucker. Ride it today, ride it tomorrow. It ought to hold up just fine. If it comes with 700c x 28 tires like it used to when I bought mine in 1994, you might want to swap 'em out for 700c x 32's or 35's (more air, a little more cushion for you and the wheels, less chance of pinch flats), but otherwise you should be good to go. But even on the 28's, you should be okay - just be sure to keep the tire pressure up to the stated max on them. You may also want to ask the shop to check the spoke tension on the wheels to make sure it is where it should be (proper tension will make any wheel stay in true longer and last longer without busting spokes).
Congrat on scoring the 520. It will not let you down.
Congrat on scoring the 520. It will not let you down.
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You'll be fine. The stock wheels on the 520 are pretty beefy. If I remember right, they're 36h mtb hubs built on sturdy rims. Enjoy the ride!
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new bike
Originally Posted by markwayne
Hi all... I'm currently at 308 lbs and I just purchased a new 2006 Trek 520 touring bike. I'm steadily losing weight (I was at 336 three months ago, goal weight is 200).
My question is, should I wait to ride this bike until I get below a certain weight threshold (like 250, 275 or so), or will a Trek 520 hold my current 308 lbs??? (the bike has a 21" frame with stock wheels).
I don't plan on doing any loaded touring with it until my weight is down below 240.
Thanks for any help you can offer!
Mark
My question is, should I wait to ride this bike until I get below a certain weight threshold (like 250, 275 or so), or will a Trek 520 hold my current 308 lbs??? (the bike has a 21" frame with stock wheels).
I don't plan on doing any loaded touring with it until my weight is down below 240.
Thanks for any help you can offer!
Mark
Great minds think alike!!!!
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I agree with the above. That Trek is a strong bike. Enjoy!
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Thanks everyone. Looks like I'll be able to get out there on my 520 right away, then! Woo-hoo!!!
The stock wheels are Shimano Deore LX hubs; Bontrager Maverick rims.
Tires are Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase, 700x32c
Hopefully, those will be okay.
The stock wheels are Shimano Deore LX hubs; Bontrager Maverick rims.
Tires are Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase, 700x32c
Hopefully, those will be okay.
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Let's consider this: A touring bike carrying a rider at 220 lbs (okay maybe closer to 240 ) with a bike that weighs 27 lbs and a touring load of 60 lbs and a Camelbak loaded with 100oz of water and 4 lbs of tools . I make that at a load of 317 lbs and I wasn't afraid to throw the whole mess off the top of Lolo Pass in Idaho at 45mph Mine was a Cannondale T800 (which I think is a better frame for us big guys) but the 520 should do just fine!
If you have issues with wheels (which is likely), have someone rebuild you wheels with DT Alpine III spokes , a good touring rim, and a nice set of XT hubs...you'll be golden!
If you have issues with wheels (which is likely), have someone rebuild you wheels with DT Alpine III spokes , a good touring rim, and a nice set of XT hubs...you'll be golden!
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Originally Posted by markwayne
Thanks everyone. Looks like I'll be able to get out there on my 520 right away, then! Woo-hoo!!!
The stock wheels are Shimano Deore LX hubs; Bontrager Maverick rims.
Tires are Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase, 700x32c
Hopefully, those will be okay.
The stock wheels are Shimano Deore LX hubs; Bontrager Maverick rims.
Tires are Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase, 700x32c
Hopefully, those will be okay.
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
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Originally Posted by markwayne
Hi all... I'm currently at 308 lbs and I just purchased a new 2006 Trek 520 touring bike. I'm steadily losing weight (I was at 336 three months ago, goal weight is 200).
My question is, should I wait to ride this bike until I get below a certain weight threshold (like 250, 275 or so), or will a Trek 520 hold my current 308 lbs??? (the bike has a 21" frame with stock wheels).
I don't plan on doing any loaded touring with it until my weight is down below 240.
Thanks for any help you can offer!
Mark
My question is, should I wait to ride this bike until I get below a certain weight threshold (like 250, 275 or so), or will a Trek 520 hold my current 308 lbs??? (the bike has a 21" frame with stock wheels).
I don't plan on doing any loaded touring with it until my weight is down below 240.
Thanks for any help you can offer!
Mark
How you ride has a ton to do with the longevity of your wheels.
I have talked about it before. I think it is supremely important for clydesdales to "ride light." It is partly a mindset and partly discipline. It is partly about taking the weight off of the seat (and sometimes off of the ground) when you hit rough terrain. If I can't avoid a bad bump/hole, I hop it.
"Riding light" is even more about paying attention so you hit the least rough terrain you can.
It will make your wheels last longer, your tires last longer, your seatpost, your bike last longer and your perineum/testicles/butt will thank you. (It may take a greater toll on your pedals...)
Look down the path when you ride and avoid pot holes. (It seems obvious but ride with somebody and it is amazing how many people don't do this.) And don't look at what you want to avoid. It is an old maxum of the MTB world and it is true. If you stare at the obstacle you want to avoid, your front tire will miss it but your back will hit it. The trick it to stare at the clear path next to the obstacle where you want both tires to go. (Don't ask me why this works, but it does.)
Oh, the guys in the group ride behind you will thank you, too.
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Definitely! I am currently around 325 lbs and have been riding my Trek 520 for about a year now. Never had to true a wheel, never had anything fail due to weight. Only thing failed at all was the seat post clamp (while I was unscrewing it to adjust).
https://kingtermite.net/publicstuff/Trek520/
https://kingtermite.net/publicstuff/Trek520/
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No worries man, go ride that thing! I have a 2002 520, the stock wheels (35mm) on that thing are just fine. I was a few pounds shy of you when I got mine, never had a problem (except for sizing, which is an entirely different issue)
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