Lanzo

Well a little about my self, I'm 31, 6'2", 450-500lbs, from Alberta,Canada. haven't had a scale that can read my weight in a long time. I'm trying, cancel trying, I AM LOSING WEIGHT!!! gotta give up the Coca-Cola (That stuff hard for me to stop drinking) started swimming 1 to 2 times a day. And walking as much as i can stand....i just hate walking takes forever to get anywhere around here.

Anyway, I'm looking for a Bike. I have looked at a Recumbent Trike from Lightfoot Cycles...which is something I am really interested in, Sun makes the EZ-3 USX HD I am also interested in.

I want to get your guys opinion on a Hybrid Bike with a custom wheel set. My inseam is around 31" so short legs long torso. I have read some of the post from the larger Clydes, and see most of them are on up rights. Because of where I live some parts might be hard to come by, but if i can assemble a list of parts that will take the weight, and wont break the bank I should be able to talk to the LBS, and some of the bigger stores in Edmonton to gather the parts. Winter is coming fast here, but all that means is there are sales on old models and such. Are there any bikes, that i can buy from the factory that could take the weight with maybe a change of wheels, and seat?

So for you bigger guys, how is the up right? Lots of pain, or more just soreness from riding? What equipment do you wear? Padded Shorts? shoes that clip in to the peddle? knee Braces? anything you might add that you learned the hard way and would like to pass on your wisdom?

My goal is to get this Bike in working order for next April when the snow melts and the trails get cleared, until Then I will have to walk, and swim as much of my butt off as possible probably join the gym for the winter, and ride the recumbent exercise cycles they have there to start my training.

I used to ride all the time 14 years ago, talking up to 35 miles at a time to go to the lake once or twice a week....hehe scared my mom with that when I told her what we did, of course only told her that last year. So got my butt reamed 13 years AFTER we did it, that was funny mothers always think your still children.

I want to regain that ambition, feeling the burn after a long ride, and just plain enjoying life 250 to 300 pounds lighter, had a cardiogram last year, they said my tickers fine, so now i gotta work that little sucker out, get the endurance back.

Thank you all

Lanzo

takingcontrol

Gratz on joining the herd, I started riding at 526lbs on an upright KHS hybrid/commuter. It has 36 spoke double walled Weinnmann rims that came with the bike. It has served me well with minor problems with spokes (3 in 500miles). You definitely want to get pair of bike shorts or undershorts with chami. areotech is the clydes best friend, I use these under a pair of jersey shorts https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/bigsi...bikeunderliner. Before you ask, you wear these (or any bike shorts) without underwear You may also want some sort of chami cream or bag balm. As for discomfort, expect a sore butt until you get used to riding, the only way to alleviate this is by.....riding (I can currently do around 25 miles before I start to have discomfort) Any other discomfort aside from muscle aches (I/E joint or knee) you would be advised asking someone better qualified then me I also have my hands go numb every once in a while, but a pair of gloves and shaking them out as I ride helps.
aside from all that just remember two things,
1. have fun
2. start at a comfortable level for you and build at YOUR pace. (I started with less then 2miles)

P.S. Helmet,Helmet,Helmet....don't shoot for a Darwin award

Lanzo

Thanks for the info Takingcontrol, i was wondering what your inseam is, and what size frame you got since it goes up to XXL. Cool thing is i found a dealer only an hour away from me and they sell that bike, not customized, but the price is pretty good.

txvintage

Welcome Lanzo, nice to meet you.

Congrats on choosing a new direction! You seem to have a good direction already picked out with finding the bike and getting ready over the winter. There are a lot of questions that others can answer from experience here, like TakingControl, as far as clothing, bike choices, and lessons learned. I can say that getting too caught up in bike choices may be unnecessary to a degree. Any good steel or well made aluminum frame will work well. The one place to put your money is a well made wheel set. The nice thing about custom wheels is that so long as your eventual bike changes are in the same family of styles the wheels can go to each new bike.

I would normally say to not let the winter stop you from riding, but your version of winter is a bit different than most of us have, lol. That being said, an indoor trainer is a good idea if you find your bike and have the budget for it.

I have one quick observation/question on your fit. When you said your inseam is 31" is that your pants inseam or your "cycling inseam"? For the purpose of bike fitting your inseam is measured from the floor to your pubic bone. The easiest way to measure this is take a yard stick or something similar and hold it "snugly" between your legs and have some one measure the distance from the floor to the stick. You will probably find that your cycling inseam is at least an inch larger than your regular inseam.

Welcome to the herd Lanzso, and please keep dropping in. You live a wonderful part of the work, except for the whole winter thing, and I look forward to hearing about it and your rides!

takingcontrol

I'm 6'5" my inseam is approx a 32 (wall book trick). My bike is the XXL which is a 61cm I believe. It felt a little tall at first but now that I have been riding it feels just right. I think anything between a 60-64cm would be alright for me depending on the manufacture. (in case you look at craigslist) your best net is to ride it and see how it feels. If its not comfortable it will become a wall decoration.
I think the rule is (others correct me if I am wrong) that when you are standing over the top tube. (the horizontal bar) there should be approx 1" between your crotch and the bar.
Another great link is https://sheldonbrown.com/beginners/index.html -ride safe

Lanzo

TXvintage

Using the wall book trick, i got a measurement of 32-33 inches I'm going to my LBS for the first time today...lived here 15 years and never been to it, so we will see how he is set up

Can you recommend components that i should get for a wheel set, what are the strongest rims spokes and hubs? I was looking at https://www.universalcycles.com/wheelkit.php since i can get them to make them anyway i want.

Thanks Lanzo

ECB1

Lanzo, go for it man, you have nothing to loose. I started this journey on a rode bike with mavic wheels and 36 spokes. I weighed 338lbs, there must be a bike for you, I am down to 249lbs. Good luck, ECB1

Redskin8006

Lanzo, I have a set of Velocity Deep V's with 36 spokes and Velocity hubs. Great wheels. I'm "only" 220-225 lbs, but the wheels are stiff and true for 2000 miles and counting. I had them hand-built at a local bike shop. I've seen them available on the web. Congrats on getting out there. Have fun!!

Smoked

Lanzo

Welcome to the group. I am pretty new here as well and I can promise you that you have the most supportive friendliest bunch of folks on the net in your corner. This community here is better than any weight loss support group that you could find.

Just hearing your story and knowing that you WILL tackle this head on is a inspiration to me and others as well. Best of luck to you sir and most importantly have fun!!!


The only advise I can give on the sodas is to try some diet ones. I know everyone will say stop them cold turkey, but there was no way I could.. I stopped drinking regular cokes and started drinking diet mountain dew. In time I have cut down to where I only drink one every other day or so. When I picked up my riding a few weeks ago, I realized that I was always wanting water for re hydration , now, I hardly crave the sodas at all...

Rhodabike

As long as you stand up over rail crossings and bigger potholes, 36 spokes shouldn't be a problem. Actually, a non-suspension mountain bike with slick 1.5" "city" tires would work for you right now. The smaller wheels have shorter spokes, so less lateral stress and breakage.

Was that Pidgeon Lake you used to ride to? I'm told by my brother, who belongs to an Edmonton touring club, that it's a great area to ride around in September, when the summer cottage crowd goes home.

txvintage

Lanzo,

36 spoke Velocity Deep V's with Ultegra hubs and DT Swiss spokes are widely regarded, even by the lightweight racer types who want a training wheel they never have to worry about.

If built properly they should last a long long time. You might consider a higher spoke count if you can find them.

Lanzo

Thanks for all the info guys

Rhodabike at the time it was sylvan lake, now pigeon is the closest lake to me now though. It's crazy out at pigeon from june to september.

moose67

Welcome to the neighborhood Lanzo. I too am on the larger side of clydes. I bought a Specialized Carmel 3 26 back in April. My only problem was poppin spokes in the rear wheel. I had the wheel rebuilt and have put a good number of miles on it since then. Definitely get the shorts. I rode for a while without and was very uncomfortable on longer rides. Find somewhere your comfortable riding and ride. Start off easy at first and don't worry that you're not riding too far. The more your in the saddle the farther you'll ride. I started off only riding a mile or so. My longest ride has been just over 15 miles. I'm trying to reach 20 next month and keep an average of at least 15. I've enjoyed riding and keep looking for a chance to ride when I can.