CautionWideLoad

Hey all, I've been lurking around for a while trying to figure this whole bike riding thing.

My name is Jordan, I currently reside in Las Vegas, NV. I'm about 5'6" and weigh around 450-475 lbs. I recently found this article online and haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

I always loved riding as a kid and the thought has always passed my thoughts here and there. So my question is, what type of bike do you guys ride? What would you suggest for a person of my size with a budget of ~ $400-$600? Also, I know nothing about spokes, wheels, frames, NOTHING. The only knowledge I have of bikes is that I once had a Huffy with pegs on the back.

Thanks GUYS!

EDIT: The type of biking I plan on doing is just riding around the neighborhood.

txvintage

Welcome to the herd!

As far as what bike might work, what type of riding do plan, or want, to do? Riding on a path, trails, road? Just about any bike will work just for riding around, as long as you have good wheels. Your budget is at a good point for a good mountian bike or a hybrid, both of which have a more upright riding position and low gears.

One thing to consider doing is to find a bike shop that doesn't ignore you and seems interested in helping you find a bike. It;s a great time of year to buy a "New" bike since shops are trying to get rid of left over 2009 stock. Lot's of deals out there.

chewybrian 

Hey, Jordan

I'm sure you'll get plenty of good answers when everyone wakes up. A lot of people in here have worked down their weight through cycling and counting calories. If you commit to a lifestyle change, I'm sure you can do it. I can tell you from experience that it's truly worth it.

For starting out, you would probably enjoy a mountain bike or hybrid(but avoid rear suspension, unless you are going for hardcore mountain biking). If you buy used, you'll always have the resale value, and can change or upgrade any time without the depreciation penalty. Here is an example from the Vegas Craigslist:

$250--Trek 7100--Men's 17.5" frame. Almost 2 years old.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...h/hybrid/7100/

It has decent components, and a comfy upright position. AND... it leaves you with plenty of cash in hand to upgrade, and buy accessories. You should not be surprised if you have to change out the wheels. You can buy good Mavic rims with 36 spokes for a couple hundred, and then you're good to go.

Best of luck to you, and I hope you stick with it. I started with 2 mile rides around the neighborhood, and now I can ride all day. It just takes time, and slow, steady progress. You'll be a roadie before you know it.

(p.s.--Make sure it fits you--any good bike shop will do a quick, free inspection of a used bike for you. They'll tell you if it fits, if any parts are broken or out of whack. They want to sell you the accessories after you buy--win/win)

DnvrFox

Bicycling Magazine Article - lost hundreds of pounds

My wife reads Bicycling Magazine, not I.

She was telling me there is an article inthe current magazine about a guy who lost over 300 lbs - starting at 500 - by bicycling and calorie reduction. Rode a block the first day, etc.

So, if you get BM, check it out. ALso available at newsstands. I believe he is at about 160 lbs now.

davin1023

If you are the blog reading type Scott Cutshall ran a blog from 2005 to earlier this year. Not all of it is about weight loss or riding, but it is definitely inspiring.

https://istanbultea.typepad.com/

Neil_B

Also look up Bike Forums posters "TakingControl", "BDinger", and "Tom Stormcrowe."

Neil_B

Hi Jordan,

Scott C's transformation is indeed impressive. Almost as impressive as the one you are going to undertake.

I suggest you start your weight loss before you get the bike. Don't depend on it. Start by doing what you can - walking, for instance, is marvelous exercise. Start tracking calories and eating better.

Daspydyr 

Hey Caution, this is a great place for info and encouragement. I also live in the Vegas Valley. I started on BF to investigate biking and hip replacements. It has been a very good place.

The Nutrition Thread is helpful with ideas about supplements. Spend some time going through a variety of Forums. You will get a lot of ideas.

takingcontrol

Hello Caution, first congratulations on taking this step. This is a wonderful, fulfilling way to change your life (and somewhat addicting if you have an addictive personality).

I started my journey in April of this year and have had great success. One thing, you don't have to wait to get on a bike. Barring medical conditions aside from the weight you can start now. My starting weight was 526lbs, this was the weight my bike carried and I had no real problems.

My first bike was a KHS urban express that has been great. My KHS allows an upright riding position and this (in my opinion) will keep you on the bike more. As you progress I think you will find this to change.

With a quick search on CL in your area I found these bikes:
This first one is a mountain style bike with hybrid/commuter tires on it
https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/bik/1498755409.html

This guy has several, caution he sounds like a bike flipper so I would have any bike from him checked over at your LBS
P.S. he has some nice stuff mixed with crap, try to go with bike shop bikes rather then box store. The Jamis looks nice
https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/bik/1498745393.html

Another link
https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/bik/1498487275.html

A nice Giant Sedona
https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/bik/1498012772.html

Just a few, there are plenty out there. Fit is important, you may want to check out this website
https://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/fit-bike.htm
or this one
https://www.swanseawheelers.co.uk/bikefit.php

Remember, don't worry about the bike holding your weight (526lbs start weight)
Wheels will go out of true, spokes may be broke every once in while. As long as you are cautious about riding (as in avoid pot holes and curb jumping) this will happen rarely.

Above all, have fun. And remember: bike shorts help, more saddle time=less sore butt time, softer is not better (saddle-wise you'll learn).

One other thing, any advice or questions I can help you with feel free to send me a PM. I am a student so I don't read the forums as much as I would like and a PM goes to my email.

CautionWideLoad

> if you have an addictive personality

Oh yeah, how do you think I got to this weight level?

Anyway, thank you all so much for all the useful information. Just to make sure, the biggest thing I need to worry about are good wheels/tires for my weight correct? I would like to invest some cash into this (I think it would be more of a motivator) so I think I'm going to go up to my nearest LBS and ask some questions. Thanks for the advice, now I won't get duped into buying something way too expensive.

I've been looking around leisurely online, and I'm really liking the style bike that looks like a beach cruiser and a mountain bike combined. I think a strictly mtn bike would hurt my back with all the bending. Correct me if I'm wrong.

txvintage

I "think" you are talking about a hybrid. It's a great starter bike and has a ton of uses even after, or if, you decide to get more specific with your type bike later on. Don't be so quick to dismiss a mountain bike though. They are very upright in their position, and with street tires can be very versatile.

exile

First off congratulations on making the decision to be healthier. My suggetion would be not to throw a lot of money into it just yet. Get something that fits and in good condition and you will find out soon enough if you want to stay with it.

Daspydyr 

A regular mountain bike with bar ends turned up will look a little goofy, but it gives you some different positions to ride in. I think the bigger tires on a mountain bike would be better at this point. But I am clumsy and like the wider traction.

Arvadaman

Good luck with beginning riding.

I started riding in January of this year after reading an old Bicycling magazine. I read an article called "Hey Big Fella" in
Bicycling September 2005. I found the magazine in a thrift store and decided to start cycling again after reading the article.

I rode just under 1200 miles this year. I plan to continue the trend next year.

Good Luck.

MikeWinVA

When you are out looking at bikes, compare the stem height to the adjusted seat height. A mountain bike may be the best way to go, the more relaxed geometries have the head tube (where the handle bar is) higher than the seat.

There also is nothing to stop you from having a stem replaced. A long stem can be replaced easily that is what I have done. Get an adjustable one and you have lots of fit options.

Where I started in August.
Where I am now. (bad picture angle)

I started with the bars about 4" above the seat height and now they are about level with the seat.

CautionWideLoad

So I think I've found the bike that I want. It's the Electra Flying Sue 3i Cruiser. Do you guys think this would be able to hold my weight? I know nothing about what the specs say and wanted to get your opinions. I like mainly because of the artwork on the bike. It's stylish and I could definitely see myself sporting this around the neighborhood. The tires are awesome as well.

But, if this isn't a good fit for me, do you guys know of any bikes that are comparable in style/price/sturdiness?

John Bailey

It wouldn't be what I'd choose, but it will definitely fit your stated purpose. If that's the bike that will get you out and riding, then it's the bike for you.

John

dprayvd

...

bigvegan

My advice would be to try riding that one, and then to go and try riding a standard rigid frame mountain bike.

The MTB will take a little getting used to, and may take a little longer to get comfortable on, but if you're going to ride it regularly, you'll probably be much happier with it. You can get a stem and bars that will put the handlebars in a comfortable position for you.

(Do your homework, do plenty of test rides where possible, and understand that you're going to be riding with a multi-tool and a wrench the first month or two making regular small adjustments to get your bike to fit properly.)

Also, I'd probably want hand brakes as well, as I wouldn't trust my weight to a coaster brake, but that's just me.

Good luck!

(If I were you, I'd be sorely tempted to get this one - https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...tcast29_08.htm, or if you need more than one gear, this one - https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ne_500HT07.htm)

statelax3

when i started in august i started on a mountain bike. the fat tires and leaning forward actually made me feel very stable. my road bike took about a week to feel very comfortable on. now when i get on the mountain bike it feels very strange. good luck on your life style change. you will be surprised how fast the pounds go away if you work hard and stick with it.

Saltybeagle

Every day, don't give up, ride ride, then ride some more, pain here then pain there, goes away eventually, ride some more. Welcome to your team.

Fat Tire

I first went for an elderly Raleigh Sport 3 speed, this bike can be classified as a midweight, but the rear wheel has 40 spokes, and the front wheel has 32, I think. 40 spokes in the rear is GOOD. If you look for wheels for TANDEMS you can find 48 spoke wheels. (Even better.) But the steel wheels on that raleigh eventually needs to be replaced, at which time I abandoned it and moved on to a HERO'S BIKE, a Torker Cargo T. This is the Pickup Truck of bicycles, it has 2" tires, 26" wheels, fenders, a comfy seat that I expected to have to replace, and North Road Style bars. All of which are just the ticket for me. (I weigh in at 340, myself, and If I ever see 220 again it will be a miracle.) The thing about this bike is, it weighs 45 pounds. I highly reccomend it, for all that it has a 3 speed, 'AW' Sturmey Archer hub (just like the Raleigh) but enormously slicker. 45 pounds says the bike is enormously strong, and the 3 speed is simpler to shift. (Internally geared hubs are simpler to shift, you just snick the trigger/twist shift to a new gear and it shifts when you remove pressure from the drives train You can even do it stopped.) Dérailleurs are more complex, there are good combinations and bad combinations of front/rear gears, and you have to be pedaling (slowly?) to get them to shift. Dérailleurs are cheaper and more efficient, but you are not about efficiency, are you? It seems like strapping on ankle weights to do a marathon, but you WILL see quicker results on a heavier bike with a 3 or 8 speed than a 27 speed gear train.

Another bike I can suggest to you is the Cadillac Fleetwood Cruiser. This bike is a cruiser, and a beautiful black. Shorty fenders, custom aluminum frame, and it has a continuously variable planetary transmission, hidden in the rear wheel. (Its a variant of internally geared hub, the nu vinci hub, with the difference that it has NO GEARS, its adjustable to your needs quickly and easily, without any steps in the ratios.) All the reviews go on about the seat being quite comfortable, but the riders attracted to this machine are not experienced, and have nothing to compare it to. But AGAIN it is QUITE HEAVY (51 pounds?) The hub adds about 9.5 pounds. (No such thing as a free lunch.) You can buy it from Amazon for well under $600, and get free shipping/or low cost 2 day shipping.

Hope that helps, and if you want a standard bike (just like everyone else's) I suggest the Cafe Deluxe 8 speed. Aluminum, about 30 pounds. with fenders, a rack, and seat pack.

SO to sum it up, don't be afraid of a heavy bike, weight is your friend if it is used right, look for tandem wheels, or buy them from the makers of the Yuba Mundo (about $100 for both front and rear), as repair parts. Take it easy to start, until your muscles can handle the strain. Get a mountain bike to start, if you want a cushy ride. (Schwalbe makes a beautiful set of tires, the BIG APPLE, in both 26", and 700c, which give a nice ride, at lower pressure than do others at higher pressure, and the tires are quite light.)

bautieri

Your first bike is going to be an awful lot like your first girlfriend/boyfriend/sheep (we don't discriminate here ). You'll buy it, be proud as a peacock, ride er all day and night, then promptly off it for one you like better.

Thus I suggest you buy your first bike used. Call around the local bike shops and see if they have something used that fits you. Being 5'6'', you're right about average height and should be ok on a Medium frame. On a good day I am 5'7.5'' and ride a 17 inch (medium) frame mountain bike, 56cm road bike, and 54cm cross bike. The three most common sizes, this will greatly aid your hunt for a used bike. Being in Vegas, check some pawn shops out.

Once you find your bike, buy a helmet, a tire pump, and some means of repairing a flat along side the road. Nothing is worse than doing the walk of shame, especially as your endurance builds up and you start heading 5, 10, 25 miles from home. I wouldn't worry too much about the wheels, things are going to brake, you might as well ride what came on the bike until they are unusable. If you do buy a used bike have the wheels retentioned immediately. Don't worry about the butt pain, it will go away. Don't rush off to Wal-Mart and buy a huge gel saddle. It will only make the chaffing worse.

Remember that everyone starts somewhere. My first ride was a 2 mile loop around the neighborhood. By time I got I thought I was going to die as I laid gasping for breath in the lawn. By the end of the year I had ridden my first metric century (100k - 64 miles). Progress comes and it will come pretty quick if you keep at it.

Most of all, congratulations and making the decision to take control of your life. It takes courage to work up the nerve to go into a bike shop for the first time but trust me, they want your money er…business and a good shop will take the time to address your needs and concerns no matter how trivial you might think they are. Good luck, stick around and keep us updated.

txvintage

This so my new sig line.

bautieri

No problem TX, use and abuse it as you see fit