Too big for Two wheels?
03-26-11, 01:17 PM
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Too big for Two wheels?
I'm ready to get back on two wheels after a long time. Life, injuries, pizza and beer have taken their toll on me. I have however been more active during the last couple of years than before. Lots of walking, using some equipment at home and frisbee golf have got me re-energized.
So now for the ugly part.. I'm in my late 40's, 6'1" and 270. I've had three operations on my right knee including an ACL tear. I also have a couple of fused discs in my lower neck. So sitting upright and a smooth ride are important to me. Now to the bike..
I will be riding on paved surfaces for the most part, with a little gravel road in the mix. The bike I'm looking at is the Giant Sedona. I've rode it in a test drive and like it.
So now for the ugly part.. I'm in my late 40's, 6'1" and 270. I've had three operations on my right knee including an ACL tear. I also have a couple of fused discs in my lower neck. So sitting upright and a smooth ride are important to me. Now to the bike..
I will be riding on paved surfaces for the most part, with a little gravel road in the mix. The bike I'm looking at is the Giant Sedona. I've rode it in a test drive and like it.
03-26-11, 01:28 PM
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The Sedona looks fine. If its comfortable, affordable, and you are willing to ride, then go for it.
The great thing about this forum is that no matter how big you are, we always make room for one more. So Welcome Obxmutt!
The great thing about this forum is that no matter how big you are, we always make room for one more. So Welcome Obxmutt!
03-26-11, 01:41 PM
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Three wheels for your back.
https://www.actionbent.com/TWTRIKE.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpbo1dcvjLY
https://www.actionbent.com/TWTRIKE.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpbo1dcvjLY
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Fred "The Real Fred"
03-26-11, 07:15 PM
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Take the bike for a longer test ride. 15 minutes of pedaling at least, and maybe up to an hour so you will know for sure if it is a good fit, given your back and knee issues. Since you are not accustomed to riding, an hour is going to make your knees wobble, but if your back and neck feel OK, go for that bike.
And welcome to the Clydes... You're below average in this group.
And welcome to the Clydes... You're below average in this group.
03-26-11, 07:21 PM
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Congrats for getting back on two wheels. It's a totally fun and effective way to get back in shape. The Sedona looks like a great choice. Get out there and ride!!! 
03-26-11, 07:34 PM
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You might want to look at a recumbent. They're not cheap, but with your back, it might be the best option. My wife has had spinal fusion and rides a Sun recumbent trike.
03-26-11, 08:24 PM
#7
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Chuck, Ride whatever turns you on for now. I'm not poo-pooing bassjones' suggestion, but it does take a sincere commitment to cycling to ante in for a recumbent (as it does for a top drawer standard frame).
Brad
Brad
03-26-11, 09:49 PM
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Another option is a pedal forward or semi-recumbent like the Electra Townie, where the pedals are further forward and you basically sit like in a chair rather then a recliner. There are a couple of problems with the Sedona, at 270lbs suspension seat posts and suspension forks are only useful for reducing the amount of power getting to the rear wheel.
03-26-11, 10:18 PM
#9
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My dad had the same exact issues just 2 years ago. He was looking at the Sedona and was sold on it. After riding it for a month he went into a local shop and test road a Trek Navigator. It was right around the same price if I remember correctly. He instantly fell in love and bought it. He loaded it up with bags, and racks, and all kind of crazy things. After riding it for a year, every back problem he ever had he didn't have anymore, so he thought it was time to upgrade, and he did, to a Trek 2.1 road bike. He is a big boy as well, 6'2 250+, with one hell of a gut. Our team kits have a bit of red in them, so the neighborhood people call him santa claus on the bike. He loves riding now and is so addicted he is now looking to upgrade to a Madone since I got mine. Either way, a Sedona or a Navigator are super comfortable bikes and all around great rides. Get out and test ride a few before making a decision and find the one that feels the best to you. Then enjoy the ride!
03-27-11, 02:13 PM
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I just found out that there is a Trek dealer about 30mins up the road. Time to learn more, and see more!
03-27-11, 03:35 PM
#11
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Hi OBX -
To answer the question in the OP, the only way you could be "too big for two wheels" is if you were large enough to cause structural failure to the frame and/or rims...and even if it got to that, I'm sure something could be arranged. I think Scott Cutshall (he was featured in Bicycling Magazine about 12 to 18 mos ago, I think) was >400 when he started riding - his bike was custom built (basically a single built to tandem weight specs) - and he did fine.
In short, no, you're not too big to ride ('specially at 6'1" 270 lbs). Like the others above say, find the bike that you're most likely to ride - conventional, recumbent, hybrid, road, whatever - and ride the daylights out of it!
The hard part I think (and I speak from experience) is giving up the Pizza and Beer. Hell - your mention of it already has me thinking of pepperoni, garlic and jalapeno washed down with Sierra Nevada.
Hmmmmm
Welcome to the club. There's less and less of us every day
To answer the question in the OP, the only way you could be "too big for two wheels" is if you were large enough to cause structural failure to the frame and/or rims...and even if it got to that, I'm sure something could be arranged. I think Scott Cutshall (he was featured in Bicycling Magazine about 12 to 18 mos ago, I think) was >400 when he started riding - his bike was custom built (basically a single built to tandem weight specs) - and he did fine.
In short, no, you're not too big to ride ('specially at 6'1" 270 lbs). Like the others above say, find the bike that you're most likely to ride - conventional, recumbent, hybrid, road, whatever - and ride the daylights out of it!
The hard part I think (and I speak from experience) is giving up the Pizza and Beer. Hell - your mention of it already has me thinking of pepperoni, garlic and jalapeno washed down with Sierra Nevada.
Hmmmmm
Welcome to the club. There's less and less of us every day
03-30-11, 05:44 PM
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Well I pulled the trigger. I found a bike that I like, and a shop that I feel good about. They spent so much time with me ( :45 during just one of my visits alone).
There is a new Giant Sedona in the garage.
There is a new Giant Sedona in the garage.
04-01-11, 04:04 AM
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04-01-11, 08:12 AM
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I live in southern Maryland. We haven’t been doing much better than you guys in western VA. I have been trying to get out, but rain/snow/cold is often keeping me inside. Bummer.
If you are only 270 you are doing fine. Three yrs. Ago I was 345. Now I am 255. I expect to be down to 210 by the end of the summer. A cross country bike trip should help a lot.
If you are only 270 you are doing fine. Three yrs. Ago I was 345. Now I am 255. I expect to be down to 210 by the end of the summer. A cross country bike trip should help a lot.
Last edited by ClemY; 04-01-11 at 08:12 AM. Reason: left out the first line
04-01-11, 12:36 PM
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I'm ready to get back on two wheels after a long time. Life, injuries, pizza and beer have taken their toll on me. I have however been more active during the last couple of years than before. Lots of walking, using some equipment at home and frisbee golf have got me re-energized.
So now for the ugly part.. I'm in my late 40's, 6'1" and 270. I've had three operations on my right knee including an ACL tear. I also have a couple of fused discs in my lower neck. So sitting upright and a smooth ride are important to me. Now to the bike..
I will be riding on paved surfaces for the most part, with a little gravel road in the mix. The bike I'm looking at is the Giant Sedona. I've rode it in a test drive and like it.
So now for the ugly part.. I'm in my late 40's, 6'1" and 270. I've had three operations on my right knee including an ACL tear. I also have a couple of fused discs in my lower neck. So sitting upright and a smooth ride are important to me. Now to the bike..
I will be riding on paved surfaces for the most part, with a little gravel road in the mix. The bike I'm looking at is the Giant Sedona. I've rode it in a test drive and like it.
https://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_s...html/pav3.html
I have the 3sp stretch frame PAV since I too have health issues. Since you sit "chair high" the PAV is both easy to ride as well has mount/dismount.
Then there is the falling issue that you don't have to worry about on 3 wheels. A hard fall off of 2 wheels could harm you greatly with you back concerns. On a trike you just pedal and enjoy the ride.
All the best
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My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
04-01-11, 12:56 PM
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04-02-11, 05:24 PM
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The morning is looking sweet. Lower to mid-forties to start.. I'm loving it. My kind of weather. The wheels go round and round
04-02-11, 06:54 PM
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Too big for 2 wheels? Hell, at 270, you're a tiny feller.
Here's me a few years ago....note, I had to use oxygen to ride then,
This is me after my last Tour de Cure
Here's me a few years ago....note, I had to use oxygen to ride then,
This is me after my last Tour de Cure
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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
04-04-11, 10:44 AM
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I'm about 392 right now and just purchased a Trek Navigator 3.0 I absolutely love this bike. I have a Giant sedona also.It is actually my wife's bike. It is a Men's bike. Love that one too.
Tom. You are still such an inspiration.
Tom. You are still such an inspiration.
04-11-11, 09:51 AM
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I've been out a few times so far. I like the bike. It seems to fit me well. Just yesterday I did six miles. Much to my suprise, I'm barely sore. Knee and neck are ready for more
04-12-11, 01:21 PM
#23
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That's great! A mile at a time... They'll add up soon enough. And maybe you already have one, but if you don't, pick up a computer--it's nice to see how many miles, time, your average speed was, etc.
04-13-11, 04:42 AM
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