WestMichiganGuy

As the title says, I am obese (approx 350-60) after a prolonged disability (IED explosion while deployed) and want to try and do some things to lose weight and gain some more freedom from my youth.

I am not well off and, thus, cannot buy a new "big guy" bike from a LBS as they are WAY beyond my price range.

I know Walmart and other "big box" store bikes are not the best but I was wondering if a bike from there with an aftermarket set of tires (or possibly just a rear tire) would work for a big guy ? I sat on the bike and it was comfortable, the tired didn't even squish like I feared they would.. only a very little...

I am just looking into getting back into riding for as little as possible. I am a road rider (no offroad except maybe a few areas in grass when there are no sidewalks or jumps or anything)

Any help would be greatly appreciated

pdlamb

Unless you're already a knowledgeable and experienced bicycle mechanic, I'd skip the big box bike-shaped objects (BSO) and go to a bike shop. Look for a rigid mountain bike, with gearing appropriate to your locale. Ask them to swap out the knobby tires for some slick tires. The $300 or so that should cost will be cheaper over the next two years, and will get you riding more, than you'd experience with the POS BSO.

MRT2

Stay away from Wal Mart Junk. It is the last thing an uber clyde needs. Used hardtail mountain bike or hybrid with decent wheels will serve you much better.

gman214

I have the Breezer Storm Comp 29er. I started riding at 336 lbs in mid April now down to 320. It handles GREAT! GREAT BIKE FOR US BIG GUYS...DOUBLE WALL RIMS! Over a 150 miles now and spokes still tight! Same frame for each of the Storms. The Greenway is a VERY GOOD also. I would had bought the Greenway but my LBS made me a deal on the Comp 29er!

Breezer bikes offer more bike for your money in $450-$550 price range! Good luck!

Storm 29

Greenway

Greenway DX

ill.clyde

Solid advice here ... Keep an eye on Craigslist for used ... should be able to get into a used 90s MTB for just over $100 or so. If you're ok with sharing your "general" location I'm sure people here would take a peek on CL for you to give you a few ideas (I'd offer but CL is blocked for me here at work).

Aside from your weight, how tall are you?

And thank you, for your service. It's much appreciated.

WestPablo

Thank you for your service, brother!

I say, make a practical evaluation of your situation. I would first monitor CL for a used rigid mtb or steel road bike frame, from the 80's or 90's. I would also check the local area for any bicycle co-op in the region. If I absolutely could not find anything at all and could not establish any link to a good used bicycle, I would then consider purchasing a single speed Xmart bike.

If your terrain is flat, then there's nothing too much wrong with considering a steel framed single speed from an Xmart store. I've seen plenty of Mongoose Sinsures and Mongoose Beasts being ridden by neighborhood kids...

* Of course, IMO,the wisest thing to do would be to remain patient, save your money, and buy a quality bike either online, or from a LBS.

MRT2

I just recently made deals for two used mountain bikes with 2 different LBS in my area. One of the bikes, based on an American made Trek 930 steel frame, cost me a bit more than one would expect for a 20 year old mountain bike, but it was completely rebuilt with modern SRAM 8 speed shifters and Velocity Wheels. And a very nice Marin fork. A bike like that would be perfect for someone like you because of the quality of the frame, wheels, the rigid fork, and slick tires. That bike cost me $300 and change, but it was completely built up by a bike shop and came with a store warranty.

The second bike was one I bought for my son. It is an early 2000s Schwinn Moab. This was a $1,000 aluminum mountain bike in its time, and came with Deore XT and LX components. Bike shop tuned it up, replaced the brake pads, chain, cassette, and right hand shifter. This bike cost me $200. I kept the aggressive knobbies because my son wants to try more trail riding and mountain biking, but if you got such a bike, you would probably want to swap out the fork for a rigid one and put on some street tires.

WestMichiganGuy

Do you happen to know if a Trek Mountain Track 800 would be a good bike for someone my weight ? I see one on CL in my area (actually a couple blocks from me) for $100

MRT2

Depending on condition, it might be OK. Trek 800 was an entry level mountain bike, but they were pretty sturdy. Do you have a picture?

WestMichiganGuy

sadly no.. was just a text post on CL.. there is another I am looking at on CL and possibly considering if you happen to know anything about the "Giant Simple" brand of bikes...Cruiser Bike - 2010 Giant Simple

decotriumph 

Most name brand bikes can handle your weight. More importantly, get one that fits you. If it's too small (likely) or too big (less likely), you won't like it and you won't ride.

mkadam68

+ A million

Read this:
Yes you can do both at the same time. But, if you just ride, you will lose weight at first. But then, you'll plateau and it won't change unless you address the eating.

IAMAMRA

Raleigh 3.0 Cruiser

jyl

Read up on bike fit, then find and buy a quality rigid mountain bike from the 90s off Craigslist for $100. Take it to a bike shop for tuneup, new tires, etc for $100-150. Then ride to your hearts' content. Those bikes are very strong, and the MTB gearing will help you on hills.

JBHoren

Having lost 70lbs in the last year (300lbs-->230lbs) -- the majority of it while bicycling -- I'd tell you to get a sturdy, el-cheapo bike (probably a used mountain bike) that can handle wide tires (min. 38mm) front-and-rear, and then ride it 5-6 days-a-week, locally (forget about off-road or trail). I ride on the road, a variety of loops, ranging from 4 to 10 miles in length, starting and finishing at home. Given your weight, I'd start with a short loop -- don't pay attention to speed -- and "Just 'Do It'". When 4 miles feels too short, increase the distance; alternatively, do it twice-in-a-day; or, combine a short one with a longer one. Pedal at a comfortable cadence -- if it feels too easy, pedal faster and/or shift gears; if it feels too difficult, pedal more slowly and/or shift gears. Work on your diet -- what you eat, how often, and employ "portion control". Be patient, persistent, and perceptive (listen-to and trust your body), and it'll happen. Good luck!

PhotoJoe 

So Grand Rapids is the general location. What is your height? As mentioned above, some folks here would be happy to look around for ideas.

And I'll echo a VERY sincere THANK YOU! Your service is greatly apperciated.

Have you hooked up with the Wounded Warrior Project? I'm not sure what all they have to offer, but several of us from this forum got together a couple of months ago and volunteered at one of their Soldier Rides in San Diego. Seems like a great organization!

https://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdale...r-project.html

WestMichiganGuy

Yeah, I am in Grand Rapids, MI. I am about 6'2 with a 30-32 inseam

Would love all the help I can get.. even if it just is things to look for on Craigslist since, from what I have seen, all the really reliable and well made bikes are far beyond my budget.

WestMichiganGuy

I actually looked at that exact bike since it is one they sell at Wally World but, even on the Walmart website and whatnot, it says "weight limit 250 lbs" which kinda scared me away

WestPablo

Hey there, WestGuy!

You wanna bike primarily for exercise and recreation.... Right?

Just GOOGLE: Mongoose Beast

This bike will more than satisfy those two goals and the frame will most probably outlast you!

Good Luck!

Little Darwin

Nearly every bike has a weight limit lower than your weight (and mine) so I wouldn't worry about that. Heck, as I recall, even the tank-like bicycles that Worksman make they only have one that they rate above 250 pounds...

WestMichiganGuy

Ahh ok... will the wheels/spokes on the Mongoose Beast hold up to someone of "advanced weight" ?

WVU_Engineer

Hey man

You might be suprised at the price you can get a bike shop bike for. I too was going to buy a bike from Walmart, seeing a hybrid for the first time made me want a bike, a friend talked me out of buying one at walmart and told me to go to DIcks. Turned out Dicks had no bikes in my size, I almost gave up but I called the bike shop down the road, they asked me what my budget was and I told them I wanted to spend about $300 because I didnt know if wanting to ride a bike was just a passing fancy or not.

I am 6'5" ish and 290, I talked to them and together we decided that it sounded like a comfort bike would be better for me. I was able to get a Raleigh Venture from them for $330 and it comes with service, proper setup etc from them. I honestly did not think a bike shop sold any bikes under $1k, they really should try to reach out to people the fact that they have affordable bikes also.

So it can't hurt to give your local shop a call and talk to them, hell someone there might have a used bike they want to sell.

Good luck, hope you reach your goals and thank you for serving.

WestPablo

At this point, just worry about the frame size. You most probably will have to have specially ordered wheels to support your weight, anyways...That's regardless as to what bike you'll find anywhere.

You know, on second thought, you might be better off just searching CL specifically for an old chromoly steel rigid frame mtb in a large size. I don't think you're really gonna have too much of a choice. Then once you have the correct frame size, then have your special wheels built up. After that, just replace and upgrade parts as you go along.

Due to the weight limit on the Mongoose Beast, that might not be such a great idea, after all...

****************
If I was you, I'd try to join a bicycle co-op. I would then purchase a new frame, fork, and all the components, separately...Piece by piece...Part after part, I'd eventually build my bike for next summer. Meanwhile, I'd join the YMCA, exercise, and diet, until I could get my weight down a little.
If you do, then certainly by this time next year, you'll not only have lost a substantial amount of weight, you'll also have a brand new bicycle built up for yourself. You can then continue your exercise regimen, including cycling.

LordMarv

Something you might consider with a bike shop....most shops have a layaway program, they might not advertise it, but most do. A certain percent down, then you bring in payments over a certain amount of time, say 90 days. Then you could select a decent sturdy entry level bike and have the free initial tune ups that most shops provide. Don't know what prices are like in your area, but I would think you could find a good basic hybrid bike for $600, and spread out over a few months might be do-able.

Null66

LBS's They also have trade ins.

There's a place near here, Back Alley Bikes... They run a different kind of shop. Mostly used bikes, acquired, fixed up, then resold... Top notch mechanics on a mission.

Perhaps if you're near a college, there might be someplace similar.

<obtw> if that Trek fits, it will do the trick.