Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
Reload this Page >

Post a photo of your Clyde/Athena bike?

Notices
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) Looking to lose that spare tire? Ideal weight 200+? Frustrated being a large cyclist in a sport geared for the ultra-light? Learn about the bikes and parts that can take the abuse of a heavier cyclist, how to keep your body going while losing the weight, and get support from others who've been successful.

Post a photo of your Clyde/Athena bike?

Old 12-04-14, 10:43 PM
  #51  
Senior Member
 
brawlo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,210
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 288 Post(s)
Liked 76 Times in 57 Posts




Track and road bikes. I like to go fast!
Attached Images
brawlo is offline  
Old 12-05-14, 01:00 AM
  #52  
Mad bike riding scientist
 
cyccommute's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274

Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones

Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,093 Times in 2,325 Posts
Originally Posted by FarHorizon
Hi @chaadster - You make excellent points - I hadn't thought about poor maintenance and riding habits. Since I am one of those "north of 270#," I'm dismayed to see that very, very few manufacturers give maximum weight limits on their bikes (or parts). I'm diligent and informed about both maintenance practices and best riding habits, but I'm still wary of my parts.

I buy wheels, for example, with the strongest, double-wall rims, four-cross spoke patterns, and LOTS of spokes. I'm careful to ride the largest tires I can and to inflate them to significantly less than the maximum sidewall pressures. I'm diligent about inspecting the handlebars, stem, and seat post for stress cracking or bending. I've chosen a steel frame, rather than a carbon fibre or aluminum one for better durability.

That said, I seem to be in the minority among the Athena/Clyde crowd. So obviously some manufacturers include generous safety margins in their bikes & parts. But there's no way to know which manufacturers these are! I've owned racing bikes before, one with Campagnolo radial-spoke wheels. After breaking some spokes, I promptly decided that these were not the wheels for me. But since the wheels didn't come with any maximum recommended weight, I had to try to see whether they'd hold me or not. Fortunately, their failure wasn't catastrophic, but it could have been...

There really should be some way to evaluate the safety margin of bikes & parts, but as of now, there seems to be no standard. Further, the manufacturers decline to make their limits public because it might impact sales. So the Athena/Clyde becomes the unwilling safety experiment. Caveat Emptor.

Also, maybe it's time to redefine the weight limits for being an Athena/Clyde. For females, maybe 200+ is a fine starting point, but for males, I'd think there would be little or no risk until 250 to 275 was exceeded. Just speculating...

Other than the wheels, there are few components that will fail in general use. Even frames seldom fail. It happens (I've broken 4 out of around 30 bikes) but, in my experience, frame failure is do more to materials problems than usage problems.

Wheels also fail more to materials problems than usage. That's because people make the mistake of concentrating on the wrong part when making a "strong" wheel. The rim has little to do with make a wheel strong. Spokes are the strength members of the wheel. I use very light rims on everything I ride but I use spokes with 2.3mm spoke heads rather than the more commonly used 2.0mm spokes. That 0.3mm of extra metal increases the strength by 50%.

My fleet

Salsa La Cruces commuter/road bike



Specialized Rock Hopper winter/off-road commuter



Moots YBBeat winter/off-road tourer



Fun bike



Dean El Diente go fast



Specialized S-Works Epic off-road go fast



Loaded touring bike



Specialized Stumpjumper Pro which resides at one of my daughters houses



A Cannondale Synapse under a lot of extra paint that resides at my other daughter's house.

__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!



cyccommute is offline  
Old 12-05-14, 03:51 AM
  #53  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 16,771
Mentioned: 125 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1454 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times in 40 Posts
Hey chaadster, I really really like your bikes!
Rowan is offline  
Old 12-05-14, 05:13 AM
  #54  
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
Thanks so much!
chaadster is offline  
Old 12-05-14, 10:45 AM
  #55  
LET'S ROLL
 
1nterceptor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: NEW YORK, NY - USA
Posts: 4,782

Bikes: 2014 BMC Gran Fondo, 2013 Brompton S6L-X

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 306 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times in 33 Posts
My bikes:

2014 BMC GF02 roadbike:
2014 BMC GF02 by 1nterceptor, on Flickr


2013 Bromtpon S6L-X folding bike:
100 Miles(160 Km.) on a Brompton by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

1nterceptor is offline  
Old 12-05-14, 11:43 AM
  #56  
A square going nowhere
 
psalm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: San Dimas
Posts: 627

Bikes: CAAD 8 & CAAD 10

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'll play along.

psalm is offline  
Old 12-05-14, 01:54 PM
  #57  
Senior Curmudgeon
Thread Starter
 
FarHorizon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Directly above the center of the earth
Posts: 3,856

Bikes: Varies by day

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Rowan
Hey chaadster, I really really like your bikes!
I agree!
FarHorizon is offline  
Old 12-05-14, 09:31 PM
  #58  
Senior Member
 
corwin1968's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,411
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 55 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 32 Times in 18 Posts
I was riding a 1983 MTB, single-speed until I discovered that the rear dropouts have somehow spread out and the QR skewer was warped, I suspect from having to squeeze and clamp the dropouts to the hub. It's currently out of commission until I can get it to a frame builder to have a look.

My backups are a true Frankenbike (it's even green) that is a 700c hybrid converted to 26" wheels and a occasionally a Handsome Cycles Devil. I don't have current photos of any of them. The middle bike has an MTB fork and the blue bike has mostly black components now.







Attached Images
File Type: jpg
IMG_1703.jpg (87.0 KB, 26 views)
File Type: jpg
other 26 inch bikes (3).jpg (93.7 KB, 25 views)
File Type: jpg
IMG_1485.jpg (96.6 KB, 38 views)
corwin1968 is offline  
Old 12-06-14, 07:55 AM
  #59  
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
Originally Posted by corwin1968


Now that's elegant!

The blue makes it possible, but the balance of black and silver components is sublime! Kudos!
chaadster is offline  
Old 12-06-14, 08:16 AM
  #60  
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
@Rowan thanks for the compliment! It makes me think that if we could afford to spend the time and money we really wanted to on bikes, the world would be a more beautiful place!
chaadster is offline  
Old 12-06-14, 12:17 PM
  #61  
Life Is Good
 
ZIPP2001's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Central Massachusetts
Posts: 1,695

Bikes: Zipp2001 Carbon Belt Drive SS, Kestrel RT900SL, Kestrel KM40 Airfoil 1x10, Orbea Occam H30, Trek Stache 5 29 Plus, Giant Yukon 2 Fat Bike

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 277 Post(s)
Liked 867 Times in 443 Posts
Here's my Zipp2001 TT Biike, I also have a Zipp2001 Single Speed, a Kestrel 900SL Road Bike, and a Giant Defy 3 Road Bike that I attach a trailer to so I can take my grandson for a ride.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
Snow 1.jpg (104.3 KB, 57 views)
ZIPP2001 is offline  
Old 12-06-14, 08:46 PM
  #62  
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
@ZIPP2001 awesome pic, but I ain't ready for that much snow. Ugh!
chaadster is offline  
Old 12-06-14, 08:57 PM
  #63  
Life Is Good
 
ZIPP2001's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Central Massachusetts
Posts: 1,695

Bikes: Zipp2001 Carbon Belt Drive SS, Kestrel RT900SL, Kestrel KM40 Airfoil 1x10, Orbea Occam H30, Trek Stache 5 29 Plus, Giant Yukon 2 Fat Bike

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 277 Post(s)
Liked 867 Times in 443 Posts
Hey Chaadster that was our first snow of the season the day before Thanksgiving and we got a tad over a foot. After I took the photo I jumped on my trainer that I had in the driveway for a quick frozen fifteen miles.
ZIPP2001 is offline  
Old 12-06-14, 10:15 PM
  #64  
Senior Member
 
wbuttry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New madrid Mo
Posts: 163

Bikes: diamondback outlook turned commuter/ bike packer And a tour easy recumbent for on road touring

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
here is both of my bikes the white one is the one I ride most often I like it best and this spring I am taking the white one her name is Dakota on a 84 mile round trip camping for the weekend . The green one I put on the trainer and ride it there.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
015.jpg (89.2 KB, 21 views)
File Type: jpg
001.jpg (97.2 KB, 21 views)
wbuttry is offline  
Old 12-07-14, 02:41 AM
  #65  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: La Porte Texas
Posts: 319

Bikes: Specialized Hardrock 29er Sport Disc Trek Domane 4.0c

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Specialized Hardrock 29er Sport Disc
[IMG]https://i379.
My Spec Hardrock 29erURL=https://s379.photobucket.com/user/rick458_photos/media/Bikes/IMG_4986.jpg.html]

Last edited by rick458; 12-07-14 at 02:44 AM.
rick458 is offline  
Old 12-07-14, 06:13 PM
  #66  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: La Porte Texas
Posts: 319

Bikes: Specialized Hardrock 29er Sport Disc Trek Domane 4.0c

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
My Trek Domane 4.0c
rick458 is offline  
Old 12-07-14, 06:42 PM
  #67  
Senior Member
 
Zoxe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Indianapolis!
Posts: 503

Bikes: Giant Cypress DX, Bianchi Imola, Surly Cross Check 105, Twin6 Standard TI FSU

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Liked 37 Times in 22 Posts
Originally Posted by jaxgtr
3 main road bikes.

Cannondale Synapse 3



I see someone else found Boyd's wheels. Here's mine:



Zoxe is offline  
Old 12-07-14, 06:57 PM
  #68  
Senior Member
 
jaxgtr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 6,831

Bikes: Trek Domane SLR 7 AXS, Trek CheckPoint SL7, Trek Emonda ALR, Trek FX 5 Sport

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 751 Post(s)
Liked 1,666 Times in 980 Posts
Originally Posted by Zoxe
I see someone else found Boyd's wheels. Here's mine:
Yea I came across the Boyd's when I started looking for some new wheels for my SuperSix and they were just coming out with the new hubs and Altamont's. I decided to wait for the new hubs to be ready versus going with the Vitesse. Awesome company to deal with and I was lucky enough to get the disc set before they were selling to the public. Super stiff and spin fantastic.
__________________
Brian | 2023 Trek Domane SLR 7 AXS | 2023 Trek CheckPoint SL 7 AXS | 2016 Trek Emonda ALR | 2022 Trek FX Sport 5
Originally Posted by AEO
you should learn to embrace change, and mock it's failings every step of the way.



jaxgtr is offline  
Old 12-20-14, 03:19 PM
  #69  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
sadbox is offline  
Old 12-21-14, 09:30 AM
  #70  
Senior Member
 
decotriumph's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Tullahoma, TN USA
Posts: 209

Bikes: 2022 Trek Marlin 7, 2016 Trek FX 7.4, 1987 Schwinn Circuit, 1955 Indian Scout (Phillips)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Liked 39 Times in 15 Posts
Originally Posted by FarHorizon
I've found a local bike co-op that has a grant & gets all the unclaimed bikes from the city. They're all stripped for parts. The neighborhood kids come to the co-op, and if they'll put in the effort to build their own bike, they get to keep it for free! The guy that runs it loans them tools & shows them how to work on the bike. At the same time, they get coached on responsibility and how to use what they've learned to help the other kids. I donate all my spare parts to them, and buy the parts I need there too. The kids also build bikes to sell to the public & the money gets recycled back into the co-op. Next time I need a bike, I'll shop there first.
Nashville, Tennessee, has a similar setup but it's a collaborative between a local bike shop (Halcyon Bikes; mostly used/refurbed bikes) and a local at-risk youth advocacy group (Oasis Center). They teach the kids how to work on bikes in a 6-week session. If the kids complete the whole 6-week class, they keep the bikes. I've donated bikes and parts to them but they've never had a bike for sale that fits me!
__________________
Alan M.
Tullahoma, TN
www.baker-cole.com

decotriumph is offline  
Old 12-21-14, 11:09 AM
  #71  
Just Keep Pedaling
 
Beachgrad05's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lakewood, CA
Posts: 3,355

Bikes: 99 Schwinn Mesa GS MTB, 15 Trek Domane 5.9 Dura-Ace, 17 Trek Emonda SL6 Pro & 18 Bianchi Vigorelli

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 251 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 67 Times in 34 Posts
I have 5 currently tho one is going up for sale

My newest: 2015 Domane 5.9 Dura-Ace


My 2014 Bianchi Vigorreli:


My 2012 Madone 4.5:


My 2011 FX 7.2 WSD:


My 1999 Schwinn Mesa GS:


And for fun here is my 2005 Kawasaki ZX6R:
Beachgrad05 is offline  
Old 12-22-14, 06:27 AM
  #72  
Senior Curmudgeon
Thread Starter
 
FarHorizon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Directly above the center of the earth
Posts: 3,856

Bikes: Varies by day

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
My bike stable will be limited to two due to WAF. Current duo includes an OLD Electra Townie coaster brake with fenders and a Kona Unit single speed. IF (and it's a BIG if, at this point), I can get the Kona to fit well, then I may convert it to a Nexus 7. Otherwise, it's gone & I'll look for other options. I'm envious of the lovely bikes youse guys have. I'm a clyde for life at my height & size, so fly-weight carbon racing bikes aren't in my future (but I like to look)!

The Townie, by the way, has been bulletproof and 100% reliable. I can hop it any time & commute, exercise, or just go for a jaunt. There is no maintenance to speak of, and in all the years I've owned it the only thing that had to be replaced was a stretched chain. I'd added a rear rack and front basket, but since I never used the former, I removed it. The basket is Electra's quick-release model, so unless I'm going shopping, I leave it at home. When I bought the Townie, I had grave doubts about the light weight aluminum frame. But despite bumping 300# when I started with the Electra, it never complained. I'm 265 now and trending ever downward, thanks to the exercise that the Townie allows me. For the money spent, it's the best bike I've ever owned. Even if I end up with a multi-speed second bike for longer rides, I'll be keeping the Townie. It is just too good a bike to let go.

FarHorizon
FarHorizon is offline  
Old 12-22-14, 06:19 PM
  #73  
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
@1nterceptor glad to see I'm not the only clyde on a folder!

My humble (i.e. virtually fully stock!) Dahon Mariner. Definitely fills a role for me.

chaadster is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
owen robinson
Classic & Vintage
32
02-27-21 09:47 AM
67tony
Classic & Vintage
19
08-16-19 08:07 AM
mkeller234
Classic & Vintage
8
08-15-18 03:50 PM
JimboMartin
Classic and Vintage Sales
2
03-05-17 05:45 AM
bmclaughlin807
Classic & Vintage
4
03-22-10 09:30 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.