virtualplaid

I'm a woman of size, about 3 1/2 bills if you know what I'm sayin'. I would love to have a rat fink because they come with the fat boy tires and I don't seem to ride on the rims. Do you think it would be a good bike for me, or are there others for a woman of my size?

Thanks for any NICE responses to my posting.

Dchiefransom

You should be able to ride a bike with 2.5 inch tires that pump up to a higher pressure. If you do buy a bike with an odd sized tire, get a spare tire and make sure you've got the tools to fix a flat. Get a few extra tubes, also.

DieselDan

My recommendation is a tube sealer a la Fix-A-Flat for a Rat Fink.

Cosmoline

I just picked up a Rat Rod a month ago and I've been commuting 6 miles round trip with it this week. I'm a big guy with a troubled history when it comes to bikes. Even riding around town I can bend forks, bend seat posts, break headsets, and once I even "accordianed" the frame of a mountain bike. I'm used to bike mechanics shaking their heads in wonderment. I chose the Rat Rod because it has a very tough all-steel frame. The only problem I've had with it so far was one bent seat post because I had it adjusted too high. I've since figured out that you're supposed to pedal these cruiser style bikes flat footed, not with the balls of your toes. That lets me take the seat down a notch without hurting my knees. Knock on wood but so far the post has been holding up fine.

I am a little worried about the bearings, given the frequency I'm riding on them and my sheer magnitude as a rider and the extraordinary physics that come into play when by broad behind gets in that seat. But then again in order to get a bike that was truly tough enough to cope without modifications I'd have to spend three or four grand. A normal street bike or mountain bike is simply not built to take big riders. Even when I was rail thin I weighed 200 lbs. and played havok on my bikes.

The trick to riding these cruiser bikes is to take it easy and let them set the pace. The steel frame jobs weigh 45 lbs on their own, so you're not going to set any records with them. Walk them up steep hills. I'd also suggest getting a three speed model as that will help minimize wear and tear.

Old_Fart

I can't see doing super long rides or high speeds on a Rat Fink, but I've love to have one for weekend coffee cruises. A three-speed would be the way to go for sure. I've been heavy all my life and found that any stock bike I buy needs upgrades here and there. Even though I don't ride much for trails, and even then it's mostly rail-trail type stuff, I end up buying downhill cranks, seatposts, and other stuff just so they last longer. It sucks that it costs more to get a bike to hold up to big folks, but with a little help from a good bike shop, you can indeed have a nice ride. Start slow, and when stuff breaks, buy good quality replacement bits.

Above all, make it fun and keep at it.

carlton

I think it would hold up to your weight fine. The guys that own Electra are super nice people. Go to their website and get their contact number and give them a call. Tell them your concerns and they will give you honest and accurate advice. Check out the Straight 8 also. Close to the rat fink but it has internal hubgears also has the big wide comfortable tires. Have fun riding.

FarHorizon

You go, virtualplaid! The Rat Fink is a well-made, uniquely-styled cruiser. If you get one, you'll probably be both comfortable and have a good time. I've owned an Electra (Townie) and it was LOADS of fun. ENJOY!

taylor8

I was a guy at about $360 until I started riding last year you won te $350 long if you ride much.

my bike has 2" tires and I have had no problems at all.

Joe