Aluminum Bike for a Big Guy?
10-20-09 | 01:30 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Full Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 264
Likes: 8
From: NW Phoenix area
Bikes: large herd that needs thinning
Aluminum Bike for a Big Guy?
Help before I kill a buddy. I recently came upon an Eddy Merckx aluminum road bike, 90s AluTeam model for really low price and gave the bike to a buddy. He is a former FB player and now weight around 260-270. Is this an accident waiting to happen? Maybe I should get this bike back and give him an old Italian steel frame bike before we both regret the gift?
thx
thx
10-20-09 | 01:46 PM
#3
FrankTheCrank
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Alabama, sometime in the 1950's
Bikes: Surly LHT, Bilenky Tourlite Travel, Scattante 650
I just buried my 2007 23inch Trek 7.5FX bike (aluminum frame) with a left broken chainstay. I weigh 245lbs. Fortunately, I found the cracked chainstay while repairing a flat tire and did not suffer a catastrophic failure while riding. No accidents or abuse. I commuted year round on the bike for 2.5 years with over 10,000 miles on it. I bought a 60cm Surly LHT frame and transfered all the components off the Trek. Steel is real!! My confidence in aluminum is shaken, but I'm not a metalurgist (sp?) or metal worker. Just my experience.
10-20-09 | 01:49 PM
#4
Getting Hooked on Cycling
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 2005 Trek 1200
Ask Beanz about breaking bikes. Off the top of my head he broke a steel, a friend broke an aluminum, and another friend broke a carbon. If the frame is in good condition and well maintained it should last and not be a problem.
10-20-09 | 02:13 PM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Allentown, PA
Bikes: 2018 Specialized Roubaix Elite, 2009 Specialized Hard Rock 29er, 1989 Cannondale w/Campy Nuovo Record Components (mostly anway, now just on the trainer) and Easy Racer Recumbent (home made from plans)
6'4" 250 lbs I've riddrn since new a 1989 Cannondale road frame, before the replaceable rear derailleur hanger. No failures as of yet to the frame. Broke 2 rear axles and a crank axle, fell over with thaqt one on a hill.
Bill
Bill
10-20-09 | 04:31 PM
#6
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,894
Likes: 5
From: Upland Ca
Bikes: Lemond Chambery/Cannondale R-900/Trek 8000 MTB/Burley Duet tandem
Close, I broke an aluminum at 220-230
Buddy broke a Derosa Steel at 210-220 lbs.
another buddy broke a ti bike at 155 !
I say ride it but keep an eye on any bike you ride.
My 2005 Lemond. I put 13,000 miles in 2.5 years. I knew it was flexy from the start as it had small diameter tubing at the bottom bracket area. I RARELY stood on it knowing that it flexed too much under me. It snapped on a seated climb at the BB area. From the back of the seat tube then down andn around the downtube!
My CAAD3 Cannondale is a 1998 with a bigger BB area and no problems but it had NO flex at all when I stand. SO I now concern myself with small dia tubing at the BB area. But that would be with any materialSometimes it doesn't pay being a fatpony!
Last edited by Mr. Beanz; 10-20-09 at 04:50 PM.
