Originally Posted by
Trucker_JDub
I an 6'1" and 341lbs. (I was 351 when I got this bike at the first of this year) and I am comfortable on my 20" Montague Paratrooper. I have a couple inches left I could go up on the seat post. I sent several emails to the company to find the weight spec for the bike and all I got back was 'you should be fine' It wasn't until after I got it that I learned the weight limit is about 250lbs. I figured what the heck I have a no questions asked 90 day return on it so I will give it a shot. I am careful on it mainly for my weight. I am treating it more like people would treat a race or road bike. Avoiding curbs and big potholes and nothing crazy. Only smooth trails and pavement for me at least until my weight comes down more. I have been looking over it very carefully after each ride for signs that I'm too fat and have not found any. I am planning on changing out the front fork though. I want a stiffer shock. I have not bottomed this one out while riding but I find that on quick turns with my weight it dips farther then I like and can give an unstable feeling (but I am 60lbs heavier then you).
This is my .02, good luck with your search.
Dear Trucker,
Great to hear that they feel that there is no problem. There aren't enough manufacturers out there building inexpensive bikes for bigger and taller folks. Any engineers know whether this is status quo in the industry? I would think that well built hinge-less frames would be fine for most folks, so long as the seatpost isn't overextended height wise. Bike Fridays are great, but not everyone can afford to drop $2000 on a bike.
Smaller people are also at a huge disadvantage everywhere except Japan. (Where, ironically, most young people are quite tall.) My partner is short, and fine on her bike, but there is about a foot of unneeded seatpost under her and about a Kg of unneeded aluminum on the bike as a whole. She could also use a lower bottom bracket, as her ideal crank length is about 155.