wralyn

I'm up to 340 lbs and have quickly worn out the stock pedals on my Schwinn Frontier GS (circa 1998). Yes, it's been sitting in the garage for several years gathering dust while I sat under the A/C gathering fat. So I've pulled it out to get some exercise. I have changed the tires to Forte FastCity ST/K 1.25 for straight road riding and won't be doing any offroading with the bike. Honestly, I'm scared to hop the curb with my weight on it.

So where do I go from here?

I plan to continue riding, but don't know whether to invest in quality pedals or just keep a stock of cheap ones. I don't want to spend $$ on good pedals just to find out that they won't last any longer than the cheap ones. For what it's worth, I have size 16 feet and currently have basic plastic MTB pedals with some older GT toe straps. Performance Bike has Forté Shovel Platform Pedals that look interesting, but again, will they stand up to my weight.

Any advice or recommendations are appreciated.

BCRider

At this point in time I'd suggest some mountain bike platform pedals that have the traction pins or setscrews sticking out of them. They are solid and a set of the mid $30 types will stand up to whatever you want to give them. Also they are larger so they spread out the weight over more of your foot area. Some smooth but stiff soled court shoes or skateboard shoes will bite onto the pins for all the traction you can wish for but at the same time you just lift your foot and you're free to do whatever you want.

Those plastic pedals aren't even good for kids let alone adults. You'll do far better with some basic MTB platforms.

Here's a set and a price I think you'll like... It'll give you an idea of what I'm describing. Just be sure that you get the 9/16 inch thread size and not the 1/2 inch.

https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...13+Pedals.aspx

REI in the US and MEC up here in Canada carry lots of options. Just be sure you don't get the BMX pedals. Those use a different thread size.

wralyn

I knew the cheap plastic wouldn't last, just didn't know how long. The platforms looked like they would fit the bill, but I've never seen any and really don't know what they are designed for. I would definitely appreciate the extra foot room. Thanks for the input.

BCRider

With the jumping style bikes being so popular these days most bike shops will have this style. These are the pedals favoured by the big jump bikes. With that style of riding the last thing the riders want is to be clipped to the bike. Hence why there's a lot of this platform style of pedal out there. You may just not have really looked in that section of the display case. Or your area is heavily into cross country racing style riding where they all want clipless pedals.

Watch it on the price if you're trying to keep costs down. Often they'll try to sell you upscale by only having the mid to higher end options. You can easily spend 3 to 5 times what the Jenson ones cost. So keep that in mind and if the bikes shops only have the better ones and you just can't see spending the coin on them go mail order.

Best of luck with the new exercise regimen. It'll feel like it's killing you for the first two weeks. But stick it out and keep at it but without overdoing it. You SHOULD feel some stiffness and stiffness related pain the next day. Hell, EVERY day for that matter during this break in time. Just get back on the bike and ride easy for the first 10 to 15 minutes or whatever it takes to loosen up the aches and pains and then ride a little harder until you're tired again. But if you notice joint or stabbing muscle pains then you're overdoing it. The first couple of weeks are the killer until your body starts to adapt and then you'll find yourself riding further and/or faster each time you go out. Once you get past that intial torture phase you'll notice "that wasn't so bad" coming out of your lips more often and you'll know you're on the way.

wralyn

Thanks for the support. My wife laughed at me when I came back the first day and dropped to the floor huffing and puffing and unable to feel my legs. She said, "You were only gone 5 minutes!" It's been about a week and I can tell it's getting easier. Two miles a day is about all I can take, though. After several years of virtual inactivity, I'm scared my system is going to go into shock.

I'm glad to hear there is a break-in period.

By the way, I try to do all my shopping online. I've found that the LBS would prefer that I take my nickel and dime business somewhere else. So much for building customer loyalty! I'll keep shopping around, though. I'll eventually need someone to do my repairs.

Mondoman

I can relate! I found that doing walking every day as well (even if only a mile or two) was a big help. Good luck!

Bill Kapaun

Buy decent pedals and then you can transfer them to your "new" bike when the time comes.

Your conditioning will improve RAPIDLY! Just don't overextend and injure yourself. If you're too sore to ride, it makes it too easy to give it up. 2 weeks and you'll be riding twice as far with less effort.
Ride EVERY day, even if it's only around the block. It'll keep you from "reverting" as much. And don't forget to have some fun. Not every ride has to be a "training" ride.
Check out the Clydesdale & Athena forum. It's for "larger" people with the same issues.
https://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdales-athenas-200-lb-91-kg/

wralyn

Thanks for the encouragement! It's been about three weeks and I can tell a huge difference. The past two days have been 5 mile rides. A big jump from the two miles that almost killed me the first day. I'm trying to keep the first half at a brisk pace with the second half being a little slower.

I had no idea that big guys deserved their own group. I checked out the Clydesdale forum and have picked up lots of information and encouragement. Thanks for the tip.