Marco Del Barco

Howdy folks - my first post. Just getting back in the saddle and have recently retired my '91 Diamond Back Axis. Wait - no - it "voluntarily" retired itself under my weight. I am 6' 3" 255lbs and have recently moved to an area with amazing trail access and want to get back into it. Looking for advice on specific makes and models that you may know of. The only manufacturer that I can see that specializes in a model for Clydes is Kona with their Hoss and Hoss Deluxe. Are there any others that you know would be suitable? I would like to aim for all-over mountain riding, some ups and downs, nothing too extreme. Many thanks for your input. Happy riding!

Askel

The Kona Hoss is the best. Don't let those Specialized Hardrock folks convince you otherwise.

In all seriousness though, if you're not getting too extreme, a true clyde mountain bike may not be totally necessary. Mountain bikes are pretty tough by default. My trusty old bottom rung Trek 820 held up to years of abuse just fine- even when I was well north of 250 lbs.

KingTermite 

I'd always heard the Kona Hoss was the best one out there for Clydes too. A forum member who used to frequent here quite a bit rode the hell out of his Kona Hoss (some rough riding too, I think) and he weighed over 400 pounds.

Tom Stormcrowe

Specialized Hardrock! It's the Clyde "House Bike"

thaetviking

I am a Double Clyde, over six foot and and over 200, and have ridden Cannondales for a couple of years now. Never had a problem with them even over 350 pounds.

Mr. Beanz

I ride a Trek 8000 at 220-240. Takes my big butt up and down this firetrail with no problems. Hit 37 mph on the downhill but I chickened out way before the bike did! Once flipped at 24 mph. Bike took the crash way better than I did too!

Bought it about 3 years ago. I planned to replace the wheels (Bontrager) as they are low count. I tensioned them after about a month and have had zero problems with them. I am really shocked. I ride it dirt only though, no pavement. I got my money's worth and still going strong. I paid $850 (reg $1100) on sale for the hardtail.

Couple of years ago when I was in shape, I was thinking that the bike was holding me back. It's labeled as race ready. I was riding very well at the time but still thinking "if only I had a little better bike"! Just then a dude went flying by me up the hill. He left me like I was standing still. As he went by he said ,"nice bike". I looked down while I had a chance. He had the same exact bike. It was then that I figured I had more than enough bike! If I was slow, it was me!

About a month ago out on the trail!

Black Shuck

I like my Hoss Deluxe, got it 2 months ago and have been riding forest roads, trails and some forest-machine tracks and i have nothing to complain about apart from the handlebar grips. They are knurled and very hard, ate into my hands and finger so I swapped them for a pair of softer lock-on grips(Pedros Dice Vice)

dirtbikedude

It comes down to what type of riding you will be doing. Will you be keeping your wheels firmly on the ground as much as possible or will you be taking to the air (either drops or jumps) or over technical rock gardens on a regular biases?

Also, what is you price range? Would you prefer a hard-tail or a full squishy (full suspension)?

I ride a Kona Stinky for all my off-road excursions (rebuilding the stable but have been riding Kona bikes for many years) which includes freeriding and Dh as well as light fireroad use and single track. They make a very nice ride. There was a time I used a full carbon Giant as my main ride which would include the occasional jump or drop and xc race but I only tipped the scales at 240 at the time and that frame lasted 8 yrs.

If you will be taking it easy for the most part then any of the major manufacturers will work. Kona Specialized, Giant, Trek, etc etc etc.

If you take care of your ride then spend the money on the bike that FITS you and it should last for years. You may go through wheels and bottom brackets but you can up grade those as they wear out.

If you go with a full suspension or even just front suspension, I would recommend using a shock/fork that uses a coil rather then air. While the air forks and shocks work very well they can need rebuilding much sooner with our heavy weights.

DBD

Versa2nr

bought a Hardrock Sport for 300 at the LBS and upgraded everything except the cranks and bottom bracket. it holds up well with my 6'3" and 240 lbs. I put some Trailpimps on it for extra peace of mind for tackling the bigger drops.

v1k1ng1001

It's hard to say because nowadays it isn't just hardtail vs. full suspension; there are several different sorts of mountain bike to choose from. If you're willing to drop some cash, you can find a clyde-worthy ride in almost every category.

What sort of mountain bike do you think you're going to need?

pj7

Ahhh, my old buddy - PoweredByTRD, how I do miss talking to him.
He loved the bike, but destroyed the DitchWitch wheels that came with it in no time.

Marco Del Barco

I will be doing some "tighter" trails but I am not sure if full suspension will be beneficial. Probably a hartail. Budget is up to $2500, so there are plenty to choose from.

Marco Del Barco

Thank you to everyone for their info - I appreciate it. Going to be buying in the next ten days or so, but first off to a Wine and Food festival in Whistler. Then the biking afterwards to work off the extra poundage I am sure to put on. Hey - come on, we have to have one vice don't we?

v1k1ng1001

I'm still riding a 10-year-old S-Works hardtail. Specialized makes some great bikes.

If I had $2500 to spend, I'd probably think about a custom steel rig from Independent Fabrications.

Aussie_Girl87

Im riding a 2008 GT Avalanche 2.0 and have had no problems at all with it, Im 5'10 and 297lb

Pamestique 

I have a good friend - he's 6' and 260 lbs. He currently rides a Santa Cruz Superlight but has been looking at a studier bike. He's an engineer and has researched this to death (like everything he does).

The bike he's decided that will handle his ample size is a Foes:

The 2:1 XCT 4, with its 4" of travel, is for the rider looking for an ultra-stiff bike that climbs like a goat. The XCT 4 features full tube design with an Easton downtube and sleek Foes monocoque head gusset. With single pivot design and the Foes swing link, you can expect almost zero flex - and the same amount of maintenance! Available only with the AIR Curnutt, its larger air chamber allows for lower air pressures, so it's more sensitive to small bumps than other air shocks. And, with the adjustable rod end you can adjust the length of the shock for a +/- 1 degree head angle change to suit your riding style. Think of it as a two-wheeled goat.
* * *

Not certain if they sell these bikes everywhere - the builder is in Pasadena, CA (so yes the frames are American made - not Taiwanese!).