JackG79

So I am getting over some major health issues that have kept me in the hospital. Often bed ridden, and for the last 2 years pretty much glued to the living room.

I have started PT, and am finally making a come back, and looking forward to rejoining the rest of the world. I have spoken with my doctor and my Physical Therapist, and they both agree, that some biking would be good low-impact exercise to get me back into some kind of shape (other than round).

I used to own a Mongoose mountain bike around 1999-2001 that i put a LOT of miles on, riding up and down the local bike path, and through the city I lived in at the time. (looking back, a big box store mountain bike might not have been the best bike for the job) but I had a lot of fun, and got into great shape those years. I would regularly ride 20+ miles in my daily commute to and from college.

Back then I was about 250lbs and I could tell that even at 250lbs the bike did not fall apart under me, but it had a lot of creeky sounds, and didn't exactly stop on a dime. But it served it's purpose.

Now that I am 380+lbs And trying to get back into shape, I am looking for a bicycle that would serve me well to ride on roads, dirt roads, occasionally maybe a path once i get below 320lbs. that I could ride on reliably without worrying about it turning into recycled parts under me.

I did some searching and found a thread that suggested a Kona - Hoss. I was stoked to find what sounded like a near bullet proof bicycle. So i looked around to find one... only to find that they are not made anymore, and have not been made in the last 5 years. Then I realized the thread was from 2005. LoL

So I guess that brings me to 2017... im looking for a bike that I can use as an entry level bike to get out and get some exercise on and use to drop some weight. Someday I'll forray into the 2-3K bike range, but not until I know I can get myself into halfway decent shape and not drop dead.

DOes anyone know of a bike equivelant to the Kona- Hoss (or maybe a little cheaper as I am currently buried in medical bills.) I'd like to stay around 250-400 dollar range, but obviously i know this has to be flexable. I am not looking to buy a frame and build one. Or spend 1k plus on my first forray back into things.

If there is anything that sound like something that I could use that anyone knows of. I would greatly appreciate your input, and experiences. People with experience in ....... we'll call it. "King Size" biking.... (lol) please add any pointers or help you think I should know.

Thanks everyone for your time and help with this.
(PS if i made this in the wrong thread, I do apologize).

1nterceptor

Welcome aboard! Where are you located? Is there a bike Coop/kitchen in your area?
Critical area would be wheels; otherwise most frames would be ok. Good luck.

AlexCyclistRoch

First of all, at 380 lbs, no "entry level bike" is going to stand up, and certainly not your old big-box store bike. You will either need a custom-made bike, or one designed specifically for extremely heavy riders. Neither option will be cheap; expect to pay about $2000 for something that is just serviceable. A heavy-duty trike may be your best option.

Maelochs

You might want to call and ask about whether it would hold your weight .... i'd trust it, but I bet they say it voids the warranty or something. (Nashbar Flat Bar Disc Road Bike)

If I were you I would find an old steel-framed rigid MTB on Craigslist. For the money you want to spend ... I looked at some old Bridgestone MB4s and MB6s (1988--1995) and there were some decent deals. Anything with a steel frame and no suspension from 1990 on should hold up to what you are describing. Old Stumpjumpers? I don't know.

indyfabz

Maybe asked the mods to move this to the Clydesdale/Athena forum, where you will likely get advice along the lines of "find a used, 90s mountain bike" on Craig's List.

indyfabz

Heh. See my post, which I must have submitted just after you submitted yours.

RonH

You should be some good advice and suggestions in the Clydesdales/Athenas forum.

Maelochs

I disagree that you need a custom bike. Just keep the wheels tight ... and if they fail, buy some (minimum) 36-spoke wheels.

If people can jump 80 feet in the air and land, a big guy can ride on the bike paths.

When I weighed 180 or so i put 100 lbs of racks and gear on an ordinary Schwinn and toured unsupported. Couple years ago I put my 265+ slug body on a $400 Dawes women's bike and crossed the U.S. I probably weigh 230-250 now and I train by putting four gallons of water in my panniers.

Bikes are mostly made of metal. They will not crumple up under load.

Don't go doing any jumps or hopping curbs, but yeah ... buy a bike and ride it.

STAY OUT of department stores. The bikes there won't break ... but the wheels might, and the handlebars and seat posts bend and the cranks snap. A couple hundred three time there is not equal to four hundred for one really sturdy 20-year-old mountain bike that was built to jump off 20-foot rocks. Invest wisely or often.

swampboy62

Good luck with your weight loss. There have been a couple of fairly high profile instances where BIG guys took charge of their life and lost a huge amount of weight bicycling. Gaz comes to mind, as well as Tom Stormcrowe, who was instrumental to this forum.

Not sure whether you'll be able to find a non-specialized bike to fit you. I'd suggest going over to mtbr.com and asking this question in their Clydesdale forum (that's the term used for male riders over 200#). There is a lot of experience there in just what you're searching for.

Clydesdales/Tall Riders - Mtbr.com

Hope it works for you. Lost about 20% of my body weight a couple of years ago with bicycling, better diet, and calorie monitoring.

Steve Z

JackG79

I will look into this. THank you for the advice. The steel forks and rigid Alum. frame look like the kind of bike that can handle what im looking for. Im not worried about a warranty or anything. I suspect that I'd void most any warranty but this build looks about right. Thank U for the prompt reply. As I said above i really liked the Kona - Hoss, It's a shame they stopped making those.

JackG79

I 100% agree with you, and that was the jist of the old thread I had read. That basically ANY bike will handle a person riding on the roads and taking it easy but that you have HAVE to keep an eye on things, and expect more matinence and some broken parts. In the last thread there was a few who jumped the gun on the "Custom bike" thing, and they were quickly proven wrong by others who actually had the experience. I think one guy bought a "Giant Sedona" and a few others had bought the Kona Hoss. You wouldn't happen to know if there is a bike out there similar to the Kona-hoss do you??? I guess it's my lack of experience in the modern biking world that leaves me at a loss. But again, i truly do appreciate your help.

mcours2006

I applaud you on your effort to lose weight and get healthier. The first step to that is making changes to your diet. That is the best way to lose weight and get healthier--cut out sodas and baked goods, lots of vegetables and some fruits, lean protein, and small amounts of carbs. This should be the first step.

As for getting fit, walking, as someone suggested, is excellent. It's low impact and easy.

Sorry if this isn't what you were really asking, but at 380lbs, you've got to get control of the weights first before anything else. Diet is paramount.

BillyD

Hi Jack,
I'm going to move this thread into our forum for heavyweights, the Clydesdales forum. There you will be able to get the best advice from many other experienced members.

JackG79

Billy D, Hudson Valley NY??? Albany Area???

bobwysiwyg

+1, working the weight reduction myself. I'm somewhat amazed at how efficient the human body is. Cycling burns calories, but so does standing upright and breathing. Cycling is great for cardiovascular health and health overall. However difficult it is, and I know, getting calories and diet under control is paramount. Anything we can do, just sing out.

Jarrett2

I started riding 4 years ago yesterday at 380 lbs. I'm 258 lbs today. Cycling does a body good. Diet is most important for weight loss by far, like 80+%, but cycling does great things for your health. Don't let anyone tell you can't ride, I mean... other than your doctor

I started riding on one of these at 380 and it was perfectly fine:

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bi...ssroads/118542

This would be fine to start out on as well:

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bi...ss/roll/116174

Jarrett2

If you are looking for diet advice, check out Mark Sisson's Primal Blueprint.

These diagrams sum up the healthy way to live better than anything I've ever seen:

How to Succeed with the Primal Blueprint | Mark's Daily Apple

WizardOfBoz

Alexander, Given that the guy has had PTs and medical doctors, and maybe even a registered dietician, who are 1) trained and experienced in medicine, 2) legally licensed to give medical advice and care, and 3) familiar with the OP's medical history and have the advantage of a physical exam of the OP, are you REALLY suggesting you know better? Are you really willing to give medical advice? Sheesh.

To the OP: A bike has the advantage of cardiovascular and resistance training without total weight-bearing, which is why I suspect your docs and PTs suggested it. I would recommend a steel-framed bike with 36 spokes/wheel minimum (as others have suggested). Probably a mountain or cross bike. If you find a couple you like, call the mfr's customer service line and explain your situation and ask if the bike has a weight limit and if they would suggest that bike as their best selection.

The latest and greatest gearings are 11spd rear cog, but the chains and cogs aren't as thick as perhaps some vintange 8,9, or 10 speeds. Save your money for now, and buy that 14lb CF racing bike when you're down to 180. I'd avoid fancy suspension - a solid "diamond" (standard bike setup) frame, and no shocks on the front.

Good luck.

dagray

At 380 you aren't limited to the bike (unless the manufacturer has lawyer limits and specifies a max weight). That said I was riding an aluminum framed Raleigh at 380, and what I currently ride now (my Orbea Orca carbon fiber bike) at 360. The week spot on your road bikes likely will be the wheels (back wheel specifically).

Get the bike fit, get a deep V back wheel with a 32 spoke count (can be done for at or around $200.00), get good tires (I like the 700x25 Maxxis Padrone tubeless, but spent many hundreds of miles on Continental tires).

Go riding and have fun. Don't worry about how far you go at first, just go until you think you need to turn around to get home, and you will increase your distance.

Good luck, and HAVE FUN!

corwin1968

I'm probably around 380 right now and I've been as heavy as 416 and I've never had any fears about riding any bike. As others have stated, wheels are the biggest issue and it might be beneficial to invest in some custom built wheels IF AND WHEN the stock wheels on the bicycle start having recurring problems.

I'm currently riding a 1984 Trek mountain bike and in the past have ridden a Surly Karate Monkey, a Trek FX, a Handsome Devil and a couple of cro-mo Trek hybrids and I've never had an issue.

One advantage to getting this thread into the Clydesdale section is experience. People who haven't been extremely heavy often don't realize that a 380 lb person, especially one with health problems, probably can't walk long enough to gain any real benefit from it. I think Bicycling is the perfect exercise to build up some fitness and start the exercise habits necessary to lose weight and keep it off.

rgconner

And swimming.

Especially water aerobics. Zero impact and good for the core muscles.

MRT2

If you were going new, I might suggest something like the Surly Ogre or Surly Troll, or maybe something like the Trek Verve 1. Or alternately, something like the Salsa Fargo. At 380, you might want to get rid of the suspension seatpost on the Verve as it will bottom out. But these bikes will probably be out of your price range.

Since you are on a budget, maybe look for an older hardtail mountain bike. As in no suspension, and sturdy, 36 spoke wheels. You can mount wide, slick tires to maximize the contact between you and the road. You might have to put a riser bar on such a bike initially.

WizardOfBoz

The OP wrote:
Note: MAJOR HEALTH ISSUES. Also note: “my doctor and my Physical Therapist … both agree that some biking would be good low-impact exercise”.
You wrote:
As a former EMT, and a medical researcher, and as the husband of a Physical Therapist, I’m telling you that this is medical advice. Depending upon the OP, it may be terrible advice. You don’t know the OPs health issues, you don’t know if power walking could be harmful to him, you don’t know what dietary and metabolic issues the OP has. The people who do know, suggested biking, specifically as a low impact exercise. You are suggesting not just walking, but power walking and hiking. That’s not low impact. Maybe the OP could power walk or hike. I don’t know. Neither do you. And the only data we have is that the people who do know did not prescribe power walking. Again I maintain that your advice is really unwise, unless you have an MD or PT after your name AND know the OP’s health history AND have done a physical exam and evaluation. If not, you are directly contradicting the recommendations of medical professionals and are de facto giving (bad, in this case) medical advice.

As someone who has done research on obesity, weight loss, and weight gain I have to ask: how do you know this? I certainly wouldn’t recommend eating “a good amount of food” to someone with a significant weight issue without knowing more. What if this guys’ doctor or registered dietician has him on low cal or carb or fat diet due to an underlying condition?
Everyone is different. Every medical condition has significant variability. Once you hear someone say “serious medical condition” you should realize that your experience base may and probably does not apply (again, unless you’re a doc and have the training that gives you a broad enough experience base).

As I understand FatSecret, its a diet and exercise log. Free, with some options requireing payment. Some people like it. Some found issues with the apps that made them unusable. I'm glad you found it useful. But if the guy weighs 380, I will bet you a donut that he has a registered dietician on the team giving him advice. That dietician may want him to use a site (maybe even fatsecret). That that's for them to decide.

No. No it doesn't. People are wildly different. They respond to different diets and food choices differently. What works for you may not work for others. Exercise and diet do lead to weight loss, but each individual's needs and physiology and mental state often require vastly different regimens to be effective. Now, if in addition to your personal experience you got a four year degree in nutrition and got your RD credential, great. Then, AFTER YOU MET WITH THE OP AND REVIEWED HIS MEDICAL HISTORY, you'd be qualified to recommend a diet plan and work with him on it. Likewise, five or six years of study and passing a test gets you a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Then, AFTER YOU MET WITH THE OP AND REVIEWED HIS MEDICAL HISTORY, and after you had an MD's prescription for PT, you'd be qualified to recommend exercises.

Because you keep insisting on a regimen (signficant weight bearing) that is opposite of what medical professionals who are familiar with the fellow's medical history are recommending (low weight bearing).

Walking is great. Swimming is great. And maybe the OP can do them. But there are many medical issues that preclude swimming, walking, power walking, and hiking. So for you to suggest that your regimen will be better than the docs and the PTs undercuts the recommendations of medical professionals and is crazy advice. It's counter-productive. It may be ok for your ego, but it could end up hurting the OP. Not only that, but think of someone who can't walk very well right now. Your advice is not just wrong, it's demoralizing.

There you go again.... At this point, I give up.

To the OP: I am not saying not to walk, or swim, or hike, if that's what you are able to do andis what your docs and PTs recommend. Certainly if its possible, I'm sure you want to be up and walking and active. And I'm not saying you shouldn't eat a good diet. What I'm saying is that you will be better off if you find docs and PTs and dieticians you trust, and then work with them and follow their advice. Ignore the Marcus Welby web wannabes, and don't get demoralized by well-meaning folks who don't know your situation.

Now, if you want advice on bikes, this is probably the place to get it! I hope you enjoy riding again, and that your exercise regimen is effective and gets you back into a healthy state you feel good about. Best wishes.

IAMAMRA

Started riding at 450# on a Raleigh detour 4.5. Still have he bike and it's going strong. Only big change I did was buy a heavy duty rear wheel.

JackG79

THIS right here summs up 100% of why my doctors and Occupational/physical therapists have asked me to look into biking again as a form of activity. I CAN NOT power walk (as i saw suggested_ I cannot walk far enough to be of any benefit.. I cannot run, job or any other thing.... I have a disease that destroys the lymphatic system in the lower extremeties, along with valves in your veins that stop blood from flowing backwards, Hence blood and lymphatic fluid pool in my legs, cause swelling, and destroy skin, bone, muscle and everything else. ONE WAY the body can pump lymphatic fluid is through repeated muscular flexing. (Like that of.. say PEDALING). or doing what is call 'foot pumps" My legs and feet get so painful that I don't even go to Wal-Mart anymore if it's for something that is in the back of the store. And it's not because I am a lazy, or a couch potatoe, or someone who enjoys sitting around. Quite the contrary. While I maybe 380 now. I was well over 400lbs for a few weeks. My diet in where it needs to be right now. But my weight loss is slowing to crawl because of my massive lack of movement. My lack of movement is because I can't get up and move any long distances at this point. I can't go out for walk... atleast not one that would benefit me much more than going to the bathroom to relieve myself. I do still ride my ATV to get out in the fresh air. I used to play football in college, and I held a couple college level weight lifting records for my school when I was into power lifting. Even at near 400 lbs, I can still bench press more than my own weight, and I can still do 3 pull ups... (which may not sound like much, until you see a near 400lb man do a pull up). The venius insuffiency disease that I have causes what is very much like an aquired form of lymphedema in the legs if it is left sedentry. So as you can imagime, me wanted to continue my weight loss and get out and get the blood pumping, is why I have decided to get back into biking. I didn't feel the need to go into all of this in my original post, but I didn't think I would get dieting advice or told to take up Power walking either. (LoL) ;-P
I have found a couple bikes that I am looking at through the advice I did get on here. But something that I noticed about one of the bikes has me a little concerned. One of the bikes that I have been looking at has those... 700 wheels/tires on it.... are those the wheels and tires that used to be the original 10 speed road bikes in the 80's and 90s??? if that is what they are, i am concerned that they may not hold me up. This is the bike I have been looking at but it has those 700's.. and it is the only thing holding me back from a purchase...

Nashbar Flat Bar Disc Road Bike
Item # NB-FBD



Also Alexs suggestion of this very nice "Trek" bike was something that I have been looking at:

Trek 820 ( i cannot post the URL, not enough posts). A google search will easily find them. Or you can see the links above.


Should I go with 26's... or 700's.... is one prefereable over the other for carrying a load??? The 26's look much more sturdy. plus they have thicker tires. This appeals to me, because I want to feel like I have some tracking, and that im not going to skid the front tire out from under me, and smack the pavement if i come into a little sand.

I should have origionally made this thread in the Clydesdales section as that seems to be where the experience is at. I apologize for putting this in the General section and luring in lots of opinions. Up until that gentlemen moved the thread. I had no idea what a "Clydesdale" was (other than a budweiser horse).

Thank you again to all of you who have shared your experiences with me. I can't tell you how happy I am to have found a group of folks to discuss these things with.