llmercll

Like the title says, I'm looking for a bike that will support my weight and height. I'm a big guy, but am losing weight at a steady rate. Even still, I will probably be in the 300's for the next few years and would like a good bike. Nothing offroad or anything, mostly just sidewalks and streets. and I need a huge comfortable seat =p

Price is very important, I'd like to not spend more than $300. I'd love to get a cheapo bike from walmart but doubt they would last long with my size.

thanks!

Homebrew01

You could try the "Clyde" forum ?

https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...-(200-lb-91-kg)

Maybe a good used hybrid

Juha

I'm moving this to Clydesdales forum (from Road). There have been quite a few threads there on this subject.

Welcome to Bike Forums, llmercll!

--Juha, a Forum Mod

BillyD

+1
Yes, the clydesdale forum is a bunch of big guys who are up to date on all these recommendations. You'll get better answers and more info there.

Shall I move this thread there for you?



Edit: woops, beat me to it.

bassjones

The Walmart bikes will not hold up to your weight, but any good bike shop bike should. I would recommend a steel framed hybrid, but you're going to have to get better wheels built. You're also going to need to increase your budget a bit - but not a whole lot if you buy a used bike. At your weight you're going to want 36 spoke wheels minimum and probably 40 spokes. For a bit of inspiration, go add this guy as a facebook friend - https://www.facebook.com/erniegagnon - YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! There are quite a few of us on here who started at 400 plus, including me. It's a lot of hard work, but if you make small changes at a time, you will get there. Best advice I got was to drink more water, lots more water. Minimum of 100 oz a day if you're exercising. It will help fuel weight loss and make your joints feel better. It will help keep you from over eating because your stomach will be fuller. Drink 16 oz in the morning BEFORE you eat anything, 16 oz at lunch before you eat anything, 16 oz at dinner before you eat anything, and then spread the rest out through the day, but if you're snacking (healthy snacks are good for you) drink before you eat.

As to seats, believe me you do not want to get one of those giant seats. They're not really all that comfortable for cycling, and you don't want a lot of padding either, especially gel. Get a pair of cycling shorts - www.aerotechdesigns.com has shorts that will fit you/me - and you will be very happy.

bigbadwullf

Resist the Walmart stuff. It WILL break. Plus, they are heavy as %#$@!. Heavy doesn't = strong either. +1 on the gel seats/big seats. They are not comfortable either. All they do is increase friction. friction and cycling equals chaffing and pain.

gunner65

Craigslist.

magohn

+1
Hit Craigslist and pick-up a used Trek Fx (any version). Trek makes a good solid bike that will hold-up for many miles. You should be able to buy a recent model in the $300 range if you haggle a little. They can be purchased new at the local bike shop (LBS) for around $500 for the entry-level model, if that interests you. Dont worry about the wheel-strength - ride it till it breaks and then replace with stronger parts (it probably wont break - mine hasnt).

When I started riding Iwas a little hesitant on wearing the cycling shorts at my weight. A few miles on a "plush" seat and no shorts soon changed my mind - the shorts are a must to give the "boys" some pain management.

Trek Fx info:
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/story/fx/

Welcome to the herd...

Nightshade

Without a doubt I know just the bike for you! That bike is a "Worksman" made in NYC,NY! I own two ,a bike and a trike, finding them to be just the bike for the kind of riding you will be doing. I've ridden Worksman for 35 years and they are fine city bikes.

This is the basic bike "Worksman Classic Cruiser - Base Model $319.00". You can add features as you want or can afford.

https://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_s.../cruisers.html

Rock31

I can't help much on the bike but I definitely recommend a pair or two of cycling shorts or bibs, I started wearing them about two weeks ago and they are fantastic, so much better than regular basketball shorts for riding.

Basz

+1

I'm 6'4" 385# and did some test rides. I didn't ride everything out there - mostly the Trek line-up. Between reading here and picking the brains of the lbs I settled on the Trek Fx 7.3. So far supports my size just fine.

llmercll

I can't find any used trek bikes on craigslist =(

But the NYC bike looks like a good deal. The only thing I don't like about it is that theres no gears unless I pay nearly $100 more =/

Do they ship the bike or would I need to go to the city? Again if theres any cheaper options im all for it. I won't be putting thousands of miles on this bike, it will mostly be used for local transportation and half hour-hour exercise sessions. I'm in terrible shape and won't be doing anything very intense =p

thanks!

llmercll

https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/bik/2350431758.html

what do you guys think about this?

Arvadaman

I am thinking an 18" frame will be way too small for you at 6'5".

bradtx

llmercll, For grins I pulled up a map of the Hudson River valley and used some of the towns for a CL search. Sellers have a major problem including size! For a 6'5" tall rider the mountain bike will need to be a minimum of 19.5"-23" depending on style (sloping top tube). I'm 6' and ride an 18" sloping, 19.5" level top tube mountain bike. Look for a rigid (no front suspension) Cannondale, Giant, Trek or Specialized (most popular brands, there are other good ones). For a road frame (hybrid, cyclocross or touring) look for 25"/62 cm. The 26" wheels found on most mountain bikes will be the strongest with 36 spokes.

Brad

bassjones

This one would be more your size - https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/bik/2350559245.html

minnesotamongo

I was around 400 lbs and 6.3 when I bought my Specialized "Globe" Carmel - and it served me well. IT would fit your bill perfectly.

motobecane69

i'm a bit wary of that ad "my email no longer works so call me" how did he post the craigslist ad? your on a computer with internet access but you don't have an email address. a bit fishy.

OP, don't sell yourself short. I'd like to hear some more positive language from you "I will probably be in the 300's for the next few years " really? why is that? Make a commitment and get it done. your a tall guy so being 6'5" 280 could have you being in pretty darn good health. The biggest issue for you is going to be 1. Frame Size and 2 Wheel strength. You really need to be prepared to spend about $300 just to get a proper wheelset built. I do agree with someone who says ride the stock wheels til they break but the reality is that you need to be prepared for them to break sooner, rather than later. There is a site prowheelbuilder.com where some guys on here got some excellent wheels built 36 spoke velocity chukker rims with shimano105 hubs for about $300. That particular rim is wider than a typical road bike rim so you can fit larger tires which will give a more comfortable ride. It is also a very heavy and durable rim. The other issue is that you will need a large enough frame to fit your height but also one that can accept larger tire widths.

I had a giant rapid flat bar road bike in size xl that was very large. I am 6'3" and it bordered on being too big for me. something like that would be a good starting point or a trek Fx 7 series as already mentioned

magohn

I would definitely hold out for gears. When I started riding again last spring, I bought a single speed bike as I had dreams of the simplicity of a single-speed and just "taking it easy". That dream lasted all of two rides until I hit my first minor hill - the single speed just would not cut it and I spent more time walking the hills than riding.

If I were you, I would keep researching until a Trek Fx appeared on Craigslist - they are a very common bike and usually appear in my local Craigslist two or three times a week. You may alos want to search on Specialized version of the FX, the Sirrus:

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...45857&eid=4356

Take your time - you will become best friends with your bike

minnesotamongo

The only problem with an FX or a Sirrus is that they don't have tractor seats - and it sounded like he wanted a larger butt pad. Let him lose some weight first - get used to it - then he can move up. This is what I did at least.

Sayre Kulp 

I have a Trek 7200 for sale. 20" frame hybrid. It has served me well for the past 2 years. I'm about 6'2-3" and was about 400 lbs when I bought the bike. I have never broken a spoke or anything. It's pretty bomb-proof. Let me know if you'd be interested.

llmercll

You guys have been very helpful! thank you!

I will keep my eyes open for any fx on craiglist.

@minnesotamongo, when you said fit the bill did you mean literally? All I need is a bike that won't shatter for around $300, and if priced right, the globe looks perfect.

I tried PMing you Sayre, but I need 50 posts to do so. I am absolutely interested in the bike if you selling it within my price range =p

thanks again!

How about this, 200 bucks, scwhinn, lifetime warranty, and steel frame

https://www.schwinnbikes.com/bikes/bi...r-10300#/specs

https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Mirama.../dp/B0021H5VU4

or a giant sedona?

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...er/7357/44082/

Nightshade

Allow me to point out that NONE of these bikes will be a strong as Worksman so at 400# you're gonna break spokes on any of them where you won't on a Worksman. The wheels & spokes on a Worksman are rated at 500# minimum since the spokes are 11 gage and the wheels are all steel. The frame is a LUGGED steel frame not a welded aluminum toy frame.

Sure, you might not like a Cruiser but you did ask about a bike that will hold your 400# fanny while you slim down. That said, you can always buy another bike as you slim down but if you do it now you can bank on repairs since nothing else on the market is rated for the type of weight you are now. Worksman is..........

llmercll

The worksman is $400 with gears though =/

Is it a guarantee that I will break spokes on those bikes @400lbs? Will it happen very fast or can I maybe get 500/1000 miles out of it beforehand? What does it cost to repair broken spokes or possibly just buy quality wheels and outfit them on the Schwinn? Could it be worth it to just go with a cheaper bike and if I have spoke issues just get new wheels or pay for the repairs?

thanks!

jethro56 

No-one should guarantee that anyone will not break a spoke. I haven't broken one in about 1500 miles of riding. I may hit something tomorrow and ping there one goes. I think in normal use if you buy a decent quality bike and keep the proper tension on them the chances of problems are slim.That means checking them occasionly especially when the bike is new. I have a Park Tools tension guage. Other old hands can strum them like a guitar and know they're OK. When a bike is built the spokes usually aren't seated in very good. After 50-100 miles they'll be seated and one should tension and true the wheel. A local bike shop (LBS) should do this for free. Brake cables and shifter cables stretch they need to be adjusted as well. This is called a tune-up.

Wally world bikes are usually one size fits all. You're not what they were sized for. Wally world bikes will not be tuned up after riding. The chances for problems are almost assured. If $300 dollars is the absolute max you'll spend I would recomend a Giant Sedona. I bought a new one as a special project for $320. I'm 6'2" and ride a Large. They make an XL which may fit you. I'd really like to see you spend $600. The Trek Fx 7.3 is the kind of bike that is very versatile. It isn't a super fast bike but it's durable and comfortable.