P4D 

There is a thread in another sub-section about carbon fiber bikes, and its an interesting read. One question asked in the thread had to do with rider weight limits on CF bikes, and it didn't get too much attention. So, I'm asking here because I am curious.

Are you a C/A riding on CF? If so, what do you ride specifically? If you do ride CF, do you have bikes of other materials, and how does the ride differ for you between the materials (yes, I know its subjective, but I'm curious to see the opinions). Lastly, do you know of weight restrictions for CF?

CalPastor

I have a Trek 5500 and I was riding it fearlessly at 285... just used my 36 spoke wheels.
I'm currently riding my Surly CrossCheck steel frame right now while I drop my weight back down.
The steel ride is very nice, but when I get on the CF frame it is considerably smoother ride and is much more responsive. Feels like the difference between a heavy 4 door sedan and a souped up Porche. The CF frame is amazing for hills and climbs.
Just my .02 worth.

Erwin8r

My mountain bike is a Cannondale Taurine, with a carbon frame. I was 254 when I got it (about 235 right now). My road bike is part carbon (seat tube and stays), and although I haven't put enough miles on it, I can't imagine it struggling to properly support a 300 lb + clyde. Some manufacturers put weight limits on their bikes, and others don't--and it depends on the weight. For example, I wouldn't trust a Chinarello (Chinese off-brand copy of a Pinarello) under a 300 lb clyde--but would see no problem with a 300 lb clyde on a Specialized carbon Sirrus, or my Taurine.

exile

I had a Trek Y-Foil, but sold it. I was about 215 while riding it and didn't seem to have a problem.

However I was always self conscious about it because it felt so light and flimsy and was always worried about the pavement I rode or crashing.

ConcededPenguin

I have a 2011 Scott Addict R1. I just picked it up a month or so ago because I had ridden my previous bike like 6 years only moderately and wanted to really get into the sport with a new, decent bike. The previous bike was also carbon fiber and was a Kestrel Evoke, which is basically a bottom-of-the-barrel starter bike.

I have never had a single issue regarding the carbon fiber in all my riding. Some manufacturers put a weight limit on them, but neither Kestrel nor Scott do. I tried out an aluminum-framed Cervelo S1 that was on closeout when I was shopping for a new bike a couple months ago and I could really tell a difference in the harsher ride because of the vibration. The bike shop said the harsher ride was attributable to the aluminum versus carbon frame.

Trav34

I just got a cromly steel Marin. The specs for the steel is 300 lb weight limit and for CF 285 per the manual.

xypex982

Anyone ride an older CF frame, such as the kind where they are lugged? I am interested if one came along at the right price but at 240lbs and given they are 15+ years old I am a bit hesitant.

DoubleTap

I've ridden an Orbea CF frame now for two years, and I love it. I've had no issues and have now ordered a second Orbea (upgrade to the Orca). I also ride an aluminum Trek 7.2FX and an aluminum Trek Portland. They're both good bikes, but just don't feel as nimble as the Orbea bike. I'm now riding the CF bike harder than ever, standing in the climbs, pushing hard, and I've had no issues in about 5,000 miles now. I did upgrade the wheels this past December because I began to worry about their integrity on fast, steep downhills, and I've had to do some drivetrain replacements, but no frames issues at all. I LOVE to ride my Orbea.

I'm about 310 right now, started on CF at about 325.

nkfrench 

I've almost 9000 miles on my Specialized c/f bike. I am an Athena. Rider + bike + full panniers can be up to 260#. The only accommodations were to replace the c/f seatpost with alloy to accommodate the quick-release rear rack (do not want to torque the c/f and the clamp didn't fit it anyhow). The c/f helps damp road buzz which is a problem on state/county roads this area. No problem with the dura-ace wheels that came with it. I like the bike a lot.

GeoBigJon

It's good to hear some folks with girth have put some miles on c/f bikes. I have worried about purchasing one because of my weight. I think knowing they can hold up to regular usage by big fellows makes them more attractive for me.

Homeyba

How about a little above and beyond regular use by a larger guy?
I range from 220-245lbs and currently have two CF bikes.
The first is a Colango C-50 that I've used on two RAAMs, three 500 mile races, four 1200ks and all the interim training rides (8-10k miles a year since 2005). I also t-boned a van, in 2006, at 35-40mph resulting in a broken wheel, and crank arm but the frame/fork was fine.

My second CF bike is a custom Calfee tandem. I've done two RAAMs and three 500 mile races on it. I don't really know how many training miles.

CF frames are not a problem for most clydes. Wheels are really the only weak link.

Mr. Beanz

How about a little above and beyond regular use by a powerful rider?

You should be more worried about aluminum.

InTheRain

2007 Cannondale Synapse Carbon SL2 - I love to ride this bike. Plenty fast for me. Climbs just as fast as the engine will push it. The bike was 17 lbs off the shelf.

2007 Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30 - Touring bike. Steel frame. It rides quite nice. It's a great commuter. Smoother ride than the carbon fiber. Heavy.

Mr. Beanz

Along these lines. I picked up Gina's steel Bianchi from a friend for $40 (I gave him $80 in my pocket told it was an 84). She rode it for a few years after I dropped about $500 in upgrades. Gina had never heard "steel is real", heck we weren't even on the forums yet. First time Gina rode the steel bike she said, "Whoah, this bike is alive, like it has a mind of it's own and just wants to go".

After a few years I bought her full carbon bike $2799, upgrade the tires to GP4000's and a saddle of her choice. After a few rides, she said the steel bike was just as smooth. I had to talk her into riding the carbon bike after spending the money as she preferred the steel bike.

After a few months, she finally agreed that the bike was better. Mainly because she felt the difference in weight on 50+ mile rides. Still to this day I will ask if the ride is better or smoother than the steel bike, she still says no.

I myself feel comfy on aluminum. The Lemond geo vs the Cannondale geo made the biggest difference. I went from an all alum to a mostly carbon Lemond frame and don't see any difference in ride. But then again, when carbon forks and seatposts came out, several riders made a big deal out of them too. I didn't see a difference in those either. I'm worried that if I went full carbon, it woud be a waste of money. I won't go full carbon until like my bike explodes or something.

Six jours

I raced on a Vitus 9 tube Carbone, when they were new and I was 165 pounds. It was light, by the standards of the day, but was otherwise a piece of ****. I like a flexible bike, but this was overboard. I eventually ran it into a hay bale at a road race (it handled so badly that downhills were a matter of pointing the bike roughly where you wanted to go and then praying) upon which it disintegrated.

I currently have a Guerciotti glued-and-screwed frame with carbon main tubes and an aluminum rear triangle. It's stiffer than the Vitus was, but still isn't a very good frame by any standard. It's also heavier than most modern frames - including steel ones - and it's started to creak ominously at the bottom bracket (I'm about 200 pounds).

The only real advantage of a modern carbon bike is weight, and frankly, when you're carrying around dozens of excess pounds on your body, worrying about a couple of pounds of bike weight strikes me as stupid. As for classic carbon bikes, well, there simply aren't any advantages at all, and plenty of reasons for fat guys to avoid them. I mean, these things were known for failing when they were new and being ridden by skinny bike racers!

ecovelo

I also had a 2007 Cannondale Synapse CF bike, like InTheRain.

I was concerned about my weight on a CF frame after I bought the bike, so I contacted Cannondale. They stated that the weight limit for all their (07) CF bikes was 275. The bike was cool, smooth... nice ride, but I ended up selling it to someone who would appreciate it more. I went back to steel and although the Synapse was a great bike, I find that I favor the feel of steel.

As others have mentioned, wheels seem to be the bigger issue for heavier cyclists.

volosong

I've had a Trek Madone 4.5 for just over a year and about a month ago, I got a Kestrel RT-800 SL. Both are CF. No issues with either. Really don't have anything to compare them to except for the bike I've ridden for the past 40 years ... and things have sure changed. The first big change I noticed with the Madone is that is isn't very "stable". Meaning that my ancient Mondia was a real cruiser and it is very predictable. With this Trek, I have to always pay attention to where I'm steering. It has a mind of its own some times. The new Kestrel? That thing is really twitchy. Even a stiff cross wind affects my steering. It almost blew me over several times today. Guess that's just how bikes are these days.

SouthernMissTTT

I ride a 2010 Specialized Roubaix I am at 315 and the only problem at the moment is tires holding me up

cyclist2000

I have a giant carbon bike, I weigh 230 lbs. I haven't had any problems yet.

jgjulio

I ride a 2011 Specialized Roubaix at 260lbs. No problems. Carbon is great!

1FatBikeRider

Im riding a 2009 Orbea Orca full carbon bike. Started riding it when I was at 312lbs.

slow chevy

I hate to OT but here are two cars that handle better than several porsches. They're both over 3,800 lbs.




You just gotta find the "Right heavy 4 door"

CraigB

My 1990 aluminum Trek 1500 developed a crack at the rear drive-side dropout.

orbea v

Main road bike is an Orbea Vuelta...I decided to go Alum. with c/f stays and forks...at 228lbs. I was worried about a full c/f bike...nice to see how they are holding up under larger riders...

P4D 

This turned out better than I had hope. Conventional thinking, whatever that might be, is that the CF bikes can't handle the heavier riders. Maybe that is more true for tall and heavy riders needing bigger frames in the XL-XXL or 60cm+ range. Glad to see so many have had good luck with CF.