Bigbandito

So it's been 20 years since I've ridden a bike, and I have packed on the pounds the whole time. Now that the kids are on their way out of the house, I'd like to get back on the bike for some exercise, weight loss, stress relief, and entertainment.

I have been looking at hybrids as close to $500 as possible and have pretty much settled on the Giant Escape 3 ($420) . But after coming across a post yesterday in which the writer stated that chromoly is a "must" for heavy riders, I am concerned that I may "over stress" the aluminum frame of the Giant. I know Jamis has a chromoly frame in the Coda ($540). Should I go that route instead? I'm 6'6" and 350 pounds.

What's your opinion/advice?

chasm54

Aluminium is fine. I like steel bikes, I have two, but the idea that heavy riders need steel (or carbon, or titanium) is nonsense. Alu frames are fine, Giant know what they are doing, it isn't the frame material that matters but its construction. Ignore those who tell you that only this or that material will do.

Bigbandito

Thanks. That's very helpful (and good to hear).

digger531

But...if you buy allum you can't go around saying (or posting) steel is real

Mr. Beanz

I'm going to say that aluminum's durability may depend on design as well. One of my roadbikes just always felt flimsy to me at 230 lbs. If I stood up to crank, I could feel and hear the frame flex at the BB/seattube area.

It was my Lemond, it ended up snapping. My Cannondale, it's still stiff and sound but has a bigger down tube design and the frame is much stiffer than the Lemond ever was.

I would suggest if you go with aluminum, check out the BB area to verify the tubes are beefy. Mattero of fact, any bike, any material you choose. I have a 190 lb friend that snapped a steel DeRoas frame at the same area.

But I would not say avoid aluminum because I have seen some pretty beefy aluminum frames!

Plus if you have any concerns, go with a brand that offers a lifetime warranty on the frame. I did and it payed off twice!

Bigbandito

Thanks. Looks like Giant is one of those brands. From the Giant website:

fietsbob

keep your local shop on your visit list, heavy riders need to make sure the wheel tension stays proper,
so less spoke problems .. service after the sale.. maintenance of the bike wins.