pathofwrath

Howdy all!

I'm a Super Size Clyde. Maybe super size plus. 6'3, a little north of 550#, 34 years old. Trying to make it so I live to see 40.

No bike yet. Looking for suggestions for what to get so I can get moving.

Wife and I are planning a trip to Portland (Oregon) for next summer. We are planning on taking our bikes and using them, and mass transit, to get around. I have no doubt I can make that hope a reality, but I need to start with getting a bike.

Money is not a huge limiting factor. I've got $500 available now, with another $1000 coming in soon. If necessary I can draw some money from my financial aid in the fall (I'm going into the last year of a Masters program). My wife found a bike on Zize and said that there is a cycle there for $2300. I'd like to spend less than that, though I'm willing to spend that amount if it yields a better vehicle.

Thank you in advance!

jwalker3181

Hi I'm 6' and about 460 you should check out the thread I started https://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdale...duty-bike.html it might answer a couple of your questions. I'm most likely going the full custom route I think it'll be better in the long run

bbeasley

Welcome to BF and congratulations on your decision to make a change! I don't have any experience with bikes in your range but there are plenty of folks here who do.

Enjoy your ride!

ill.clyde

I like the suggestions in the other thread jwalker posted.

That Zize bike seems like quite the gimmick and a hell of a lot of money for what it actually is.

I'm pretty sure there have been guys here as big as you starting out on steel framed mountain bikes without any of that Zize Bike marketing BS.

jwalker3181

Zize might build a great product but they are way overpriced, the more I research parts I see how much I'd actually save

FrenchFit 

Workman's bikes has a commuter line for "bigger people", with doubled top tubes, riser bars, 11g spokes, etc. Bikes For Bigger People

Under $800, that's where I'd go...even if I was over the recommended weight limit.

ill.clyde

My thought too ... and lots of "no name" parts on it. If I'm spending $2K on a bike you better list what disc brakes are on it! LOL

jwalker3181

100% agree

pathofwrath

Got my LBS working on a bike for me, using a Surly LHT frame. Some parts are in already, more coming in next week. So excited!

Now I'm thinking about attire. I'm a really big guy and I don't know that there will be any cycling attire that will fit me (e.g. bib shorts, jerseys). I've seen a couple of things that get as big as 6X. Anyone know of a place to get something larger?

1loosemoose

Cycling Apparel, Bike Shorts, Bib Shorts, Bike Jerseys by Aero Tech Designs

Judi

You can also ride in just regular shorts and tshirt at first. Your bike won't care what you wear, and your first rides are probably not going to be so long that you need padded shorts. Once you get used to riding, the weight will start falling off, and you will have all sorts of options for cycling attire.

pathofwrath

Brought my bike home today! Its so pretty. I'll get a picture posted tomorrow if I have time before class.

Now the task of learning to ride again. Gotta overcome the paralyzing fear of falling.....

Null66

I was 285, ride 30-100+ miles with a pack... Loved my fuji Tourer, but for several reasons it didn't like me. I built up a DT (LHT with disc brakes) and it has been marvelous to me.

Excellent! And can't wait to see the pictures!

pathofwrath

fmt_biker

Nice! I have a half dozen bikes, but my LHT and another steel ride get the bulk of the miles.

Willbird

Looks pretty sturdy :-)....what size frame is that ??

Bill

pathofwrath

58

pathofwrath

Awesome!

Where in the Bay Area are you? I'm in Alameda.

pathofwrath

So, I'm curious about how to re-learn biking. I haven't been on a bike since sophomore year of high school. That was 95/96, so nearly 20 years. I'm super concerned about balance. At my size (somewhere above 550#), falls hurt a lot.

bikemig 

If you want to save some money, I'd go with a good quality vintage mountain bike. Those are fairly inexpensive and you can have new stout wheels built for it. The OP's $500 budget should get suffice for this and you'll end up with a good quality bike.

pathofwrath

As you can see from my earlier posts, I picked up my new bike yesterday. Also, my original post did not say that I had a $500 budget. That was merely what I had on hand at the time. I was willing to, and did, spend (much) more.

bikemig 

You were clear that you had more than $500 to spend. This suggestion was not just for you but for anyone who might need a stout bike on a budget. Old school mountain bikes are pretty sweet platforms to build on if someone is inclined to tinker with old bikes.

fmt_biker

I live in Fremont, but often ride up to Alameda via the bay levy trails. You live near some outstanding flat/easy riding just to your south. PM for more info, as I don't want to hijack your thread.

Turzy

Riding a bike is something you never forget. Last year I started riding again, after 20 years; but everything went fine...Don't think too much about it, just ride

fmt_biker

It's true. The OP's choice of a LHT is a great one, and bikemig's idea of a 500$ old mountain bike with some mods is outstanding too. I know because those are my two favorite bikes! I have a LHT and a 1991 Trek 970 with slicks. Both are great, reliable, and comfortable bikes.