meulloye

My name is Jason. I have been a long time lurker to these boards and decided to join today. I am 35 years old, 6' 1" and 305 lbs. My family and I just moved to San Antonio, TX. One of the reasons that I moved here was this is a place that has good weather year round and plenty of bike shops. Growing up I rode my bike everywhere and stayed in good shape. I started getting fat the same time I started driving and stopped biking. I have led a very sedentary lifestyle in my job and in my former location. There really wasn't much to do, and with both me and my wife working and going to college, the pounds kept coming. Once we graduated, we knew that we would have to move for better jobs and I wanted to move somewhere that I could get rid of one car and bike exclusively. Once I gain stamina and confidence with the bike, I would like to give up our second vehicle (it is a crappy money pit anyway). I have been researching bikes for a while. I have visited many local bike shops and I am even more undecided than when I started. But I got a plan and I want to run it by you guys.

There is a local bike meet called Frankenbike in San Antonio once a month. I have not been to one yet but will be going Aug 16. This is a place where people buy, sell and trade bikes, parts and accessories. I originally planned on buying a comfort bike like a Giant Sedona or a Specialized Sirrus. I am paranoid about breaking spokes on a 32 spoke wheel. And I am paranoid that I will outgrow it very shortly and want something that goes faster and farther as I progress in my journey. So I am thinking of going to Frankenbike and buying a used bike cheap, getting it tuned up and riding it everyday until I start losing weight. I know it will be very difficult in the beginning. I also plan on joining weight watchers so I can have some help in managing my diet and calories so I don't just eat more because I will be riding my bike so hard. I figure that I can try bike after bike at Frankenbike until I find one that fits me and is comfortable and rides good.

My ultimate goal is to get down to 175 lbs. I would like to know if you seasoned guys approve of my plan. I would like to have two weight goals for bike upgrades. I would like opinions on what weight you think I should work down to before I buy a brand new performance hyrbrid. I am thinking of 240. And think a goal of 200 would be a good goal to buy a fancy road bike. I do not want to spend the money on new top of the line bikes until I am at a weight where I can safely and comfortably ride them they way they should be ridden. I don't want to have to worry about breaking spokes or wearing out parts because I'm too much man for the bike. Thank you for reading this and I look forward to chatting with you. Sorry for any grammar issues as I am an accountant and do better with numbers.

Solare

Welcomr to the board. Its sounds like you have a good plan of attack. I have 2 suggestions: 1 get your wife involved also ( i'm not saying she needs it but it will be easier for you to have both of yiu on the same page), 2 if you go the hybrid/comfort bike route get one with a solid fork not a shocked fork. I don't believe that shocks sre needed for street or paved trail riding.

Good luck now go and start to execute your plan.

digibud

There are plenty of high end bikes that will run just fine for somebody 240. Many "endurance" bikes (probably your best generic bet in high end road bikes) have wheels that are spec'd for 240 and even more. If they are spec'd for 240 you know they have to have substantial safety margin. Some googling and inquiry with your local lbs should prove fruitful. I was riding my Roubaix at 240 and had zero problems with wheels until my front wheel collapsed under the weight of my truck tire as backed over it...
You can buy a very good hybrid today (even carbon) and toss on a pair of 36/32 wheels and ride without a care in mind. If you have the budget you can get a great aluminum road bike with good components and I'd think there are carbon road bikes that would safely allow you after a change of wheels.
The big, big issue with used bikes is fit. Big guys typically need a larger frame so they have a relatively higher handlebar for a slightly more upright position and that often requires a shorter stem. A typical race road bike will have a lot of drop from saddle to handlebar. You might, for instance, fit either a 58 or 60cm frame and if that were the case you might prefer a 60 to give you a more upright position but it might also require a shorter stem. Getting fitted well can be a huge challenge and IF your lbs has a good fitter (big "if") it can be worth it to buy new or at least pay for a fitting which might run anywhere from 150 to 250 bucks.
Been there done that so good luck! Just get your eating habits under control. Stop the deep fried food...the fatty food (cheeses...pizza...red meat...) and bump up the veggies and beans. Want a challenge? Go vegan. You start riding your bike and go vegan and I guarantee you'll meet your goals. I won't promise that you'll enjoy being vegan. Some do. Some don't. Personally I hate it. I love baby back ribs, steak and pizza but I don't eat it anymore. I'm down 95lb and no longer work to lose weight. Works for me. Again, good luck with your quest, however you choose to define it.

linnefaulk

Welcome.

Willbird

Give Myfitnesspal a look, it is an ap for a smart phone, and you can access via computer as well. My wife did WW over and over and she says MFP is a lot easier, I have dieted and logged food other ways and I agree MFP is a LOT easier.

I'm riding a hybrid now, planning on an "endurance" road bike in October....many mfg have agreed on the "endurance" name for bikes with a more relaxed riding posture. I started riding my bike at 279.6 and I am 5'8" tall. It is a 2001 Trek 7200 Multitrack, non suspension aluminum frame, steel fork, the wheels have been great so far. I have 700x35c Specialized Nimbus tires on it right now.



Just one example of something that might work for you now.

Those are 32 spoke wheels too, and I have not done a thing to them ever, and have 700 miles or so on them so far.

Bill

ill.clyde

+1 on myfitnesspal ...

and hello and welcome!

meulloye

Thank you for the comments. I have been trying to talk her into it as she is about pounds overweight and is not very active. She is not keen on the idea so I may have to do this myself. I agree about the solid fork and will try to find one. I actually found myfitnesspal today and have joined. It looks very similar to what you pay for with weight watchers and it is free. That is a great looking bike Willbird. Digibud thanks for the information, it is very helpful, and congratulations on losing so much weight.

linnefaulk

Are there any clubs or meet-ups in your area? Meeting with others will help you and may get your wife to see that cycling can be fun as well.

bbeasley

Welcome to BF!

I started at 252 lbs on a road bike and never had a problem with it related to my weight. Seems like you could go from Frankenbike to road bike or hybrid to road bike and skip one of the steps. Plenty of guys here familiar with cycling at 300 lbs.

Enjoy your ride!

Dirt Road

Welcome, Jason. I started with a Cannodale touring bike because it was a conventional road bike that can carry a load. At the time, I was a load all by myself. They come with lots of spokes, strong wheels, big aluminum tubing, oversized cassettes (compared to "real" roadies), and a posture that is designed to be between an upright comfort bike and a racier road bike. This means that you make it either. They are also very stable and forgiving. But I wouldn't want to take one racing. It's thirty pounds of bike! I'm on my third Cannondale touring bike since I started at 40. I think of them more like tractors than sports cars. Anyway, other than the fact that can rattle your brain (wider, lower-pressure tires can help a lot), you can find them used on Craigslist for hundreds (they sold new for $1500+) and they are REALLY HARD to kill. Getting a used one might be something to consider when you're getting started. I think at your height, you'd want a "large" in a 90s to early 00s model. The newer ones have a "compact frame" and you'd probably want the next size up in it. I think it's called "XL." (But you wouldn't want the "Jumbo." It's for very tall folks.)

meulloye

Linnefaulk there are many clubs and rides in San Antonio and I plan on getting familiar with them. Bbeasley I may just do that, I am definitely open to suggestions. Dirt Road I will definitely keep my eyes open for a Cannondale touring bike and check it out. Thanks you guys.

TrojanHorse

Cycling will NOT solve your problems. Fix your diet. Riding a bike is a nice add on but you need to address the whole issue, not just the lack of exercise.

And welcome.

My wife also likes to ride but she probably rides her bike 5% as much as I do each year. Maybe 10%. Regardless, I enjoy spending time riding with her and don't push her too much on the issue. Everybody has their own druthers, you know?

meulloye

TrojanHorse I have just started a new diet, my wife was on board for that. I must have given away $200 in food I don't want to eat anymore. I have tried changing my diet before but she wasn't on board. It is hard to eat one way when everyone else eats another, not to mention the pantry being full of food you don't need. Thanks for the tips.