MAK

It seems to me that I just read an article about how many frames and components are designed for the 160 lb. rider. I started riding a hybrid at 260 lbs in June and I'm down to 240 lbs with a goal of 200 lbs.. I would like to move to a road bike by the spring so I've begun my search. Are there any brands or styles that I should avoid, or conversely, specifically look into? I know that spoke count is important but is frame material something to consider? Do the different levels of components matter regarding weight (i.e. will Ultegra be better than 105s in terms of rider size?) What else should I be aware of? Thank you.

Chicocreole

I have been riding A steel frame roadie for about three years now with no problem, I would be most worried about your wheel set.

The bike with the weight limits are usually the bikes that go for several thousand $$

A couple of good choices for us big guys.
Cannondale R1000 ( I hate cannondale because thats what big guys are supposed to ride, great bike though)
Specialized Allez Elite (You'll have to change the wheels)
Bianchi Vigorelli
and others Steal or alu would be yoour best bet you could even mix in some carbon without a problem.

there should be some other posts on this topic do a search and you should get a boat load of info.

jsharr

I have been 220 plus since college and have put thousands upon thousands of miles on entry level Trek road bikes. My Trek 1000 last about 16 years until I wore out a set of rims and decided to upgrade to a 2005 Trek 1200. I have around 1000 miles on it without a problem. I currently weigh around 240. I am aware of surroundings and try to avoid bumps, potholes, etc... but other than that I do not baby the bike. I think the real high end bikes that are very light weight might give you some problems but I think an entry to mid level offering from any of the major bike companies will serve you well.

sandy_pangle

I ride a Trek 1200. I started at 247 and now am at 230 with about 100 miles on the bike. No problems at all. Just make sure whatever you get that it has a 32 spoke wheelset.

iceberg

I just started riding, and I got a Felt F65, 63". Right now it has the stock Shimano wheels but the shop I bought it at is building me a set of 32 spoke wheels, and is going to trade me. The bike fits me well, I had a fit done and now I just gotta get used to that saddle. (serfas something or the other.)

I'm 6'5", 308 pounds atm.

cjbruin

I would say that if you are over 200 lbs (like me)...stay away from Ti frames as they will have too much flex and make sure to get strong wheels like Mavic Ksyrium Elites. Stick to those guidelines and you're golden. Don't worry about the components, 105 is fine but feel free to get Ultegra or DA if you want.

Mariner Fan

I'm riding a Trek 1200c and have weighed as much as 255. The bike has preformed perfectly. I suppose you should wonder about the super light weight "racing" componants. I'm building a Trek 1500 frame and I plan to use Ultegra parts with a Mavic Ksyrium Elite Wheel set. Not the lightest but definetly robust.

chrisvu05

i'm 250lbs and ride a 2003 Cannondale R3000 caad7. Honestly most bikes frames can support our weight just fine, it is the wheels that you have to watch out for.

badkarma

The frame doesn't matter so much. Identify your price range and buy a bike in that range (you can spend less than 1k and land a bike that'll suit you just fine). However, the wheels are another story. I'd recommend finding a good wheelbuilder and having a set of Mavic Open Pros built up laced to 105 or ultegra hubs. Those will be very lightweight, bulletproof rims. However, if you want to spend less on bulletproof rims, you'll still end up with durable wheels, but they'll just be heavier. But if you're just training or doing recreational riding, then weight isn't that big of a deal.

Sharpknife

I will second the TREK 1000. I bought mine about 3 months ago and weighed 260. I am at 238 now and the TREK has not missed a beat.

late

Hi,
at the time of purchase, you can trade in the wheels of the bike you like for ones more suitable. What's your budget, and what sorts
of riding do you have in mind? Fast club rides, more moderate group rides, lite touring??

MAK

My budget is going to be around $1,500.00 or so and my expectation is to primarily do moderate speed club rides with a century by the end of next summer. Maybe an occasional "A" ride but definately no racing.

Thank you to everyone who responded. It has been reassuring to see that size can be accommodated.

late

Hi,
your budget will get you a great bike, especially this time of year.
It also gives a broad choice of bikes to try. I like the Jamis Quest.
There is the Specialized Allez steel. There are a couple Bianchis at that price point, both are worth trying. One is steel.

There are others, of course. The first thing to worry about is fit.
Got test ride a few, when you find one that feels right, then worry about the details.

bvfrompc

Me: 220-R1000-Elites come with it!

I had no idea thats what i was supposed to get, it just fit and had great components.

motomickey

The comment about TI is SO wrong. Ti bikes work fine if you get a good TI bike - I have a litespeed Tuscany and love it-and I weigh in the 240 range and crank the heck out of it. The wheels are critical and also getting a bike with a stiff fork REALLY makes a difference. Your budget might rule out a ti bike new-but you might be able to get one athrough someone like preownedbikes.com if you really wanted one. The Cannondale is a good choice too-they are very stiff frames....The best thing you can do is find a dealer that will let you test ride the bike you are most interested in, and then TEST it. If they only let you ride it in the parking lot, make sure you get the seat height etc adjusted and then when you test it, ABSOLUTELY shift it up to a high gear and stand up on the pedals and CRANK the bike to make sure it doesn't flex more than you like (For example, I could get some of the early Trek C/F bikes to shift by doing this due to bb& chainstay flex).

z_hammer

When I got my '05 C'dale R700 in May I weighed 250, now down to 228. Took my bike in for its first tune up at the LBS after 1600+ miles. My WH-R550 wheels were still as true as they were new. Local LBS mechanic says they are equivalent to most 32 3x laced wheels. You can probably get your hands on an '05 R700 for around $1k or less.

socalrider

You can never go wrong with a classic Columbus steel frame.. It is just plain solid.. It weighs a few more pounds than what is offered in lightweight aluminum and carbon but you will never have to worry about too much flex..

If you decide to go Titanium, something like a Litespeed Tuscany is a great frame and is plenty stiff..

merlinextraligh

I think TI would be fine, if its the right TI. Merlin Extralight is acutally very stiff because of oversized shaped tubes. (i'm 210, and have been heavier, and haven't had any problems) Light speed Vortex would also be a choice. In fact, I think most any frame, other than possibly some sub 1kg carbon frames would be fine. I think you'll find your weight will effect your wheel choice, more than your choice of frame material.

AUTiger1997

I wiegh about what you wiegh and I can tell you for us big guys we need to focus more on reliability on the bike than counting grams on the frame & components since we're going put the bike under more stress all the time. I ride a steel frame with 36 spoke wheels and 32mm wide tires. I'm going to switch those out to 28mm width before long. Once I lose a bunch of weight I'll probably get a new set of wheels and drop to 23 or 25mm tires but I'll keep my spoke count up at 32 on the new wheels. Leave the 19-20mm tires to the 150 lb genetic freaks out there unless you're a racer. Sure my bike isn't all that light but losing 30-40 lbs off my body will be cheaper, more rewarding, and more beneficial to my riding than losing 5 or 10 off the bike.

sturvey

I 've ridden a Trek 2300 for a couple of years now (I'm 250), no problems. I absolutely agree with the comments about the wheels being the biggest concern.

tmqdoc1

I weigh 240. I ride a Giant OCR limited. I love it. No issues yet. Very comfortable and agile. It doen't beat you to death on a rough road.