not2fast

Hello,

I have been riding my Trek 1200 since 1989, and am ready for a new bike. The guy at the shop says the new Trek carbons will support my 225 pounds with no issues.

Any big riders out there riding carbon? What are your experiences?

GuitarWizard

From what I understand, there are quite a few porkers riding OCLV bikes and haven't had any issues.....I've even witnessed a few myself.

Disclaimer: I'm not saying that your fat....I've just seen fat people riding them. Might want to get some 32 spoke Mavic Open Pros or something for day-to-day riding though.

You will like the OCLV frame though....gives a nice ride and is very comfortable.

Ih8lucky13

I bought my Felt F4C when I weighed in at 240 lbs, I had it for three months and I weigh in at 212 as of today, I have had no problem what-so-ever with riding a carbon frame.

pinkrobe

The wheels on the bike may be of more concern than the frame. 32 spokes should do the trick. Most carbon bikes should be fine for you unless they have a specified weight limit. Just don't shop for an ultralight frame...

woodcycl

Guru makes a nice carbon bike that withstands some heavier weights and stresses ... pricey though compared to a Trek 1200: https://www.gurubikes.com/store/index.php/cPath/22_64

Ant

I did a charity ride with a guy that was like 6'4" 240 or 260 on a Trek 5200 and he had no problems. He did have Neuvation wheels though.

H1449-6

Why do you want carbon?

For weight savings? At your weight you'll never notice a couple of pounds in bike weight.

Primetime75

I tested a Felt F4C and I am 300+. Granted it was a quick 20 minute spin, but I had no problems. Just get a nice set of wheels.

Phantoj

You'll get a warranty, right? So you should be fine!

DocRay

NO CF frame I know of comes with a weight limit.

bigbossman 

I'm 230lbs, and have been riding a Giant OCR carbon since last September. So far, about 3k miles on it with ABSOLUTELY no issues. Well, the the stock wheels were flexy crap, so I put on better ones (Mike Garcia).

Go for it.

not2fast

While I hope to be down to about 195 by the end of the summer, I agree with your statement. But everyone says carbon is a much better ride?

Is it or isnt it?

grahny

This is exactly the reason why I haven't spent $$$ on a high end bike. I have, what I consider, a moderately priced bike (although I did twitch a bit when signing for it) at about $1,300 (Trek X01)... I'm 6'1" 200lbs... 220lbs when I got it... fully loaded with aerobars, full bottles, saddle bag, yada, yada it weighs in at about 22lbs... why spend $3,000 on a bike when the area that needs to lighted up is me, not my bike. If I got down to say 180, not only would I look deathly ill and emaciated (at only 190 I look sickly thin), but I could probably then consider weight savings in other areas like bike material. It never seemed worth it to me... a couple lbs more (what, 5-7lbs or so from my loaded bike to a loaded carbon bike) doesn't justify it for me.

I mean, sure, just for aesthetics alone I'd love a carbon bike... and to add a couple mph maybe to my average... but it's not needed at this point. If I actually lose so much weight that the only place left is the bike, then it's a consideration.

I also think that comfort is relative... if you've never been on a carbon bike, how do you know it would be any better? I'm not getting on one until I'm ready to go that route

Just my thoughts

bigbossman 

I'm a long time steel rider. When I went shopping for a new bike last year, I tried them all (except titanium). Aluminum, aluminum with CF fork, aluminum with CF fork and stays, carbon, and steel.

I did not like aluminum - probably because I've been riding steel so long and was used to the comfortable ride. I selected a CF frame because it rode as least as well as steel (or better), and in my case was cheaper than buying an upper end steel bike. The CF frame on the Giant, coupled with the component group and the price I paid made it my final choice. At the time, the CF Giants were being closed out in the $1300-$1600 range, depending on model/trim level. I paid $1535 for an OCR Limited with almost full 10 speed Ultegra group (crank and brakes were not Ultegra).

Overall, I like the way CF rides - quite a bit. Equal to/better than steel, much better than aluminum. But that's just me, and keep in mind that I have an extended history of riding on steel, not aluminum.

derath

Performance?

Got my OCR Comp 3 there for a steal. 200lbs here

Eric Redard

Giant has a lifetime warranty on their frames. I'm getting the OCR Comp0 with Ksyrium SL wheels. I've been told I will have no problem with that combination. I'm 240 and on the down swing. I'll let you know what I find out.

-Eric

skydive69

I think a bigger issue (no pun intended) is how good you are. If you can put out some serious wattage then perhaps one needs to call for the reinforcements (pun intended). Guru, for example puts out an "extreme" version of their regular carbon models designed for big, strong riders who can put out serious power. It adds only 50 grams to the weight of the bike, but it also alleviates the possibility of "breaking" the bike.

As an aside, many good riders I know will not ride a bike with a carbon seatpost (last one I know of that broke was a couple of weeks ago), and a local was killed when the carbon fork broke on his Trek Madone (virtually brand new BTW) during a club ride a few months ago.

bigbossman 

Sort of. I was going to buy from them, but a LBS matched the price, and they included a fitting (Performance doesn't). I was going to buy the OCR 3 for something like $1300, but the "upgrade" to 10 speed and Ultegra seemed worth it at the time. Hind sight being 20-20, I should've bought the OCR 3 and use dthe delta to buy upgraded wheels.

ripa

6'6' 250 lbs and I ride a Pinarello F4:13 with no problems.

ripa

6'6", 250 lbs and I ride a Pinarello F4:13 with no problems.

GuitarWizard

What weight savings. My 54 cm 5200 w/ full Ultegra, FSA Carbon Pro compact crank, Specialized Toupe seat w/ a Thomson Masterpiece post is just under 17.5 pounds.....there are a number of bikes lighter than that. The reason to buy a carbon bike is comfort and performance, not necessarily to buy something "light" (although that's a common misconception).

WheresWaldo

+1 Exactly, I don't understand why a lot of people assume you buy carbon just to save weight. I bought mine just for the reason you stated above. I have bikes that are Aluminum, Titanium and Carbon, each one bought with a different purpose and each one ridden with different goals in mind. Although I like the fact that all of them are lighter than my old Klein, that is not the reason for owning them.

Oh yeah, I am firmly in the Clydesdale range. I was 346, now 250, surgeon expects my low will be 200 without additional surgery to remove excess skin. No problems with any of my bikes, or wheels for that matter.

botto 

dude 30 lbs in 1 1/2 months is aiming too high. if you really want to lose weight AND keep it off, then take your time.

Tom Stormcrowe

Specialized Tarmac has a 209 lb warranty weight limit, IIRC

Tom Stormcrowe

Off topic, Waldo, but PM me, I have a possible proposal for you re: a race team! I don't want to PM you blind as some folk get touchy about that!