"plus-sized" biker riding STP - should I get a new bike?

[stpbound]

Hi all,

First post here. Seems like a really nice group on this site! Glad I found it!

A little about my biking history: A few years back, I bought an $800 mountain bike and rode that for a couple of years. I learned that I had absolutely no interest in mountain biking and did everything I could to make the thing more comfortable! I think the handlebars were too far from the seat, and it felt like all my weight was sitting on my crotch! Ouch! A year ago, I decided to sell the thing, as I wanted something more suited to the kind of riding I was doing (which, at the time, were like 5-10 mile rides on trails and roads). So, I bought a $400 Raleigh hybrid.

Where I'm at now: My husband and I have decided to ride the Seattle-to-Portland double century ride this July. I've been doing my training on the hybrid. I'm starting to wonder if this is just simply the wrong bike to be doing 40, 50, 60 mile rides on!

Would I be way more comfortable on a different kind of bike? Is sitting so upright on the bike not good for long rides? Would it be easier to go faster on a different kind of bike made for longer rides? I'm short and heavy and need all the help I can get!!

So far, the longest ride I've done is 37 miles, and my main discomfort was my crotch...burning and just very sore! Have purchased some bike pants with chamois that I'll try next ride.

So...should I really be riding a different type of bike (probably a road bike, right?) to make the experience more enjoyable?

I intend to keep doing these long rides, as I'm really enjoying them. I just want to make sure I've got what I need to be as comfortable as possible.

TIA!
stpbound

[KnottedYet]

When you say STP "double century" do you mean you are going to do the whole thing in one day? If you're planning the double century, yes, I'd say you need to get a long-distance bike ASAP!

If you're doing it in 2 days, you might be able to modify your current hybrid to make it comfortable for the ride. Depends on what you've got and what's bothering you the most.

Can you take the bike to your LBS and tell them what you want to do, and what bothers you on your bike, and see what suggestions they have? You can change handlebars, seat, crank lengths, etc. on your current bike, or they might use your experience with the hybrid to help them choose a roadie that will meet your needs.

I am impressed that you went 37 miles without bike shorts! Very impressed! (I'd probably faint)

BTW, I sit pretty upright on my roadie. Really, bar height vs. saddle height all depends on what works for *you*, so don't be afraid "break the rules."

[mimitabby]

I did the STP in two days on my Raleigh Hybrid after training most of the spring on an older heavier Trek.
I think if you train on it you will be fine. But do make sure it fits you right (what Knot said)
and welcome to TE!
ps buy some Chamois butter too.

[Starfish]

I know you'll get lots of great replies here, so mine is brief:

1) Bike fit, fit, fit. The bike fit can seriously affect the comfort of your crotch.

2) If you get the bike fitted and you know the fit is not the problem, really try out a lot of different saddles. It took me about 5 to find the one that really works for me. Makes all the difference.

Good luck! And, good for you for riding your bike and setting STP as your goal!!

[ace]

Welcome stpbound! I'm definitely a plus sized biker (5'5 and over 200 lbs), and I've ridden 50+ mile rides on my trusty Trek Hybrid. It's all about the fit, the saddle and the bike shorts. I am getting a road bike, but it's because I think I'll be faster. Plus I ride with a club that has a bad habit of lugging their bikes up and down stairs at the BART (subway) station, and lugging a 30+ lb bike up stairs is very unpleasant :eek:

See if you can get some adjustments made to your current bike, wear your bike shorts, and maybe change out your saddle?

Best of luck and let us know how it goes.

-Amy

[stpbound]

When you say STP "double century" do you mean you are going to do the whole thing in one day? If you're planning the double century, yes, I'd say you need to get a long-distance bike ASAP!

God, no! I mean I'm doing it in 2 days! :)

[stpbound]

1) Bike fit, fit, fit. The bike fit can seriously affect the comfort of your crotch.

2) If you get the bike fitted and you know the fit is not the problem, really try out a lot of different saddles. It took me about 5 to find the one that really works for me. Makes all the difference.

OK. Thanks for this reply. A few more questions:

1. Can I check the fit myself or do I need to take it to a bike shop?
2. About trying different saddles...did you have to buy and KEEP all 5?? Or were you able to return the ones you didn't want? Also, when you found the right one, was it obvious?

Thanks!
stpbound

[stpbound]

Welcome stpbound! I'm definitely a plus sized biker (5'5 and over 200 lbs), and I've ridden 50+ mile rides on my trusty Trek Hybrid. It's all about the fit, the saddle and the bike shorts.

Hi Ace,

Good to hear I'm not the only big girl on a bike around here! So, it is indeed possible to be overweight and be comfortable on a bike saddle at the same time? For some reason, I have it in my head that since I weigh so much (5'4" and 220 lbs), it may be impossible for my body to be comfortable on the saddle.

Please tell me it isn't so!

thanks,
stpbound

[salsabike]

When we started training for STP two years ago, I concluded I needed to switch from a hybrid to a road bike because after 30-40 miles, my hands wanted to be able to be in many different positions, and the flat bars of the hybrid made that hard to achieve.

[ace]

Hi Stpbound,

It isn't so :D

Nope, your weight should have nothing to do with it. I'm almost exactly the same size as you, and I don't have any saddle discomfort. But I always wear bike shorts, even for short rides, and my bike fits. I'd really suggest you go to a good bike shop and get some help- get some recommendations from this board for a helpful one one. I partially selected my lbs because the owner is a fat guy, so I knew he'd be respectful toward me.

The only thing being heavy does is mean you mean more leg strength to compensate, and in my experience, going up hills is harder (hauling me and my bike up a hill is tough sometimes, even in granny gear). But it makes us inherently faster on the downhills!

As far as bike shorts that fit, I have Pearl Izumi shorts in XXL, and Terry T Shorts in 1X, and they fit great. So just make sure you have well-fitting shorts.

Feel free to pm me if you have any questions.

-Amy

[KnottedYet]

STPBound - Where are you, and do you need a bike shop? Just say the word, and TE can innundate you with recommendations! :D

[mimitabby]

StPbound, you can try to "fit" yourself, but it's so much nicer to have professionals do it for you. Only takes a little while.
In the Seattle area, there are good fitters at Samm. Bike, Gregg's Green Lake
and R & E that i have personally dealt with.

[Jenn]

Hi Ace,

Good to hear I'm not the only big girl on a bike around here! So, it is indeed possible to be overweight and be comfortable on a bike saddle at the same time? For some reason, I have it in my head that since I weigh so much (5'4" and 220 lbs), it may be impossible for my body to be comfortable on the saddle.

Please tell me it isn't so!

thanks,
stpbound
I'm also glad to know I'm not the only plus size, I'm 5'7" and 200, my Trek 1000 fits me great. The problem is I'm having a hell of a time trying to find riding clothes that don't cost a small fortune. They penalize you for being "larger". I actually have had to buy some mens jackets because my shoulders are just broad, I'm just a "big" girl! We wen't to the local LBS to look for a summer jersey for me and the XL would have fit my mother who is like 5'5" and weighs 117.

[mimitabby]

try Team Estrogen, they have a lot of nice stuff in large sizes.

[stpbound]

When we started training for STP two years ago, I concluded I needed to switch from a hybrid to a road bike because after 30-40 miles, my hands wanted to be able to be in many different positions, and the flat bars of the hybrid made that hard to achieve.

This is a good point...I notice that my hands start to feel numb after a while.

[stpbound]

STPBound - Where are you, and do you need a bike shop? Just say the word, and TE can innundate you with recommendations! :D

I'm in Seattle and have been using mainly REI to get all my biking gear. I bought my bike from Recycled Cycles (new). Are there better, more helpful places that you recommend?

Also, if I do decide to get a road bike, is there a shop that will let you actually take the bikes out for more than a couple of blocks to test them?

Thanks, Knot!

stpbound

[stpbound]

I'm also glad to know I'm not the only plus size, I'm 5'7" and 200, my Trek 1000 fits me great. The problem is I'm having a hell of a time trying to find riding clothes that don't cost a small fortune. They penalize you for being "larger". I actually have had to buy some mens jackets because my shoulders are just broad, I'm just a "big" girl! We wen't to the local LBS to look for a summer jersey for me and the XL would have fit my mother who is like 5'5" and weighs 117.

Hi Jenn,

You can also try Junonia. They have a few things. And, last night, I found terrybicycles.com here: http://www.terrybicycles.com/product.html?c=Plus

But, yes, so far, I'm finding that these things cost lots of money. I'm just getting a couple things at a time right now so as not to completely break the bank!

And, I also haven't found a LBS that carries plus sizes. If anyone finds one in Seattle, let me know!

Good luck!

stpbound

[mimitabby]

YES YES YES

REI is an awful place to buy a bike. It's not even fun for bike PARTS. they are understaffed and very busy this time of the year.

I love REI don't get me wrong.. but there are all these great LBS's ...
(Local Bike Shops) there are the three I recommended for starters and MORE..
any of them will let you take a bike out for an hour or so...

for fit, i really recommend you go to R & E or Gregg's or Samm. They will charge you.
but it's worth it.

[stpbound]

YES YES YES

REI is an awful place to buy a bike. It's not even fun for bike PARTS. they are understaffed and very busy this time of the year.

I love REI don't get me wrong.. but there are all these great LBS's ...
(Local Bike Shops) there are the three I recommended for starters and MORE..
any of them will let you take a bike out for an hour or so...

for fit, i really recommend you go to R & E or Gregg's or Samm. They will charge you.
but it's worth it.

Thanks, mimitabby. I will go to Gregg's soon to make sure that my bike fits me. I've been there before, and they seemed nice.

thanks again!

[KnottedYet]

I'm in Seattle and have been using mainly REI to get all my biking gear. I bought my bike from Recycled Cycles (new). Are there better, more helpful places that you recommend?

Also, if I do decide to get a road bike, is there a shop that will let you actually take the bikes out for more than a couple of blocks to test them?

Thanks, Knot!

stpbound

Recycled Cycles are my guys! I love them with a wild and burning passion! When I bought my little $400 commuter from them, they were so wonderful and patient. I took that bike out for about 10 miles of test-riding. And they love my roadie as much as I do, and take good care of her. (I just got a compact double there yesterday.)

Skip and Andy are my sales guys, we can talk about bikes and components for ages if they're not busy.

Paul does most of the wrenching on my bikes. He understands how overprotective I am of my bike, and explains how things work (or don't work!) so I understand what's going on. He's calm and quiet and takes his time, even when it's crazy busy in there; but I try to keep my questions short when he's got a lot going on. There is another wrench (Brent?) who is also very good at explaining how things work, and is very patient with me.

It's often quite busy in there (they are very popular). They generally assume that people who come in know what they are looking for, so don't pester you while you browse. However, if you ask someone for help they will bend over backwards. If you need help, ask them.

Recycled Cycles doesn't do bike fits like R+E or Sammamish. There is a physical therapist who does a LOT of bike fits, his name is Eric Moen www.bikept.com

I've thought about offering a free little beginning "fit it yourself" bike fit workshop at Recycled Cycles (maybe when they have the Flat Man workshops), but need to come up with a good proposal.

[lauraelmore1033]

Hi stpbound,
another plus sized rider chiming in here! I would definitely encourage you to go for a road bike, just based on my own experience. I started out with a hybrid, just because I thought that was my only option; I was over 250 pounds and a beefier bike just sounded like a good idea. Even at that size, I didn't experience too much seat discomfort, though. The discomfort I experienced seemed to lessen with time, so I just assumed you had to "break in" your butt.

When I started losing weight, getting faster, putting in alot more miles, I switched to a road bike--a Raleigh sport. I could not believe the difference! My top (as in giving it everything I had) average speed on the hybrid was something like 13.3 mph, and on the road bike I can do 13.3 mph without really even breaking a sweat. It almost seemed like magic! The more upright position of the hybrid looks like it is more comfortable, but it really isn't if you consider all the factors. The road bike (at least mine) tends to tip your pelvis forward and align your legs in a position to achieve the most efficient, powerful pedal stroke. Lowering the torso to the handlebars reduces wind resistance a great deal, and if your torso is the size of a barn door--like mine-- that is a great deal of resistance! add in the reduction of resistance from skinnier tires and the weight reduction, and you are going much faster with much less effort, which is much more comfortable in the long run. As the others have mentioned, this all begins with a good fit.

I would also caution you not to get shorts that are too roomy. I've lost a lot of weight, so my shorts are getting baggy. I can testify that this is extremely uncomfortable, as the loose fabric bunches and forcibly deposits itself in your most tender crevices. Ouch!

[dex]

Fat girl doing the STP? That's me! :) (Sorry, I'm allergic to "plus-sized". I know that some people are really sensitive to the word "fat", but it's just how I describe myself...because, um, I am fat.)

My best bike shop experience in Seattle was at Gregg's Greenlake. They were helpful and patient, and didn't even blink an eye when I asked the "Am I too fat for a road bike?" question (I worked with Ed when I was bike shopping there. I think he's the floor manager, and he's incredibly nice). And despite my admitted newness to the notion of road bikes and shifting anything with more than three gears, they explained how the shifters worked and sent me on my way to test ride for as long and as far as I felt like going. I thought that was pretty cool, too. Oh, and as far as saddles go, I know they have a trial policy, though the particulars escape me at the moment. (I remember the girl helping me pick out shoes and gloves telling me about it, but I was so excited about taking my bike home that my ears were buzzing a little.)

Interestingly, my worst experience was at Recycled Cycles. I really wanted to like Recycled Cycles, because I'd heard such great things about them from so many people, also because I liked the notion of getting a used bike that still had plenty of life in it and just needed a new home. I really *tried* to like Recycled Cycles...I went back there three times. Once, I was looked up and down an pointedly told, "I'm sorry. I don't think we have anything for you." And twice I was just completely ignored, even though I tried to get someone's (anyone's) attention for a good twenty minutes. *shrug* I don't know what that was about (my friends speculate that it was my fatness, but who knows really), but they didn't leave a great taste in my mouth...so despite the relative convenience of the shop to my house, I don't know that I'll ever go in there again (which sucks, because I kind of wanted to go to their flat fixing workshop thingie).

At any rate, good luck! :D

[Eden]

Interesting... almost every time I've been in Gregg's I've found the atmosphere to be pretty rude and dismissive....(but when Aurora was still open they were always very nice and friendly even though both shops had the same owner and were only a few miles apart) I guess it just depends on when you are in a shop and who is behind the desk at the time.

[mimitabby]

Eden,
they have a guy working at Gregg's (and I cannot remember HIS name either (starts with a C?)
who was so kind, so helpful, and mild mannered that I almost cried because
at the time I was clueless and just knew stuff was hurting. he adjusted my handlebars and did not even charge me. It depends who's working when you're there; but we have had amazingly good fortune at that store (except for once in the service dept) but it's not very convenient for us to get there.

[dex]

I guess it just depends on when you are in a shop and who is behind the desk at the time.

I think that's absolutely true. It's why I went back to Recycled three times. I wrote the first experience off as just encountering one jerk who was having a bad day or something, and gave them another shot because I didn't want to write off the whole store because of one experience. (Then again, I'm the kind of person who will try food I don't particularly like a few times, just in case I had a faulty impression or a not great batch the first time.)

They can't be horrible, because I know so many people who have had great experiences there. They're just wrong for *me*.

[ace]

Hiya,

Yup, finding the right gear can be tougher for us big 'uns. Team Estrogen is great for jerseys and shorts- I particularly like the Shebeest plus size jerseys, and the Sport Hill Infuzion top:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=22298.

I also got a good windbreaker that someone on the board recommended:

http://mtborah.com/index.asp?CompID=44&action=ViewProduct&CategoryID=64&ProductID=352

Rain gear is hard. I got mine from junonia.com on sale. Rei online also has plus sized rain gear. Definitely share if you find good plus size biking stuff!

-Amy

[KnottedYet]

When I was fat, it was Gregg's that treated me like sh*t and Recycled Cycles who were good to me. And I went to Gregg's a couple more times, because I just couldn't believe they had changed so much to the rude in 20 years.

If you are looking specifically for a used bike at Recycled Cycles, and they don't have one that will fit you, they will tell you that. There is a huge turnover in the used bikes, and right now they have very few at all. And when they are busy, they are VERY busy.

I'm sorry your experience at Recycled wasn't good. Would you go to the Flat Man workshop if I went, too?

[ace]

I also got dissed at a bike shop last year, treated with maximum attitude, and I really think it's because of my weight. I just think that's crazy for a retailer...what do they care about how much I weigh? My money's the same color. And I'm a single, childless woman with a bunch of disposable income to spend on my new hobby...are they stupid, or what???

I ended up spending a lot of money at the bike shop that treated me with respect. Sheesh. Voting with my dollar, I guess.

[dex]

Would you go to the Flat Man workshop if I went, too?

Sure...I'll just make a note to have a beer or three to mellow myself out before I go. Heh. ;)

No, really. I'd probably go if I didn't have to face it by myself.

[salsabike]

I am also not a big Gregg's fan---don't like their customer service and think they neglect bike fits. The PT Knott mentioned, Erik Moen, did my bike fit and did a great job--cyclist, coach, former racer, all around nice guy. He met me at Gregg's, actually, and did the fit right there. WELL worth it.

Also, REI will let you test ride saddles and return them after significant miles. Gregg's is less generous about that. I wouldn't buy a bike at REI because I don't like the selection, but their customer service for gear is great.

[Starfish]

OK. Thanks for this reply. A few more questions:

1. Can I check the fit myself or do I need to take it to a bike shop?
2. About trying different saddles...did you have to buy and KEEP all 5?? Or were you able to return the ones you didn't want? Also, when you found the right one, was it obvious?

Thanks!
stpbound

I will let the others here talk to you more about bike fit...there are far more knowledgeable women here than me about it, and you might want to do a search of the forums...a lot has been written about fit.

About the saddles, I have a few that I bought outright and only realized later were not really for me. A couple other times, though, I definitely was able to return them to the store and try another one. Every shop has a different policy on saddles, so just ask them.

[Jenn]

Thank you all so much for the GREAT places and ideas to look for larger sized clothing. I'm sorry I know it got off on the initial topic, but us women have a tendency to do that. :p
I will be checking out some of your links, because I'm sick of having to buy mens stuff!

[pooks]

The problem with women's cycling gear in plus sizes is that there is absolutely no sanity in the sizing. I've seen manufacturers that consider 12 or 14 to be an XL!

That's what gets you in trouble. Just because it says it's an XL or 1X don't assume that you think you know what that means. Check the sizing guides to be sure!

The other issue is that cycling gear is supposed to be tight. Well, I like my shorts tight, but not my jerseys. I carry my weight in the middle (apple-shaped) which makes it more difficult. A man's jersey may be loose on the shoulders and tight around the middle on me.

I have a Mt. Borah 2X jersey (yellow) (http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=20353) that I like a lot. It's loose enough to be comfortable for me but not baggy. I got it here at TE. I also got a sport hill singlet (http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=25082) that's soft and very cool in the summer, but had no pockets so isn't always my favorite choice.

When I ordered a Boure jersey once, it seemed like it was made for a thin man -- WAY too tight in the middle and WAY too wide in the shoulders for me, just an impossible fit. But I've ordered their longsleeved UV-protection jersey in a men's XL, hoping it will work.

There's a lot of trial and error; Jenn and I seem to be similar in height and weight but our shapes are very different!

(I'm going to check out that shebeest leopard jersey (http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=26800)!)

[mimitabby]

Pooks, it won't make you feel any better but there's no sanity to sizes for smaller women either.

so what's up with the bike? going to order one? try some out?
come on come on!

[pooks]

I test rode my first bike yesterday and am not sure where to post about it.

Decisions, decisions!

[KnottedYet]

How about in your steel road bikes thread?

[pooks]

It wasn't a steel bike.

It was a Specialized Allez, and I'm not sure whether to start a new thread for each type bike I test, or just a general thread of my adventures in test riding and put them all together!

[mimitabby]

post here, or start a new post, come on!

[KnottedYet]

Start a new thread: Pooks Test Rides or something like that.

We're all eager to hear about it!

[pooks]

Your wish is my command!

click here for the new thread (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=14894)

[stpbound]

Fat girl doing the STP? That's me! :) (Sorry, I'm allergic to "plus-sized". I know that some people are really sensitive to the word "fat", but it's just how I describe myself...because, um, I am fat.)

:D I feel the same way! Just didn't want to offend anyone.

stpbound

[stpbound]

YES YES YES

REI is an awful place to buy a bike. It's not even fun for bike PARTS. they are understaffed and very busy this time of the year.

I love REI don't get me wrong.. but there are all these great LBS's ...
(Local Bike Shops) there are the three I recommended for starters and MORE..
any of them will let you take a bike out for an hour or so...

for fit, i really recommend you go to R & E or Gregg's or Samm. They will charge you.
but it's worth it.

Hi mimitabby,

I looked at Gregg's website. A basic fit is $150!!!?? What the heck do they do for $150???

stpbound :)

[stpbound]

Hi stpbound,
another plus sized rider chiming in here! I would definitely encourage you to go for a road bike, just based on my own experience. I started out with a hybrid, just because I thought that was my only option; I was over 250 pounds and a beefier bike just sounded like a good idea. Even at that size, I didn't experience too much seat discomfort, though. The discomfort I experienced seemed to lessen with time, so I just assumed you had to "break in" your butt.

When I started losing weight, getting faster, putting in alot more miles, I switched to a road bike--a Raleigh sport. I could not believe the difference! My top (as in giving it everything I had) average speed on the hybrid was something like 13.3 mph, and on the road bike I can do 13.3 mph without really even breaking a sweat. It almost seemed like magic! The more upright position of the hybrid looks like it is more comfortable, but it really isn't if you consider all the factors. The road bike (at least mine) tends to tip your pelvis forward and align your legs in a position to achieve the most efficient, powerful pedal stroke. Lowering the torso to the handlebars reduces wind resistance a great deal, and if your torso is the size of a barn door--like mine-- that is a great deal of resistance! add in the reduction of resistance from skinnier tires and the weight reduction, and you are going much faster with much less effort, which is much more comfortable in the long run. As the others have mentioned, this all begins with a good fit.

I would also caution you not to get shorts that are too roomy. I've lost a lot of weight, so my shorts are getting baggy. I can testify that this is extremely uncomfortable, as the loose fabric bunches and forcibly deposits itself in your most tender crevices. Ouch!

I've decided to go test ride road bikes on Monday! I want to see what the difference is and if it's worth the money to buy one. This magic you speak of...that definitely appeals to me! Right now, I'm averaging between 11-12 miles per hour (my longest ride has been 37 miles so far). If I could go just a couple more miles per hour, I could reduce my riding time on the STP by a couple of hours! So, I'm gonna give it a try.

Thanks for your input,
stpbound

[teigyr]

stpbound - you picked an awesome ride for your first one! I haven't done it but have heard good things about it.

Yes re the fit and the bike and the clothes. All those things are important. The fit is most important and the bike? Well...I did about two years worth of centuries on a hardtail mountain bike when I first started riding :D I also rode in performance shorts due to budget and, well, I won't be doing that again.

I went to an excellent bike fit person in the Seattle area (recommended by another TE member) so PM me if you are interested.

Welcome!

[KnottedYet]

I reccomend Erik Moen PT. www.bikept.com

Mimi and Salsa had fits from him. I've emailed him. Wahine took a class from him. He's very highly regarded!