Large adult son wants to ride

[maryellen]

sometime in the last year or so, Bicycling mag had a piece on a guy who started riding at a similar or even higher weight. maybe you can find it on their website. might provide info re sturdiness of equipment as well as provide some inspiration for your son.

[SandyLS]

You gals are the greatest. Thanks for your suggestions. I'll keep you posted on his decision for a bike and his progress.

[Triskeliongirl]

FYI the surly long haul trucker is now coming prepackaged with s/s couplers (or actually I think it is the cross check, called the travelers check: http://www.surlybikes.com/files/Surl...008_lo_res.pdf), so if travel is in the future for him, its something to look into. From what I have seen, I concur with most of what has been said, a sturdy steel frame and high spoke count strong wheels are the two most impt. things to look for.

[SandyLS]

My son called every Surly dealer in Michigan. It seems everyone was willing to to order a bike for him if he wanted to purchase but not a one had any in stock to test ride or even view. Seems like a lot of money to spend sight unseen. Anyone in the Great Lakes area know of a dealer that actually has these bikes on site? I guess we could take a road trip to test one if necessary. Any other other suggestions for a bike for a big guy (350lb 6"3"tall) that wants to start some distance riding? Each bike shop we go to suggests that one of the bikes they sell will do the job for him. Usually a non-steel frame cross bike of one sort or another. I sure don't want him to have his first bike be one that is not strong enough to take the punishment his present weight will give it and discourage him from reaching his goals by being bothered by repairs all of the time.
I know most of you recommend testing lots of bikes to find the right one. What do you think about buying the Surly without testing it first? I know it is usually not a good idea, but I think his options might be limited. It seems most of the big name brands (Trek, Specialize ect.)around here don't even make steel any more. Oh, the Surly has bar end shifters. Any one have experience with those? Thanks for your help.

[Trek420]

Anytime I drool, stare or even glance sideways at a bike in my LBS if it's not in stock in my size they happily offer to order one. I decline saying I'm just looking, have more than enough bikes, don't need another, love steel just lookin' at the puhrty carbon etc blah blah.

More smiles and assurances from them that it's ok, if they get it in stock and built up they will sell it. I'm 5 foot nuthin'. It's not as if I'm the only short female rider around.

Same applies to your brother, it's not like he's the only tall big fella around.

It's all about great service. Find a local shop that treats him right!! He must try the bike.

[Blueberry]

I have bar end shifters on 3 bikes (including a surly cross check) and love them. True, you can't shift as quickly in a pace line, but otherwise (and since I don't generally do that kind of riding), they're great- a little less fiddly (and you can always shift the rear to friction if it gets out of adjustment). I find them more robust than STI.

I bought by Surly off ebay - and had never ridden one. I lucked out with fit - bought it off a couple of key measurements. I think it could work for your son to order one sign unseen *if* he has a local dealer that will do a fit kit on him. They should be able to tell if it will be a good fit for him, and they may be able to duplicate the geometry on the fit kit and/or let him try a bike that's similar in fit. When you order a custom bike, you can't really test it either. The key is finding a dealer he can trust. I can only think of 1 shop within 4 hours of me that ever stocks built frames - I think most buy sight unseen. Good luck!!!

CA

[Trek420]

CA, when folks here say "I lucked out with the fit" most are speaking from a ton of experience. My LBS keeps all the measurements of my bikes on file. Whether a bike is on TE, Craigs, Ebay .... I can check against his measurements and think "sure, close enough for government work". not that I want/need another bike

But for a new or newer rider, one with some health concerns I sure wish he could try the bike or similar.