too fat to bicycle? 300 lbs?!

**sundial** · 03-09-2009, 04:29 AM

zeWoo, you might want to consider a cyclocross bike with 36 spoke rims. Cross bikes are pretty versatile and durable and lighter than mountain bikes.

**lauraelmore1033** · 03-09-2009, 07:37 AM

zewoo, I would second the cyclocross idea. I have a Specialized tricross sport that has put in 4500 miles without problem. If you look in the weightloss thread, you'll see I am not a feather weight. I have had problems with breaking spokes and seat springs and posts with other bikes, but not this one. And it's speedy and cool lookin' too. I get all sorts of compliments on it

**zeWoo** · 03-09-2009, 11:03 AM

I've seen the cyclocross bikes -- and never paid much attention to them, looked a bit out of my league(honestly, past the hybrids, had no idea there were bikes designed for road racing and off road...urgh, I've gotta long way to go), but I'll give them a second look...

Thanks.

**Blueberry** · 03-09-2009, 12:13 PM

I'd take a look at a Surly Cross Check. Not ridiculously expensive, has a steel frame, and a good component set (as stock). The Long Haul Trucker is nice too. I ride a cross check set up as a road bike (skinny tires) for lots of my rides. I'm no featherweight either - mine wasn't a stock build (if you're interested, I'll list out components for you), but I adore it.

CA

**sundial** · 03-09-2009, 01:34 PM

I started to mention the Cross Check, but then I would have to revert to my fav brand--Specialized.

Note to self: no you cannot have the Pugsley.

**Blueberry** · 03-09-2009, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by sundial

I started to mention the Cross Check, but then I would have to revert to my fav brand--Specialized.

Note to self: no you cannot have the Pugsley.

Hee hee

The pugsley *is* cool - I just remind myself I'd feel slow. Of course, then I'd feel that much faster on my road bike. Ah well. We don't have enough snow/sand here to justify it

**LeakyDuck** · 04-03-2009, 09:33 AM

calico I second MonOnBike's recommendation for a recumbent. Two years ago I was 250+, suffering from high blood pressure and have a lot of ballance problems. I bought my self a nice mixte and started riding again. After falling off the bike 3 times in 3 weeks I decided that any benefit that I was getting from riding the bike would soon be offset by a trip to the doctor. I tried a recumbent and it was love. My husband and I have gone thru several since. For starters I would recommend a Short Wheel Base with a 20" front wheel. You want the SWB because it is easier to ride in traffic and a small front wheel will allow you to put your feet down easier when you stop. I am down to 199 and meds have decreased. I can now ride a standard bike again if I am careful when stopping (as that was where I kept falling over). I love my "Bents" but the mixte will fit on the front of the bus when I need to travel that way.

BUY A BIKE AND RIDE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Cataboo** · 04-03-2009, 10:55 AM

These are the wheels that I just got for my surly:

http://cgi.ebay.com/09-Shimano-XT-36...742.m153.l1262

They're 36 holes on an XT hub, so they should be bombproof. I'm hoping.

**lauraelmore1033** · 04-03-2009, 12:15 PM

2 guage spokes? Mine are 4, so I'm guessing the smaller number means thicker. Boy, those do look to be bombproof!

**Cataboo** · 04-03-2009, 12:20 PM

I don't know, according to Sheldon brown, 2.0 gauge should be 2 mm spokes - so yours should be 4 mm spokes and thicker:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_g.html

Are yours bladed though?

**lauraelmore1033** · 04-03-2009, 01:26 PM

ok. I guess they looked much thicker than mine in the picture. Almost like pencils.

**Fontinalis** · 04-07-2009, 09:54 AM

I went from 335 to 260, within just a little over a year, and I'm in an area where you can only bike about 6 months out of the year (the rest of the year, I do laps in a public pool). I have a commuter's bike, dutch style, with an upright sitting position. NO pain on the wrists, shoulders, or back. Or anywhere else for that matter. It has 7 speeds. You know, when you shop for a bike, you are actually shopping for a bike shop. Because you need good people who know their stuff, and who will do everything in their power to outfit your with a ride that is perfect FOR YOU. If your 300 lbs call for beefier tires, they'll advise you on it. I do believe that if you can't find a decent bike shop around your area, it is worth travelling to one. I do all my errands by bike. And I commute to work every day when weather permits. I am having a blast! This is just pure sheer FUN FUN FUN! And the pounds are dropping faster then I can keep track. I wish there was more 'heavy' bikers out there, that we would have a 'critical mass' (no pun intended). When there will be all kinds of bikers on the paths - young, old, big, small, tall, short, etc. - it will have a huge impact, everybody will feel that it is possible for them too. Hang in there, and don't get discourage. It calls for perseverance and courage. But there is such a huge reward, if only the pure joy of riding!

**txred9876** · 04-07-2009, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Fontinalis

I went from 335 to 260, within just a little over a year, and I'm in an area where you can only bike about 6 months out of the year (the rest of the year, I do laps in a public pool). I have a commuter's bike, dutch style, with an upright sitting position. NO pain on the wrists, shoulders, or back. Or anywhere else for that matter. It has 7 speeds. You know, when you shop for a bike, you are actually shopping for a bike shop. Because you need good people who know their stuff, and who will do everything in their power to outfit your with a ride that is perfect FOR YOU. If your 300 lbs call for beefier tires, they'll advise you on it. I do believe that if you can't find a decent bike shop around your area, it is worth travelling to one. I do all my errands by bike. And I commute to work every day when weather permits. I am having a blast! This is just pure sheer FUN FUN FUN! And the pounds are dropping faster then I can keep track. I wish there was more 'heavy' bikers out there, that we would have a 'critical mass' (no pun intended). When there will be all kinds of bikers on the paths - young, old, big, small, tall, short, etc. - it will have a huge impact, everybody will feel that it is possible for them too. Hang in there, and don't get discourage. It calls for perseverance and courage. But there is such a huge reward, if only the pure joy of riding!

Way to go on the weight loss. It is sooooo hard but already worth it....at only 22 pounds lost!

Tina

**Trek420** · 04-08-2009, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by Fontinalis;416991/

when you shop for a bike, you are actually shopping for a bike shop. Because you need good people who know their stuff, and who will do everything in their power to outfit your with a ride that is perfect FOR YOU.

Well said. And when your LBS is not open, there's TE

Way to go on the ride and swim. Add walk/run and we've got another TE Triathlete?

**Softie** · 04-13-2009, 12:22 PM

I wasn't even able to find this info till after I bought my new bike, but I think it's great for some of us bigger riders to know ahead of time. Trek lists their general weight capacity for hybrid/comfort/mountain bikes as 300lbs, and road bikes as 275, but of course modifications can be made by a good lbs for larger riders.

Both bike shops I visited were convinced they could quite easily fit a bike to my 6'7 350+ lb bf, but definitely recommended a mountain bike due to his size.

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