Bike choice advice.
Discussion
I am looking to start cycling again, as a way of getting fitter and helping me lose more weight, but am unsure of what sort of bike would be most suitable?
I am 6' 3'' and currently just over 24st, although I intend losing around 5st over the coming months. (I was bigger but have lost over a stone in the past 3 weeks) I put on a lot of weight when I was wheelchair bound, as I broke my neck, back, pelvis and left femur. I'm fairly recovered now, although my left leg is weaker (I walk with a stick) and my circulation isn't great, as I severed the blood vessel in my groin also. Obviously my mobility isn't as good as it was but I can cycle, albeit on flat ground or slight inclines. I hope my strength and ability will improve in time though.
So, I live here in Cornwall and there are plenty of cliff top paths and woodland trails I can use, as opposed to taking to the roads when I don't feel confident enough yet. I was thinking of some sort of mountain bike but as my pelvis has a fair amount of metalwork I was thinking of something with suspension? I need something that can cope with my weight though and cost is also a factor, as I don't have a huge amount of spare cash, so is buying used a viable option?
Any help / advice would be appreciated.
Mark
I am 6' 3'' and currently just over 24st, although I intend losing around 5st over the coming months. (I was bigger but have lost over a stone in the past 3 weeks) I put on a lot of weight when I was wheelchair bound, as I broke my neck, back, pelvis and left femur. I'm fairly recovered now, although my left leg is weaker (I walk with a stick) and my circulation isn't great, as I severed the blood vessel in my groin also. Obviously my mobility isn't as good as it was but I can cycle, albeit on flat ground or slight inclines. I hope my strength and ability will improve in time though.
So, I live here in Cornwall and there are plenty of cliff top paths and woodland trails I can use, as opposed to taking to the roads when I don't feel confident enough yet. I was thinking of some sort of mountain bike but as my pelvis has a fair amount of metalwork I was thinking of something with suspension? I need something that can cope with my weight though and cost is also a factor, as I don't have a huge amount of spare cash, so is buying used a viable option?
Any help / advice would be appreciated.
Mark
Edited by e21Mark on Friday 16th June 18:58
Buy second hand to start with. That way you can move it on if your choice turns out wrong, or,
as you loose weight and become fitter you may wish to step up to something lighter & faster.
Eventually you will find your niche and you may then wish to buy new, although personally I've
ended up with two bikes. I like tow paths and converted railway tracks, but also like the roads.
The one bike I found hard work was a mountain bike. Cost £50, and resold a month later for £50.
I also joined Slimming World, and feel that diet (what you eat as well as how much) and exercise
go hand in hand.
Good luck
Paul G
as you loose weight and become fitter you may wish to step up to something lighter & faster.
Eventually you will find your niche and you may then wish to buy new, although personally I've
ended up with two bikes. I like tow paths and converted railway tracks, but also like the roads.
The one bike I found hard work was a mountain bike. Cost £50, and resold a month later for £50.
I also joined Slimming World, and feel that diet (what you eat as well as how much) and exercise
go hand in hand.
Good luck
Paul G
Hi, I would certainly have a chat with your Dr before embarking on anything strenuous, but good luck to you.
Definite vote for eBay- I would have a look for aluminium framed mountain bikes. Front suspension would probably do you- a full suspension bike can be heavy.
Don't know your budget- but here's an example of how you don't need to spend a fortune
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trek-810-Singletrack-fro...
Definite vote for eBay- I would have a look for aluminium framed mountain bikes. Front suspension would probably do you- a full suspension bike can be heavy.
Don't know your budget- but here's an example of how you don't need to spend a fortune
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trek-810-Singletrack-fro...
Thanks for the replies guys. I actually bought a used Diamond Back MTB and the only change I made was to fit a wider, more comfortable saddle and some wider pedals. Total outlay was £128.50 and I'm very happy with it. I also bought a used bike rack for the back of the ''dog mover'' Matiz as I need to be able to get it to some flatter venues while I build my strength up - slowly!
I also weighed myself, as since being in a wheelchair my weight rose from around 105 kgs to about 194! (Yes, I know!
) Anyway, a change of diet to porridge every morning (made with semi skimmed and sweetener), a large chicken or tuna salad for lunch and a regular (portion controlled evening meal), with no sweets, cakes etc and my weight is now......
That's a weight loss of just over 7 stone! I honestly couldn't believe it when my GP told me. I kind of new my weight had been dropping and that certain items of clothing looked and felt looser, but 7 stone?
I intend to just keep doing what I have been and tomorrow I am getting a rowing machine. I have always wanted to row in a Cornish Gig so have set that as a goal for next Summer.
ETA - I said in my OP that I was just over 24 stone because I was embarrassed by my real weight - sorry.
I was actually just over 30!
I also weighed myself, as since being in a wheelchair my weight rose from around 105 kgs to about 194! (Yes, I know!
) Anyway, a change of diet to porridge every morning (made with semi skimmed and sweetener), a large chicken or tuna salad for lunch and a regular (portion controlled evening meal), with no sweets, cakes etc and my weight is now......- drum roll*
That's a weight loss of just over 7 stone! I honestly couldn't believe it when my GP told me. I kind of new my weight had been dropping and that certain items of clothing looked and felt looser, but 7 stone?
I intend to just keep doing what I have been and tomorrow I am getting a rowing machine. I have always wanted to row in a Cornish Gig so have set that as a goal for next Summer.
ETA - I said in my OP that I was just over 24 stone because I was embarrassed by my real weight - sorry.
I was actually just over 30! Edited by e21Mark on Friday 16th June 19:02
e21Mark said:
Thanks for the replies guys. I actually bought a used Diamond Back MTB and the only change I made was to fit a wider, more comfortable saddle and some wider pedals. Total outlay was £128.50 and I'm very happy with it. I also bought a used bike rack for the back of the ''dog mover'' Matiz as I need to be able to get it to some flatter venues while I build my strength up - slowly!
I also weighed myself, as since being in a wheelchair my weight rose from around 105 kgs to about 194! (Yes, I know! ) Anyway, a change of diet to porridge every morning (made with semi skimmed and sweetener), a large chicken or tuna salad for lunch and a regular (portion controlled evening meal), with no sweets, cakes etc and my weight is now......
That's a weight loss of just over 7 stone! I honestly couldn't believe it when my GP told me. I kind of new my weight had been dropping and that certain items of clothing looked and felt looser, but 7 stone?
I intend to just keep doing what I have been and tomorrow I am getting a rowing machine. I have always wanted to row in a Cornish Gig so have set that as a goal for next Summer.
ETA - I said in my OP that I was just over 24 stone because I was embarrassed by my real weight - sorry. I was actually just over 30!
I don't have anything to suggest, but I just wanted to comment to say well done! That's an amazing effort I also weighed myself, as since being in a wheelchair my weight rose from around 105 kgs to about 194! (Yes, I know!
) Anyway, a change of diet to porridge every morning (made with semi skimmed and sweetener), a large chicken or tuna salad for lunch and a regular (portion controlled evening meal), with no sweets, cakes etc and my weight is now......- drum roll*
That's a weight loss of just over 7 stone! I honestly couldn't believe it when my GP told me. I kind of new my weight had been dropping and that certain items of clothing looked and felt looser, but 7 stone?
I intend to just keep doing what I have been and tomorrow I am getting a rowing machine. I have always wanted to row in a Cornish Gig so have set that as a goal for next Summer.
ETA - I said in my OP that I was just over 24 stone because I was embarrassed by my real weight - sorry.
I was actually just over 30! Edited by e21Mark on Friday 16th June 19:02
I'm stunned at that used bike even withstanding 30 stone, you really got lucky with that bike!
I was 28.5 at one stage, I was breaking wheels every 5 minutes until I had a bespoke pair made.
Congrats on the weight loss, keep focused. I piled 40% of my weight back on last year, but absolutely smashing it off again this year. 💪🏻👊🏼
I was 28.5 at one stage, I was breaking wheels every 5 minutes until I had a bespoke pair made.
Congrats on the weight loss, keep focused. I piled 40% of my weight back on last year, but absolutely smashing it off again this year. 💪🏻👊🏼
If finances allow it sounds like an e-bike would be the perfect option for you. I appreciate that may not be the case as they're not cheap, but it would mean that you wouldn't put much strain on your injuries while you recover, but would still be able to ride pretty much any terrain, and clock up decent mileage to help improve your fitness.
There are second hand e-bike bargains to be had. I have a customer who purchased one for £50 and after a £30 service it was good to go and has covered hundreds of miles since the service.
There are second hand e-bike bargains to be had. I have a customer who purchased one for £50 and after a £30 service it was good to go and has covered hundreds of miles since the service.
Edited by TwilightJohnny on Sunday 18th June 20:53
Bloody good effort, keep it going!
One thing I will say is don't fall into the trap of hitting the weight loss and exercise thing all guns blazing, make great initial gains, then hit a wall and get fed up with it.
Cycling can become a way of life, the more you do it the more you want to get fitter and skinnier so you can do it more still. But that's not going to work out if you've ruptured a spleen trying to get up a hill that's too steep for you straight out of the box. So take it steady and be disciplined.
The other good thing about cycling is that you're only measuring against yourself. Lets face it none of us are going to win the Tour this year or any other, so there will always be someone skinnier/faster/more powerful however good you become. The only option therefore is to constantly set and then achieve your own targets, and happily that's something you can do as successfully at 23 stone as you can at 13.
Keep it up!
One thing I will say is don't fall into the trap of hitting the weight loss and exercise thing all guns blazing, make great initial gains, then hit a wall and get fed up with it.
Cycling can become a way of life, the more you do it the more you want to get fitter and skinnier so you can do it more still. But that's not going to work out if you've ruptured a spleen trying to get up a hill that's too steep for you straight out of the box. So take it steady and be disciplined.
The other good thing about cycling is that you're only measuring against yourself. Lets face it none of us are going to win the Tour this year or any other, so there will always be someone skinnier/faster/more powerful however good you become. The only option therefore is to constantly set and then achieve your own targets, and happily that's something you can do as successfully at 23 stone as you can at 13.
Keep it up!
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