Mountain bike advice

[d_a_n1979]

I'm after some advice before I start looking into sorting myself with an MB

Mainly around what size frame and wheels I should be looking at

At 6ft 4 and 22 stone of a competitive powerlifter & stone-lifter; I'm not average sized or built...

I'm looking for an MB to ride mainly on tarmac/dirt cycle paths; alongside rivers etc; to enjoy it with my wife... Also to take to Dunkeld when we go (when we're allowed to go) as there's some fantastic walking and cycling routes there along the Tay etc

I'm not looking to spend silly £££ at all; so maybe £3/400 ideally; happy with good condition 2nd hand or brand new

Seen online that my height it's advised to go for an XL frame and c29" wheels

Is there anyone on here my height etc that cycles on a MB; any advice from you?

What about my wight also on an MB, anything to consider for a better, stronger frame?

Cheers

[Master Bean]

I'm 6ft 4, 13 stone and ride a 22 inch Voodoo Hoodoo. It has 27.5 inch wheels. I bought it when it was £450 new, it's now £600 but you could probably get a used one for less.

[lufbramatt]

check the max weight limit on the frame and wheels, many are around 120-130kg or 275-300lbs so you might be over that.

I'd be looking for a cro-mo steel or strongly built aluminium frame (no paper-thin hydroformed tubes) and wheels with lots of spokes.

Edited by lufbramatt on Wednesday 2nd December 12:29

[d_a_n1979]

lufbramatt said:

check the max weight limit on the frame and wheels, many are around 120-130kg or 275-300lbs so you might be over that.

I'd be looking for a cro-mo steel or strongly built aluminium frame (no paper-thin hydroformed tubes) and wheels with lots of spokes.

Edited by lufbramatt on Wednesday 2nd December 12:29

That's what I'm thinking...

Thinking also it'd be worth seeing local specialist bike shops rather than buy online or Halfrauds etc

[lufbramatt]

Having said that, the weight limit is the limit for its intended use. So a XC or trail type mountain bike has to be strong enough for a 300lb rider doing a 60cm jump or riding over rough terrain, for example. If you're sticking to flat towpaths etc. then I imagine there's some leeway if you accept the warranty might not cover you if it does break.

[d_a_n1979]

lufbramatt said:

Having said that, the weight limit is the limit for its intended use. So a XC or trail type mountain bike has to be strong enough for a 300lb rider doing a 60cm jump or riding over rough terrain, for example. If you're sticking to flat towpaths etc. then I imagine there's some leeway if you accept the warranty might not cover you if it does break.

Haha Won't be doing any jumps!

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Every lound extra that you are you feel it on a bike. You've got the same heart as me but you'll be carrying dead weight. Alot of muscles are semi redundant on a bike. If I drop from 105kg to 95 its like having new energy and I'm not fat...

That extra 10kg is like having 10kg in my backpack

Id recommend a ebike for you.

[d_a_n1979]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Every lound extra that you are you feel it on a bike. You've got the same heart as me but you'll be carrying dead weight. Alot of muscles are semi redundant on a bike. If I drop from 105kg to 95 its like having new energy and I'm not fat...

That extra 10kg is like having 10kg in my backpack

Id recommend a ebike for you.

No thanks

I want a bike that'll aid towards me getting a bit of cardio

I maybe around the 21-22stone, but I'm not fat with it and we do a massive amount of walking; I can shift if I need to (more so if the ice cream vans just setting off)

I owned a Genesis Core 20 MB a few years back but sold it when we moved house as at that time it wasn't getting used

But for the life of me, I cannot remember it's specs!

I did good on the bike then and was around a stone lighter; that's what I'm aiming for this time around...

Don't need anything doing the work for me

[NorthDave]

I'm 6'4" and ride an XL 29er. I think one that size would be perfect for you. I bought an Orange 5 29er in 2014 and it has been very reliable and great fun. It would easily do what you need but you would need to pump the forks up and potentially change the rear shock spring. I guess you could get away with a hard tail which should be cheaper and more reliable too.

Size wise I can recommend the above.

[d_a_n1979]

NorthDave said:

I'm 6'4" and ride an XL 29er. I think one that size would be perfect for you. I bought an Orange 5 29er in 2014 and it has been very reliable and great fun. It would easily do what you need but you would need to pump the forks up and potentially change the rear shock spring. I guess you could get away with a hard tail which should be cheaper and more reliable too.

Size wise I can recommend the above.

Thanks pal

I'm only really looking at hard tails TBH; so that's fine.

Never heard re the front shocks though; didn't know that was a thing!

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Oh believe me you'll get cardio!

I ride a Genesis Tarn 20 which I love. I think its overpriced at 2.1k though as are all new/recent Genesis's for 2020/2021.

[d_a_n1979]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Oh believe me you'll get cardio!

I ride a Genesis Tarn 20 which I love. I think its overpriced at 2.1k though as are all new/recent Genesis's for 2020/2021.

My budget is £3-£400; I'll stick with a normal bike thanks...

[JEA1K]

Master Bean said:

I'm 6ft 4, 13 stone and ride a 22 inch Voodoo Hoodoo. It has 27.5 inch wheels. I bought it when it was £450 new, it's now £600 but you could probably get a used one for less.

He's almost twice your weight fella, I don't think height is the defining factor here

[d_a_n1979]

JEA1K said:

He's almost twice your weight fella, I don't think height is the defining factor here

Oi... I was 13 stone once; 5mins later I hit 14 stone and carried on

[Chicken Chaser]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Oh believe me you'll get cardio!

I ride a Genesis Tarn 20 which I love. I think its overpriced at 2.1k though as are all new/recent Genesis's for 2020/2021.

I'm a big Genesis fan, but their pricing has gone too high too quickly, and they've cut some of their models too.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

OP for 300-400 and what you arerd looking for/to do you need s secondhand hybrid

[JEA1K]

d_a_n1979 said:

Oi... I was 13 stone once; 5mins later I hit 14 stone and carried on

One could describe you as a 'unit'

[d_a_n1979]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

OP for 300-400 and what you arerd looking for/to do you need s secondhand hybrid

Please understand; I'm after a mountain bike...

But thank you

[d_a_n1979]

JEA1K said:

One could describe you as a 'unit'

Of sorts; I'd say I'm a 'functional' unit

I do stuff like this for fun:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P89ctH96J58
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wLZ9B4KW9g

[Coin-Slot]

I’m powerfully built, 6ft 7" and 29 stone, some timber, lots of chub.

I’ve ridden 3000+ miles on two Specialized frames, one a XL Rockhopper and one a XXL Stumpjumper. The only issue I’ve had is wheels breaking and a few snapped chains.

I had a custom set of wheels made up by DCR Wheels, circa £350 for the pair and they’ve been bullet proof.

I’ve also had to have riser bars fitted to both or I’m hunched over the bars too much.

Padded shorts are required for big guys on little saddles.

Edit - right size, I know the frame is sturdy and Stout wheels are stronger than the flimsy Specialized wheels that were on my Rockhopper.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-Rockhopper-...

Edited by Coin-Slot on Wednesday 2nd December 18:01