Road Bike for a very fat man

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

Hello! I want to get a road bike to get back into fitness and do the London to Brighton.

I signed up to it pre pandemic with some mates and my place has been deferred to this year.

Sadly I have become very fat, but lots of cycling will help with that. I used to be a competitive rower but some personal problems got the better of me. It’s going to be a long way back to form but there you go.

My question is, will road bike wheels cope with a 140kg (and shrinking) rider? I plan to spend around £700 on a bike.

[frisbee]

The wheels on a £700 bike should be strong enough. More expensive, lighter wheels often have weight limits.

Plenty of spokes and bigger tyres will help.

[BoRED S2upid]

Could you get a gravel bike to start with? Bit of extra comfort with the bigger tyres.

[Robotron70]

I’m 170kg’s currently and can break rear mountain bike wheels for fun.

I got a set of front/rears made up by DCR Wheels about 5 years ago and they are still going strong, probably done in excess of 5000 miles and they weren’t that expensive.

He can build for any type of bike and rider weight.

https://dcrwheels.co.uk/

[Jamescrs]

I don't cycle anymore but I was at one point a little over 120kg and I started cycling using a Specialized road bike, Secteur Sport if memory serves and it seemed to cope with my weight without issues

[hughgeorghan]

Triban RC520

[tog]

Jamescrs said:

I don't cycle anymore but I was at one point a little over 120kg and I started cycling using a Specialized road bike, Secteur Sport if memory serves and it seemed to cope with my weight without issues

I ride a Secteur and am about that weight. I chose the Secteur because because I was starting cycling for the first time in 20 years and it was one of relatively few road bikes with a triple chainset, which with my power-to-weight ratio I knew I'd need to get up the hills round here! The guy in the shop didn't seem concerned about my weight on the bike.

[Barchettaman]

Handbuilt wheelset is the way to go at your weight.

Strong rim and 36 spokes, it’ll be good for years.

[stargazer30]

I bet I get flamed for this but I’d suggest a gravel bike. It’s a road bike with wider tyres and slightly slower gearing. For an unfit/heavier person they will be more comfy and easier going than a full on roadie. The frames are a bit tougher too.

I paid £750 for my boardman gravel (new discounted) and I love it.

[loskie]

Chainsaw: I'd suggest a hybrid bike with a more upright position. Your belly will get in the way otherwise with a drop bar bike and impede your breathing.. Ask me how I know. Stick at it, it will be hard work and feel like a punishment for a while. It gets easier. I went from 110kg to 87 or so when I got back into cycling. Hard 15 mile rides now are easy 45 to 50 mile rides. We have hills around here. I mainly ride alone but much prefer it when I have company. I was persuaded into getting Strava ( I wasn't keen) and find it a massive help for motivation. But do enjoy the ride. Stop look at views, wildlife and have a coffee stop now and again.

Set yourself small goals and the very best of luck.
Most of all enjoy.

Edited by loskie on Tuesday 4th January 16:20

[Kes Arevo]

Leonard has a good channel as a chonkier rider. Worth a watch.

https://youtube.com/user/leonardmlee

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

That’s all interesting advice, thank you. Here is a silly question; a gravel bike seems to be a road bike shaped bike with bigger tyres and heavier frames that can handle mild off roading.

In a world that includes hard tail MTBs what advantage would a gravel bike offer?

I’m new to the concept so it’s probably that I’m missing something.

The chap who suggested a hybrid bike makes a good point re belly room. Perhaps I ought to take that into account…..

[loskie]

Gravel Bikes are wide ranging from slightly heftier road bikes with slightly bigger tyres to basically MTB's with rigid forks and drop bars

Normally more upright than a pure road bike

[hyphen]

Perhaps start with a electric bike, if fat also means unfit.

[loskie]

NO DON'T

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

If I was just commuting then I would strongly consider an electric bike. But My focus is a cycling event and I suspect that using an ebike for it is a bit of a cop out.

[Kes Arevo]

Chainsaw Rebuild said:

If I was just commuting then I would strongly consider an electric bike. But My focus is a cycling event and I suspect that using an ebike for it is a bit of a cop out.

If you ate 140kg, an ebike is no cop out. It will be hard to get going as it will be difficult at first. If Tne ebike helps you get out more often, pedalling away, then you can move to a road bike later, at a fitter state

[stargazer30]

Chainsaw Rebuild said:

That’s all interesting advice, thank you. Here is a silly question; a gravel bike seems to be a road bike shaped bike with bigger tyres and heavier frames that can handle mild off roading.

In a world that includes hard tail MTBs what advantage would a gravel bike offer?..

A mtb will always be compromised on tarmac. The geometry, tyres, gearing and suspension are all working against you. A gravel bike doesn’t have this problem as it is based on a road bike. On the flip side though a gravel bike will be compromised on really broken paths, thick mud or jumping off stuff.

[ALawson]

How flat is it around where you will train and loose the first 20kg? You will probably have fair bit of power to propel you along (when it flat), but I expect any think over a couple of % incline and it will be character building getting to the top.

I am sure the weight will drop off pretty quickly if you combine regular use with target caloric deficit.

[loskie]

best thing I found was stopping booze, that automatically stopped a lot of snacking too. Managed three months, it made a huge difference. Less successful now though but in the lighter days cycling a lot.