Bike choice for the larger gentleman.....

[ajcj]

Hello all

Right, advice please. This middle age lark is getting a bit serious. Last time I looked I was comfortably over 18 stones (that's about 115 kilos for our more metric readers), which is chunky, even for a 6'2" chap. I'm not doing enough exercise, and as luck would have it, am about to move offices to 15 miles away, rather than the 35 it is today.

In my youth I did a lot of cycling, including a couple of long tours in summer holidays (on a Puch, if I remember right), so the plan is to get biked up and do a couple of commutes a week, to start with. 15 miles each way sounds like a reasonable run, should take about an hour once I'm in the swing of it? I may even get talked into doing an Olympic-distance triathlon next year, which would focus me a bit.

Soooo.....had a look at the forum here, as PH is omniscient, and of course it's a whole new language. Had a look at some second-hand bikes and recognise a few brand names, but don't really know where to start. I'm guessing carbon fibre might be overkill for what I want, but what should I be looking for? And should I be giving special consideration to the fact that the poor thing will have to cope with c.125kg on it, including kit and rucksack?

Oh, and while I'm here, what on earth is rule #5?

All responses gratefully received, unless they include the words 'sumo', or 'bloater'. 'Wobblebottom' wouldn't help either.

[yellowjack]

ajcj said:

Hello all


Oh, and while I'm here, what on earth is rule #5?

Read the following, then take it all with a pinch of salt. Except for Rule #5

http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

[GBDG]

Weight wise, any bike will be fine. But while you're carrying a fair amount, you're not going to get much benefit from a 7kg jobbie.

In terms of new bikes, something like a Ribble Winter trainer might do the trick.

Have you tried googling "Rule 5"?

[Jimbo.]

Rule 5: Harden the f*ck up. Taken from http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/#5.

re. bikes. Most bikes would be OK, PROVIDED the build is appropriate. That means slightly wider tyres, no low-spoke count wheels etc Budget?

[TheFungle]

I was once your stature

At the time I bought a rigid mountain bike, no front or rear suspension and rode and rode and rode until eventually the weight started dropping off, I enjoyed the whole cycling/travelling/exploring so it wasn't just a chore to lose weight.

So I guess that would be my recommendation, nothing too fancy, just a good solid bike that will serve you well, hopefully the bug will bite and once you are up to fitness you can splash the additional cash and treat yourself to something fancier

Good luck.

[Slyjoe]

I've got to 42 without much exercise and began cycling to work and back, the weight has initially dropped off! 4kg's in a month.
Stick with it.

[Cheib]

Most bikes will be fine....more abou getting the right fit. If you want a road bike you'll need one with a fairly relaxed rising position....i.e. not a big drop from the saddle to the handle bars....most people have their bike set up too agressively anyway! One thing it might be worth considering are some handbuilt wheels (i.e. wheels that look like normal bike wheels not with a minimal number of spokes)....they are stronger and are actually more comfortable. Oh and they are also much cheaper to repair should you break a spoke.

[gog440]

I am more than a bit over weight, being shorter than you and a similar weight, I have just bought one of these http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/mounta...

Not the most expensive bike in the world,but on my 2 rides so far It has been good, the preload in the front suspension is very easily adjusted, the gears work fine, the seat isnt the most comfortable but I seem to be getting more used to it and I think a dose of rule 5 has applied here, otherwise I am very impressed, and if you do leave it in the garage at least you havent wasted the thick end of a grand on it

[seadragon]

Get a halfway decent bike, stick some balloon tyres on it, eg, Schwalbe Big Apple and maybe a Brooks B73 saddle, sorted :-)

[NorthDave]

I'm heavier than you and rode a Specialised Allez without any bother for a full year. I then upgraded the wheels to a low post count set which didn't work very well. I now have some better wheels with more spokes etc and have no problems.

[ajcj]

Thanks all, useful stuff. I think I shall go to my local bike shop (rule 58) and ask some dumb questions. I'm assuming Halfords aren't any good, true or false?

[yellowjack]

ajcj said:

I'm assuming Halfords aren't any good, true or false?

True. And also False.

Much depends on the Branch, their Staff, and shift patterns. You could get lucky and go to a branch where you deal with a proper cyclist who cares about your 'customer experience' and builds your bike with skill and care. Or normal Halfords/Bikehut service will result in you starting another thread on here asking for advice on how to get them to put things right, after your experience there verges on putting you off cycling forever.


You pays your money.........

[Jayfish]

Don't try and do the commute in 1 hit imo, drive to a point within 5 miles of work and get the bike out of the boot and do the rest on pedals.
When you are more up for it park further away.

[jshell]

Be careful on bike choice. Check the wheel weight rating as when I bought a Whyte 901 I later found out the wheels were rated for 90kg. I was 117 kg. However, the wheels were shyte anyway and went out of true quickly so I replaced with some Crossmax's.