which bike for a big dude

chunk

I am looking to get back into mountain biking after a looong hiatus. With the years have come the lbs. So I would like to get a new mountain bike as part of my fitness program. I am currently at 280 lbs and 6'3". For now, I am intersted in mostly urban riding and some lite trail riding. What are your recommendations for a new hardtail bike on a budget that can handle a big guy?

vlad

In my experience this forum is a tad short on advice for the rider who weighs 250 or more.

I wasted an ass of money on a new Trek 8000 and am still breaking spokes and aluminum wheels. see explanation here.


http://cyclingforums.com/t352490.html

wiggles

I started losing weight at 315 (just weighed in today - 245!). I got a trek 820 and it handled me like a champ.

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fishNbike

The bike is not the big problem for big people. It's the wheels, the rims, and the tires. I'd recommend a full suspension bike.

vlad

Can you put me in contact with a rider 280 lbs or heavier who has ridden a particular full suspension bike for two years or longer? I would like to read his comments on wheels, spokes, tires etc

JM01

i was close...first thing i did was go to 34 spoke wheels, watch the bumps and rock...and didn't bunny hop, found that it was much easier on the rims and spokes

Also, i paid particular attention to the frames...my rigid bikes were mostly steel, my hardtail is a Marin Bobcat Trail...Marin probably has the best frames for us Clydesdales, and my FS bike is an ellsworth, the only manufacturer that does not specify weight restrictions on their frames, and my 2004 came with the last lifetime warranty

http://marinbikes.com/bicycles_2007...er_alloyht.html

http://www.ellsworthbikes.com/./bikes/index.cfm