Body mass, size, blubberness & Bike purchase

[Wetdog]

Hey all, I am of 'cuddly' build.
A 6 foot ex rugby playing 20 stoner now, and was wondering how the modern road bike would cope with this bulk on board.

If most of the initial work was to be done on the road which bike would be better suited to a big'un?
In my mind the lightweight thoroughbreds that are road bikes would struggle with such a weight up on top, where as a more robust off road machine with road tyres would take it better, especially the wheels I would think.

All input and info gratefully received.

 

[raleighnut]

A touring bike would cope easy-peasy if you wanted drop bars, otherwise its Hybrid time.

 

[Andrew_P]

Way back when I started out I rode a Carbon @ 17 stone. I would say you are just beyond the max. Although IMO these are notional limits. Trek suggest 275lbs for road bikes. If it were me I would get the bike I wanted that allowed up to 275lbs and and probably get some hand built wheels made to take the weight.

http://www.trekbikes.com/faq/questions.php?questionid=104

http://static.specialized.com/media/docs/support/0000037057/0000037057_r1.pdf At the bottom of this PDF they give each bike weight limit.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Most metal framed modern bikes with wheels with 36 spokes from around £500 on up will cope if you ride around the potholes and not through them. Unless you are going to take up mtb'ing I'd go for a road bike not a mtb. A tourer will probably be more relaxing to ride, less twitchy geometry, plus being heavier it will give you more of a workout than lightweight race bike

 

[Fab Foodie]

Most metal framed modern bikes with wheels with 36 spokes from around £500 on up will cope if you ride around the potholes and not through them. Unless you are going to take up mtb'ing I'd go for a road bike not a mtb. A tourer will probably be more relaxing to ride, less twitchy geometry, plus being heavier it will give you more of a workout than lightweight race bike

^^^^^This.
Definitely avoid sexy-looking wheels with minimalist spokes and put on rubber that is fatter than 23c.
Touring/Audaxy style bike or one of the new breed of 'Cyclo-Cross' bikes would be perfect and very flexible.

maybe something like these?

Lighter: http://dawescycles.com/product/clubman/

Heavier/solid: http://dawescycles.com/product/galaxy-al/

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/pro...-disc-14?bct=browse/bicycles/cyclocross-bikes

 

[Ajay]

What kind of cycling do you intend doing?
Don't automatically think that you need a heavy bike just because you're a heavy rider. A heavier bike does necessarily mean stronger, they may be heavier because they use cheaper/less durable components and may not be built to the same standards as a lighter/expensive bike.
I'm 6'2"and over 17st, I'm over the manufactures weight limit for my bikes, and in all my years of commuting/touring/club riding/Raiding etc etc I've never broken anything because of my weight. (and I do a lot of miles on a very lightweight skinny wheeled carbon bike)
User weight limits are really an arse covering exercise by the manufacturers.
Without knowing your budget or intentions it's difficult to recommend a specific bike.

 

[Drago]

You sound like a real man!

I'm a heavy heiffer too. Most bike should be fine, especially decent steel tour in or hybrid machines.

A word of warning - many road bikes have a max payload capacity of 105kg. This includes every carbon frame I've enquired about, and some ally frames too, so ask the question before buying.

Good luck.

 

[Wetdog]

Thank you for the replies chaps.

First off I have already bought a specialised tricross sport.
The thought of mass only came to me as I started to look around seriously after buying mine in Friday. I was 'Wondering' is all.

Some interesting points though chaps thankyou