Bicycle for a big guy?

[wwilberforce]

I'm interested in getting back into bicycling.  Stopped biking about 8 years ago as I was always breaking my mountain bike--particularly spokes. I'm 6'7" and weight about 310. I'd like something like a mountain bike - don't really like leaning over when I ride.  Are there any manufacturers out there who make heavy duty bikes for bigger people?

[k-vette]

Why yes there are:  https://dirtysixer.com/  Not a cheap bicycle, but it's built to last.  (I'm not involved with the company, just chatted with the guy about bikes.  I'm not tall enough for one of them!)

[wwilberforce]

Thanks, but a bit out of my price range. Any other brands to explore?

[peace]

I don't actually know anything about bicycles, but found these:

https://www.zizebikes.com/products/traditional-bikes/my-weight-is-330-lbs/6-2-and-above

[Capt j-rod]

surly makes a great bike. Also YUBA is a very stout frame. Yuba is mostly cargo bikes, surly is more mainstream. With your dimensions, the used market is gonna be tough. Check your local bike shops. Their scrap stuff is better than big box new. Frames and components can always be assembled. The guy who built my Surly big dummy laced his own wheels to make them extra heavy duty to carry loads.

[the_fella]

I am a bigger guy, too, and I have a Schwinn Sierra GS. I bought it from a bicycle shop, though. I'm about 6'2", and over 300 lbs, as well. It works reasonably well for me. Idk if Schwinn still makes this model, but I bought it new back in the day.

[Dave1442397]

This is a good sub-forum for heavier riders - http://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdales-athenas-200-lb-91-kg/

And a thread where they show their bikes - http://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdales-athenas-200-lb-91-kg/1100579-clydes-athenas-show-us-your-bikes.html

[Kashmani]

I am 6'8" and 250 lbs. and find that for tall riders, Dutch bikes are the best value proposition. I currently ride a Batavus Stabilo with a 70 cm frame bought eight years ago. Unfortunately, Batavus is no longer imported into North America.

My next bike will be an Azor Pastoorfiets cross-frame bike. They come in sizes up to 73 cm and have a very upright riding position. In other words, you won't be hunched over. The crossframe also makes the bike much more stable for a tall and heavy rider. My Batavus has a crossframe as well, and I am commuting with it whenever the weather is above freezing.

Here is a link to a Canadian store that sells them:

http://www.urkai.com/portfolios/pastoorfiets-by-azor/

The cost would likely be around $2,000, but I find that Dutch bikes stand up to daily commuting quite well. They have internal hub gears and a fully enclosed chaincase, which makes them much more practical than a mountain bike. To me, mountain bikes have always been the bicycle equivalent of full-size pickup trucks - style over substance, and not really that practical on a day-to-day basis.

[wwilberforce]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. Lots to explore here!

[jinga nation]

This is a good sub-forum for heavier riders - http://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdales-athenas-200-lb-91-kg/

And a thread where they show their bikes - http://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdales-athenas-200-lb-91-kg/1100579-clydes-athenas-show-us-your-bikes.html

+1. Was going to say the same thing as Dave.
But keep your savvy/Mustachian hat on, you can go down the rabbit hole when it comes to bikes and swag on BikeForums. Those bike nerds be spendin' like ballers, yo!
Source: Meself be frequentin' that bike hood lotsa times.

[Dave1442397]

This is a good sub-forum for heavier riders - http://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdales-athenas-200-lb-91-kg/

And a thread where they show their bikes - http://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdales-athenas-200-lb-91-kg/1100579-clydes-athenas-show-us-your-bikes.html

+1. Was going to say the same thing as Dave.
But keep your savvy/Mustachian hat on, you can go down the rabbit hole when it comes to bikes and swag on BikeForums. Those bike nerds be spendin' like ballers, yo!
Source: Meself be frequentin' that bike hood lotsa times.

You're not kidding. I know people who are riding around on $10-$15,000 worth of gear. Between expensive frames and carbon everything, it adds up fast. Me, I'm middle of the road - Di2 Ultegra groupset on a bike I bought as a dealer demo.

I think the most expensive I've seen is a local who rides on a set of Lightweight wheels, which go for $7,000 a pair. There's no special brake surface on the rim, so every time you hit the brakes you wear them down a little more. Once you eat through the rim, it's time to throw them away.

[wwilberforce]

I am 6'8" and 250 lbs. and find that for tall riders, Dutch bikes are the best value proposition. I currently ride a Batavus Stabilo with a 70 cm frame bought eight years ago. Unfortunately, Batavus is no longer imported into North America.

My next bike will be an Azor Pastoorfiets cross-frame bike. They come in sizes up to 73 cm and have a very upright riding position. In other words, you won't be hunched over. The crossframe also makes the bike much more stable for a tall and heavy rider. My Batavus has a crossframe as well, and I am commuting with it whenever the weather is above freezing.

Here is a link to a Canadian store that sells them:

http://www.urkai.com/portfolios/pastoorfiets-by-azor/

The cost would likely be around $2,000, but I find that Dutch bikes stand up to daily commuting quite well. They have internal hub gears and a fully enclosed chaincase, which makes them much more practical than a mountain bike. To me, mountain bikes have always been the bicycle equivalent of full-size pickup trucks - style over substance, and not really that practical on a day-to-day basis.

That bike looks awesome. It's pricey (to me anyways) but I don't mind paying for quality that will probably last me the rest of my life. I'm going to take a trip to Burlington and check it out. Thanks for the suggestion!

[GuitarStv]

The thing that you will have trouble with cycling at over 300 lbs is your wheels, particularly the rear wheel.  Typical frames and components should be fine (although lift your ass when going over bumps, bent saddle rails are also something that you'll have to look out for).  Try to get wheels with lots of spokes (ideally 36 rear as a minimum), and a deeper section rim or the smaller mountain bike wheels (both of which tend to make stronger wheels).  Pay attention to the tension on your spokes . . . many cheaply made wheels will go out of true on you pretty quickly, and riding around on loose spokes will lead to breaking spokes in short order.  Learn how to use a spoke wrench, and check the wheels every month or so and you'll get a lot longer out of them.

[wwilberforce]

What do you folks think of the NuVinci hub? Is it worth spending another $400 over an 8 speed bike?

[Kashmani]

What do you folks think of the NuVinci hub? Is it worth spending another $400 over an 8 speed bike?

I have never ridden one, but I don't think it is worth the extra money. I have a Shimano Nexus 7-speed hub on my bike and it has proven sturdy and reliable. The 8-speed would be an upgrade that already would give you more gearing spread.

[Lenify]

Worth going to a local bike shop. Proper bike fit depends on your personal body dimensions. You can be super tall and still fit a 60cm frame potentially. If not they can likely recommend some options.

[jinga nation]

Worth going to a local bike shop. Proper bike fit depends on your personal body dimensions. You can be super tall and still fit a 60cm frame potentially. If not they can likely recommend some options.

+1. I can't stress this enough. Support your LBS.

[wwilberforce]

@Kashmani - so I ordered the 67cm Azor Pastoorfiets with the 8 speed Shimano hub. Should arrive in Canada in about a month and a half. Really looking forward to getting back into biking after so many years. Hope to keep it up for the rest of my life. Already FI, but will RE in 2 years at 53.5 years old. Trying to get ready now so retirement is not too big a shock to the system after 25 years on the hamster wheel. Thanks so much for the suggestion!