Big guy with a big challenge

mr blonde 31

Hi

I've been out of the biking scene for about 10 years (now 31). I used to ride my MTB cross country and commute to my evening job when at Uni. Now I spend a lot of time at a computer or driving from appointment to appointment for work. I'm 6ft1 and 16 stone (100kg).

I want to buy a single bike to do everything rather than have to maintain multiple bikes. I'm not frightened of building one myself and would happily rise to the challenge if it would get me the best setup as I have done this before.

On to my problem. I want an MTB which I can ride mainly XC, no DH or big jumps, and something that I can use when I go riding with the kids (once they learn to ride). However, I am cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats this August over a 10-12 day time frame. Speaking to people and knowing I will be more comfortable I have decided that an MTB with slick tyres will be fine. Obviously one requirement that I am finding missing on some of the bikes is mounting points for a rear pannier.

I want to make sure that the bike I buy is able to deal with my weight and has suitably spec'd components that will last. I have looked at the Marin Eldridge Grade, a couple of Fisher bikes also looked interesting (they have a dual sport range with slightly higher gear ratios). I have seen mention of a Kona Hoss which is meant to be able to handle the bigger rider like me.

Any advice you can offer would be great.

Bleedproof

I'm not able to help you much with the bikes you've mentioned, but like you I'm also on the heavy side 15stone 10lbs and rising ( I am 6'7" though)

I use my bike to commute to and from work, mainly cross country at weekends, but generally anything flat and fast. I also work as a Web Designer, so understand how it can be.

I ride a 2008 Giant XTC 1 - great frames, nice geometry, light and fast.

As with any bike choice you really need to try the frames out to see what feels right then consider any weight related component problems. To be honest though your not that heavy and should find that you'll get lighter as you train for you ride.

If my brother can ride a jump bike at 18 stone and only need the slightest of wheel truing theres hope for us all

Stu

mr blonde 31

Ok. The Giant bikes don't seem to come with any mounting points for a rear pannier which is necessary for my LEJOG trip. The bikes I have been considering are below.

The Marin Eldridge Grade - Seems well spec'd for the money
http://www.marin.co.uk/2008/bikedetail.php?ModNo=3847

The Specialized RockHopper Pro Disc
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkMode ... Rockhopper

The Trek 6700
http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/20 ... ies/6700e/

I liked the look of the Big Sur or the X-Caliber from Fisher but neither have pannier mount points. However I did find the dual sport Montare below, but will this be up to the XC side based on my size? The higher gear ratios will help on the road!
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/montare

I also saw the Kona Hoss mentioned as a bike for bigger riders. Evans currently have a special on last years frame if I wanted to change the spec.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... oss%202008

Please comment on the above, but if you can suggest a frame in the region of £200-£300 that will do and comes with the rear pannier mount points please let me know. I wanted to build one up from a Merlin frame but they don't have pannier mount points.

Cps

If you have one of these you can get whatever bike you like !!!

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... iler-25743

tujbx

Hello!
I too am large being 6'3" and 18 stone! Ive been riding a Specialized rockhopper pro disc with a few upgrades for about 3 years now and its been great. Ive ridden everything from blasting trailcentres to commuting, to long distance tours and the bike has been excellent on all. I have a pannier frame on the back and can confirm it has the mounting points. I use it for commuting at the mo so Ive got a set of the Altura waterproof bags and they are great too.

Hope this help!

god1406

i've got an Eldridge Grade; it can feel a bit 'delicate' at times, and i'm 11 stone. But it does accelerate like a mutha' and is pretty nimble.

The Spiderman

On a long mainly road ride,I`d rule the Kona Hoss of fthe list.I reckon you would be better with an out and out XC bike,but obvioulsy one with decent components.The Marin would probably be a good choice.

mr blonde 31

Thanks for the advice so far. I've seen a note on the Specialized website about them doing a 29" version of the Rockhopper. Has anybody heard anything about it as I haven't seen it anywhere?

dawnophile

I ride an orange P7, as an all round do-anything bike. It is a little heavy, but it is a tough steel frame that will take a 140mm fork. There are mounting points all over the back end, though i'd check suitability first. You can also buy a rigid fork from orange, which may help with the long distance roadwork. I'm 6'1", and the 19" feels a little big, if anything.

One thing though, a friend of mine did lands end to John O'Groats in nine days.
He was on a proper road bike, and he's a Royal Marine.

I'd make sure you have the time to do it comfortably, and take some chamois cream

paulswilliams2

Can I ask why you must have one for all bike? I love my P7 also, which has pannier racks, but I don't think I would want to do that many miles on it. If your budget is £1000 (that's the Eldridge Grade RRP?) then what about a 700 mtb / 300 road bike split. Then you would get a better choices for both. Definitely a better road ride, and maybe a mtb which you don't have to mess around with too much to get road worthy (limiting fork travel, changing tyres etc).

Definitely factor in a pair of good slick / semi-slick tyres for doing the LEJOG.

paulswilliams2

Can I ask why you must have one for all bike? I love my P7 also, which has pannier racks, but I don't think I would want to do that many miles on it. If your budget is £1000 (that's the Eldridge Grade RRP?) then what about a 700 mtb / 300 road bike split. Then you would get a better choices for both. Definitely a better road ride, and maybe a mtb which you don't have to mess around with too much to get road worthy (limiting fork travel, changing tyres etc).

Definitely factor in a pair of good slick / semi-slick tyres for doing the LEJOG.

mr blonde 31

That was my original idea but, I think to do that many miles I would need to invest about £500 to get a sensible bike that I can rely on to make the trip in one piece. Maybe I'm wrong, but that was my thought on the matter? Thus limiting my MTB pot severely.

Changing tyres is not a massive problem, 15 minutes work at most.

We are doing the ride over a long period (compared to many others) 10 - 12 days, so it will be less than 100 miles a day.

Any suggestions on a road bike around the £300 mark that would do the job? I don't want drop handlebars!! My budget is flexible to a degree. I guess it also leaves me a cheap bike to ride places where there is a risk of theft. Eg going to the gym, or down to the shop.

Fisher do some Fast City bikes (starting at £300), and some Dual Sport bikes (adds front suspension). Any comments?

mr blonde 31

Oh well, I've done it now. Just ordered myself a Merlin Malt 4, and will be going to a good bike shop to pick up a road bike of sorts. Probably a Fisher unless somebody has any better ideas.

dawnophile

Have a look at Scott and Giant, they both do relatively cheap flat bar road bikes.
Rutland Cycling are selling the Scott Speedster S60 for £399 and the Giant FCR 3 for £350
'07 Giant SCR 2.0 is £350 too, which looks good value but comes in a 55.5 or 58.5cm. Personally, I think i'd need a 57cm (6'1")