weight limit for carbon frame

catman1973
catman1973 Posts: 14
edited April 2008 in Workshop
hi all. just started cycling again and weigh in at 240lbs. have a chance to buy carrera with full carbon. is the frame ok for my weight. any ideas.

Comments

  • simbil1
    simbil1 Posts: 620
    It might be - you should ask the manufacturer.

    If you wanted something more robust, getting a bike that is designed for a rougher ride may be an idea i.e. hybrid or MTB. You will want some wheels with plenty of spokes too - handbuilts with 32 spokes for example. Low end factory wheels with reduced spoke counts flex under my relatively modest 150 lbs, so could be a problem for you.

    At your weight, I would think more rigid and strong than lightweight for your steed. There used to be a thread that heavier riders posted their thoughts on but I haven't seen it for a while.
    http://picasaweb.google.com/thefirstsimbil/Bikes
  • Johnpwr
    Johnpwr Posts: 47
    I'd agree with Simbil1.

    With your starting point, just getting out and enjoying some cycling is enough to start with, so begin with something that is more robust, but perhaps promise youself a bike upgrade when you get down to 180 lbs or so when you can be certain that the carbon frame is going to take the load, and that it's going to be worth splashing the cash because you are going to get the use out of it.

    A carbon frame is going to be nice, so make it a reward for some success, and best of luck :)
  • Johnpwr
    Johnpwr Posts: 47
    I'd agree with Simbil1.

    With your starting point, just getting out and enjoying some cycling is enough to start with, so begin with something that is more robust, but perhaps promise youself a bike upgrade when you get down to 180 lbs or so when you can be certain that the carbon frame is going to take the load, and that it's going to be worth splashing the cash because you are going to get the use out of it.

    A carbon frame is going to be nice, so make it a reward for some success, and best of luck :)
  • _krusty
    _krusty Posts: 16
    You should definitely look round and do your research well if you're looking at a full carbon frame. I'm around the same weight as you are and eventually settled on a Cannondale '08 SI SL which has a carbon frame. While there's no documentation I could point you to that said the Cannondale would have any issues, the more and more people I spoke to when I was looking round and the more research I did the more I was convinced it was the bike for me.

    In most of the threads I've seen in this forum and others the common point mentioned is wheels. I've had my bike for @12 months now and and have no issues so far but a custom pair of 32/36 spoke wheels probably would be a good idea. I've spoken to a few custom wheel builders about this and after telling them my details that's what they typically recommended.

    Also, as someone else has mentioned there are a couple of similar threads on the bikeradar.com road forums so I'd also suggest doing some searching here first. I found these forums an invaluable source of information both when I was initially getting interested in road riding and continue to now.

    Best of luck and what ever you do, don't rush it ! If your going to pay the £££ for a carbon frame you want to make sure it's the one for you.

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