Hardtail suggestions (£300-£600) for a chunky person

seasick

Hi, all.

I'm after a hardtail to get me back behind the wheel after many years of inactivity.

Whilst, I'm initially use this just for the commute to work and back (I'll get some road tyres for this), I want something that's going to be capable of handling my less than entirely svelte (~17 stone) bulk for light off road use which will gradually increase as I get fitter.

As such, I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for the sort of bike I should be looking at or whether most bikes in this sort of price range (£300 - £600) are liable to be able to cope with with these sort of demands?

Ta muchly.

BlackSpur

I think most normal XC bikes will cope with light XC use for someone of your weight pretty easily. It depends on how for offroad you eventually plan on going! I'd look at the Marin AXC range (ROcky Ridge, B 17, Northside Trail) and the Kona Hoss, which is a bike specifically designed for the heavier rider (last year's model can be found quite cheap online).

seasick

BlackSpur wrote:

I think most normal XC bikes will cope with light XC use for someone of your weight pretty easily. It depends on how for offroad you eventually plan on going! I'd look at the Marin AXC range (ROcky Ridge, B 17, Northside Trail) and the Kona Hoss, which is a bike specifically designed for the heavier rider (last year's model can be found quite cheap online).

Cheers for the tips - there's a local shop that has the Hoss 2008 in, so I might see what sort of frame size I'd need and then try and track a 2007 model down online.

Hmm... not exactly a 'support your local bike shop' initiative that one, but if I can save a chunk of wedge it can't be all bad.

CraigXXL

I'm weigh a far bit more than you and have a GT Avalanche 1.0 which is having no problems with my weight.

John wobblebelly

I'm a bit on the wieghty side (a fat git 18.5 stone) and have just bought a giant XTC 4.5. Also know someone else who has had one for ages hasn't been able to break it & makes me look thin. It has hydraulic discs too so can stop a bloater like me quickly

Neil Fat man on a bike

I had a Specialised hardrock disc ( similar weigh to yourself ) and managed to collapse the wheel on a local hill track, resulting in a bit of a face plant and a walk home. I'd advise robust wheels for robast people

seasick

Ah.. the die has been cast. I ended up going for a Cannondale F5, as it seemed nice and chunky and felt like a good fit.

That said, I'll be sticking to the roads until I get fitter (fitted some road tires already) so fingers crossed I won't be mashing up the rims just yet. :-)

Cheers for all the tips.