Bikes for a fat bloke

Milsey

Hi all. The time has come at 42 and 325lbs :oops: to change my lifestyle (the impending threat of diabetes helps!). I'm looking for advice about buying a bike for road and light trail use until my weight drops and fitness improves. I already own a 1996 Orange P7 with pace RC 36 forks that hasn't been used much for a good few years (hence 325lbs) but I'm a bit worried if it'll be up to carrying me. Would I be better trading it in and getting some sort of downhill type bike for the strength or would the old P7 be ok to start on again?
Ultimately I'd love to get back to all day rides in the Lake's but I'm a long way off that for now. I apologise in advance if this question has been asked before, I looked but couldn't find anything.

welshkev

hi milsey,

i started riding again last year on my old orange gringo at about 240 lbs, so i know somewhat what you feel like, i believe that the P7 has a steel frame doesn't it? so that should be tough as nails for what you want it for i would think.

let me know how you're getting on, i'm down to about 200 pounds now and still going strong, new bike and all.

keep it up

kev

Milsey

Cheers Kev, yeah it's steel and it's got a Mavic downhill spec rear wheel so I suppose I should just get on with it. Just can't get the thought of a broken seat post up my jacksie out of my mind for some reason!

welshkev

LOL, i've had that happen at Coed y Brenin and i was only about 11.5 stone!!!!! it was when i was about 18 and still young and fit (before i found beer and the missus) and the bracket that holds the saddle on snapped and stabbed into the top of my inner thigh, so i don't think that it's a weight issue... :shock:

i feel so much better now though, i'm eating more healthily and the ridings coming on leaps and bounds. i've found that going out with a mate is a huge motivator aswell, it helps when you know you've arranged a ride and you don't want to let anyone down.

Regal

seriously..... best thing u can get is ths Kona Hoss deelux here..

http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p536

crackin price... as long as u not over 6ft or so... in which case the frame might be a bit small ;0(

The Hoss range are all kinda "reinforced" throughout to cater for the .. larger rider.. absolutly bombproof

Soni

Hi Milsey, i'm 250 lbs and you'd be surprised what bikes can put up with, i've got a Trek 1.5 Road Bike which copes fine, but i've just bought (yesterday) a new 2009 GT Aggressor XCR for £750.00 and that bike is built like a rock! It feels like it can take any punishment you throw at it, i sat on the Boardman Comp and it just didn't feel as sturdy as the XCR did, if you are a light bloke them i'm sure the Boardman would be fine, but the XCR feels so meaty its like sitting on a motorbike!

I'm really happy with my choice, been out for 2 hours yesterday and about 4.5 hrs today.

Hope your training goes well, take things steady and build up slowly.

matt121073

Soni wrote:

Hi Milsey, i'm 250 lbs and you'd be surprised what bikes can put up with, i've got a Trek 1.5 Road Bike which copes fine, but i've just bought (yesterday) a new 2009 GT Aggressor XCR for £750.00 and that bike is built like a rock! It feels like it can take any punishment you throw at it, i sat on the Boardman Comp and it just didn't feel as sturdy as the XCR did, if you are a light bloke them i'm sure the Boardman would be fine, but the XCR feels so meaty its like sitting on a motorbike!

I'm really happy with my choice, been out for 2 hours yesterday and about 4.5 hrs today.

Hope your training goes well, take things steady and build up slowly.

i am 230lb and also ride aggressor xcr its as solid as a rock and takes all the abuse i throw at it. I love this bike