Big Guy 20 Stone looking for Mountain Bike:

cumblechook

Hi all,

I would like to thank everyone in advance for any advice or tips they impart.
So.....

Right now I really hate the way I look and I know that I am far to heavy to run and I am a poor swimmer. Getting on the bike is where it's at.

3 years ago I spent a summer biking and really enjoyed it. Lost a bit of weight, but family emergency put paid to all of that. Lost my job and really have just got myself back on track.

I need a good sturdy stead Budget 650- 800. Back then I was on a claud butler (dont remember which) but I was warping pedals, the bottom bracket was on its way out then the bike was nicked.

Now I am in to do this properly this winter...... What should I get ???

I like the look of Cube bikes, but hey ... IF it looks good? will it last under my weight ?

Help?? :P

bramstoker

I was in a similar position to you, a lot depends on the type of terrain your going to ride on, if its rough you will buckle wheels, you will struggle to get the thing stopped without having big rotors and good brakes and i would say you need air forks, maybe some toras or rebas if you can stretch to em. In this case id go for http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=44340 and get some air forks and bigger rotors for it.
If its mostly flat, tow paths ect id go with what you can afford and what ever floats your boat.

Mr Wu

It's an interesting point. 

I too am 20stn and stand at 6'4" (ex prop :0) )

My first "Proper" bike was my Orange Evo8 which I brought in 2008. Absolutely loved it, it felt well built and felt more than capable of handling my pedal moshing. However, the standard wheels were gash and after me coming off a few times (through inexperience) they started to look a bit fooked. I stuck some Halo Freedoms on it, now people will say yeah they weigh a lot.... Yawn. At 20stn you really don't notice it. But they are solid. You just get the feel of it if you know what I mean? Standard wheels felt like they were going to fold any minute the Freedoms felt rock solid. 

I also snapped the original chain within a week of having the bike. Again, my fault for changing gears x too much pressure on the pedals. So I replaced it with a SRAM pc991 solid pin chain and changed my riding technique. No problems after that at all. 

The only other thing I changed were the brakes. It came with avid juicy 3 brakes. Most people love them, I personally couldn't stand them. It was a case of press lever.......umm..... I'm slowing down but not very quickly at all, Hello? Anyone in at the brake department??  I replaced them with some 4pot monsters  (185 discs front and rear) which were totally over the top for your average weighted man but for someone my size they were perfect.  I like the feeling of press lever, feel brakes working quickly. 

Everything else was super, no problems with the crank, bb or pedals or frame. Handlebars took a few crashes and didn't snap. 

Dont let your weight put you off. Just be realistic about stuff. Things will need strengthening in essential places, these will weigh more. But.... If your shifting more weight about, you will start shifting weight quicker. 

In terms of forks, definately go for an air fork. Mine had Recon Air forks, again, these will need adjusting for your weight. Dead simple case of inflating your forks like a tyre. Travel of your forks is a bit more personal. I've since sold the Evo and brought a Crush, mainly because I wanted a bigger fork for where I go riding.

It's been a quick learning curve for me, so much so that I've now dressed my crush in equally "heavyweight" atire without really having to try different set ups/bits of kit etc.

I hope this helps and if there's owt else I can answer/help with give me a shout

Wu.     

davewalsh

Most MTB's are pretty sturdy in thier build and should cope ok with your weight, however as said above you need to look at beefing up the wheels, brakes & forks to take the extra load.

FWIW, I would look at getting a bike built to suit your weight rather than picking one you like then swapping components to suit. I'd suggest speaking to Merlin about getting a custom Malt 1 built. For the budget you're looking at you should be able to get the frame built with stronger wheels (something like SLX hubs, Mavic EX521 rims and DT spokes), bigger front rotor & a stiffer spring fitted to the standard coil forks or an upgrade to air.

endrick

Hi,

I too weigh in the 20st plus catergory and pretty much same position.

I have gone with Merlin Malt 1 - it should be arriving tomorrow

I upgraded the forks and the groupset, I stuck with the default wheels, probably not the best for a big guy but think they will do for now as i really onlyintend to do some lite trail work and can't see me hurtling down hill just yet.

With the upgrades the bike came in at a few pence over £800 delivered.

AdvoCake

i found the biggest upgrade for me was a maxle fork.
much easier to be able to steer when you're not using strands of spaghetti
i think the carrera fury comes with a bolt through air fork and thats around 550 beans
i don't necessarily think you need a massively heavy set of wheels, just a pair that are well built.

seeing as there are all these 'man-sized' bikers around, why can't the clothing manufacturers make gear for us?!

Mr Wu

AdvoCake wrote:

seeing as there are all these 'man-sized' bikers around, why can't the clothing manufacturers make gear for us?!

totally agree with this. They shouldn't call it small and xxl. It should be Child to Man Size.

That said the altura flexx shorts I've just had through the post fit really well.

Gore bike wear is the worst offender. There xxl is about a normal large. .

shinobishoryuken

I'm currently 22st down from 24 and have been riding a Kona Hoss since I started 2 and a half yrs ago. Through no fear / no sense I do all kinds of silly things on my bike and all parts have lasted me well! I have recently overhauled everything and replaced almost everything apart from the sun rims (never had a bad buckle unless each successive crash has bent them back into shape. LOL). My rear mech jockey wheels have been replaced with some fancy ceramic bearing ones to last longer.

I can honestly say that I have had to replace parts mainly due to my lack of care for washing and maintenance- something I am now starting to enjoy!

Believe it or not I am actually still using the same front tyre- again mainly due to ignorance as the tread is v poor now but as I've only ever had one puncture I want to use them til they give up! High pressure all the way- and they still look flat once I'm on the bike!!

I am very happy with my Hoss- although

shinobishoryuken

...although I have hired plenty of 'average' spec bikes at trail centres and have never had any issues!

Like everyone else above has said, bikes are built to last these days and can take plenty of abuse.

Good luck

shinobishoryuken

Almost forgot- try Decathlon for bike clothing- I have had a few items from there in XXXL and fit me v well (I'm 6'5)!

Mr Wu

I once tried squeezing (and by squeezing I mean squeezing) my arsecheeks into a pair of xxl rockrider shorts from decathlon once. Good god man, the sight even made me feel sick!

There sizing is really weird there, but I agree, if you get stuff in xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxL it just about fits


:-)

mak3m

Lol well about a month and a half ago i was a 24.5 stone mtb rider now im a slender 20 stone and dropping

total newb so cant really give you advice, but when i was trying bikes out for size i found hardtails a much better ride, my fat ass would bounce for england on full sus.

long road rides and upto moderate off road so far no special wheels, chains or brakes yet.

also an ex prop meh we may be fatties but we have built in super strong legs gwan get up them hills

btw mountain life cycle range xxl is on the large size

cumblechook

Thank you to everyone again. I am gonna try Merlin Bikes. They are in Chorley! I am in Wigan, we are practically paisan!

F@RRR

I'm 37, 6'6" and now weigh in at 23 stone , I brought a new bike two weeks ago (GT aggressor xc2), after 15 years away from cycling, and lost 3/4 stone in ten days . with a 42 inch waist and 54 inch chest I too struggled to find clothing but found these guys on that auction site and the clothes are good quality for the price there 3/4 length mtb shorts are made from a stretchy material and very comfy. I unfortunately wiped out at bedgebury last wednesday and managed to exchange the skin from my knee and shin with a layer of roadstone and dust but as soon as i'm ready i will be back in the saddle and losing weight again 8)

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tenn-Outdoors_Cycling_W0QQ_fsubZ2065010QQ_sidZ309665462QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

cumblechook

F@RRR wrote:

I'm 37, 6'6" and now weigh in at 23 stone , I brought a new bike two weeks ago (GT aggressor xc2), after 15 years away from cycling, and lost 3/4 stone in ten days . with a 42 inch waist and 54 inch chest I too struggled to find clothing but found these guys on that auction site and the clothes are good quality for the price there 3/4 length mtb shorts are made from a stretchy material and very comfy. I unfortunately wiped out at bedgebury last wednesday and managed to exchange the skin from my knee and shin with a layer of roadstone and dust but as soon as i'm ready i will be back in the saddle and losing weight again 8)

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tenn-Outdoors_Cycling_W0QQ_fsubZ2065010QQ_sidZ309665462QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

Ya..

I have a 44" waist. Cycling shorts are not easy to come by, but this shop seems to have good tops. 48" chest meself

stokepa31

I just got one of these. im currently 19st and this bike is taking it fine. the hub gear also means a dishless rear wheel which adds strength.

http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/products.ph ... 2282&rs=gb

I ride a full carbon road bike and have had no problems at all. bikes are very strong these days. i even ride carbon post and bars on the road too.

mattyg2004

Its nice to know there are a few heavy types on here.

I'm only a little 17.5 stoner.

I had to laugh the other day a mate jumped on my spark 30 and thought it was a HT. I had to jump on to prove it moves

endrick

cumblechook wrote:

Thank you to everyone again. I am gonna try Merlin Bikes. They are in Chorley! I am in Wigan, we are practically paisan!

Mine arrived this morning Very sexy bike, get it set up tonight hopefully and try it out tomorrow.

Don.

Some interesting info.

<<tagged for later.>>

Raphe

Lol well about a month and a half ago i was a 24.5 stone mtb rider now im a slender 20 stone and dropping

Good work fella! That is a feckin lot in a short space of time.

jeremyrundle

Dont know how much I weigh, fifty and overweight, I ride with my sons and over the years made the mistake many beginners (no offence) make, I think I know what I want and buy it, had what I call a typical bike, Claud Butlers and Dawes, NONE ever worked, either the chain would tangle, punctures, something so I hated cycling.

Then I went to Halfords, sorry all, but I bought a bike I knew tha name of Saracen, a Mantra and two DX's, I have one of the DX's.

I have NEVER looked back, standard disks, upgraded to Rock Shox air, alloy wingbar, headset and riser, still the standard wheels but with Maxxis road and off road tyres, well a custom bike, I truly enjoy just going to the shops and general riding.

Boy I wish I had bought a mountain bike five years ago.

That is all the advice I can give.

Oh why oh why oh why does no one make XXXXL pack away showerproof jackets, I have a nice fitting SPEG. and GET GOOD SHOES, I have always worn 5.10 Guide Tennie superb.

Oh and I never ride without a helmet (MET) and a good fitting one and lights in poor visibility, decent lights. Wh

endrick

cumblechook wrote:

F@RRR wrote:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tenn-Outdoors_Cycling_W0QQ_fsubZ2065010QQ_sidZ309665462QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

Ya..

I have a 44" waist. Cycling shorts are not easy to come by, but this shop seems to have good tops. 48" chest meself

Bought a jacket from here (I'm 48/50" Chest xxxl is a great fit) absolutley quality item excellent vfm couldn't believe the quality for the price.

cumblechook

endrick

Hi I heard you recently purchased a Merlin Bike....

How goes it

Cumblechook

endrick

It's awsome no problems with it at all.

I haven't had chance to take it any proper trails yet due to work, but aim to put that right over the next few weeks.

I did a review http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12731405&highlight= here.

Let me know if you want any more info















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Flax1980

i`m 17 stone 6.2 and been riding a giant trance x4 (large frame) off and on road for almost 12months. the only things i`ve had to do to it is re tighten crank gears, tighten spokes, 1 set of front pads and re grease the rear bearing.

check out pauls cycles for a bargain.