Advice for a big fat cyclist

Darraq

After being punted off my bike eight years ago I gave up cycling until my leg was fixed. Since then I've put on a few Kilos so I'd appreciate any advice regarding what I should look for in a bike for leasure cycling. My Audax days are over and I need a more upright cycling position. Various bikes looks good but will the Aluminium frame carry my 130 Kilo weight at least until I can ride some of it off over the summer. :?

grahamgorilla

when i started cycling i was 115 kilos, i have a alloy boardman road bike, no problem with frame but i kept breaking spokes! i had a carbon roubauix at 100 kilos and no problems..

Wirral_paul

Cant really advise on the bike sorry but this should provide you with some very interesting reading and motivation...

http://theamazing39stonecyclist.wordpress.com/

Darraq

Thanks for the advice guys.

Wirral_Paul wrote:

Cant really advise on the bike sorry but this should provide you with some very interesting reading and motivation...

http://theamazing39stonecyclist.wordpress.com/

Thanks for the link Wirral_Paul. Gary Brennan's story is inspiring. I'm no where near his start weight but none-the-less his story just reinforces how I feel about cycling and getting back to my former fitness. I'm rural now so I'm feeling more confident about getting back on a bike.

mallorcajeff

just over two years ago i was 25 stone now im 16.10 started with a cube (aluminium) then onto a carbon wilier now a scott addict Rc. go for something with a long head tube specailized seem to do a lot whcih accomodate a good upright position. Ive gone the other way and am long and low with a pain full back trying to look good haha keep peddling and the weight will fall off!

wishitwasallflat

Hi Darraq - I am in a similar postion and very similar weight to you - after months and months of reading and thinking I got a Specialized Sectuer Apex and I love it to bits - a recent C+ issue had an article about bikes for heavy riders and said something about Spesh having weight limits on frame and bits and I panicked and phoned the Concept Store where I bought mine and they assurred me there were no weight limits on their frames at all.

I did break spokes on the stock wheels after about five months (1200 mile sor so) but they were replaced under warranty with a new wheelset from the Roubaix three models up from mine within two days. The new ones are Shimano RS10s with an unbelievable (to me) 20 spokes rear and 16 front. Again I could not believe this but they assured me there is no weight limit on the wheels either and that they would be fine for me. I have only done 300 or so miles on them but they are perfect as they were out the box.

Check out Specialized Sectuers or if you have the dosh the Roubaix (wish I had the money for the Roubaix!).

Hope this helps and PS I have lost over two stones since starting cycling - you will lose loads too I am sure

ilm_zero7

would expect someone to say 'diet' but in reality just do miles, there is little substitute, you will get fitter, lighter and faster - no problem

ugo.santalucia

I think you should get a robust bike, a cyclocross, possibly a steel one.

I have a Genesis Croix de fer... with road tyres is a pretty fast machine, yet solid as a rock. The wheels are as strong as it gets, with 32 spokes of 2 mm section and the rims are heavy and solid. I think you will go on well with it and when you lose weight, you can get a replacement set of lighter wheels, or you can treat yourself to a proper race bike (although it's difficult to part from the Croix de fer).
The riding position is also a bit more relaxed than a race bike

ai_1

A cyclocross bike with road tyres isn't a bad idea.
I ride an '09 Tricross Sport fitted with 28mm Ultra gatorskin tyres and I've got the stem flipped and spacers removed to get the bars down nice and low. The geometry is pretty close to a road bike. It's more robust, has the option of sitting more upright if preferred and it's a little heavier. I had no immediate plans towards road racing when I bought it and it offered more flexibility (touring, light off-road etc). I've been riding it just over a year now and have lost around 10kg relatively easily. I've been enjoying road riding so I'm considering getting a dedicated road bike soon (the Cube Agree or Canyon Ultimate CF bikes are tempting me) in which case I'll put bigger tyres back on the Tricross and I can still use it for trails, canal paths and touring.
I don't know if weight limits are an issue for road bikes but if it is or even if it's not but you're not looking for out-and-out performance at the moment, a cyclocross bike may be a good choice.

mfin

Wirral_Paul wrote:

Cant really advise on the bike sorry but this should provide you with some very interesting reading and motivation...

http://theamazing39stonecyclist.wordpress.com/

Yes, but best not copy the tattoo he had eh? :O

Secteur

I was 115kg when I took up cycling and started with a secteur comp. In fact, a year on and now 82kg I still use the same bike.

Never had any problems with it and it's pretty comfy. It has the slightly more upright "roubaix" style.

Seems to come regularly recommended on these fora.

Dan Ingram

+1 for the Secteur. I was also 115kg when I started cycling. I bought a Secteur as my first bike and have had a lot of fun with it and no problems really. I bought the Sport which came with CXP22 wheels which are worth upgrading. I liked mine so much I've just upgraded to the Roubaix

Secteur

+1 for ditching the cxp22 wheels if you go for the secteur - they are fine weight wise, but just otherwise cheaply made.

I now use slightly heavier Shimano RS30's*, but they look good and seem bombproof.




* provided free by Specialized after the cxp22's died (see many threads passim about a year ago when my bike was making a noise+++ which turned out to be the crappy cxp22's)

Darraq

Thanks everyone for your input it's much appreciated.

robbo2011

Well done gents, it's impressive to read your weight loss stories.