Bigger Guy on a road bike?

kevin.bourne

Hi, Looking to start shedding some weight and due to a rugby knee injury cycling is going to be my way forward.

But.... i currently weigh 22 & 1/2 stone (315lb or 143KG). I will be cycling just on the road, is a road bike going to be too lightweight for me? Even though I don't need a mountain bike as it will be tarmac cycling am i better opting for one?

Looking at spending around £2500 ish.

Thanks in advance,
Kev

joe_totale-2

What I would advise is not blowing £2,500 on a bike now but start on something quite cheap and cheerful.

Once you've shed some weight then use the rest of that money you've saved on a fancy bike and the cheaper bike can still be used for commuting and riding in bad weather.

fenix

Plenty of rugby players cycle.

I'd go to the local bike shop to see what they have in. Frames usually aren't an issue but I'd get a bike that has capacity for wider tyres and maybe think about getting a wheel set built. Often they cut corners on the wheels.

No need to spend 2500 though.

kevin.bourne

Thanks guys, the reason i'm saying about 2.5k is because we have a RidetoWork scheme and we receive 42% discount from tax right off, but our company has capped the purchase cost at £3000 including all accessories, meaning it only costs us £1560 but you can only have the one purchase, so cant buy cheap now and then get the discount on a better bike once lost some weight

pblakeney

If you can afford it then why not?
If you are spending that much then I'd consider a Rourke custom build and hand built wheels with say 36 spokes. That'll be a good bike even after losing weight and you will know that it is built to suit you.

kevin.bourne

pblakeney said:

If you can afford it then why not?
If you are spending that much then I'd consider a Rourke custom build and hand built wheels with say 36 spokes. That'll be a good bike even after losing weight and you will know that it is built to suit you.

And strangely enough I am from Stoke!

smethley

I used to be in a somewhat similar situation to you. Whatever the bike, I'd recommend minimum 32mm tyres for sure. Even so, you'll need the rear near max pressure, a little over 100psi. I'd also recommend disc brakes very much. Enjoy the journey. It will be well worth it.

(MTBs are 37mm tyres, so less pressure and maybe a good place to start, but not best if as you say you can only buy once).

wolfsbane2k

Hi. Speaking from experience, as someone whos' previously been over 130kg and broken 2 frames, as is creaping up that way again, speak to your local bike shop, or even better, a local bike builder, as you do have the cash (well, C2W) to spend.

There are typically 3 all up weight categories for complete off the shelf bikes : 100kg, 125kg, and 137kg - which includes the weight of panniers/luggage, and for some, the weight of the bike itself. From what i found out, the limits are normally
100kg for "road racing" bikes -
125kg for adventure style bikes - Specialised Diverge, Triban 520 RC etc
137kg on touring bikes, - Trek 520/920s etc.
but these do vary; and a frame builder can build you a stronger one, for more money, of course.

See if you can get a Handbuild wheelset which will cost you around £350 to £500, (see @thecycleclinic as an example) depending on what you want, and more if you decide to add a dynamo hub.. (Do it, do it)

Depending on which C2W scheme you are on, and therefore who you can buy through and if you can get components, you may be able to buy a £2k off the shelf bike and a then a £500 wheelset, but that would leave you with the OEM's wheelset as a spare/for resale if you wish.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

It's a hybrid rather than a road bike, but the https://www.halfords.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-2-mens-hybrid-bike-2020---black---s-m-l-xl-frames-346198.html has a weight limit of 160Kg iirc.