Which bike for a heavy newbie?

too_sleepy

Hi
Trying to source a good bike for a friend. He's new to cycling, weight over 100kg but a fit guy. He has no problem keeping up when we do a 2 or 3 hour ride at about 25km/h and he's on a hybrid kind of bike.
We're planning a two week trip to Spain this summer and he'd like to get a new bike for this.
When I was searching for some new wheels I was suprprised how many had a low weight limit. Some considered over 85kg a heavy rider.

So besides wheels is there anything else I should consider when selecting a bike for a heavy rider?

He's not the most flexible friend so I need to avoid a real aggressive race bike.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks

blorg

Lightweight wheels can have weight limits, 90kg is common. If you are over this sort of weight ultralight wheels probably wouldn't make a lot of sense anyway. Most popular quality wheelsets outside the light end don't have low weight restrictions and will be fine. Apart from the wheels the frame will be fine as will most components outside the likes pf weight weenie seatposts. If he doesn't want race geometry go for a relaxed road bike like the Specialized Roubaix or the hundreds of variants from every other manufacturer; I believe they sell more than race geometry road bikes these days anyway. And, most importantly, fit it with 25 or 28mm tyres. Yes you can use 23s but heavy guys will have a less comfortable ride on them and will do more damage to their wheels than with wider tyres.

Donie75

Tell him to look at the specialized secteur, it's the aluminium version of the roubaix. I have the elite version with shimano 105 and carbon forks. It's a sportive bike with a relaxed geometry and it's great for long distances. When I bought mine it was well over 130kg and the only issue I had was the back wheel went out of true a few times. The wheels are mavic cxp22's and once my mechanic glued the spoke nipples I've had no problems. I love the bike.

too_sleepy

Thanks Blorg.

I'll take a look at the Roubaix. Great advice about the tyres, thanks.

I'm also keeping in mind a light weight hybrid for him. He has a real problem with flexability and two weeks in Spain on a new road bike might break him.

Would you ahve any advice on a real comfortable saddle for my mate?

Thanks

ednwireland

I'm 100ish at the moment ride a focus cayo. Its rated upto 120kg i asked wiggle as i was close to that when i bought it.
Look pedals are rated to 100 kg but never had a problem
The bike is a focus cayo full carbon frame with 105 groupset with shimano rs10 wheels

i use a selle italia max flite gel butsaddles are a personal thing one mans comfort perch is anothers arse mangler

Dubba

too_sleepy wrote: »

Thanks Blorg.

I'll take a look at the Roubaix. Great advice about the tyres, thanks.

I'm also keeping in mind a light weight hybrid for him. He has a real problem with flexability and two weeks in Spain on a new road bike might break him.

Would you ahve any advice on a real comfortable saddle for my mate?

Thanks

Evans Cycles have the Charge Spoon for around €30 delivered:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/charge/spoon-saddle-ec008616?query=charge%20spoon

I bought one from them recently and can definitely recommend it.
I thinks its a bit wider than most saddles so is more comfortable for a non-aero / more relaxed riding position.

fenris

Brookes B17 is a lovely saddle that works we for us chunkier folk!
I have one on my Giant Defy and find it grand for long spins / sportives,
I have seen them cheaper in Dublin than in some online shops!

http://www.brooksengland.com/en/Shop_ProductPage.aspx?cat=saddles+-+touring+%26+trekking&prod=B17+Special

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11666

minterno

Im 118 kg(thought id be less by now:))and have been cycling a defy 3 since august,when i was looking at the bike, the shop owner politely suggested that id be better of getting a hybrid bike as i was a 'big fella' so i said do you think im too heavy for a road bike and he said id prob end up popping spokes over my weight,well that was 7 months ago and 1200 miles are up on the bike and i have had no problems with popped spokes and find the bike grand and sturdy and goes well

kilns

I have done hundreds of Km's and cycled from Roscoff to the Pyrenees (980 km's) over a 7 day period on my Planet X Pro Carbon with Ultegra Wheelset.

I was approx 106kgs at the time of my France trip and had not one problem.

So can highly recommend them