Road bike weight capacity... ?

MagicMarker

Thinking of availing of the b2w scheme and will likely go for a hybrid, but I was just wondering if there is generally a weight capacity for a road bike? I'm 6'4 and probably around 140kg's, so apart from looking absolutely ridiculous on a road bike, would it collapse underneath me? Those little tyres look like they'd be running flat with me sitting on them.

I'm only asking because if the bug bites, I'd probably end up going for a RB in the future anyway!

Beasty

Some bikes and/or wheels have weight limits recommended by manufacturers - typically around 120kg when applied. However they will always err on the side of caution when setting such limits. I can't imagine you would have any problem with an aluminium or steel frame.

I weighed 125kg when I started riding, and had a frame with carbon components, and never had an issue.

I would suggest you just check if there is any recommended weight limit when looking for a bike

Dubba

MagicMarker wrote: »

Thinking of availing of the b2w scheme and will likely go for a hybrid, but I was just wondering if there is generally a weight capacity for a road bike? I'm 6'4 and probably around 140kg's, so apart from looking absolutely ridiculous on a road bike, would it collapse underneath me? Those little tyres look like they'd be running flat with me sitting on them.

I'm only asking because if the bug bites, I'd probably end up going for a RB in the future anyway!

Should just go for the road bike first imo.

The Giant TRC is "suited to a larger man", according to Lawrence Dallaglio who did a 3,000 km charity cycle last year:

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/interview-lawrence-dallaglio-rugby-star-turned-charity-cyclist-24745

MagicMarker

Beasty wrote: »

Some bikes and/or wheels have weight limits recommended by manufacturers - typically around 120kg when applied. However they will always err on the side of caution when setting such limits. I can't imagine you would have any problem with an aluminium or steel frame.

I weighed 125kg when I started riding, and had a frame with carbon components, and never had an issue.

I would suggest you just check if there is any recommended weight limit when looking for a bike

Thanks, how did you find cycling at 125kg? It's been a few years since I was on a bike but I remember collapsing in a heap anytime I was greeted by even the slightest incline!!

Beasty

MagicMarker wrote: »

Thanks, how did you find cycling at 125kg? It's been a few years since I was on a bike but I remember collapsing in a heap anytime I was greeted by even the slightest incline!!

I was slower then than I am now (I am 35kg lighter though!). I started commuting, which was a 46km round trip (with around 250m of climbing over the return journey) - initially one day a week, then building up to 2 and 3. Initially I would be shattered after each journey, but you body adapts to the extra workload.

Now (3 and a half years later) I would have no problem doing it all 5 days, and extending it to 60Km+ each day.

It's really a matter of building up distance (and speed). Bottom line is, if you're struggling, you can drop a gear or two, but bike fitness will come with time.

You will be amazed at how much progress you will make if you put your mind to it

munsterleinster

Beasty wrote: »

I can't imagine you would have any problem with an aluminium or steel frame.

Would you see an eqivalent spec'd carbon bike as being weaker?

Beasty

munsterleinster wrote: »

Would you see an eqivalent spec'd carbon bike as being weaker?

They have different properties - although a carbon frame may be very strong, if it does fail it is more likely to be catastrophic, and more weight will increase the chances of such a failure.

Metal frames are more likely to buckle and carbon fibre ones are more likely to crack or snap under extreme force

Harrybelafonte

MagicMarker wrote: »

Thinking of availing of the b2w scheme and will likely go for a hybrid, but I was just wondering if there is generally a weight capacity for a road bike? I'm 6'4 and probably around 140kg's, so apart from looking absolutely ridiculous on a road bike, would it collapse underneath me? Those little tyres look like they'd be running flat with me sitting on them.

I'm only asking because if the bug bites, I'd probably end up going for a RB in the future anyway!

I was around 120kg and six foot when I got back into it. I went from MTB, to Single Speed, to Road Bike, but in reality I don't think it would have made any difference what I started on. Go with whatever you feel most comfortable on, but if you want to go as far as an RB on your using the C2W scheme I say consider the road bike. I wouldn't worry about the tyres, you can always fit larger ones. I stick with 700x25s on my road bike cos I still haven't broken the 100kg barrier, whereas most are 700x23c.

trad

I'm about 10kg lighter than the OP. Was interested in getting a Felt. Guy on the phone couldn't understand that some one of 125kg could walk never mind cycle. I've opted for a Boardman Team Hybrid from that well known car parts place.

MagicMarker

trad wrote: »

I'm about 10kg lighter than the OP. Was interested in getting a Felt. Guy on the phone couldn't understand that some one of 125kg could walk never mind cycle. I've opted for a Boardman Team Hybrid from that well known car parts place.

lol, did you opt for the hybrid for any specific reason or did the guy actually say it was a no go?

trad

Simple reason - at 125kg down on the drops I don't think my legs would make a full revelution without hitting some other part of my body.

blorg

trad wrote: »

Simple reason - at 125kg down on the drops I don't think my legs would make a full revelution without hitting some other part of my body.

Haha, this is very true, and at far less than 125kg, but you can get a more relaxed position to mitigate.

MagicMarker

trad wrote: »

Simple reason - at 125kg down on the drops I don't think my legs would make a full revelution without hitting some other part of my body.

Very true actually, the sitting position may not be so easy/comfortable on a road bike if you have a spare tyre around the midsection, or in my case a set of spares.

trad

When the first 25 kg is gone then a road bike. I was watching James Cracknell or his race across America, 97kg in a pair of shorts, shoes and a jersey, admittedly all lean so it give us big boys hope.

MagicMarker

Well, I just took a trip up to the cyclesuperstore in Tallaght. Lots of customers but no staff! Lots of people just standing around waiting to talk to someone, I just left, was hoping to get at least a quote!

Kintarō Hattori

I got my bike (MTB) from the guys at www.cyclebike.ie- they are in the city centre, near Capel Street. I'm not sure if that's handy for you OP. I found them very friendly and they had a good range of stuff. As mentioned I bought a MTB but hope to buy a RB in a few months and they'll be my first port of call.

Donie75

I was a similar weight when I started last year. I had a trek hybrid for 3 years before that but I found it hard to do any more than 20km on it. last year I bought a specialized secteur elite on the btw scheme. I'm really glad I made the move I've lost over 2 stone and I'm up to about 100 to 160km per week now. The secteur is a great bike. The only issue I had was the rear wheel became buckled a few times but my local bike shop sorted that by gluing the spoke threads.
I would definitely recommend the road bike.
Feel free to give me a shout on pm if you have any queries.

petethedrummer

MagicMarker wrote: »

Well, I just took a trip up to the cyclesuperstore in Tallaght. Lots of customers but no staff! Lots of people just standing around waiting to talk to someone, I just left, was hoping to get at least a quote!

Go during the week or very early on a weekend morning. Disaster of a place on a weekend afternoon if you're looking for assistance.

MagicMarker

petethedrummer wrote: »

Go during the week or very early on a weekend morning. Disaster of a place on a weekend afternoon if you're looking for assistance.

I'm going to take a drive over to Wheelworx on Wednesday after work, if they're not any better I'll drop in to Cyclesuperstore again on my way home from there.

ednwireland

look pedals have a weight limit of 100kg

_sheep

MagicMarker wrote: »

.... 140kg's....would it collapse underneath me? Those little tyres look like they'd be running flat with me sitting on them.

Started cycling last year around 23 stone (146kg I think) in June on a standard run of the mill Trek 1.5. Rode most nights of the weeks and did the Sean Kelly/Etape Hibernia etc and all my training on was on roads around Thurles where the roads are shockingly bad. Only thing I had to do was true my back wheel once or twice and that was in December just gone, even then it probably didnt really need it truth be told.

Only thing I recommend doing is making sure you keep the pressure up in your 'little tyres'. I found if I didnt stay above 120psi in the front and back hitting any kind of decent sized stone gave me a nice snakebite puncture in my wheel.

MagicMarker

Thanks man, 120psi sounds quite high, can you get tyres designed for that pressure or do you just go with that regardless?

ednwireland

MagicMarker wrote: »

Thanks man, 120psi sounds quite high, can you get tyres designed for that pressure or do you just go with that regardless?

check

the cheaper tyres dont tend to go up that high

i put vittoria diamante pros on and they are rated to 145psi

MagicMarker

Cool, I just checked the tyres on the Giant Defy 3 as an example (Vittoria Zaffiro 700x25mm) and they're rated for 130, so I guess 120 wasn't as high as I first thought.

_sheep

Pretty sure the standard Bontrager tires i used were rated for 110 psi max and just checking garmin connect i used them for a couple of thousand km's at 125 psi - obviously if you can get something rated for that kind of psi it would be better though.

blorg

Rims and rim tape also have max pressure ratings although basically any racing 23 will go to 120 even if it is rated for lower (110 and 116 are common.) The ratings are extremely conservative. Generally if you aren't overweight you should never need to go above 110 on 23s, and that only on the back.

jeffwode

I weighed 143 KG (22 stone odd) when I got my full carbon Planet X. Before I ordered the bike, I checked that Planet X was happy to stand over the frame for a person of my weight. they were. No problems. I always knew I'd have problems with the fairly standard issue Planet X wheels, so I've kept a close eye on them and I tweak the truing every couple of weeks. No problems whatsoever once I keep an eye on the wheels.

Also, I keep the tyres pumped HARD. 120 psi. The one time I didn't bother pumping, I got a puncture.

trad

At last, a big boys bike thread!!

MagicMarker

I actually did some recalculating last night and I'm actually around the 150kg mark! :eek:

trad

I was watching James Cracknell last night on his Youkon Artic Ultra spin. 150kgs all up including bike and equipment, - and he finished second.

petethedrummer

I think he was riding a fatback which is like an aluminium version of the surly pugsley. They are designed to carry big loads comfortably.

darragh o meara

Been looking into a bike for myself 133kg and have come across a few I like ( trek 1000 discovery edition, trek 1.2, giant ) I've only about 600 to spend so will prob buy second hand, all of the above I've found second hand. Any opinions.

minterno

hi guys,at present i weigh 260lbs-118kg and i am cycling a defy3 since last july and have had no problems regarding weight and bicycle strength,i had dropped down from 270lbs to 250lb but had a bit of a setback and was off the bike for about 6 weeks and the weight crept back on,when i purchased the bike last july i was advised to go for a hybrid as i was too 'big' for a road bike and would prob pop a lot of spokes due to my size,well my mind was on a road bike and im glad i got it as i am enjoying it and i think the bike would carry a few more kgs without any problem,i was out for a spin on thurs with the brother who a lean and fit 88kg and it was himself who popped a spoke

MagicMarker

Well I dropped in to the Cycle Inn after work just for a browse, ended up coming away with the following quote...

Trek 7.3 FX (non disk) - €649
Helmet - €40
Lock - €35
Mudguards - €30
2x tubes - €10
Bottle & Cage - €10
Lights - €25

Total - €799

How does that sound?

I was also quoted €60 for bib shorts and approx €100 for a high vis jacket, but I'm not including them as I don't know if they could get them in my size. Can anyone suggest anywhere online that would sell larger sizes? For the jacket I'd be looking at 3XL+ (approx 53'' chest). Not so concerned with bib shorts as I'd wear regular shorts over them and don't mind a snug fit!

blobbie

Similar size to ye, maybe a bit smaller...

For bibs http://www.prendas.co.uk/

Search features down the side


On the jacket side I have a dhb XXL from www.wiggle.co.uk
The particular jacket I have is no longer made but I'd imaging the sizing would hold.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb/cycling-waterproof-jackets/


For my commute (25 mins)I use a http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002DPUG2W/ref=twister_dp_update?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Buckets of space and stashes well. Not as breathable as the dhb but does a decent job and can double up as a general rain proof jacket.

Also have a http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11427
Squashes into a tennis ball size.


If using CRC, pay via paypal

darragh o meara

I'm about to buy a trek 1000 discovery channel edition. Just wondering if there is any wheelsets you guys would recommend for me that might not tend to pop spokes ie for a big dude of 133kgs I'm really looking forward to getting back out on the roads again ( used to do a lot of cycling years ago but then rallying took over and a crash sorted out my back ) but don't want to have the bike off the road every other day with popped spokes or major buckles.

blorg

Try the wheels that come with it but put on the widest tyres you can fit- probably 28s. If you have problems then handbuilt good quality wheels with 40 spokes on the back, 36 on the front would likely be strongest, although not particularly cheap (maybe €200-250.)

trad

Magic Marker I got my cycling jacket in the Outlet Centre in Banbridge called Mountain Warehouse.

http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/mens/clothing/bikewear/adrenaline-high-visibility-mens-jacket-p2785.aspx

Site says £34.99 but I'm almost certain I only paid £25 stg for it. Seems they have a store in Rathdowney as well. It fits my 5'10" 125 kgs very well.

MagicMarker

Cheers man, I was in wheelworx this morning and tried on a 3XL jacket similar to that, except 3 times more expensive! :eek: Anyway, I got it on but it was VERY snug, although I guess with enough cycling it would loosen up after a month or so.

petethedrummer

One of the benefits of being large or very small is that there are usually clearance items on Wiggle and chainreactions at massive discounts:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sale/jackets/

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Offers.aspx?CategoryIDs=647

Happy browsing.