I weigh 530lbs and am completely able to get around normally and even enjoy walking around the local golf course. I want a bike so that I can get to work without riding in a car which is making me more out of shape than I already am. Work is about 4 miles away so I can't walk it easily or quickly. I just want to know if anyone knows a brand of bicycle that can hold my weight.
2007-03-06 14:48:45 · 6 answers · asked by dandemented27 1 in Sports ➔ Cycling
You have not stated your age or your height. To be cautious I'm going to go with older and shorter. How much, and what rate of exercise you can safely take on will be determined by you age and your heart rate.
First step would be to check with your doctor. They should be able to give you a good idea as to whether you should be jumping onto a bike. It could well be that a few more walks around the golf course might be on order first. (Not hard to take)
You’re a big bloke. Big Blokes are known to be big hearted. This is actually false. Your heart will be about the same size as most people. It has to work a lot harder than most. The exertion of riding the 4 miles to work could put your heart rate dangerously high. Heart damage or even attack may well be a result.
Not knowing more about your health I will only suggest that you approach getting into better shape with caution. If you do any damage to your heart getting the weight off will be even harder.
"Most of the cycles carried by Super Sized Cycles are built to hold 500 pounds." (Joan Denizot's company). You are 6% heavier than this. Given that you are travelling 4 miles this shouldn't be a problem (depending on terrain) but contact them to make sure.
This certainly seems to be your best option. Other than this I could only suggest a custom order. This would be more expensive but there should be a few manufactures that would do it for you.
P.S. The Kona hoss is not the bike for you.(yet). A good set of mountain bike style tandem wheels (48 spoke or more) should do the job for you. (If you need to go that way)
2007-03-06 22:06:39 · answer #1 · answered by Glenn B 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He Ron, There are FAR too many variables to answer your question objectively. I am in agreement that the first order of business would be to find a good bike shop to work with. The benefits far outweigh any savings you might realize by shopping online. But PLEASE... Don't ask a shop to try and compete with an online retailer. There is usually a very small profit margin on the bike. You'd do better asking about which accessories could be discounted. A good shop can help you find and set up a bike that best suits your needs and they usually offer some kind of service after the sale. Most times it's free adjustments and/or service for a specified time. You won't get that from an online retailer.
2016-03-16 06:18:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Joan Denizot bikes look like they will match your needs for a road commute of 5K. Check out the Kona Hoss line of bikes as a comparison. They are made for large riders that plan to ride hard offroad - should fit your needs for a road commute - and down the road when you lose some weight and want to do more than commuter riding. I read in another forum that a 450 lb man is commuting using a Hoss - breaks a spoke every once in a while (custom built 36 spoke wheelset w/RynoLite downhill rims), and the fork was upgraded with a heavier set of springs - but the frame is doing fine. You will have extra stopping power with the Hayes hydralic brake set too. You could ditch the suspension fork for now too and get a solid dirt-jumper fork.
2007-03-07 04:06:35 · answer #3 · answered by OlMacDude 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Check this out, I just found this.
Joan Denizot had the same problem. She looked for years for a bike built for heavier riders (like herself), but found bikes suited for riders around 200 pounds. She also found out she wasn't the only one. So, she started her own company. I found her website and they specially made bikes. Here's the link:
http://www.localmotionvt.org/index.php
I would like to see more bicycle commuters, seeing as I am one myself.
Edit: Sorry, here's the real link:
http://www.supersizedcycles.com/
Two bikes fit your range, the "A new Leaf," and my favorite, the "Izip Tricruiser"
The new leaf is $1750, but the Tricruiser is $1000 and comes with a powerful electric motor.
New leaf is rated to 550 pounds, and the Tricruiser is to 500. I think these numbers are also deflated for people who abuse the bikes -they don't want to call themselves durable and have broken frames.
Heck, anyway, the pounds will come off pretty quickly. And, look at as an investment in your future. You could end up living fifteen years longer, and hospital bills are *reportedly* larger than $2k.
2007-03-06 17:22:13 · answer #4 · answered by Double Century Dude 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
a tank. seriously, you need a downhill bike to take that kind of abuse. they have more suspension than a monster truck
2007-03-08 02:44:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a good sturdy mountain bike- not a road bike
2007-03-07 03:19:04 · answer #6 · answered by borracho111 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ha ha ha ....are you serious ?... mayeb a 3 wheeler
2007-03-06 14:52:09 · answer #7 · answered by ronald b 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋