Bike For A Heavy Rider

[Cyclezee]

I am looking for a non powered bike for a customer who weighs 145Kg or 22 stone 12 pounds and wants to get back into cycling.

I idea is to convert a suitable bike, our eZee bikes have a maximum recommended rider weight limit of 120Kg and the Tonaros, 85Kg according to the manufacturer, so they are are not an option.

I will 'trawl the net', but if anyone can offer suggestions, I would be grateful

 

[eddieo]

Google is your friend at times like this.......Steel frame bike should be OK?

some threads with recommendations

Road bike for heavy rider

Road Bike, Cycling Forums

 

[Cyclezee]

Thank you Eddie,

I have already looked at that site and several others.

Ideally I would like to hear from someone on here of a similar stature.

At the moment the customer is unsure of the style of bike he wants, but my thinking is a heavy duty MTB.

Of course if it was cargo bike the solution would be eZee eZee Yuba el Mundo - electric bikes and conversion kits

 

[eddieo]

Second thread I just loaded interesting, lots of surprisingly sporty bikes ridden by big chaps, even carbon, rims will need special attention

Whyte bikes from memory have steel frames. And i remember a member on here fitting a kit toone, wisper had a kit on one as well i think...please note use of Union Jack!

Whyte 2012 - British Mountain Bikes - 19 Steel

 

[banbury frank]

Hi John

I have many 20 stone riders on Diamond back bikes and the old ones had 17 kilos off lead acid battery's on the rear rack never had a bike brake we had large motors in the front and had the odd problem with spokes on the rear wheel solved this by fitting 13 G spokes


Diamondback - Peak HD

Frank

 

[amigafan2003]

I'd be looking @ some kind of cargo bike.

For example, the Surly Big Dummy has a max weight of 180kg.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Although manufacturers put a weight limit on their bikes, it's not a critical limit. There should always be a wide safety margin . I think as long as the customer doesn't jump off curbs and start serious off-roading, which isn't very likely, just about any sturdy bike should bev OK. You probably want to avoid one with the seat tube/ crossbar joint a long way below the seat.

 

[Cyclezee]

I'd be looking @ some kind of cargo bike.

For example, the Surly Big Dummy has a max weight of 180kg.

Hi amigafan,

Thanks for your suggestion, I have already suggested one of our eZee Yuba el Mundo - electric bikes and conversion kits which can carry 200Kg.

Thanks also to Eddieo and Banbury Frank, I don't know his budget yet which is a crucial factor.

 

[Cyclezee]

Although manufacturers put a weight limit on their bikes, it's not a critical limit. There should always be a wide safety margin . I think as long as the customer doesn't jump off curbs and start serious off-roading, which isn't very likely, just about any sturdy bike should bev OK. You probably want to avoid one with the seat tube/ crossbar joint a long way below the seat.

Hi Dave,

I take your point, however there could be warranty issues if the frame broke and then there could also be personal injury claims.

With an eZee bike there would be a warranty issue if he broke the frame as we have 120Kg rider limit although we have no control over who buys or a rides a bike and where they ride.

I have no concerns about the motor wheel, they are strong and use 13g Sandvik T302 stainless steel spokes.

 

[eddieo]

I fluctuate between 17,18 stone and have had problems with wheels in the past, but if you have something like DT Swiss rims they are really good..mine trouble free

The second forum I linked really good? Lots of big guys riding sports bikes and they don't seem to need to ride cargo style bikes? not much fun that...

http://www.livestrong.com/article/397222-bicycles-for-obese-people/

Here is an american site, kind of understandable that they are better catered for, site features Zize bikes which look very robust..not sure if you can get them here:

http://www.supersizedcycles.com/

an interesting topic as when you start looking there is a lot to consider....

 

[rog_london]

I am looking for a non powered bike for a customer who weighs 145Kg or 22 stone 12 pounds and wants to get back into cycling.

I idea is to convert a suitable bike, our eZee bikes have a maximum recommended rider weight limit of 120Kg and the Tonaros, 85Kg according to the manufacturer, so they are are not an option.

I will 'trawl the net', but if anyone can offer suggestions, I would be grateful

Kalkhoff do their XXL range, especially for taller or heavier riders - they quote a maximum carrying weight of 170 kilos.

These might need to be sourced in Germany. I'm not talking about their e-bike range - they do quite a selection of non-powered bikes which you probably know but a few on here might think they do only e-bikes because that's what we mostly buy in the UK.

Nearly 23 stone - that would be quite a challenge. Two of me plus some change! I can see there would be a demand in Germany - some of them go a bit heavy (pun intended) on the beer and the bratwurst....

Rog.

 

[Scimitar]

I was 143.5kg when I took up cycling again. The old Claud Butler Oracle which I bought new 20 years ago stood up to it. Mind you, in the first year I had it (when I was nothing like as heavy as that) I had the rear wheel rebuilt with stronger spokes and they didn't give any problems with the excessive weight later on.
I hope your customer is embarking on a weight-loss programme and this is just the exercise part of it. If so, kudos to him, he'll really feel the benefits. I know I did - in fact, I felt so awful at the weight I was I knew if I didn't do something about it my likely life expectancy would be in months, not years.

 

[eddieo]

blimey serious stuff Dave..

50 cycles could probably get hold of anything that is in stock in Germany I would think

still think a nice light steel bike with good rims and ezee kit would be far more fun. My bosch bike rated at 120kg but built so well I'm sure it could handle more. with the added benefit of being able to really climb hills.

 

[Scimitar]

still think a nice light steel bike with good rims and ezee kit would be far more fun. My bosch bike rated at 120kg but built so well I'm sure it could handle more. with the added benefit of being able to really climb hills.

I agree - ally frames are wonderful, but under the stress of a grossly overweight rider there's a real risk of sudden failure whereas a decent steely would either not fail at all or do it more gracefully.

 

[Cyclezee]

Thanks for the input from all of you.

I also agree that in this instance a steel frame would be the best option and it also makes the choice easier as there are fewer bike with steel frames these days.

 

[Tim]

Yes, I can confirm Kalkhoff do a non-pedelec Agattu XXL with an 8-speed hub, rated up to a whopping 170kg! We have the pedelec one in stock but the non-pedelec is looking a little thin on the ground - I'll have to check with them tomorrow, see which, if any, frame sizes and style are available.

Tim