Heavy Rider

[Diamond-Mite]

Good Day Family. 

My goals this year is to get back into cycling after 10+ years. 

Im a heavy fella, about 125 Kilos and i want to buy a decent second hand bike that is especially decent know budget. 

I heard about upgrading the tires and stuff to accommodate weight, but I also dont wanna experience issues with suspensions, or should I get a bike without suspensions as I go trail cycling? 

 

Any info would be greatly appreciated. 

[Dicky DQ]

Hi dude, I am not where you are, but I ballooned (Well for me) from 85 to 115kg, slowly getting it down now. My bike is still the same as it was and the wheels have an 85kg weight limit. They are holding up though, but I am sure as soon as I start giving it horns they could be a problem.

However to my point, if you get a reasonable bike with 32hole spoke wheels that are not for weight weenies, You should be fine on almost anything.

Don't go blowing big $$ as I am positive you will shed the kg's and then you need the spare cash to upgrade.

Good luck with the journey and do not stop, I only seem to have lost 4kg in 5 weeks and it is depressing, but we will get there. Also try to focus on longer flatter slower rides. Those mountains are heavy going with weight, it will also save the bike. Win all round

Well that is my R 0.02

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, Diamond-Mite said:

Good Day Family. 

My goals this year is to get back into cycling after 10+ years. 

Im a heavy fella, about 125 Kilos and i want to buy a decent second hand bike that is especially decent know budget. 

I heard about upgrading the tires and stuff to accommodate weight, but I also dont wanna experience issues with suspensions, or should I get a bike without suspensions as I go trail cycling? 

 

Any info would be greatly appreciated. 

 

Welcome to the Hub and best wishes on your journey.

 

Where are you in SA ?

 

Up in the Vaal just go to @RobertWhitehead

[RobertWhitehead]

Thank you very much @ChrisF, much appreciate the vote of confidence. @Diamond-Mite how can I help you to get back out on the trails

[Ncayi]

2 hours ago, Dicky DQ said:

Good luck with the journey and do not stop, I only seem to have lost 4kg in 5 weeks and it is depressing

I've been there. I moved from 127-95kg losing 4kg a month. I found that 4kgs was sustainable and I didn't to have anything crazy. So keep at it💪.

[ChrisF]

10 hours ago, Ncayi said:

I've been there. I moved from 127-95kg losing 4kg a month. I found that 4kgs was sustainable and I didn't to have anything crazy. So keep at it💪.

 

I lost 25kg just by eating correctly.

 

Then started exercising .... as my body fat kept lowering the scale did creep up a bit due to muscle growth ...

Edited January 21 by ChrisF

[Robbie Stewart]

Currently 117, down from 121 a month ago. Up from 112 in April last year. I ride jumps ( well not as high as my mates because gravity, you see), road gaps, rock gardens, drop offs, and pretty much everything else. The only upgrade you need is a proper wheel set with wider rims (30mm inner diameter and 32 spokes). I can recommend Lyne AMP HD wheels. They are literally bombproof. Trust me. Also easy on the pocket. That is hands down the best upgrade a bigger rider can make. Don't fret weight on the bike. Losing weight on your body is cheaper and more impactful. Then just ride with your suspension properly set up, and finally regular servicing of bearings etc. Your bike will last forever. I've been doing this for 12 years now, and at my peak I weighed 128kg. 

[fatcyclist]

141kg after 3 years of CrossFit and recently got back in to cycling. Finding kit that fitted was an issue, since I now have traps, lats and biceps.. Shopped around and found a Cannondale Topstone gravel bike at a decent price, and it's rated to take the weight. You can read about it under the gravel bike section. Good luck with the weight loss, we've all been there!

[Paul Ruinaard]

I have varied from 92 to 122 Kgs in all my cycling career. Like they say focus on wheels - you will miss them if they crack and beak on a ride. the balance is about setup and making sure you have a good saddle and are comfortable on longer rides.