Fat guy wants some bike advice!

Noufas

Noufas

Noufas

Associate
Joined
15 Oct 2005
Posts
595
Hello, i really want to get a bike in order to lighten up my expenses and to get some exercise going on.
I am 29 now, and i was cycling a lot till i was 18-19. I weigh 18 stones right now (used to be 32) and i dont know if that is gonna be an issue for a bike or not.
Budget...i guess ~500 would be my limit!

Thanks in advance!
 
Last edited:
What type of cycling do you do?
I assume, since you say it's to cut expenses, that you will be using it to commute?
What is your commute like? All roads?
 
Might be worth checking out the 2010 Sale Bikes before they're sold out, some reasonable savings to be had:

Something like these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Bike_Sale/31/Kona_Cinder_Cone_2010/5360047396/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Bike_Sale/31/Focus_Northern_Lite_Expert_2010/5360045267/

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=44340

Dont worry too much about weight, all modern bikes will handle 18st riders no problem. If possible visit a local bike shop and get yourself sized up and try a few different frame sizes, see what suits you best.
 
matt_fsr said:
Might be worth checking out the 2010 Sale Bikes before they're sold out, some reasonable savings to be had:

Something like these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Bike_Sale/31/Kona_Cinder_Cone_2010/5360047396/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Bike_Sale/31/Focus_Northern_Lite_Expert_2010/5360045267/

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=44340

Dont worry too much about weight, all modern bikes will handle 18st riders no problem. If possible visit a local bike shop and get yourself sized up and try a few different frame sizes, see what suits you best.
Click to expand...

matt has posted mountain bikes, and that's fine, but don't let that make you think that you are restricted to MTBs; modern hybrid, cyclocross and road bikes will all happily take your weight and may be more suitable depending upon what you want to do.
 
The new 2011 Specialized bikes are out now :cool:

Hybrids

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/sirrus-2011-hybrid-bike-ec023871

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/sirrus-sport-2011-hybrid-bike-ec023997

Road (2010 models)

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-16-2010-road-bike-ec019545

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-24-2010-road-bike-ec019546


Evans also has a sale on of last years model

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/flight-02-disc-2010-hybrid-bike-ec023205#BVRRWidgetID

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/70-fx-2010-hybrid-bike-ec020757#features

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/velocity-2010-hybrid-bike-ec021098

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/comet-2010-hybrid-bike-ec021096

Definitely worth trying to find a local independent dealer as well.
 
Last edited:
It's an MTB so the tyres, gearing and use of suspension will be wrong for the roads.

As for size, that's a difficult one and depends on your proportions and the geometry of the bike (all of which are different).

I'm 5'10" but tend to need small bikes because I've got long legs and a short body. Most people my height would have a 54cm or 56cm version of my bike, but I have a 51cm. Best thing to do is go to a bike shop and sit on them.
 
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/velocity-2010-hybrid-bike-ec021098 was posted above and would be fine for it

the big shops/manufacturers are so competitive in that price range that there isnt really anyway that you can go wrong

id be looking at any hybrid type bike with flatbars and slick/semislick tyres . if you post some that you like the look then people can probably advise or tell you the differences between them
 
"andy" said:
and slick/semislick tyres
Click to expand...

Just to point out, if you are riding on the road then slicks offer the best grip. manufacturers only put tread on road tyres because consumers expect it when actually is serves no purpose and actually reduces grip.

Car tyres need it because they are wide enough and move quickly enough to build up a wave of water in front that needs to be disappated before the wheel aquaplanes. A bike wheel, being much thinner, would have to be doing about 200mph to aquaplane.

Tread isn't required on road tyres.
 
To be honest, I haven't seen a bike I don't like so far in here :p
My experience with bikes has been with mountain bikes and bmx ones when i was young, i have never ridden on a street one.
I remember i liked the suspension when i was young but I don't think i will be needing that if i am going to be riding on the road (even though i was riding my bikes on the street when i was a kid:P)
I would prefer a bike that won't require me to be bending down all the time, as my job is quite physical and I wouldn't want to put extra strain on my back.
 
Go along to somewhere like Evans and sit on a few. They have a massive range of mountain bikes, hybrids, racing, and commuter bikes.

With your added weight you probably want one with a more relaxed riding position so you're not leaning all your weight forwards on your wrists, and something with a wider saddle that won't cut into you. Tiny narrow racing bike saddles are hard enough for us skinny guys to get used to :p

Maybe spend a bit more on the saddle and get a leather Brooks which will spread the load out a bit and are generally supposed to be a lot more comfortable once you've broken it in.
 
by the way, should i start looking on gumtree or ebay for something used? anything to avoid there?
or any other places that i could buy something used


also would a folding bike be a good idea for me?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom