Bicycling?

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gshifrin
gshifrin Posts: 53 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So I've lost around 30 lbs (down to 265) and think it might be time to get back up on a bicycle. I'm wondering if there are any heavy folks out there who ride and what types of bikes might work out for a heavier older person (I'm 69).
Thanks!
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Replies

  • astrose00
    astrose00 Posts: 754 Member
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    Congrats on you weight loss. Comfort bikes may be the best bet. But it will depend on the terrain you plan to ride on. I have seen all shapes and sizes on bikes. Some larger people are very much in bike shape. I've seem them doing charity century rides! Best bet is to go to a reputable local bike shop. I always bought bikes from big box stores until about 6 years ago. Then I realized what all the fuss was about. A quality bike can be had for about 400 (new) and even cheaper used. I never enjoyed riding bikes until I got my Specialized Crosstrail Hybrid. Now I am absolutely hooked. It's such a great feeling to rid e outdoors and take in all the sights. I used to abhor hills and now love the challenge.

    My guess is a comfort bike or hybrid. But check out your local shop. Good luck!
  • bdenitto
    bdenitto Posts: 210 Member
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    I second astrose00! Find your local bike shop and take your time getting properly fitted for a bike. I have enjoyed my TREK 7.2 for a few years.
  • astrose00
    astrose00 Posts: 754 Member
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    bdenitto wrote: »
    I second astrose00! Find your local bike shop and take your time getting properly fitted for a bike. I have enjoyed my TREK 7.2 for a few years.

    I got fitted for my road bike and it was great. I have mostly used it on my CycleOps trainer during the cold months. Makes a huge difference.

    OP, feel free to add me as a friend so I can keep up with your bike escapades. I have a 30-mile ride to redeem myself for next fall. Bombing in it was the impetus for my current weight loss journey. I only could complete half of it because I was so out of shape (and fat). My heart rate was around 180bpm the whole 15 miles!!! I have Sept. 19, 2015 marked on my calendar! I've lost close to 50lbs so far and logged hundreds of miles of training so far.
  • mikeeggins_66
    mikeeggins_66 Posts: 3 Member
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    Plus one on talking to a reputable local specialist shop about getting a hybrid.
    I've currently 260 lb, after losing 56 so far. I commute 4 miles a day and make my target of 40 miles per week at weekends.
    I can also recommend the strava app for syncing your miles with Map.
  • JohnH71
    JohnH71 Posts: 123 Member
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    +2 for talking to a reputable local specialist shop. The little more you will pay is VASTLY outweighed by the fact that they can put you on a number of bikes and you get see how you feel. Cycling is my obsession since I took it up a couple of years back, it's just so much fun. Give it a go!

    As for your weight, nearly all hybrids and MTB's would be fine, as would some 'road' (i.e. race) bikes with a sensible wheel choice, but your local bike shop will be able to advise.

    Fee free to add me, as can any cyclists who want mutual encouragement.
  • PopcornBalls
    PopcornBalls Posts: 2 Member
    edited January 2015
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    Only new input I recommend is - make sure you get a bike with drop bars (rams horn shaped handlebars) they provide more hand positions than flat bars. You will thank me for this when you ride >25 miles, and you will ride more than 25 miles pretty quickly.
  • SuggaD
    SuggaD Posts: 1,369 Member
    edited January 2015
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    PopcornBalls wrote: »
    Only new input I recommend is - make sure you get a bike with drop bars (rams horn shaped handlebars) they provide more hand positions than flat bars. You will thank me for this when you ride >25 miles, and you will ride more than 25 miles pretty quickly.

    Huh? I'm an avid endurance cyclist and a pretty good one too and I almost never use my drops.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
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    SuggaD wrote: »
    PopcornBalls wrote: »
    Only new input I recommend is - make sure you get a bike with drop bars (rams horn shaped handlebars) they provide more hand positions than flat bars. You will thank me for this when you ride >25 miles, and you will ride more than 25 miles pretty quickly.

    Huh? I'm an avid endurance cyclist and a pretty good one too and I almost never use my drops.

    About the only time I'm on the drops is on a steep descent. I'd guess I'm on the hoods 90-95% of the time.
  • gshifrin
    gshifrin Posts: 53 Member
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    Thanks all. This is such a helpful (and attractive) group of people!

    Lots of good info here! I love to ride my maxi-scooter around town when the weather allows, but I notice all the cyclists who are getting a workout in the process. So I'm encouraged to learn I'm not the only big guy getting out there on pedal power.

  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
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    It doesn't matter if you want a bar with drop handlebars or straight ... a road, mountain, or hybrid ... find one that fits your body and budget (I echo the recommendation to talk to a local bike shop, or two, or three until you find the one you like), get a saddle on it that fits your sit bones, and start pedaling.

    You might need to add cycling shorts to the wardrobe, but they make those in the traditional road wear spandex and baggier mountain short versions if you don't want to be the big guy in lycra going down the road.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
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    I love my drop bars. But that takes some flexibility to get into and is just a personal choice. I have a road bike, I've thought I might have been better off with a hybrid since we moved and now there are trails to ride.

    Bike store should be the way to go! But I've seen others on box store bikes and they seem happy enough. I think there is a lot of wasted energy in the cheaper bikes, they just are not efficient. Absolutely get fitted. I bought my 2nd bike new at sun ski & sport and they do a free basic fit and life time adjustment.
    First bike was used, until I proved to myself that I was going to stick it out. Was not fitted.
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
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    I'm not heavy, but I love my bike. Going to a local specialist may be more expensive, but you make up for it in good service.
  • PieSaver
    PieSaver Posts: 19
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    Your size doesn't make a difference. What matters is how you plan to use it. I'm a casual rider that likes to occasionally go on local dirt biking paths, so I have a hybrid. They have strong steel frames, tires that can handle both on and off road terrain, and handle bars that put you in a more comfortable position than a road bike.
  • JScottBldrs
    JScottBldrs Posts: 44 Member
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    Yes you can ride @ 265 lbs I started riding at 250 lbs. (down to 215 now) I second getting fitted at a locally owned bike store. I would start on a hybird bike.,easier bike for your age and weight. when you get comfortable with that then venture on to road bikes and mountain bikes. IF you stick with it you will end up with a garage full of different bikes
  • meritage4
    meritage4 Posts: 1,441 Member
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    let us know what kind of bike you get and how it goes for you. Biking is great!
  • scorpio516
    scorpio516 Posts: 955 Member
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    JohnH71 wrote: »
    As for your weight, nearly all hybrids and MTB's would be fine, as would some 'road' (i.e. race) bikes with a sensible wheel choice, but your local bike shop will be able to advise.

    It's all about wheel choice. You get a clydesdale (race director term for anyone over 200lbs) on a 8 spoke race wheel, that wheel won't last! A cheap 32 spoke wheel will last a whole lot longer.

    Most frames will have no problem. They might not last as long as with a 125lb rider, but they won't break.
  • scorpio516
    scorpio516 Posts: 955 Member
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    SuggaD wrote: »
    PopcornBalls wrote: »
    Only new input I recommend is - make sure you get a bike with drop bars (rams horn shaped handlebars) they provide more hand positions than flat bars. You will thank me for this when you ride >25 miles, and you will ride more than 25 miles pretty quickly.

    Huh? I'm an avid endurance cyclist and a pretty good one too and I almost never use my drops.

    But you have them. And the hoods. And the bar tops. And deep in the drops. And shallow in the drops.

    On a flat bar, you've got where your hands go...
  • maram29
    maram29 Posts: 100 Member
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    Hi,
    I started riding at 375 pounds on a Globe...love it. Like almost everyone said here, I went to a great bike shop and got more information than I believed was possible on the topic of bike choice. I ended up with a hybrid that has served me well. fyi...signed up for a 2 day, 25K per day ride this coming summer....can't wait to start spring training. :)
    Another perk of the bike shop is that the people who work there are usually cyclists themselves, and know of group rides, informal groups, so you can connect with others who love the sport. It will help keep you motivated to have that option, maybe.
    Also, google 'rails to trails' for local offroad trails in your area. These vary in how well they are maintained, but finding them could be part of your adventure!
    Best of luck to you...I am going to send a friend request (fair warning....).
    Take care.
  • zoom2
    zoom2 Posts: 934 Member
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    scorpio516 wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    PopcornBalls wrote: »
    Only new input I recommend is - make sure you get a bike with drop bars (rams horn shaped handlebars) they provide more hand positions than flat bars. You will thank me for this when you ride >25 miles, and you will ride more than 25 miles pretty quickly.

    Huh? I'm an avid endurance cyclist and a pretty good one too and I almost never use my drops.

    But you have them. And the hoods. And the bar tops. And deep in the drops. And shallow in the drops.

    On a flat bar, you've got where your hands go...

    Yup. Years ago I had a mtn. bike with standard handlebars...and ONE hand position. And my hands would hurt and I had nowhere to go to relieve pressure on my palms. Even on my current mountain and fat bikes I have Ergon grips to distribute my weight better. On my road and CX bikes I have drop bars with flat tops. I ride on the hoods most of the time, except during races, then I'm in the drops for probably 80% of the distance. I ride on the tops pretty much only while indoors on the trainer.

    As far as bike -- what kind of riding do you think you might do? A lot of people recommend hybrids, but what hybrids are good at...is not doing anything all that well. If I could only have one bike it would be a cyclocross bike with 2 sets of rims--one mounted with slick road tires and one mounted with knobby tires. The only terrain you really couldn't tackle on that would be technical singletrack. And then you have drop bars. And newer CX bikes are increasingly being built with disc brakes, which are seriously amazing for stopping in any weather. Wet or icy rims no longer have any bearing on your ability to stop fast and safely.
  • gshifrin
    gshifrin Posts: 53 Member
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    Thanks all. There's a decent (I think) bike store nearby and I'll go visit them once the snow melts and maybe the temps get above 50.

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