Obese, morbidly obese, super obese and bike riding.

So, for the bigger guys out there, what bikes do you own and what weight where you when you started riding as part of your lifestyle/weight loss/get fit and healthy regime?

I am a gnats todger below 400lb, and can't wait until I can start riding, but would like some ideas as to when that will be weight wise.

So, what weight were you when you got on your bike?

Links to models of bikes owned and stuff all gratefully received.


Thanks

I started at 379 and go fitted with a Trek Navigator 3.0 because I would kill a regular bike. Great frame, 24 gears, super grips, have lost 60 pounds and now I am addicted. I rode my first 10 mile ride the other day. I was so excited. Just like a puppy with two peters.

Could not feel my *kitten* at the end of the ride though. Building up cheek muscles.

As long as your bike is suitable for your weight and you can balance, you're good to go! If you have trouble with either of those, you could get started on a stationary bike at the gym. Commercial gym equipment is generally capable of handling people of any size (as opposed to cheaper home models that may have lower weight restrictions).

LMAO I had that problem 8 years ago... I did buy a gel seat thing to add to the factory seat but never got round to using it.

I have heard some say leather seats are the best, but my god, they look like instruments of torture lol

On me they would look like a suppository. Screw that. They don't make tractor seats for bikes do they?

I could not ride a bike comfortably until I was down to 275 or 250. It hurt way to much on butt, pelvis, groin before than and there was way to much strain on wrists.

I was at 250 (woman, 5'3") and got an exercise bike seat (seemed like 4" of padding) because my butt and hips hurt way too much without that cushion.

Then I was able to enjoy it.... although my self-consciousness because of people's comments (about others, when I was present) about "look at the size of that *kitten*..." made me cringe. Ultimately stopped me, really.

I also don't do exercise in public places. Even though I have lost a lot of weight, it is still so deeply embedded in my mind.
So, congratulations on making progress. Take it easy on yourself, and do what feels comfortable and reasonable. Just keep going in the right direction..!!!!

I recently starting losing weight and I have bought a old kona muni mula 1997 model. I used to ride a lot and knew the kona were a strong frame.

I was worried about my weight and popped in to my local bike shop who have been great. They advised that if I take it easy going up and down curbs then I shouldn't break anything.

The guy at the shop also mentioned a decent bike can take quite a load as the often have tourers who carry a lot of weights carried in panniers.

To lose weight you when cycling you need to work out what rpm you need to peddle to keep ur heart beat up. He gave it a name but I can't remember what he called it.

If you don't mind spending a bit, try looking up a terra trike. These trikes have an actual SEAT, not just a wedge, to sit in, and there are a couple of models that are rated up to 400 pounds, one even a bit more. The ones I'm talking about are recumbent TRIKES, so there is little or no stress on the back side, seat, wrists, or skeleton. And if you live in an area where you have to worry about biking on the roads, these trikes are unusual enough that people actually SEE you, so will be conscious of where you are. You won't just blend in with the scenery like an upright bike does some times. (Been there done that before. Not fun!)

I have ridden uprights before - used to own a Panasonic racing bike, and loved it. Was about 260 at the time this bike was my daily commuter (14 miles round trip to high school with an additional 30 - 50 pounds of books strapped to my back, 100 + miles on the weekends just for fun. Been just a few years since then, however. ::Grins::) And it bore up great under all of the abuse I could hand it. When I finally sold it, the bike was just as sound as the day I bought it. Never had a day of issues with this one, unlike a cheaper bike I replaced with the Panasonic.

But, now that I'm older, I'm looking for something a bit easier on the skeleton than a racing wedge, which is what got me looking at the recumbent trikes. The down side, is that the trikes DO have a bit of a big price tag on them. Mine is still on a wish list, but I'm going to get it ONE of these days!

Here's a link for more info on the Terra Trike specifically. (I do not work for them, they are just the first ones that come to mine with weight ratings suitable for heavier people. Most trikes that I've found are only rated for 300 pounds.)

http://www.terratrike.com/

my friend, I was at 318 when i started riding just about a year and a few months ago. Started off real slow and shot distances. When i was able to go 5 miles i was so happy. Today i can do 20 miles in about 1 hour 20 minutes. Down to 148 lbs. The bike i started out with was nothing special, just a wal mart one. I didnt want to spend the money on something i didnt know i would stick with. Now i absolutely love it. I try to get out everyday, but with work and life, its more like 4 days a week. The point is , just get out there, 4 miles on a bike no matter how long it takes, is better than not doing anything at all. Good luck!

I'm not a guy, but I'm going to pop in and recommend a cruiser-style bike. They're built for comfort...well, as comfortable as a bike can be when you're big. Look for a wide, cushioned seat with springs. You can even add a wicker basket and a bell to make the ride that much more enjoyable.

I got my Trek Mamba when I was just about 300lbs. Great bike. My first time out I rode for two hours on rough terrain and then spent a week with the sorest *kitten* you can imagine — I could barely walk and my... *ahem*... my nut sack got all swollen. My second and third rides went a little better and by the fourth time out the pain had gone away (no swelling of the undercarriage after that first time.)