Bikes For Big Guys
21
Member
1519 days
unccgrad00 posted 3 years ago.
Well as a 220 6'3" guy I feel for you. BAsically as long as you get the proper setup from a bike store you should be good to go because they do make bikes for us. Just do a little research on what type of setup a manufactuer goes for. For instance Specilized goes with a compresed body position but others like Klien goes with a more spreadout body position. (not an uncomfortable body position) Also try out the bike in the stores. Go around to as many bike stores as you can and ask them if they have one for you tell them you are shopping around and they will help you out and you can sometimes work on the price because they want to get rid of the bike. The only problem you could come across is that they want have a 61cm or 63cm bike on hand. So good luck with that...
Because I went to a store that screwed me here in Greenville, SC because they wanted to get a bike off the floor and said it fit me and of course at that time it felt great because I thought I knew enough but I should have gone to a couple of other stores and I probably would have gotten a better fit. So now I am stuck with what I have until I get together enough money for a new one.
287
Member
1443 days
Great Greyhound posted 3 years ago.
I'm 6'5", and now about 200 pounds. When I bought my Guru Racelite from a local dealer, I was at 282. The Dealer understands Triathlon bikes, and I had a custom fitting done. During the process it was easy to tell when something wasn't quite right on the fitting bike. After about 45 minutes, everything clicked, and I bought that geometry.
By having a custom fit bike, I added about 3 mph to my top end, and then dropping my weight has dramtically increased my cycling portion of all of the last Duos I've done. I'm now finishing in the Top 10 on the bike almost every time I ride.
If you can find a shop that will custom fit you to a bike, and understands Tri bikes, it's worth the extra $$$'s to get a bike that really fits. I've owned the bike for 18 months, and I've just made minor adjustments to the tri-bar and the seat, literally millimeter changes, as I've gotten stronger.
Darrell Lenkner
in West Chester, Oh.
Darrell "Legs 'n Lungs" Lenkner
in West Chester, Oh.
Check here for Images of us.
18
Member
1436 days
boze posted 3 years ago.
i'm not as heavy as you, but i'm 6'4.5" and i ended up buying a 64cm Viner Competition from gvhbikes.com. i ended up exchanging the 135mm stem for a 120mm stem because the top tube is really long on this bike.
anyway, i'm _sure you could fit it nicely and i'm quite happy with mine. it's an italian made frame and it's lugged steel. it's not the lightest or most responsive so it's not a perfect choice for racing but i do 100 to 150 miles / week in the warmer months and as a 34 year old man the lugged steel is a very plush ride that leaves me feeling fresh the day after with no neck, shoulder or back soreness.
i know this is a few months late to be helpful to you but i thought i'd write you just in case.
also you can ask gary at gvh about getting some wheels with more spokes which is always a good move for clydedales like yourself.
8
Member
1470 days
Big Guy Tri posted 3 years ago.
I asked this same question to the veteran bike guy one the Central Coast (Ira) and he told me that most bikes will hold up it is the rims that you have to worry most about. I am 6'3 and 265 so he told me to stick with sturdy rims.
Big Guy Tri
77
Member
1432 days
Matt Hill posted 3 years ago.
You're on the money with that strong wheel comment. I'm 6'3" - 220 lbs and have broken a lot of spokes on factory built wheels that have come with my bikes. Make sure you buy really strong rims (deep v rims are good) with 32 or more spoke holes and get your local mechanic to hand build it with heavier spokes. Your wheels will be a bit heavier - but trust me its worth while :)
Im just getting started and trying to find a good bike, but my problem is that I am TALL. I am 6'5" and weigh 250 lbs. I have gone thru tons of info on the web, trying to get an idea of where to start. Any ideas? and for that matter any other tips that any other big guys might have about tris?
thanks
steve