Heavy bikes: brands, choices and uses

The bicycle has long become not just a two-wheeled transport, but also a way of life. Rides on the "iron friend" give a charge of vivacity, good mood and, most importantly, help to maintain good physical shape. The bike is available for adults of all sizes. However, the choice of model for overweight users has its own characteristics.

More than 70% of all models offered in sports stores are designed for users with a height of up to 170–180 cm and a weight of up to 90–95 kg. Obese people face several problems at once: how to choose a model for a taller user, which bike is better for an overweight man or woman. This choice is not so easy, mistakes in it are fraught with frustration at best, and can lead to injury at worst.

Standard models can withstand a rider's weight of 100-110 kg for 3-5 years in the following cases:

• the bike is not used intensively;
• the owner closely monitors the technical condition, conducts a technical inspection of attachments and base units;
• the cost of the product is not less than 15-18 thousand rubles.

Under a significant body mass, accelerated wear of bearings, as well as tires and bushings occurs, very often rim cracking occurs. A great danger is the phenomenon of "fatigue" of the metal of the seat tube. At the same time, cracking does not immediately become noticeable, such a ride can end in serious injury if the owner does not have the skill to quickly get up on the pedals.

It is believed that the most reliable and correct approach when choosing a model for an overweight rider is price - it is justified even if you do not understand all the intricacies of the bike market at all. This conclusion is based on the assumption that all bicycles over $ 350 have quality, strong and durable support. Even if the user's body weight exceeds 120 kg, such a model, with a careful driving style, will be able to serve its owner for some time.

The choice of bicycles for heavy people has several subtleties.

• It is desirable that the model be equipped with reliable disc brakes, especially hydraulics. Keep in mind that a weight over a hundredweight is not so easy to stop with conventional rim brakes, and they also need a clear modulation.
• Watch the technical condition of the wheels. After every 100 km, give your model to a bike mechanic to tighten the spokes. Check at least once a week for eights on the rims - they will require immediate removal.
• Check the condition of the cutting edges of the joints every 7-14 days. The increased weight of the user creates a significant load, as a result of which the fasteners become loose.
• Choose XC or Standard Mountain bikes - these products are designed to distribute the load evenly between the seat and handlebars, as opposed to urban road and touring products.

This model has the following advantages:

• The optimum ratio of price and quality;
• the design features an air fork that can be adjusted to suit any weight of the user's body.

A relatively weak point of such a product is the wheels: if an amateur rides a bicycle who uses it inactively, they can be replaced with lighter ones. In addition, users note that the fork in this model is not very durable and, with intensive use, after 1-2 seasons, it will require repair or complete replacement.

This model is more expensive than the previous one, but at the same time it is of higher quality and reliability. The plug can be considered the "golden mean" among all available air plug options. For example, on a two-suspension system, it can work flawlessly. The braking system and wheels are reliable and practical. The bike has a good complete set, so the upgrade of this model is carried out, focusing exclusively on your personal wishes and preferences. So, some users do not really like the choice of tires - they are optimal for mixed terrain-asphalt riding.

This is a great package compared to all other models. The design offers 27 speeds, rear derailleur, basic hydraulic brakes and a good selection of tires. There is nothing about this bike that needs to be replaced immediately after purchase. However, components should be replaced as they wear out. You can upgrade the plug if you wish, but this is a rather expensive item.

Replacing it is only relevant if you plan to use the bike in an intensive mode on a bad road. This is a real men's bicycle, optimal for people weighing over 160 kg.

The main structural element is the frame. The correctness of its choice largely determines the comfort of the trip and the long period of use. The main criterion is size, that is, the length between the center of the carriage assembly and the place where the seat tube is cut. The rest of the frame parameters are directly proportional to the base one. Depending on these values, the frames are marked, you can choose the best option using the worksheets that are given in the user manual.

Keep in mind, for one height and weight, two sizes can be indicated: the larger one is optimal for city cycling, the smaller one should be taken as a basis in case of using in high-speed mode. For people who are overweight, choose a smaller size to make it easier for them to get on the bike. Frames can be made of different materials - steel, aluminum or carbon.

The type of transport also plays a significant role. If the user plans to visit the nearest store from time to time or drive a couple of hundred meters to his friends, then you can opt for the most common lightweight model. If the purpose of your trip is not only an easy city walk, but also getting yourself in good physical shape, it is better to take a closer look at mountain-type models. They are distinguished by their stability, strength and endurance, and riding on them will provide pumping of all muscle groups and thereby allow the bicycle owner to quickly get rid of unnecessary kilograms.

Pay attention to the pedals - plastic versions of budget models simply will not withstand the load. It is best to choose a bicycle equipped with pedals with toe clips, they provide a firm fixation of the leg, so the cyclist has the opportunity to use all groups of the leg muscles for movement. Best buy model for cross-country. But bicycles made for trial and various tricks are not designed for use by obese users.

It is worth adhering to the following recommendations:

• many people with a lot of weight after buying a bicycle are afraid to ride it, fearing that it may crumble after the very first ride; completely in vain, be sure - your model is much stronger than you think;
• to make the trip as safe as possible, before the first trip, be sure to check the tire pressure - it should be as close as possible to the maximum allowed parameter;
• even if you purchased a mountain model, you do not need to jump off the curbs on it; fat people are better off driving fast, but carefully;
• make it a rule to stand up on uneven sections of the road, especially at the time of the exit, but it is not recommended to climb a hill while standing, it is advisable to drive up a hill in a sitting position, switching the mode to an easy gear;
• in fact, due to the increased load in the bicycle, anything can break: often the user’s chain breaks, the thread in the rear hub breaks off, the transmission wears out; to avoid these adverse consequences, you need to drive in a low gear, which reduces the load on the pedals, and, on the contrary, increases the speed of rotation;
• doctors say that frequent trips to help a large user improve their physical shape; for example, Harry Brennan lost about 170 kg in just three years thanks to regular rides on the "iron friend";
• any bicycle mechanic will confirm that even if a person with a large weight drives carefully and monitors his bicycle, he will not need any major repairs or upgrades in the very first season of operation.

For an overview of a bike for people with a lot of weight, see the next video.