gargigulos

So my weight has gone up in the past couple of years and I can't ride my old bike. The rims seem to be bent and rub easily against my breaks no matter how many times I've adjusted them.

So I guess I need a new bike. Or rims. I'm not sure, I'm trying to do some research and I've found my way here.

I'm 6ft3 close to 300 lbs and want something that can hold up to me around the neighborhood (to start). I'm overwhelmed by the technical jargon I'm seeing about CCs and different things and am definitely not a mechanically inclined.

Can you guys suggest a cheap solution to get started? Or a guide to get a baseline if technical knowledge to figure out what is going on (again I'm terrible in general on mechanical things).

ColaJacket

What kind of bike do you have? Is it a bike shop bike? Or more of a Walmart/Target bike? If it is the former, you may just need new wheels, as they are normally the weak point for Clydes. If it is the latter, you probably want a new bike.

GH

PatrickR400

I'd say start by a discussion with a Local Bike Shop (LBS). Maybe your current bike is retrievable, maybe it's not.

ChiefTJS

Run it by the local shop and see what they have to say, an estimate costs nothing and you may get good news. I always tell people to get a quality bike to start with as it makes a huge difference. Good luck.

cookingjnj

I would agree with Cola and Chief. I was riding stock wheels on my Specialized Allez Elite when I broke a spoke. I took it to my LBS to have the spoke fixed. They indicated the spoke could be fixed, but I would probably see a difference in my riding if I changed my wheels. After discussion, I settled on Bontrager RL wheels. Not the best or most expensiv wheels out there, but boy did I notice a difference when riding. Especially when climbing hills. I am 5"11" and 250, and these wheels made a difference. Really wish I would have made the change a few years earlier. Long of the short, talk with your LBS, a change in wheels could be your magic, and a whole lot less than a new bike. Although, one can never have enough "new bikes". N+1.

Willbird

I started on a Trek 7200 hybrid. But it was the bike I had :-).

As others have suggested talk to your local bike shops and see what they have, some sell used bikes that they have taken in trade.

Bill

gargigulos

I think it's the wheels. I'm hesitant to talk to my local bike salesman and walk out a few hundred dollars poorer. I really think it's the rims are bent. What wheels can I get from amazon or some place to try?

Willbird

Buying wheels will mean you have to define what you have. A good lbs might be able to "true" the wheels you have, might just need some spokes tightened and some loosened. They cannot force you to spend money :-)

rm -rf

There's lots of different wheels for different bikes.

Post a couple of photos of your bike. A side view from the chain side, and a closer photo of the rear hub and rear cogs.

dr_lha

If you don't want to spend a couple of hundred dollars, your LBS is your best bet. They may be able to true and tension your existing wheels and get you back on the road for much less. Buying wheels off Amazon will either (a) cost you a few hundred dollars or (b) get you crap wheels that will end up failing under you. Unfortunately you have to accept that at 300lbs (I've been there I know) you need good strong wheels, and that may mean spending money I'm afraid.

MRT2

Bite the bullet and get yourself to your local bike shop. At 300 lbs, you need decent wheels. And be prepared to spend a few bucks. Go cheap on the Internet and you may, or may not get something that holds up.

Willbird

My first 2000 miles starting at 280 lbs were on a Trek 7200, never had to touch a spoke on a wheel, the only part I "needed" to change was the chain, and tires (originals were dry rotted)...and I put a flatter cassette on it than original. It has 32 spoke wheels. It was a bike I HAD...the best kind really :-). But it would not pass the "smell test" of many stated "must haves" for a beginning Clyde Bike.

Bill

bbandu

Not to very long ago I was almost 350lbs with not bike. The stock wheels that came on my mtb lasted for several months but I need to replace them because I started breaking spokes. I went to my LBS had had a set built for me. I have not had an issue with spoke breaking since.

DarthMonkey

Until we know what size wheels there isn't much help we can give. Knowing the model of bike would be helpful in letting you know if it is worth the trouble, and would also likely allow us to figure out the wheel size. Knowing your location might mean someone could recommend a reputable Local Bike Shop to deal with.

PatrickR400

I'm with you Bill. I started cycling again last year at close to 330 on an hybrid with 32 spoke wheels and not a problem. I added a road/adventure/gravel bike with 24 spoke wheels and still no problems. I just don't go looking for trouble.

lindyfd

If you get wheels from the internet, you should still take them to the LBS to get trued and checked out, at which point it would make more sense to just get them at the shop.
Besides, it's poor form to take internet purchases to your local shop to be worked on.

MRT2

You might take your chances with stock wheel, but when they fail as they have for op, then he needs to get some new wheels.

Willbird

I would take into consideration the failure mode, if is just spokes breaking might be that a relace three cross with double butted spokes might do him fine. If I had issues with my trek 32 spoke wheels there is a smaller LBS about 8 miles away who could have done that for me in a few days. That is if the rims were not trashed due to riding with broken spokes . Shops from 50 miles away send folks over to this guy because they no longer build wheels.

dagray

I run 32 spoke wheels on my road bike, and I am 360 pounds. Earlier this year I started breaking spokes on the rear wheel. After talking to the bike shop we re-laced the wheel (i.e. trued the wheel and replaced all of the spokes) total financial burden for this was a whopping $50.00 which was 25% less than the wheel I bought to use on the trainer.

Talk to your bike shop ASAP.

Cheese Head

If you live in or near a decent size town you may have a bicycle co-op in town. Look them up and go there for help. They are not there to sell you something. They re there to help you work on/with what you have. I'm fairly certain what you are describing can be adjusted/aligned with the proper knowledge. Unless the rims took a major hit into a curb or similar previously. The co-op will usually have people that can either show you how to make the repairs or do them for you. Our local co-op actually has a wheel builder from Velocity (which is local!) that comes in and donates him time to help people with repairs. He has actually helped me my last time in the co-op and mentioned that if/when I need a new pair of rims to let him know!

MRT2

Now that is a great resource.