tch34065

Hi All!

I'm a big guy (6ft 2in, 320lbs, 33 year old male, new-ish rider) from Los Angeles. I bought a nice hybrid bike with straight handlebars and have put about 200-300 miles on it now. The most I've ridden on it is about 30 miles. I've climbed about 2,000 ft with it. I am training for AIDS/LifeCycle 2019 and am feeling like I need a road bike for endurance rides (80+ miles). I was going to reward myself after dropping 50lbs with a road bike, but I worry that I need to get used to a road bike with hoods, and in general get riding a bike that I'll be used to riding. I prefer disc brakes as they stop better (especially with my extra weight).

First, do you have any suggestions for a decent road bike that can withstand my weight? I can afford about $2,000 for a bike. I'm not sure about what it should be made of. I've heard conflicting opinions that carbon fiber, while light, isn't strong enough for big guys like me. I also am tall, and don't want to hurt my back bending over so much.

Second, I'm having a rough time finding jerseys. I believe 4XL jerseys are my size. I'm not sure of my chest but I bought a 3XL jersey and it was too short (my belly sticks out).

Lastly, and I know this is a typical issue, but my butt hurts so much after a 30 mile ride. I have about 4 bibs that work well, I just don't know if my seat is right. With long distance rides, do you get to a point where you stop hurting, or is this just something that is apart of the sport?

Thanks for any help you can give!!
-Travis

Vq30de

tyrion

A touring bike can handle your weight easily. Lots of options under $2k.

TrojanHorse

If you're still using your stock saddle, that's probably the reason your butt hurts. If you're going to get a road bike, might as well wait and sort your saddle issues out there.

Lots of guys your size ride road bikes, despite scary sounding "max weight" lawyer limits.

Let's see if we can drag @Beachgrad05 out of hiding - she has done a couple Aids Life Cycle rides and can probably give you better advice.

Beachgrad05

I actually referred him to the forum. I know that the knowledge base here and experience from those his size would be so beneficial.

Beachgrad05

I forgot...WELCOME TRAVIS

Beachgrad05

I can suggest for jersey's that maybe Aerotech would be good option as they make sizes that might work well from what I have read on this forum from others.

TrojanHorse

Well heck!

Beachgrad05

Hahahaha

tch34065

Awwww, thanks so much for all your suggestions!! Thank you so much, Shawn, for the suggestion to reach out here!!! <3<3<3

starkmojo

I have had good luck with amazon for bibs. I wear either a 4x or 3x depending on the company. Look out for "Asian sizing" (hey that is what they call it) because a 3X Asian is an XL American. For me if they don't fit right i just make sure my shirt is long enough to cover my gut. The truth is bibs are horrible ugly garments but they are the best thing fir fat guys on bikes.

I suggest get the new bike then get the saddle to fit. some aching is to be expected but actual pain isn't. At your price range you could do to a retailer who can help fit your bike as part of the purchase which could help.

Idak

If you are buying a road bike, get one that can use larger tires. I was a 3k a year rider 20 years ago. At 61, I'm almost 300 lbs and I get pinch flats all the time. I have to keep my top speeds down (Going down hill. Doesn't happen on flats). My road frame won't handle tires wider than 25mm. I'm buying a "gravel" bike, to get the wider tires. It will still have drop bars and road components. It will have disk brakes. As a big guy, I'd go there. Once I get the weight down, I'll be able to ride the road bike as my summer bike an the gravel bike as my fender/racks winter and errand bike.

csport

+1 for steel touring/CX/gravel bike.
I am 6'1"/38y/just under 300lbs. Double Cross with 3x9 works for me. I run 42mm tires.
There are many options from Soma, Black Mtn, Salsa, Surly and others. If you or the shop build it from the frame you can leave the steel steerer uncut with a possibility of raising the handlebars higher. This will help you avoid being overly stretched out. It is harder to do with carbon.
Even if one can drop 10lbs of weight by getting carbon, it is not the most critical thing at our weight.

brawlo

rgconner

Give Mike Varley at Home - Black Mountain Cycles
a ring.
He can build to a price specification, although a nicely equipped 105 or Rival 22 is around $2500.

Hand built wheels, so if you want 36 spoke, he can do it.

The frames are strong, either the Road+ or the Monster Cross Disc will work, just depends if you want more relaxed geometry or more aggressive geometry. Both will take 47mm tires.

I have the MCD and it is stable as can be while still being nearly as nimble as a typical road bike.

This is "Colonel Mustard":



More photos here of other bike builds:
https://www.facebook.com/BlackMounta...44LTwwdh6bfKoA