Mithrandir

Looking for road bike frames for 350 pounds.

I cracked my LHT frame and I'm looking for a replacement. I've got another LHT frame coming, but the lesson I've learned from this incident is that I really ought to have two bikes ready to ride at all times.

I'd like the 2nd bike to not be another Trucker. I know the Disc Trucker exists, but I feel like that'll just be boring to have two bikes of the same exact kind.

I see the Surly Midnight Special supports 355 pounds like the Disc Trucker, but there's a lot of complaints about its dropouts and I think as a clydesdale, I'll avoid it. Disc bikes don't work well for me unless I've got a captured through-axle; the discs always go out of alignment really fast.

What are my other options?

I'm 390. Was 450 last year. I'm hoping to lose another 50 pounds this year, putting me around 340. Another 50 next year and I'll be under 300, so maybe bikes in that range are allowable too.

Thanks!

veganbikes

It sounds like you are making excellent progress, treat yourself to something custom, have someone build it as you want it. Maybe you want wider tires or slacker head tube or something else like that and a good custom builder can build you that bike and make sure it will fit you well and hold up over time. Keep up that great work.

Mithrandir

Any suggestions for a frame builder?

veganbikes

Zinn (Lennard specializes in big and tall)
Bilenky
Rodriguez and Ericsson
Firefly
Chapman

There are literally tons of them but these would be a few to chat with that I would happily own a frame from but there are many more I would own a frame from as well. It is a tough choice but I think those would be some good choices in your case.

Here is a list of many more a lot of which I would probably also recommend (at least in the US I cannot speak as much to some of the foreign stuff):
https://theframebuilders.com/list/

I would certainly reach out to a couple of them and if you need help drafting an email feel free to PM me and I can help out. I think you could build a pretty sweet bike up for yourself.

TheBlackPumpkin

I'm a bit late, but look into Lynskey titanium frames.The problem though at those weights in my experience is the wheelsets, not the frames. Getting a good wheelset with the proper brake setup is going to be the thing that gets you the most mileage.

Source: I've been riding bikes with weight limits under 250lbs since I weighed 550.

EDIT: Also, rim brakes might be more advisable. I'm not that experienced of a mechanic but at higher weights, wheels go out of true faster, disc rotors get out of alignment, etc. Rim brakes don't take any of the stress you're putting on the wheelset. So while the wheels going out of true will still make brakes rub, etc, you can adjust them or get the wheel trued in 20 minutes and it solves the problem. People pushed disc brakes to me a lot when I was heavier because "they have more stopping power" this isn't necessarily always true, especially in the dry. But more importantly I don't think a lot of people realize the punishment you're putting on a wheelset and how much more problematic disc brakes are to keep aligned when you're doing that.

Polaris OBark

It is unlikely that you are imparting significant stress to the hubs or the disc brake rotors. Frame flex, which would move the brake caliper relative to the disc, is a much more likely explanation.

breadbin

Custom frames are nice but very expensive! I’m similar weight to you and love the older bike. Classic Raleigh’s with 531c tubing. Was the LHT covered under warranty? I thought it was strange you’d buy the same bike again after it cracked😁

a_d_a_m

Fellow big guy here - am on my fourth summer with my Kona Sutra; have toured loaded thrice on it and the frame and Brooks saddle have both held up. The WTB wheelset was the weak link and has since been upgraded to Velocity Cliffhanger Clyde wheels.

Clyde1820

I can also vouch for a well-built Velocity Cliffhanger wheelset. Had R&E Cycles make mine, a couple years back. Velocity Cliffhanger 26" rims, DT Swiss Champion spokes, DT Swiss Standard brass nipples, 3-cross lacing, on White Industries MI5 hubs. Reasonably lighter rims (@ 600g ea), though not "light weight." Perfect assembly, tension of the wheelset. Definitely can take a load, can take "hits" on typical urban/commuting routes. Highly recommended. Could even have gone with the Velocity Blunt 35 26" rims, but I wasn't sure I wanted that wide a rim (do now, but wasn't certain then); I'm sure it would have been just as bomb-proof a build.

a_d_a_m

They really are a great company. I discovered a crack in one of my WTBs just a week before this year’s tour attempt. I called them direct (their phone number isn’t the easiest to find), got a live voice immediately, and they hand-built and shipped a wheel from Michigan to Ohio in under 24 hours. Seriously - I ordered at noon and it was on my front step at 10am the next day.

Clyde1820

Darned expensive, but the build quality and the service is really hard to beat. Bomb-proof build. My own set wasn't an overnight thing, but then I did tell them time wasn't important so just fit it in whenever.

Have been toying with the idea of having them build me a custom-geometry, ultra-low-gearing Rodriguez UTB for an all-around city/trails bike. If I were to do that, it'd likely be with the Velocity Blunt 35 26" rims, DT Swiss Alpine III spokes and brass nipples. Imagining what a Pinion P1.18 would do as a low-geared climber. It'd cost a couple barrels of pennies, but of course it'd be yet another bomb-proof build. Good group.