lazurm

After searching for its definition via Google I can't find a definition for bicycle weight limits in terms of whether the definition includes the weight of the bicycle or not.
So, if the weight limit is 275 pounds, is that 275 pounds added weight or 275 pounds including the weight of the bicycle or is the definition something else?

AlgarveCycling

My Wilier has a weight limit of 176lbs. Wilier are clear that this includes bike, rider and accessories combined. My Trek is 275lbs but it is also a combined weight according to Trek.

genejockey 

176 lbs? Geez! Don't take that second water bottle.

AlgarveCycling

It is low!

I come in at 156lbs combined. The bike is only 13lbs so it came with low weight strings attached to get the warranty at the time.

It's done over 13000 miles and I've taken it off-road on gravel a few times too; seems to be holding up!

phughes

This is a question for the manufacturer. Surly says their weight limit of 300 pounds is the rider and cargo, not the bike as well. I would venture to guess most manufacturers list their weight capacity that way. To do otherwise is odd, but some may list it including the bike. Sort of a dumb way to list it if you ask me, though of course no one did.

phughes

I just looked at Trek's site, and looked for a weight limit. On their Cruiser Lux 7D Step Thru it says. "This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider, and cargo) of 300 pounds (136 kg)." Seriously a bizarre way to specify weight capacity, but then again, people ass different seats, etc.

Once again, ask the manufacturer.

Iride01 

I'd ask the manufacturer. I don't know of any standards for such that every bicycle manufacturer must abide by.

Ironfish653

Unless it's a super-light build, like AlgarveCycling's Willier, or a bike that's got a lot of carbon bits on it, usually the wheels are the limiting factor as far as weight capacity goes.
For a 'typical' road or touring bike, the frame weight is a pretty small fraction of GCVW, so it really isn't much of a factor, but if you're talking about an e-bike or cargo bike, with a much more substantial frame (75-100# isn't uncommon) then the weight of the bike itself should be taken into consideration.

Keep in mind, too, that for recreational / utility bikes, the weight limit will have a lot more of a 'safety factor' built in than a light-weight, high-performance racing bike.

njkayaker

Any indicated weight limit is going to be conservative. That is, the "real" limit is likely going to be substantially higher.

It's not like it's going to be "fine" at exactly 275 lbs (or less) and break at 275.1 lbs.

lazurm

Answering my own question: the great majority of bicycle's weight limit excludes the weight of the bicycle. So, the weight limit is rider (and items carried by the rider, including clothing) and cargo. In addition to calling my bicycle dealer I also read this here: https://www.thegeekycyclist.com/tips/weight-limits/ .
However, in confirming the other definition (written here in the comments) I'm still not 100% certain for my bicycle (the Specialized Creo SL but with 700x38 tires).

livedarklions

Sounds more like a Won'tlier than a Wilier.

genejockey 

It's stretch, but I'll allow it.

livedarklions

I'd break it just by the weight of my gaze.

Amazing you can ride that on gravel. How does it feel?

zandoval 

I wonder what component we are really talking about.

Frame Failure
Spoke Failure
Hub and Wheel failure
On what terrain

Maybe a little common sense. I am not going to get my 250 pounds on a nice carbon road bike with 28 spoke wheels and ride on one of my local torn up asphalt roads.

genejockey 

Ah, you say that, but I had a custom wheelset built 28F/32R, at the builder's suggestion despite being about 220 then (and more subsequently, though less now). and in maybe 10,000 miles they haven't even needed truing.

AlgarveCycling

I'm pushing it by taking it on gravel with its 25mm tyres. I do have to be careful, I can't ride it like I would on the road - or, at least I don't want to try. It's just that there are a lot of gravel roads near me so sometimes I'll take one.

But, it seems to handle ok, easy to flick about, accelerates rapidly and not uncomfortable.

Rick

I asked the manufacture of our new ebikes and was told that the wheels are mostly the issue with more weight. So I ordered Ryde Andra 40 rims and Sapim Strong spokes. I have a Carla Cargo Trailer to haul the groceries, dogs or both.

mschwett 

it’s a bit ironic that some of the weight limits include the bike … but they don’t tell you how much the bike weighs 😂😂

phughes

Once again... Ask the manufacturer. You are searching for everything but the answer, then guessing.

phughes

I'll give you a hint. Owners manual... Appendix A.

70sSanO

Or what it really weighs. Especially in a rideable configuration.

And… “Oh, you’re not riding the 46cm frame?”

John

phughes

The answer is in the OP's user manual in Appendix A. If the OP doesn't have one, they can get it online from the manufacturer's site. The OP though would rather look ask others to look, and look for themselves everywhere but the most logical place, the owner's manual, or the manufacturer's website. The OP now claims they have the answer, which they found themselves, but it really isn't the answer since they found info about "most bikes," then guessed based on calling the dealer. The info they are using to extrapolate the answer is incorrect, based on what is found in the OP's owner's manual. So, no OP, you haven't answered your question, at least not correctly,