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| *Vultures Knob>>>Cycling |
What's the best commuter bike set-up for a 6'6"/280lb guy? Or, should I convert my MTB for the 10 mile ride? |
What's the best commuter bike set-up for a 6'6"/280lb guy? Or, should I convert my MTB for the 10 mile ride? ok lets say this: When i too started riding to work i was around 280lbs. Yes i am 6' 6'' tall too and i had a trek R700 and used that for commuting everyday. also i was a bike messenger in baltimore city so i rode that bike from 30-60 miles a day. after 2 months i was lost over 50lbs from the messenger job. my recommendation is get yourself to a good bike dealer, not walmart or anything like that, but a good dealer. tell them what you will use the bike for. they will set you up with a bike and equipment you need. there is a big myth about us big guys that the frames will not hold up on us. i tell you that after 3 1/2 years that bike is still going strong and i am not easy on my bikes. biking you will discover helps you in so many ways, health wise, mentally, fresh air, no traffic jams...oh and wear that helmet, it has saved my life twice so far. yes i am really 6' 6''...how many people you know have size 16 feet being shorter? Hey if you have a MTB that you would like to convert - do it. The only things I would change/add are tires, get the 1.5 road tires there bullet proof and quite a bit faster then knobbies. Add a rack to the back and your ready to roll. I agree with M R. I did that very thing (except I went to 700 X 25 Bontrager Race X Lite). It's a fast straight-bar road bike now! Any touring or cross bike with some modification on rear wheels - more then 36 spokes will make daily commuting for you trouble free and fast for long time . Do not forget tires , because even good quality tire like Schwalbe Marathon have certain load capacity , 700 x 28 just 92 kg , so if you carry load on your bike you must switch to 700 x 32 or better 700 x 35 which carry 118 kilograms of load eazy . The thing about using a MTB for a road trip like this is that the off-road features just slow you down. Rear suspension and front shocks add weight that will be completely unnecessary if you are sticking to pavement for your commute. Likewise the extra-wide tires, which give added grip in the dirt, are adding weight for zero benefit on clean roads. And those knobby tires -- do you hear that zzzz noise when riding on the street? That's some more inefficiency to slow you down. You will be much better off with narrow street tires on a lightweight street bike. I commute using a racing-style bike (you know, with the drop handlebars) to reduce wind resistance. I can blow away anyone on a mountain bike. I outfitted a rear fender, because with a daily commute, you will get rained on sooner or later. I ride in the dark regularly too, so I sought out a taillamp that takes double-A batteries for longer life. Most brands use AAA to be compact, but that's not my priority. I've tried commuting in the winter using my mountain bike through the snow, but that's an extreme condition which I wouldn't recommend. to the guy above, I doubt you could blow away ANY mountain biker, lol. I routinely pass road bikers on my 34 pound all mountain bike. but anywway, to the question. Being somewhat heavy will put a lot of pressure on your mountain bike, especially if its a wallmart brand, low quality bike. In that case, it would be best for you to go to the bikeshop, and splurge on a good commuter's cycle, around $500. If your mtb is reputable and the framing/welding is still in good condition, go ahead and covert it. Put some slick road tires on it, get some clipless pedals, and ride man. ride. |
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