Best Bike Components for Plus Size Riders
If you are a bit on the heavy side, you might have found it difficult to get on a bike before. This is because of the fear of looks from strangers on the way or the bike cannot actually handle your weight.
When it comes to bicycle adventures, consider finding your people, picking a bike and choosing the right clothes to wear.
There is no need to worry, as there are best bikes for plus size ladies and men available in the market. Finding the right components in a bike will ensure that you have excellent riding experience.
Common Issues for Heavy People
Most bikes are not made for plus size riders. That means they can experience discomfort when riding a normal bike. The majority of components and frames are not able to support heavy weight. Therefore, issues like broken spokes and flat tires are common, especially in the rear wheel.
The following are things you should consider before you start riding bikes:
1. Get a bike that works for you.
It is always advisable to get a purpose-filled bike that will work well for you. It is good to ask yourself:
Why do you want to ride?
- going to and from work
- Riding for exercising
- Going on adventures
- Carrying groceries or running a few errands
- For racing or serious fitness riding
What surfaces do you want to ride on?
- mixed road, gravel or trail
- road only
- anything and everything
2. Does the material of the bike matter to you?
Bikes today are made out of aluminum, steel, and carbon. Other expensive bikes are made of titanium. Most budget and entry-level bikes are aluminum but heavy riders may need to do more research on metal bikes.
Steel bikes have higher weight limits and suitable when you plan on carrying cargo. Steel is strong and affordable; however, it can be heavier than other frame materials. Titanium is expensive but it gives you the choice to fine-tune the quality of your ride with non-standard tube shapes and sizes. It also adds great strength with the least weight penalty.
3. When you are shopping for your bike, here are features to think about for a better bike choice:
Strong wheels: To avoid breaking your road bike spokes, consider stronger wheels that will enable you to manage the stress you are putting your bike. Metal wheels give a higher weight limit than carbon wheels. You can also look at lacing patterns and spokes.
The more spokes, the stronger the wheel.
Always talk to your local shop about the kind of wheels you need for your weight or talk to an experienced wheel builder.
Tire width: When you want to buy a bike, take a look at its tires. Wider tires give you a more cushiony ride and flexible to run them with low pressure. As a plus-size rider, invest in a good pump for your house and ensure you check your tires before every ride. Also, fill your tires to avoid the risk of flatting out.
Comfortable and stable seats: The seat is the comfort zone on any bike. Consider a wide saddle that has plenty of sitting allowance. It is also important to look for a soft saddle with good cushioning, which gets you comfortable for long hours of riding.
In addition to that, ensure that your seat has been tightly fastened before you leave the bike store to avoid slipping or turning while riding. Visit the bike shop to find bicycle seats for plus size riders.
Strong frames and fork: Go for an aluminum or steel frame for strength. Carbon fibre is expensive and more fragile while titanium is too pricey to consider.
Frame size and style: The frame of the bike should be correctly sized for your height and can allow easy entry, especially for people with limited mobility
Rear hub: A rear wheel with a cassette and freehub body supports the axle better. This means that you should avoid the older style, cheap freewheel hubs because their axles can bend or break when under a lot of stress.
Gears: Ensure that your bike has enough gears for the riding type you want and also take note of the lowest available gear because this will make it easier climbing up the hill. Generally, look for a bike with a large rear cassette cog of 32 teeth with at least 7 speeds.
Extra strong brakes: When riding a bike, the pressure is exerted on the brakes. For plus-size riders, this pressure increase can be unsafe to move between gears. Therefore, brakes for plus size people need to be very effective. Mostly, you can choose between disc, hydraulic and mechanically operated brakes.
However, you may need to conduct sufficient due diligence before you decide which type of brakes good for your bike
4. Buying e-bikes:
This is normally a great option when purchasing a bike. E-bike has a large battery and a motor which has an adjustable amount of pedaling assist. However, it might not be suitable for a longer commuter ride or if you are carrying cargo.
Don’t forget to change some things like saddles, pedals and handlebars after buying your bike to increase your comfort. Lastly, try out several bikes before settling for one.
5. Wear comfortable clothes.
You can ride your bike in anything as long as it is comfortable. Therefore if you can find good and comfortable bike clothes, just rock in them. However, plus size ladies can stick to tank tops during summer, wool layers for winter and dresses and legging for spring.
Generally, just wear what makes you feel good.
6. Find your people out there.
It doesn’t matter the kind of riding you want to do, there is always someone else who is looking for the same or already doing it. From training rides to organized group rides at your local bicycle club, there are riding groups for every interest out there.
7. You don’t owe anybody anything.
As a plus-size rider on the road, you might be subject to comments and stares from people on the street. However, you need to remind yourself that you don’t owe anyone anything, and you have a right to enjoy your ride and they just need to mind their own damn business.
Bike recommendations for heavy riders
Comfort bikes—They are easy to ride and good for beginners. They are super for trips within the neighborhood or the park. Most comfort bike models come with wide saddles and ergonomic handlebar grips.
Hybrid/fitness bikes—They are sportier, lighter and more efficient for longer day rides or while commuting. They can have a rear rack and fenders and their disc brakes perform well even in the rains.
Mountain bikes—These are the ‘Jeep’ of bikes.
They are made for off-pavement riding. They have components with sturdy frames that can handle rough riding. They are good for people living outside the city. If you ride on pavement mostly, always stick to non-suspension mountain bikes.
Cargo bikes—They are built to carry a lot of weight and they look very unique. They are in different variations to suit different types of loads.
Fat bikes—They are bike world monster trucks. They have specially designed stout frames that have room to fit extra-wide tires and rims. They can handle different types of terrain but excel widely in snow and sand.
Trikes or tricycles—They are excellent for people who lack mobility, endurance or balance. They are ridden gently and slowly. They are meant for short rides to the grocery or the park. They have an upright riding stance that makes the rider visible. However, they are heavy and bulky.
Additional Information for Heavy Riders
It is good to keep in mind that some components on bikes used by heavy riders may wear out quickly thus require frequent maintenance.
The following tips are for keeps when you are a plus-size rider:
- The wheel may require frequent adjustment of the spokes to make the wheel straight. If you find out one of your wheels is wobbly or the spoke is broken, it is nice to take it to a bike shop.
- Your breaks may wear out more quickly because it takes more force to stop a heavier bike.
- The bearing in the bottom bracket, hubs and headset may need frequent adjustment.
- Pedals may break or bend and tend to wear out quickly
- Tires can wear out quickly; always remember to keep the tires inflated to the minimum pressure to avoid flats.
- Saddle rails may bend and saddles may sag. The seat post could also bend or break as well.
- Take your bike to a mechanic to check over it at least once in a month
Conclusion
Do not allow your above average weight to keep you from getting out there. Just know that the perfect bike for you is somewhere out there. The information given here will help you when you are looking for a bike that suits you well.
Finding the right bike for your size will improve your cycling performance and make your experience worthwhile.