Equipment for Fat Fella

GrandeAnse2Grenville I'm no sir. Just a fat bloke, that used to be pretty good as a pushie, but preferred the long distance jobs to the central london circuit. My favourite pushie job ever, was a Kings Cross to Northolt wait-and-return. I kid you not. I could've started a salt water pond with the sweat.

who did you ride for, and when?

I used to ride for Chain Gang (ask Dinky, if u know her), Hornets, Vanguard (Adam used to pay in cash on Friday nights), Mercury Despatch (just off the roundabout).

Off and on from about '92 to '96

wow was not around back in those days.

GrandeAnse2Grenville I've just checked the Dahon's max rider weight, and its 105kgs. I've got a bit wof weight to lose before I'm there.....

Just a thought from another clydesdale, all these weight ratings have a hefty (ahem) margin of error. I'm 107kg and constantly use ladders rated max 90kg. You pays your money and takes your choice. Maybe talk to Greg at London Fields Cycles, he's been a big help regarding wheel strength on my beater/tool carrying bike which often carries me plus and 20kg tools.

chris crash, you make me feel old.

London Fields eh? I shall go forth.

Gotta scram. They're kicking me outta work. I'll have to check in later from my Ameo.

I've got a Dahon Jack and weighed over the 'suggested' limit when i bought it a couple of years ago - had a lot to do with getting me well under the limit as well! They are pretty robust, I used to throw mine around a lot, did L2B and L2S'end last year on it, and its still going strong.
They do weigh a bit though, even my Charge Plug feels light against it and I know thats saying something.
I'm selling my Dahon as I want something lighter for L2B and the longer runs this year, but it was a great bike and got me back into cycling in a big way, at first I used to get the train one way on my 10mile each way commute, then basically worked up to not having to take the train.
Now i ride the commute most days and I love it!

If you are as large a person as you suggest from your posts perhaps it would make sense to go for something mountain bike-ish for strength and then get some slicks on it for speed/grip on the road. I've noticed quite a few people in London do so. Once you've lost some weight then head towards a road bike.

You might find you're more comfortable to begin with on a mtb, which I would think is probably going to be the most important factor since if you're not comfortable on your bike, you won't be enjoying it, and you'll stop riding altogether.

I'm heavier than you!! and trying to squash an old Harry Hall steel 531 road frame. seems to be having no problems, it feels a bit flexy but much nicer to ride on the road than my previous ridgeback bullit (harsh as hell even with 700cX36or 38 boots) or my Specialized rockhopper which is better, but we'll see how nice it feels with 700c rims and the biggest tyre I can squeeze in.

I reckon you will be fine on a good steel road bike, my only suggestion is get something well put together, my old steel 501 Raleigh yukon failed where the seatstay was brazed to the seat tube, purely down to a poor braze.

kowalski The Alex Moulton/Pashley TSR don't specify a weight limit.

They don't fold but do seperate, if that helps.

Looky here

The TSR would be your best bet to look at rather than one of the AM machines. I would definately email Pashley first though to check re. rider weight - their Design Manager is a guy called Dan Farrell and he would be able to give the definitive answer.

Maybe I got ahead of myself. I KNOW the mtb is the stronger frame, but its slo-mo compared to a good road bike. No I'll have to think about it. I should get the mtb first, then a road bike, when less weighty. Good to get the advice though.

If you get a road fixed / single speed with 36 spoked wheels and the biggest tyres you can fit you will have no problems. The wheels will be fine. A well built set of 700s on 36 spokes with zero dish are pritty strong as long as you are not trying to bumg it up a curb without flicking the rear wheel up. A a good strong steel frame will hold up well. You are heavy but think abour people who tour on 36 spoke wheels (dished) wich are dished with 30 kg plus of gear and weigh 100+ kg.

GrandeAnse2Grenville,

You used to work for Vanguard? I worked for them for 3 years on and off from 96 I remember Adam and his dad Phil. Nice people, maybe you were there when I was. I used to ride a blue kona mountain bike back then. I still remember my number - 133

GrandeAnse2Grenville I used to ride for Chain Gang (ask Dinky, if u know her), Hornets, Vanguard (Adam used to pay in cash on Friday nights), Mercury Despatch (just off the roundabout).

Rider 196 Vanguard and then Booker Bikes 1985 - 92 ish, it was an awfully long time ago

I was "24" almost everywhere I went. Papa24, Zulu24, etc. Yes, the family at Vanguard were ok people; no problems at all. I remember the younger son being a bit of a "lad"; didn't he have a Lotus or Ferrari, or somesuch mularkey? Yes too, I was a pushie during those years. And rider196, I probably know you. Wasn't Superchrome the biggest account? Or was that for Hornets?

TheBrick(Tommy), thanks. I was thinking along those lines too. I'll swap you a grandmother for a pair of Mavics, but I'm prepared to slum down to Miche Primatos to build onto? What say you? :))

the-smiling-buddha 1985

those where the days.

GrandeAnse2Grenville I was "24" almost everywhere I went. Papa24, Zulu24, etc. Yes, the family at Vanguard were ok people; no problems at all. I remember the younger son being a bit of a "lad"; didn't he have a Lotus or Ferrari, or somesuch mularkey? Yes too, I was a pushie during those years. And rider196, I probably know you. Wasn't Superchrome the biggest account? Or was that for Hornets? I think Terry Wogan was a whippersnapper on the wireless, and dinosaurs roamed Brighton?

I slept on it, I was rider 136 (not 196), "136,136, where the fuck are you.!!?@!!! and the lad at Vanguard had a black Porsche, they were jewish gentlemen from golder green, I think they quite enjoyed hanging around with the hoy paloy, queue up to get paid on a friday night then straight round the pub for a few bevies

GrandeAnse2Grenville
Along the non-folder lines, have you had a look at on-one.co.uk, something like they're Pompino or a 29" Inbred SS sounds like it would do the trick for you. Have no idea of their max rider weight but worth dropping them a line. Brant is a top bloke, I owned a geared inbred a couple of years ago and have nothing but good things to say about their service and products. just my tupence worth... b

Despatching back in the day. I admit I was on a motorbicycle, still remember my name "KiloTwoZero, what the fuck are you doing?!!!". That was for West End Despatch in the late 80s. Good on you GrandeAnse2Grenville for getting back in the saddle, I'm a fellow lardarse who is getting back into bicycles after a 10 plus year gap partly because I loved it so much and partly to shift the pounds. Can't believe at 6ft 3in I used to weigh 12.5 stone and am now touching 19! Best of luck chap.

What about a folding mountain bike?

http://www.montagueco.com/productpara.html

Is this about weight loss? I stopped riding during my mid-20s and was starting to get a bit chunky by the time I resumed. Easy mountain bike miles on a canal will make the weight drop off. Well, it did for me. A flat tow path and the upright riding position on a MTB is a good way to ease yourself back into it.

If cycling doesnt work, I've got a sharp knife. Like the ear in Reservoir Dogs, its just got to go.

a daily commuting ride of about 25-30 minutes each way will burn some fat.. worked for me :)
I'd not like to do it on a folding bike though..