How to Buy a Bike for Heavy People

There is no funnier way to exercise in the outdoors than biking. It’s generally an exciting way to shed a few pounds when you are big.

But did you know that there are bikes for heavy people?

So, if you are overweight and are shopping for a bike, then you shouldn’t be shopping for a regular bike. Instead, shop for bikes meant for plus size, and I’m here to guide you accordingly.

But first, let’s address the question that is in everyone’s mind below.

Why Should I Buy a Bike for Heavy People?

Given that these bikes are slightly costly than regular bikes, why would anyone spend money on them?

For starters, you need a robustly-built bike to hold your weight when you are heavy. You also want it to be more comfortable and safer to ride, and that’s what these bikes promise.

Bikes for Heavy Adults
Bikes for Heavy Adults

They are built from solid materials and feature large wheels that make biking fun and less of a struggle. Their seats are richly padded and extra-wide to accommodate your big body, and they have a good ground clearance to prevent obstructed biking.

How Can I Shop for the Best Bike for Heavy People? The Buyer’s Guide

After reviewing different bikes for heavy adults, here are the factors that I find critical in shopping for the best pick:

  • High-End Frame

You need a super-strong bike when you are heavy, and it largely depends on the built. Remember, the frame is what carries your overall weight. So, you have to pick a premium quality material for it.

Some of your options include:

  • Steel – Steel is robust and can support huge weights comfortably. The only issue is that it is denser than other materials. So, steel-frame bikes are naturally heavy.
  • Aluminum – If you prefer not to invest in a heavy bike, then you should consider aluminum. It’s lightweight but, more importantly, reasonably rock-solid and durable.

I recommend the two frame materials because of their strength. Other considerations are titanium metal and carbon. They, too, make high-end frames, only that they are costly.

Also, carbon frames get crashed when you suffer a collision.

  • Strong Wheels

Three key aspects dictate the wheel’s strength. One, the wheels need to be thick.

But why?

Thicker wheels are naturally strong, and so they tend to support plus-size weight comfortably. So, when looking at the tires, consider those that are 27mm thicker or higher.

Onto the second aspect, the wheel strength and power depend on their size.

But, does it mean that larger wheels are more robust than smaller ones? Not really. On the contrary, smaller wheels tend to be more compact, thus more reliable for huge guys.

The other aspect is the wheel width. Typically, wider wheels tend to be stronger than narrow ones.

They enjoy better traction, making it easy to take full control of your ride. It becomes easy to turn and balance on a bike with wider wheels.

So, what does it mean overall? Well, you should pick wheels that are thick, wide, and compact (average size, preferably).

  • Comfortable Saddle

You need a saddle that is super comfortable to enjoy biking. For starters, you should consider options with wider seats. Usually, a wider seat gives you extra room to sit as you ride, and as a result, you can ride for long hours tirelessly.

You also need to consider soft saddles, and that brings us to the cushioning.

Last but not least, you need to go for a saddle that is firmly attached and one that gives you an upright posture when biking.

  • High Spoke Number

Spokes play an essential role when it comes to the bike’s stability. Overall, the spoke number varies between the rear wheel and the front wheel.

For optimal performance, consider 24 spokes or more for your rear wheel. You can even go for as high as 32 if you prefer. As for the front wheel, the spoke number doesn’t matter much in as far as the bike’s stability is concerned.

A word of advice, though – don’t buy a bike with less than 18 spokes on the rear wheel. Such a number only suit lightweight bikers.

  • Load Capacity

Bikes for heavy people come with different weight limits. So, you need to find the one that can support your weight. Some of the best options for plus-size bikers and bikes for big and tall people come with the following weight limits:

  • 300lbs
  • 400lbs
  • 500lbs
  • 550lbs
  • Many Gears

There is no harm in going for a bike with many gears when you are huge. After all, more gears give you the flexibility to shift from one riding level to another. In the long run, it becomes easy to pedal and pass other bikers.

  • Good Ground Clearance

You want a bike whose pedal is not close to the ground so that you don’t get obstructed when biking. The other risk is that your bike’s components are likely to be damaged. Plus, the obstacles that you encounter are likely to slow you down.

So, ensure you check the ground clearance (pedal to ground distance) beforehand. The length should be higher than that of standard bikes.

  • Top-Notch Suspension

The suspension system absorbs shock when biking on bumpy terrain to enable you to have a smooth experience. So, it is a top consideration for bikers.

When you are big, you need to go for a top-notch suspension to help you maneuver the harsh terrain. So, it may be worthwhile to spend money on a high-end bike if you want higher suspension.

But if you are not going to be biking often, then it doesn’t make sense to pay so much money for a high-end bike.

  • Good Price

Lastly, you should consider the bike’s price carefully before making a purchase. The reality is that bikes for big people tend to cost more than those of lightweight bikers.

What’s important is that you don’t sacrifice comfort and convenience when working with a budget. Don’t let the quote scare you from investing in the best bike.

Conclusion

Above are vital tips for shopping for bikes for heavy people. You can apply them to find the best bike and get full value for money.