BIKE: Re: Heavy rider needs bike recommendation

[Fred Meredith]

But, he said that cost WAS an issue and the Worksman bikes, while 
they have spokes as big around as your little finger (not really) and 
are relatively bomb proof, they are relatively expensive compared to 
a commute use mountain bike which is what I'd recommend. No less than 
36 good 14 ga. spokes and as Mike said, trued and tensioned on a 
regular basis.  Actually, if you have a bike you like, get a good 
wheel builder from a shop to build you a really good wheel and you 
will then be sure that the spokes were installed with the proper 
spoke prep/locktite grade so they don't just loosen up on you over 
time.

I don't know what a 40-spoke custom built wheel would cost, but it 
might be worth it.

I am 6' and 235 and ride at least one bike regularly with only 32 
spokes per wheel and they are 14/15 ga. double-butted, but the wheels 
were built custom by an expert and I have never broken a spoke in the 
rear or front.

Maybe the problem is a simple as transferring that 300+ pounds to the 
pedals instead of the saddle when going over potholes, railroad 
tracks, etc.  It can make a lot of difference to have the weight as 
evenly spread as possible and maybe even the tiny bit of shock 
absorption that the crankarms provide makes a difference.

Fred (not many broken spokes here) Meredith

At 8:46 AM -0600 3/24/04, Charles McNeil wrote:
>Worksman.
><http://www.worksman.com/>http://www.worksman.com/
><http://www.worksman.com/rhcruisers.html>http://www.worksman.com/rhcruisers.html
>sounds like what you're looking for
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <mailto:MikeWilliams>Michael and Carrie Williams
>To: 
><mailto:forum-bicycleaustin.info>forum-bicycleaustin.info
>Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2004 9:31 PM
>Subject: BIKE: Heavy rider needs bike recommendation
>
>I've ridden bikes off and on for years to and from work (6-10 miles 
>one way), and I've always had a problem breaking rear spokes.  Now, 
>I'm out of shape and even heavier than before, and I need to get a 
>bike that can handle my size for my ride to the bus stop (6 miles) 
>in Pflugerville every weekday.  I'm 6' 3", 315 pounds with a 32 inch 
>inseam and fairly strong legs (stresses spokes even more). 
>Internet searches always tout the lightweight frames, yada, yada.  I 
>need BEEF, especially in the wheels.  Funds are fairly limited and 
>with a six mile ride one-way (twice a day), a classic single speed 
>cruiser won't cut it.  Recommendations?
>
>
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-- 
When in doubt ... ride your bike (or at least write about it).

Fred Meredith
P.O. Box 100 (12702 Lowden Ln for UPS/FedEx)
Manchaca, TX 78652
512/282-1987 (office/home)
512/282-7413 (fax)
512/636-7480 (wireless)
More than you want to know at: http://2merediths.com
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