bicycle's weight capacity

Price and weight capacity are inversely related in bikes...the more it costs the lower the weight capacity.... 😄 😄 😄 😄

While this probalby holds true for the most part, the different frame materials have a lot to do with this. Both thin walled tubes of carbon and thin walled tubes of steel aren't sufficient to carry a significant load on. However, as you've experienced, the wheels of a bike are more likely to fail before the frame does--many wheelsets to have rider weight limits, and so do many other parts (seats, pedals, seatposts, forks, etc).

martin_j001 said:

Price and weight capacity are inversely related in bikes...the more it costs the lower the weight capacity.... 😄 😄 😄 😄

While this probalby holds true for the most part, the different frame materials have a lot to do with this. Both thin walled tubes of carbon and thin walled tubes of steel aren't sufficient to carry a significant load on. However, as you've experienced, the wheels of a bike are more likely to fail before the frame does--many wheelsets to have rider weight limits, and so do many other parts (seats, pedals, seatposts, forks, etc).

my old bike is made out of steel with fully lugged frame joints & is very strong & heavy. this bike held up to my heavy weight when i weight around 300# for years. i lost a lot of weight now, but i also bought a newer mountain bike with an aluminum frame & i wonder about the weight capacity of this frame. i assume a mountain bike is rugged built & will take a lot of abuse, not that i abuse my bikes though. it still makes me wonder why there is never a weight restriction on bikes. maybe since a lot of people change the wheels, seat posts, do upgrades, ect. that would change the weight capacity of a bike so they just don't bother to post a weight capacity...

saturnsc2 said:

maybe since a lot of people change the wheels, seat posts, do upgrades, ect. that would change the weight capacity of a bike so they just don't bother to post a weight capacity...

I think you've nailed it there. There is obviously a fatigue limit of every frame material out there, but it would be hard to guess that in every frame without testing a lot of them under too many different conditions. Then, you add to it what you mentioned--that people like to change out parts and all that--giving a weight limit would be a lawsuit waiting to happen. IMO, the best you can do is have the wheels built to suit you and your desires for the bike. When you hear about people doing long distance tours and all, they don't often discuss re-inforcing their frames or anything, but there is always talk of strengthening up the wheels and all.