big guy on a mountain bike

In article <[email hidden]>,

andrew76040 said:

A little background then my question...

I own a '97 Trek 6500, aluminum frame mountain bike. When I
bought the bike new, I weighed a lot less than what I do
now. Over the years, marriage, kids and work somehow got
the best of me and I gained quite a few pounds. Step in the
Atkins diet and have recently lost quite a few of those
extra pounds. At the present, I weigh (brace yourself), 300
pounds. I really want to get back into biking as I used to
be really into it. Now, for the questions....

1. Does anyone know if my current weight of 300 pounds is
too heavy for my bike (for now, I would just ride on
pavement trails, nothing extreme) ?

Sounds fine to me. Use the largest tire you can fit and
inflate it to the recommended limit before each ride. You
should probably also make sure your suspension fork is
adjusted to your weight as much as possible. A wheel failure
is a more likely outcome than a cracked frame, and if that
happens just buy a stronger wheel and keep riding.

Quoted message said:

2. Do you think I could potentially crack the frame with
my weight?

Sure you could potentially crack anything but I think your
bike is not so flimsy that you can't ride it on paved trails
(or more). Even if you use up the bike in the process of
obtaining fitness that is much better than saving the bike
by not riding it.

--Paul

andrew76040 said:

Hello,

Long time lurker, first time poster....

A little background then my question...

I own a '97 Trek 6500, aluminum frame mountain bike.

Same bike as me.

Quoted message said:

When I bought the bike new, I weighed a lot less than what
I do now. Over the years, marriage, kids and work somehow
got the best of me and I gained quite a few pounds.

Same as me.

Step in the Atkins diet

Same as me.

Quoted message said:

At the present, I weigh (brace yourself), 300 pounds.

Same as me 18 months ago.

I really want to get back into biking as I used to be
really

Quoted message said:

into it. Now, for the questions....

1. Does anyone know if my current weight of 300 pounds is
too heavy for my bike (for now, I would just ride on
pavement trails, nothing extreme) ?

I haven't had any problems with my frame. I did replace both
the wheels with Mavics after the wheels going out of true
too often.

Quoted message said:

2. Do you think I could potentially crack the frame with
my weight?

I doubt it. The frame is pretty chunky.

Quoted message said:

I would appreciate any and all advice you all can give.

Oh, one more thing, by the weight I am losing, I should be
at 250 pounds by mid July.

Keep up the good work!

Pete