Biking has a weight downside. No, I’m not speaking concerning the pressures on the professional peloton to be as gentle as potential to enhance their power-to-weight ratio. I’m not even speaking concerning the rampant weight loss plan tradition that assumes individuals journey bikes predominantly for weight reduction. The burden downside I’m referring to lies in biking gear itself —particularly, the low weight limits and the dearth of accessible data on the weight capability of merchandise.
As a well known larger-bodied bicycle owner who runs a size-inclusive nonprofit (All Our bodies on Bikes), I obtain emails weekly from heavier people, trying to find a bicycle that may match their our bodies and the fashion of using they’re planning on doing.
In my efforts to assist people, I’ve combed by way of numerous producers’ web sites. Weight limits are nearly by no means listed beneath the geometry or technical specs the place you’d anticipate them to be. As a substitute, I often should dig by way of the proprietor’s guide to seek out the burden restrict.
Even when a weight restrict is supplied, deciphering the true weight restrict generally is a problem in itself, as they’ll usually embrace a calculation akin to rider weight + cargo weight = weight capability. Does this imply anyone who exceeds the rider’s weight however doesn’t plan on carrying cargo is protected on this bike?
Many of the bike weight limits I’ve seen from main producers like Cannondale, Specialised, and Trek prime out at 300 kilos. This limitation excludes a considerable portion of the biking group from accessing performance-oriented bikes. However we’re not simply speaking race-style bikes, the place a lighter construct is prioritized. Hybrids, entry-level commuter bikes, and e-bikes additionally usually prime out on the 300-pound degree.
Curiously, I’ve discovered a shiny spot within the direct-to-consumer e-bike market. Many producers, together with Rad Energy Bikes, Pedego, and Aventon, not solely record the burden restrict on the bike specification web page but additionally usually have greater weight limits than common bikes, generally within the 400-pound vary. My understanding is that these bikes are marketed to commuters and supposed to be automobile replacements, in order that they anticipate heavier masses—be it children, groceries or only a heavier rider.
With 74% of adults in america categorised as being bigger-bodied people by the CDC, this isn’t a distinct segment downside. But, many bikes and bike gear are nonetheless manufactured with solely the opposite 26% in thoughts. The market is much extra numerous, and other people with bigger our bodies, myself included, particularly take pleasure in using bikes as a result of it is easy on our joints and permits us to journey additional than we may by strolling or working. I at present wrestle to stroll a mile (because of a torn meniscus) however usually journey 50+ miles with out concern.
I’ve good friend who weighs 350 kilos. He’s a former faculty soccer and rugby participant who lately discovered biking and has fallen in love. With bum shoulders and knees from years of enjoying contact sports activities, biking is a device for him to train, socialize and discover pleasure. He has struggled, nonetheless, to discover a bike that may match him and is able to using the gravel adventures he likes to undertake. In lower than one 12 months, he has needed to guarantee two wheelsets that preserve failing in the identical method. I can sense his frustration, as he chosen his bike particularly for the upper listed weight capability, and but it falls in need of his wants. My finest suggestion for him was to get a customized set of wheels constructed, which is pricey and actually shouldn’t should be the answer.
I perceive that itemizing the burden restrict for every bike or wheel is a technical problem, as many components affect this quantity, together with construct materials and end-use case. Nevertheless, I’m assured that this information exists, not less than for the factory-spec mannequin.
My proposed resolution, which I introduced lately on the Nationwide Bicycle Sellers Affiliation annual assembly, is so as to add the burden restrict to the geometry spec sheet for each bicycle subsequent to the standover peak and attain. Whereas any modifications to the bottom mannequin would, in fact, change this quantity, it could not less than present a place to begin for shoppers and bike outlets to work from.
As extra individuals of all dimensions and shapes get on bicycles, the bicycle trade must do a greater job of making certain they’ve protected and applicable gear to make use of. Itemizing the burden limits is step one, and a small one at that, towards a extra inclusive trade. Constructing stronger, extra succesful bikes might be subsequent.
Extra columns by Marley Blonsky
