290lbs on a Carbon Fiber Road Bike

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2013-04-24 8:29 AM

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New user
7

Chicagoish
Subject: 290lbs on a Carbon Fiber Road Bike

I had serious reservations about moving to a carbon fiber frame bike from an aluminum frame.  I currently weigh just under 290lbs at 6' tall.  My aluminum frame hybrid bike (a 2012 Trek 7.5 fx) provided me with a worry free year worth riding at about 1,000 miles.  After reading several posts on this site and others I decided to take the risk.

2 Weeks ago I traded in my 7.5 fx for a 2013 Trek Madone 4.5 (56in) road bike and have put 150 miles on it.  So far the bike is PERFECT.  Almost all of those miles are road miles and some on bad Chicago streets that are in much need of resurfacing.  

So far ... No bent wheels, popped spokes or cracks in any CF components.  The ride is smooth and quite a bit faster.  I have reviewed my data (HR, speed and cadence) and on comparable rides I am just over 2mph faster.  Also it feels as though I can hold on to 17-20 mph much easier.

I did have one flat tire in the first 10 miles of use but that was my fault for not fully inflating my tires to max psi.  I may have more to report back after 1,000 miles of riding.

Previous Bike:

2012 Trek 7.5 FX

 

New Bike:

2013 Trek Madone 4.5

2013-04-24 9:16 AM
in reply to: #4713021

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Master
1517
1000500
Grand Prairie
Subject: RE: 290lbs on a Carbon Fiber Road Bike

Sweet ride.

Some thigns to keepin mind about tire pressure:

As a heavy guy (I used to be up to 275lbs) it is good to ride higher pressures.

I found the Schwalbe Ultremo ZX tires support real high pressure and are a fantastic tire (tires will wear a lot faster if you are heavier). Though also check what max pressure your rim can hold.

At 195lbs I currently ride the tires at 140PSI.

2013-04-24 9:23 AM
in reply to: #4713021

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Expert
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Montana
Subject: RE: 290lbs on a Carbon Fiber Road Bike
Sweeeet! Good information for others, too.
2013-04-24 10:26 AM
in reply to: #4713021

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Subject: RE: 290lbs on a Carbon Fiber Road Bike
If your old bike were red, it would be identical to what I'm rolling on right now. I got some pounds to lose before I hit the sub-300 mark, but it's nice to know that carbon fiber is a possibility in my future. I mean they look so damn cool...I wants me some of that.
2013-04-24 9:25 PM
in reply to: #4713021

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Regular
176
100252525
Houston, Texas
Subject: RE: 290lbs on a Carbon Fiber Road Bike

Nice Ride!  The red, white and black looks crisp and clean.  Good riding!

I'm glad to hear you say that about increased speed.  I have a friend who's thinking about getting into tri's and wants to buy a bike but is undecided between a hybrid and road bike.  That's good to know.  I figured as much, but it's good to hear it verified.

Let me know what you think after a few months about the white bar tape.  I could never keep mine clean more than a few months and I'd have to change it out. 

Enjoy and let us know how it's going. 

2013-04-24 9:56 PM
in reply to: #4713021

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Subject: RE: 290lbs on a Carbon Fiber Road Bike

Awesome new ride!

2013-04-24 10:19 PM
in reply to: #4713021

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Veteran
2297
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Great White North
Subject: RE: 290lbs on a Carbon Fiber Road Bike
Find a Clydesdale wheel set... 36 spokes beefy rims...
2013-04-27 7:03 AM
in reply to: #4713021

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New user
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Subject: RE: 290lbs on a Carbon Fiber Road Bike

Nice upgrade.

 

I bought a carbon Specialized Roubaix in 2010 when I has at 290#'s.  It came with a very light low cost wheel set that didn't hold up well. So I had a custom wheel set made with Ultegra hubs, 36 heavy gauge straight spokes and deep V rims.   The wheel set is kind of heavy but after 2 season I have never had to have them trued.  Since bigger people descend hills at a much faster rate the last thing I wanted was to hit a crack in the road at 55 MPH and have the front wheel fall apart.

The bike has held up exceptionally well and I'm down to 258#'s.

 

Enjoy

2013-04-30 3:37 PM
in reply to: #4713021

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Master
2642
200050010025
Bloomington, MN
Subject: RE: 290lbs on a Carbon Fiber Road Bike
Very nice looking ride!
2013-04-30 10:20 PM
in reply to: #4713119

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Delaware, OH
Subject: RE: 290lbs on a Carbon Fiber Road Bike
timf79 - 2013-04-24 10:16 AMAt 195lbs I currently ride the tires at 140PSI.

Is this a typo?
2013-05-01 10:47 AM
in reply to: #4713021

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Delaware, OH
Subject: RE: 290lbs on a Carbon Fiber Road Bike
Wow that Schwalbe Ultremo ZX is smokin sexy in the white.  I might just order a set.  Thanks for the tip!

2013-05-10 8:20 PM
in reply to: #4713021


29
25
Subject: RE: 290lbs on a Carbon Fiber Road Bike

If you change wheels.  Spinergy Stealth PBO.  They have to have increased spoke tension, but bullet proof in 1 1/2 years.  I'm 285 lbs. 

2014-05-13 5:09 PM
in reply to: jason300

Member
47
25
NE Texas
Subject: RE: 290lbs on a Carbon Fiber Road Bike
I'm at 320lbs on an Orbea Orca. It has held up for about 3000 miles so far.
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