Bikes for 200+ pounders

The bike isn't actually an issue. Your wheelset might be something to look at, though.

That said, I'm 210-215 and haven't found anything that's been an issue, including 16 and 20 spoke count wheels.

You won't have any problems riding normal frames. I'm 6'2" and have gone from 245 to 200 in my days of cycling.

+1 to the above.

It's the wheelset that should be a higher consideration than the frame.

I'm 6'3" and down to 185lb these days. Never broke a thing on a bike riding on the street, including wheels. I'm not easy on stuff either, bunny hop curbs, ride over railroad tracks, crap roads...

I've broke a few things riding CycloCross and MTB, but I'm thinking that comes with the territory there.

Edited by magic 2009-07-14 12:44 AM

pretty much any reputable bike brand test their (retail) bikes on people heavier than you, so as mentioned above, I would not worry about the bike. Wheels on the other hand can be an issue, more and more off the shelf bikes today have crappy wheels, I was a little over 190 when I picked up my specialized tarmac expert and promptly snapped 4 spokes over a 2 month period. Got a much sturdier set of wheels a year ago and have had zero issues.