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Best Bikes For Big Guys And Heavy People

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If you’re a big-built person seeking to buy a new bike, you need to know it’ll support your weight. This is a common concern for beginners and seasoned cyclists alike.

How do you know a bike is strong enough for you? If you weigh in the region of 250 pounds or more, you may find some bikes a little fragile for you.

This article shows you a wide range of the best bikes for big guys and tells you what features to look for when tracking down your ideal machine.

Table of Contents

Top 30 Best Bikes For Big Guys Reviewed

To help you in your search for a strong bike, here are our 30 top picks for big-guy bikes.

1. Trek 1120 Off-Road Bikepacker’s Touring Bike (best overall)

Trek 1120 Off-Road Bikepacker’s Touring Bike in Matte Nautical Navy colorPin

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  • Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Number Of Gears: 1×12
  • Weight: 31.05 lbs (14.08 kg)

One way to ensure you’re getting a strong bike is to choose one designed to carry loads over uneven surfaces. That’s what you get with the fun Trek 1120 Off-Road Bikepacker’s Touring Bike.

This robust machine is made with an all-terrain “Alpha Platinum” aluminum frame. It supports a max load of 300 pounds (136 kg), though this does potentially include cargo.

A standout feature of the bike is its single front 34t chainring and wide-ranging 10-51t cassette. This befits its off-road, loaded touring purpose.

Other 1120 traits include Trek’s rack system, designed to support 8L bags at the rear and extra stuff at the front. A horizontal sliding dropout lets you adjust geometry or convert to single-speed in the event of derailleur problems on a remote ride.

What We Like

  • Versatility – MTB and off-road touring bike rolled into one.
  • Easy – some very low gears in line with the bike’s purpose as an all-terrain tourer.
  • Stop – great stopping power from Shimano 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes.
  • Fat – 29 x 3” tires ensure riding comfort.

What We Don’t Like

  • Price – a tad expensive.

2. Cannondale Trail 6 (best for over 250 lbs man)

Cannondale Trail 6 in Slate colorPin

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  • Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Number Of Gears: 2×8 (16)
  • Weight: 32.8 lbs (14.88 kg)

Allowing a maximum rider weight of 275 lbs (125 kg), the Cannondale Trail 6 MTB is as sturdy as it is good-looking. This hardtail mountain bike has a lightweight aluminum frame, a shock-absorbing front suspension fork and Shimano components.

Gears are vital to heavier riders whenever there are hills to negotiate. This Cannondale has some easy climbing ratios with 36/22t chainrings at the front driving an 11-34t cassette. Front and rear derailleurs are Shimano.

Cannondale’s SAVE micro-suspension technology cuts out vibration for a smoother, more comfortable ride. The slack head tube angle on this bike makes it ideal for stable handling on fast off-road descents.

To bring yourself to an efficient halt, the bike comes equipped with hydraulic disc brakes. This bike is comfortable to ride and has a 6061 aluminum alloy handlebar with 25mm of rise and 8 degrees of sweep for rider comfort and control.

What We Like

  • Construction – solid, confidence-inspiring build quality.
  • Gears – very low gears will help heavier riders to climb.
  • Stop – hydraulic disc brakes for all-weather stopping power.

What We Don’t Like

  • Post – no dropper post.

3. Mongoose Dolomite Men’s Fat Tire Mountain Bike (best for over 300 lbs man)

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  • Frame Material: Steel
  • Number Of Gears: 1×7
  • Weight: Approx. 50 lbs (22.68 kg)

Fat bikes are built robustly, and this Mongoose Dolomite Men’s Fat Tire Mountain Bike is no different. It has a sturdy steel frame and is great for crossing challenging surfaces like snow, sand, mud and dirt.

This bike is suitable for riders from 5’ 6” to 6’ tall. It has a 7-speed cassette and single front chainring. The gears will help heavy riders to get over challenging terrain, though you may find yourself needing a lower gear if you’re facing a steep hill.

You’ll have great fun on this bike on fairly flat or moderately undulating trails. Its 4-inch-wide tires and compliant steel frame help to smooth out bumps. Of course, those wide tires give you great traction, too, and they’re mounted on eye-catching red rims.

Mechanical disc brakes bring you to an efficient stop on the Mongoose Dolomite fat bike.

What We Like

  • Looks – stylish bike, especially the navy blue model with red wheels.
  • All-terrain – can be ridden over sand or snow.
  • Strong – sturdy steel frame, albeit a heavy one.

What We Don’t Like

  • Gears – you may need a lower lowest gear for steep hills.

4. Outroad Fat Tire Mountain Bike (best for over 350 lbs man)

Outroad Fat Tire Mountain BikePin

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  • Frame Material: Steel
  • Number Of Gears: 3×7 (21)
  • Weight: 55 lbs (24.9 kg)

Capable of carrying a load of up to 440 lbs, the Outroad Fat Tire Mountain Bike is ideal for the bigger cyclist. This trail bike has 4-inch-wide tires for comfort over any surface, including snow, mud, dirt or asphalt.

This is far from being a lightweight bike, but it does include a decent choice of gears with a triple chainset and a 7-speed cassette at the rear. These gears will help you over undulating terrain. Mechanical disc brakes provide reliable stopping power.

Other features of the Outroad MTB include Shimano gear shifters, a shock-absorbing front fork and a kickstand.

What We Like

  • Strong – robust build quality.
  • Brakes – front and rear disc brakes for reliable stopping.
  • Price – relatively affordable price.

What We Don’t Like

  • Weight – a hefty bike that adds significantly to rider weight.

5. Schwinn Meridian Adult Tricycle (best for over 400 lbs man)

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  • Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Number Of Gears: 1×7 (7)
  • Weight: 70 lbs (31.75 kg)

A solidly built step-through bike that can handle heavy loads is the Schwinn Meridian Adult Tricycle. This aluminum bike is available in a choice of models with different gearing, colors and wheel sizes.

The Schwinn Meridian distributes weight a little wider with its three wheels, making it ideal for carrying heavier loads. It has a Shimano 7-speed rear derailleur to give you gearing options on undulating roads or trails.

Other features of this Schwinn three-wheeler include fenders, rear baskets for carrying shopping or bags, and a chainguard. The brakes are traditional rim brakes.

What We Like

  • Sturdy – frame constructed well from aluminum.
  • Cargo – baskets included for carrying luggage and shopping.
  • Mount – step-through frame makes the bike easy to mount and dismount.

What We Don’t Like

  • Steering – can be tricky to steer on sloping roads.

6. Zize Bikes Time of Your Life 3.0 Urban Bike (best for over 500 lbs man)

Zize Bikes Time of Your Life 3.0 Urban Bike in Atlantic Blue colorPin

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  • Frame Material: Chromoly steel
  • Number Of Gears: 8

A bike with an impressive weight capacity of up to 550 lbs is the Zize Bikes Time of Your Life 3.0 Urban Bike. This is a bike for general urban riding or commuting. It’s superbly constructed from durable chromoly steel.

Adding to the bike’s strength is its strong 36H wheels (36 spokes) with double-wall alloy rims. The wheels are fitted with 26 x 2” tires for added comfort.

To help keep your clothes clean as you ride, this bike comes with fenders and a chainguard. A kickstand enables you to stand the bike up on its own, whether you’re taking a rest or popping into a store.

This bike has an 8-speed Shimano internal hub gear and uses reliable Shimano hydraulic disc brakes to bring you to a halt. Both are low-maintenance parts, so you can ride your bike without often needing to service it.

What We Like

  • Capacity – weight capacity accommodates most riders.
  • Servicing – hub gears and hydraulic disc brakes are low-maintenance.
  • Mount – easy to climb on and off.

What We Don’t Like

  • Range – hub gears are generally more limited in gear range.

7. Trek Émonda SL 5 Disc Road Bike (best for big and tall guys)

Trek Émonda SL 5 Disc Road Bike in Quicksilver/Brushed Chrome colorPin

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  • Frame Material: Carbon
  • Number Of Gears: 2×11 (22)
  • Weight: 20.18 lbs (9.15 kg)

Road bikes don’t boast the same weight capacities as, say, fat bikes, but they can still accommodate tall and large riders. For example, the Trek Émonda SL 5 Disc Road Bike is good for riders up to around 6’ 5” and 275 lbs (62 cm frame size).

For the moderately large rider, performance road bikes like this Trek are fair game. The SL 5 has a lightweight carbon frame, inconspicuous flat-mount disc brakes, a compact crankset (50/34t chainrings) and an 11-speed 11-30t rear cassette.

This is a bike that will help you over hills with its gearing, though of course you can switch the cassette for one with an easier low gear. The installed groupset is Shimano 105, which offers high performance and reliability.

What We Like

  • Performance – great for anyone who likes to ride fast.
  • Lightweight – carbon frame makes it marginally easier to climb hills.
  • Brakes – compact and lightweight flat-mount disc brakes.

What We Don’t Like

  • Cost – high-end road bikes don’t come cheap.

8. Heybike Mars Electric Bike (best electric bike)

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  • Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Number Of Gears: 1×7 (7)
  • Weight: 66 lbs (29.93 kg)

An electric bike with a 330 lbs rider capacity and a brushless 500W motor is the Heybike Mars Electric Bike. This foldable bike comes with dual front and rear shock absorbers to ensure a smooth ride, and that’s further enhanced by its fat 4-inch tires.

There are three modes on this bike if you include manual mode. You can travel up to 37 miles on throttle only or 48 miles in pedal-assist mode. Top speed in the latter mode is limited to 20 mph assisted (32 km/h).

Other nice features on this bike include built-in lights, a rear cargo rack, disc brakes and 7-speed Shimano gears. The removable 48v 12.5Ah lithium battery is easily recharged via a USB port in about 6 to 8 hours.

What We Like

  • Range – decent 48-mile maximum range in pedal-assist mode.
  • Extras – includes lights, fenders and a rear cargo rack.
  • Comfort – fat tires and dual shock absorbers ensure comfy rides.

What We Don’t Like

  • Manual – probably not a bike you’d relish riding in manual mode.

9. Co-op Cycles DRT 1.2 Mountain Bike (best mountain bike for heavy guys)

Co-op Cycles DRT 1.2 Mountain Bike in Moss colorPin

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  • Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Number Of Gears: 2×9 (18)
  • Weight: 32.47 lbs (14.73 kg)

An MTB that will support riders up to 300 lbs is the Co-op Cycles DRT 1.2 Mountain Bike. The XL sizes have large 29 x 2.4” wheels (29ers) dressed with WTB Trail Boss tires. A front suspension fork with 120 mm of travel helps smooth the ride.

The DRT 1.2 has a 2×9 speed Shimano drivetrain with a wide 11-36t range at the rear. Coupled with the 36/22t rings at the front, it’s safe to say this is a real climbing bike. This low gear range is handy for heavier riders who want or need to climb.

Other appealing features in this Co-op bike include Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, internal cable routing and dropper-post compatibility.

What We Like

  • Gears – this bike is excellent for heavy riders who want to climb.
  • Brakes – hydraulic disc brakes for reliable stopping power.
  • Weight – reasonably lightweight bike.

What We Don’t Like

  • Dropper – no dropper post, which some bikes have at this price point.

10. Trek 520 Grando Adventure Bike (best road bike for heavy guys)

Trek 520 Grando Adventure Bike in Nautical Navy colorPin

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  • Frame Material: Butted chromoly steel
  • Number Of Gears: 2×10 (20)
  • Weight: 29.27 lbs (13.28 kg)

One way to find a road bike suitable for big guys is to look for one designed to carry stuff. The Trek 520 Grando Adventure Bike can take a load of up to 275 lbs and in its 63cm-frame version caters for riders over 6’ 5” tall.

This bike has a compliant steel frame and all-road tires designed for speed over gravel or pavement. The latter are fitted to sturdy 36H Bontrager tubeless-ready wheels. Shimano Tiagra parts offer reliability whilst keeping the price favorably in check.

A Shimano GRX rear derailleur is included, which has a chain stabilizing mechanism for gear changes over rougher terrain. Other nice features include the integrated front rack and TRP Spyre C 2.0 mechanical disc brakes.

What We Like

  • Gears – versatile gear range and GRX derailleur for reliable shifting.
  • Rack – load the bike up and go touring (weight capacity includes luggage).
  • Comfort – compliant steel frame and wide 40mm tires for comfy riding.

What We Don’t Like

  • Tires – versatile gravel and road tires supplied, but you might want to switch them if you’re riding mainly on the road.

11. Co-op Cycles CTY 1.1 Bike (best hybrid bike for heavy guys)

Co-op Cycles CTY 1.1 Bike in Nightsea colorPin

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  • Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Number Of Gears: 3×8 (24)
  • Weight: 27.8 lbs (12.6 kg)

Though it’s sold as a kind of urban bike, the Co-op Cycles CTY 1.1 Bike has a gear range more commonly seen on a hybrid. A purebred hybrid bike probably has the rider in a slightly more forward position than this one, but no matter.

The mentioned gearing includes a 48/38/28 triple chainring, which drives an 11-32t cassette at the rear. That’s a range that should help heavier guys over most hills. The groupset is mostly Shimano, save for the Tektro mechanical disc brakes.

Given its three chainrings and robust construction, this is an impressively lightweight bike. It’s ideal for pottering in and around cities or slightly longer leisure rides if the mood takes you. The CTY 1.1 has a capacity of 300 lbs.

What We Like

  • Climb – a good bike for climbing with wide gear range.
  • Lightweight – not too heavy, despite triple chainrings.
  • Comfort – upright posture good for urban riding or short leisure rides.

What We Don’t Like

  • Handlebar – might be on the wide side for some.

12. Mongoose Hitch Men’s All-Terrain Fat Bike (best fat bike for heavy guys)

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  • Frame Material: Steel
  • Number Of Gears: 1×7
  • Weight: 44 lbs (19.95 kg)

A bike designed for cross-country mountain biking, the Mongoose Hitch Men’s All-Terrain Fat Bike can handle most difficult riding surfaces with its 4 1/4” knobby tires. It’s ideal for riding across sand or snow.

No maximum weight capacity is specified by Mongoose for this bike, though it has a history of supporting riders of over 300 lbs. Like most fat bikes, it’s very sturdily made.

This bike has a 1×7 speed drivetrain, meaning there’s a single chainring at the front and 7 gears (sprockets) at the rear. Other features of the Mongoose Hitch include front and rear disc brakes, a durable steel frame, and easy-to-use twist gear shifters.

What We Like

  • Looks – striking red finish on a stylish bike.
  • Brakes – mechanical disc brakes for reliable all-weather stopping.
  • All-terrain – ride on snow, sand, dirt, mud or pavement.

What We Don’t Like

  • Gears – limited gear selection means you should probably avoid steep hills.

13. Outroad 21 Speed Fat Tire Snow Bike (best value bike)

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  • Frame Material: Steel
  • Number Of Gears: 3×7 (21)
  • Weight: 48.5 lbs (22 kg)

With a weight capacity of 440 lbs, the Outroad 21 Speed Fat Tire Snow Bike is a robust machine ideal for the larger rider. This relatively affordable bike is sturdily made from steel and offers a choice of 21 gears.

The Outroad Snow Bike can handle a variety of surfaces, including mud, sand and snow. That’s largely down to the huge traction from its 4-inch knobby tires. Front and rear mechanical disc brakes provide ample stopping power.

Adding to the comfort of the bike is a front-fork shock absorber and an ergonomic seat.

What We Like

  • Price – affordable price point, especially with that gear selection.
  • Gears – wide choice of gears.
  • All-terrain – ride on snow, sand, dirt, mud or pavement.
  • Capacity – very accommodating to heavier riders.

What We Don’t Like

  • Weight – not the best bike for climbing anything steep.

14. Schwinn Sanctuary 7 Cruiser Bicycle (best for comfort)

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  • Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Number Of Gears: 7
  • Weight: 38.8 lbs (17.6 kg)

With a weight capacity of up to 300 lbs, the Schwinn Sanctuary 7 Cruiser Bicycle provides a comfortable ride for heavy and light riders alike. It offers the classic cruiser attributes of a swept-back handlebar with rise for a natural riding position.

Convenient features in this eye-catching cruiser include fenders, a rear rack and a chainguard. Its wide tires make the ride more pleasurable still by smoothing out many irregularities in the road.

This bike is available with a step-over or step-through frame and is stylishly finished in eye-catching red. It’s great for leisure rides of a few miles or a bit of grocery shopping.

You get 7 gears on this Schwinn to help you with mildly undulating terrain. Gears are changed using the handlebar’s twist shifter.

15. P3 Cycles Track Single Speed Urban Bike (best budget)

  • Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Number Of Gears: 1
  • Weight: 21 lbs (9.52 kg)

Capable of taking a 265 lbs rider, the P3 Cycles Track Single Speed Urban Bike is a simple machine offering just one gear and a lightweight frame. Thanks to its flip-flop hub, you can run this bike as a “fixie” or a single-speed bike with a freewheel.

The lack of a gear hub or derailleur system makes this bike light, too. Of course, lack of gears makes it harder to ride up steep hills, so you need to consider your intended use.

Aside from accommodating fairly heavy riders, the XXL version of this bike suits riders between 6’3” and 6’6”. It’s a viable urban bike for larger commuters or city riders.

What We Like

  • Simplicity – a single gear is easier to maintain and looks minimalistic.
  • Lightweight – lack of gearing and an aluminum frame reduces weight.
  • Urban – good for riding around moderately flat cities.

What We Don’t Like

  • Elevation – steep climbs are not within this bike’s remit.

16. Schwinn Bonafide Men’s Mountain Bike

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  • Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Number Of Gears: 3×8 (24)
  • Weight: 39 lbs (17.69 kg)

Tested to a load capacity of 250 lbs, the Schwinn Bonafide Men’s Mountain Bike can accommodate large riders. If you keep a close eye on maintenance, you can probably exceed that weight by a few pounds.

This bike has a triple chainset and 8-speed rear cassette, giving you plenty of gear choices. Double-wall wheel rims give the wheels extra strength. The 29 x 2.25” wheels with knobby tires help soak up bumpy terrain, as does the suspension fork.

The Schwinn Bonafide is a fun choice for riders of above-average size. It suits riders up to 6’2” tall.

17. Zize Bikes A New Leaf XG Hybrid Bike

Zize Bikes A New Leaf XG Hybrid Bike in Black colorPin

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  • Frame Material: Aircraft-grade chromoly steel
  • Number Of Gears: 1×9 (9)
  • Weight: 50 lbs (22.68 kg)

Heavy-rider specialist Zize Bikes offers the superb A New Leaf XG Hybrid Bike, which can accommodate a load of up to 550 lbs. It’s equipped with a Shimano Altus 9-speed derailleur and hydraulic disc brakes.

Intended mainly for leisurely rides in and around town has special features for the heaviest riders. These include double-clamped seat posts, wide shock-absorbing seat, and custom-built wheels. This attention to detail enables the high load capacity.

The bike includes fenders and a chainguard, which help to keep your clothes free of road spray in the rain or grease from the drivetrain.

This is a bike that big guys can be entirely confident in.

18. Viribus Adult Three Wheel Tricycle

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  • Frame Material: Steel
  • Number Of Gears: 1
  • Weight: 40 lbs (18.14 kg)

A three-wheel bike has the potential to carry more weight, and the Viribus Adult Three Wheel Tricycle bears this out with its 400+ lbs rider capacity. It can carry 44 lbs in the included removable shopping basket.

This bike only has one gear, so it’s best used for local rides to shops or to visit friends. It has a low step-through frame which makes it easy for heavier riders with less mobility to mount. Its swept-back handlebars promote a comfortable, upright riding posture.

A generous number of extras are included with this Viribus trike, including the collapsible wheeled shopping basket, a front basket, a waterproof dust bag for shopping, a safe-lock, two rear reflectors, fenders, and a bell.

19. Zize Bikes The YONDER Hybrid Bike

Zize Bikes The YONDER Hybrid Bike in Mystic Gray colorPin

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  • Frame Material: Aircraft-grade chromoly steel
  • Number Of Gears: 1×10 (10)
  • Weight: 53 lbs (24 kg)

A bike that is part MTB, part road bike, is The YONDER Hybrid Bike from Zize bikes. Again, this is a bike that can carry a maximum load of 550 lbs, thanks to its big-rider specific design.

Aside from its aircraft-grade chromoly steel frame, The Yonder sports a chromoly steel fork that is custom designed and made by Furui. This bike has exceptionally wide wheel hubs for extra strength and responsive steering.

For larger, taller riders, this bike also has an ultra-wide 100mm bottom bracket, which creates a wider Q-factor for cyclists with a naturally wide stance (generally taller, bigger people). Even by Zize Bikes’ standards, this is a bike loaded with features for big guys.

20. Priority Bicycles Classic Plus (Gotham Edition) Urban Bike

Priority Bicycles Classic Plus (Gotham Edition) Urban Bike in All Black colorPin

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  • Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Number Of Gears: 3
  • Weight: 26 lbs (11.79 kg)

Able to accommodate riders of up to 300 lbs in weight is the robust Classic Plus (Gotham Edition) Urban Bike from Priority Cycles. It’s designed for casual urban rides or commuting and comes with a 3-speed internally geared rear hub.

The aluminum frame of the Classic Plus helps keep the bike weight in check. Braking is achieved with traditional front and rear V-brakes. Other features include a kickstand, reflectors, and water bottle cage mounts.

This is a cool city bike that is durable and sturdy enough for heavier riders.

21. Kingttu G6 Dual-Suspension Folding Mountain Bike

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  • Frame Material: High-carbon steel
  • Number Of Gears: 3×7 (21)
  • Weight: 37 lbs (16.78 kg)

Offering exceptional value for money, the Kingttu G6 Dual-Suspension Folding Mountain Bike supports riders of up to 330 lbs and can be folded for easy transportation. It’s a full-sus MTB with front and rear suspension.

This bike has Shimano gears, and its wide gear range will help you to pedal with less strain over hills. Triple 42/34/24t chainrings at the front power a 14-28t rear cassette, which gives you some low gear ratios to work with.

Mechanical disc brakes bring you to a reliable stop on the Kingttu G6 mountain bike. Choose from army green or blue frame colors!

22. Zize Bikes New Leaf XG E-Bike

Zize Bikes New Leaf XG E-Bike in Black colorPin

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  • Frame Material: Aircraft-grade chromoly steel
  • Number Of Gears: 1×9 (9)
  • Weight: 50 lbs (22.68 kg)

An exceptional e-bike choice for big guys is the Zize Bikes New Leaf XG E-Bike. Meticulously made to the robust standards you’d expect from this manufacturer, this bike has front-mounted hub motor (1250W max output).

You get a top range of 40+ miles from the New Leaf XG E-Bike, which can accommodate a rider of up to 550 lbs. This is more than enough for many commutes, trips to the shops or relaxing leisure rides.

Pedal assist mode offers 5 levels of pedal assist, programmable from the dashboard. You can make the ride as easy or as hard as you want! The hub motor works independently of the drivetrain, so you can still get home if you’re unable to pedal.

23. Happybuy Adult Tricycle

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  • Frame Material: Steel
  • Number Of Gears: 1
  • Weight: 55.3 lbs (25.1 kg)

Another trike suitable for bigger riders is the Happybuy Adult Tricycle, sunnily decked out in yellow. This machine can carry a load of up to 330 lbs, which includes any cargo you may have in the included basket.

This tricycle, fitted with 20” wheels, is also available in a 7-speed version for anyone who foresees rolling rides. Models with white, blue, and black finishes exist, too.

Useful features of the Happybuy Adult Tricycle include an adjustable seat, a front reflector, and a bell. The low step-through frame makes the trike easy to mount.

24. Jasion EB5 Electric Mountain Bike

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  • Frame Material: Steel
  • Number Of Gears: 1×7 (7)
  • Weight: 49.6lbs (22.5 kg)

A 7-speed e-bike capable of carrying a 260-pound rider is the Jasion EB5 Electric Mountain Bike. This bike has a rear-mounted 350W hub motor that gives a range of 25-40 miles on each 5 to 6-hour charge.

The Jasion EB5 offers 5 pedal assist modes and a trigger throttle. The modes are controllable from an LCD display. A selection of 7 Shimano gears helps you control ease of pedaling and cadence and extends battery life on each ride.

A handy feature of this bike is its 6KM Boost Function, which helps you push the bike whenever necessary. The maximum pedal-assisted speed on the EB5 is 20 mph.

25. sixthreezero Around the Block Men’s Cruiser Bike

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  • Frame Material: Steel
  • Number Of Gears: 1×7 (7)
  • Weight: 40 lbs (18.14 kg)

The sixthreezero Around the Block Men’s Cruiser Bike can carry riders of up to 300 lbs in weight, with the potential for more if you install stronger wheels. It’s a stylish bike with a classic swept-back handlebar for relaxed riding and a natural wrist position.

Available in 1-speed, 3-speed and 7-speed versions, and with 24” or 26” wheels, this bike is great for local leisure rides or doing the shopping. It comes with a sturdy rear cargo rack for carrying bags or panniers.

This bike is comfortable to ride with its wide waffle-tread tires and a cushioned dual-spring saddle. It suits riders up to 6’ 4” tall.

26. Schwinn Perla Lady’s Cruiser Bike

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  • Frame Material: Steel
  • Number Of Gears: 1×7 (7)
  • Weight: 45 lbs (20.41 kg)

Offered in a choice of pastel colors, the Schwinn Perla Lady’s Cruiser Bike is the perfect machine for relaxed riding along beach fronts or leafy avenues. It can support a maximum weight of 300 lbs, including anything you might attach to the rear rack.

Thanks to its wide tires, swept-back handlebar and a quilted dual-spring seat, this bike is super-comfortable to ride over any short distance. It comes with 7-speed derailleur gears, so you can take on a few hills and fine-tune your pedaling speed.

This is a great bike for all your local social visits and grocery shopping.

27. Huffy Stone Mountain Men’s Mountain Bike

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  • Frame Material: Steel
  • Number Of Gears: 3×7 (21)
  • Weight: 42.7 lbs (19.37 kg)

Like several bike manufacturers, Huffy does not specify weight capacities for bikes, but Huffy says its bikes are regularly used by riders up to 300 lbs. Thus, you can ride this Stone Mountain Men’s Mountain Bike with some confidence if you’re under that.

This hardtail MTB has a front suspension fork to soak up many bumps on the trail. It comes with 26″ X 1.95″ knobby tires (other models available with different sizes) to help you gain traction on dirt paths.

The handlebar has some rise to promote a comfortable, upright riding position. Mounted on the handlebar are micro-shift twist gear shifters, giving you control over 21 derailleur gears so you can make hills easier and fine-tune your pedaling cadence.

28. Hiland Slycan Hardtail Mountain Bike

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  • Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Number Of Gears: 3×9 (27)
  • Weight: 33.39 lbs (15.15 kg)

Suitable for riders weighing up to 275 lbs, the Hiland Slycan Hardtail Mountain Bike promises a lot of fun for not-too-much money. Its strength comes from a high-quality aluminum frame and sturdy 32-spoke wheels.

As a hardtail, this Hiland MTB comes with a lockout suspension fork, meaning you can switch off suspension when you don’t need it (on smooth pavement for example). It gives you a wide range of 27 gears and includes hydraulic disc brakes.

Internal cable routing gives this bike a clean, stylish look.

29. Trek Roscoe 9 Hardtail Mountain Bike

Trek Roscoe 9 Hardtail Mountain Bike in Matte Quicksand to Olive Fade/Black colorPin

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  • Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Number Of Gears: 1×12 (12)
  • Weight: 28.95 lbs (9.52 kg)

A superb mountain bike, the Trek Roscoe 9 Hardtail supports a maximum load capacity of 300 lbs. This lightweight bike comes with Bontrager tubeless-ready 29er wheels, a dropper post and a Fox 36 Rhythm suspension fork with 140mm of travel.

The wide gear range on this bike comes from a 30t chainring and 12-speed 10-51t rear cassette. This is an exceptional bike for climbing. It’s very good at stopping, too, thanks to 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes.

If you’re seeking a top MTB for riding challenging trails, your search may end here.

30. Speedrid KGK Electric Hardtail Mountain Bike

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CHECK PRICE AT AMAZON

  • Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Number Of Gears: 1×7 (7)
  • Weight: 51 lbs (23.13 kg)

Our final selection is an e-bike with a 350W brushless rear-hub motor and a max pedal-assisted speed of 20 mph (32 km/h). The Speedrid KGK Electric Hardtail Mountain Bike is a sturdy machine that can carry riders up to 330 lbs in weight.

The included 36V 10.4Ah removable battery gives you a pedal-assisted range of up to 40 miles. There are three modes: manual, pedal-assisted and throttle only (the latter always has less range, understandably).

You can choose from 5 levels of pedal-assist via the smart LED meter. These features and many others make this bike great value.

What Features To Look For When Buying A Bike For A Heavy Or Big Rider

If you’re a large rider and pay little attention to bike specifications, there’s a strong chance you’ll encounter problems. At the very least, these can be expensive.

So, what do larger people need to look for in a bike?

Things that heavy bike riders need in a bicyclePin

Frame Materials

One of the first questions likely to arise regards bike-frame materials. Which is best for bigger riders? You’ll have a choice of carbon, aluminum, steel or titanium.

Bear in mind that many off-the-peg bicycles are tested for a load of up to 250 lbs, and that includes carbon frames. If you’re only averagely large, you can buy a carbon bike. Just don’t buy the lightest one you can find.

Typically, either steel or aluminum are used to make bikes for very large or heavy riders. Steel tends to be favored at the top end of that scale.

If you were to compare frames with identical dimensions, a steel frame would be stronger than aluminum and titanium would be stronger than steel. In the end, this is meaningless, as bike builders use more of a weaker material to compensate.

Because of the above, you’ll notice that an aluminum frame will often have thicker tubing than a steel equivalent. Despite this, aluminum bikes tend to be marginally lighter.

Titanium frames are often compared to steel for the plush ride they offer. Indeed, many riders insist the ride quality surpasses steel, but this is subjective. Less subjective is the impact resistance, corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal of titanium.

Ultimately, riders who weigh in excess of 300 lbs would do well to look for a steel frame. Bikes made from steel are far more common and way cheaper than titanium. A steel or aluminum fork is also a good idea over carbon for the biggest riders.

Note that steel is the main material of choice for heavyweight bike specialist Zize Bikes.

Read more: Average Weight Of Bikes Based On Type

Wheel Strength

Often when bikes fail beneath heavy riders, it’s not the frame that gives way. Wheels can buckle to the extent that they’re no longer rideable. How to avoid this?

When eyeing up potential bikes, make a note of wheel specifications. A heavier rider needs a double-wall rim rather than a single wall. This is a feature that is usually mentioned where it exists, and it adds to the wheel’s strength.

It’s also generally true that the more spokes a bike wheel has, the stronger it will be. A bike built for large riders will usually have 32 or 36 spokes (written as 32H or 36H). If in doubt, count the spokes in the picture.

The number of spokes isn’t the only way that spokes affect wheel stiffness and strength. Spoke length, gauge and type affect strength. Bigger riders should look for a heavier spoke gauge, but this kind of fine detail is rarely supplied in marketing texts.

Spoke pattern is also a vital element of wheel strength. Wheels for heavier riders with 32 or 36 spokes usually use a 3-cross (3x) spoke pattern for strength. This is where each laced spoke crosses three others between the hub and the rim.

Video: Spoke Patterns Explained

Tires

Tires are very often a weak point on new bikes, so you may need to upgrade to something with more puncture resistance or even a tubeless system.

As a heavier rider, pay close attention to tire pressures before rides.

Freewheel vs Cassette

Modern bikes with gears usually have a cassette with sprockets that slide over a freehub mechanism. The latter ratchets counter-clockwise when you’re coasting. Older bikes and some budget bikes have a “freewheel” hub instead (normally with fewer gears).

A cassette hub almost eliminates problems with bent or broken axles, which are more likely with freewheels.

Video: Freewheel vs Cassette

Disc Brakes vs Rim Brakes

Disc brakes are more reliable than rim brakes in the wet, and that becomes a more important issue for heavier riders. They’re also a safer choice for any heavy cyclist looking to climb and descend steep hills on carbon wheels.

(Carbon wheels frequently have a weight limit of around 240 lbs, so they’re a viable choice for moderately heavy riders.)

Gears

Heavier riders are always disadvantaged when climbing hills. This is relatively true even in the Tour de France. But an adequate range of gears will help you to get over hills without putting excessive strain on your leg muscles and joints.

If the largest sprocket on a bike’s cassette has a similar or greater number of teeth than a front chainring, you’ll have a reassuringly easy gear to use over hills.

Many mountain bikes have these extreme “climbing” gear ratios, though usually at the expense of a theoretically slower high gear. Bear in mind that riding over rough terrain as a heavy rider makes a wide gear range ever more useful.

FAQs For Big Guy Bikes

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions among heavy riders:

Do Bikes Have A Weight Limit?

Some manufacturers state a weight limit whereas others do not, partly because there are many variables in riding a bike safely. Many manufacturers test their bikes to a capacity of at least 250 lbs, even where the figure isn’t stated.

Can You Be Too Heavy To Ride A Bike?

You can certainly be too heavy to ride a bike with a specific set of wheels. Wheels are often the most vulnerable component for heavier riders, though some attention needs to be paid to overall weight limits.

What Is The Largest Size Bike For Men?

In terms of weight capacity, it’s hard to find anything that beats the 550lbs limit quoted on some models from Zize Bikes. With respect to height, it’s relatively easy to find off-the-peg bikes for riders up to 6’4” or 6’5” (usually XL or XXL).

Is Cycling Good For Overweight People?

Cycling of any kind is good for overweight people, including pedal-assisted cycling on an electric bike. Regardless of intensity, it’s aerobic exercise that places little strain on the joints and yet is more beneficial than walking.

Does Cycling Give You A Flat Stomach?

Not generally on its own, as belly fat is the most stubborn to completely remove. However, cycling will reduce your waist size, and there is a theory that pre-breakfast bike rides burn more fat.

What Is A Good Starter Bike For A Big Guy?

Probably a bike that is easy to ride over moderate distances and places the rider in a comfortable, upright position, like a hybrid or urban bike. Mountain bikes and fat bikes are inherently robust and comfortable, too, so those aren’t bad starter bikes.

Final Words

If we quickly revisit our reviewed bikes, the Trek 1120 Off-Road Bikepacker’s Touring Bike takes the top spot because it’s a robust mean machine designed to carry weight. It’ll accommodate any load up to 300 lbs.

In second place, the Cannondale Trail 6 MTB is a beautifully designed and made MTB that benefits from the manufacturer’s SAVE micro-suspension technology for extra comfort.

Third place went to the Mongoose Dolomite Men’s Fat Tire Mountain Bike, which has hosted many a rider over 300 lbs and has 4-inch tires for comfort and traction over most surfaces.

At the very least, we hope this article has shown you there are many options out there for larger cyclists. Look closely at bike specs based on our advice and choose the perfect machine for you!

Best Bikes For Big Guys And Heavy People - Pinterest Pin Small ImagePin
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Mark Whitley
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Mark is the founder of BikePush, a bicycle commuting website. When he's not working on BikePush, you can find him out riding.

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