In an ideal world, every bicycle should serve everyone, and that includes fat guys. Sadly, our world is far from ideal as there are only a few bikes for fat people.
So, you have to do your due diligence to ensure you get a perfect bike for your weight.
In that case, you’ve to pay attention to the bike’s build strength, load capacity, suspension, among other factors that’ll cover in my buying guide.
The problem with the so-called ‘standard bikes’ is that they are for the average-weight cyclist, who weighs under 275 pounds.
But what about you who clocks 300 pounds plus?
Well, that’s where this guide comes in. I’ll discuss the priority areas when shopping for a bike when overweight. But before that, let me explain why cycling is good for you.
In a rush? Please find below a hotlist of my most recommended bikes for fat guys.
Top 6 Best Bikes for Fat People
1. Schwinn Phocus 1600: Best Road Bike for Fat People
2. Schwinn Bonafide: Best Mountain Bike for Fat People
3. Raleigh Bikes Detour: Best Hybrid Bike for Fat People
4. Schwinn Mikko & Huron: Best Cruiser Bike for Fat People
5. Mongoose Dolomite: Best Fat Bike for Fat People
6. Ancheer Electric Bike: Best Electric Bike for Fat People
Is Cycling Good For Fat People?
As a fat guy, the last thing you want is a workout routine that puts too much impact on your body. You have to avoid physical strain and injuries as much as possible, and that’s where cycling comes in.
Cycling is low impact, which means you are less likely to injure your back or neck, thus safe.
More importantly, cycling is practical when it comes to torching excess calories.
It’s more likely that your interest in cycling is to lose weight, and that’s what you get. It may take time, but it’s doable with consistency and determination.
Don’t also forget about these other fantastic health benefits of cycling:
- Enhances heart fitness
- Improves joint mobility
- Lowers mental stress
- Lowers bad fat
- Reduces anxiety
- Improves posture and body coordination
What Should You Look For In A Bike For Overweight Man?
As a fat guy, these buying considerations are essential:
1. Correct Bike Frame Size
This is one area that sets bikes for fat guys apart from others.
If you get the frame size wrong, the bike won’t fit you, and you’ll probably hate cycling. The last thing you want is a bike that you struggle riding for being too small or too big.
Here comes the secret;
Use your inseam (inside leg) to calculate your frame size. It’s simple, multiple your inseam length (in cm) with any of the values below, depending on preferred bike type:
- By 0.70 for road bikes
- By 0.66 for mountain bikes
- Or by 0.65 for hybrid/comfort/cruiser/city bikes
But if you prefer a lazy way to get the frame size, use this bike frame size chart.
| Your Height | Frame Size (inches) |
| 4’11”-5’3” | 13-15” |
| 5’3”-5’7” | 15-16” |
| 5’7”-5’11” | 16-17” |
| 6’0”-6’2” | 17-19” |
| 6’2”-6’4” | 19-21” |
| 6’4”+ | 21”+ |
2. Bike Suspension
I’m sure you wouldn’t want to break your bike. You also would like to ride bump-free.
Overall, a suspension is a huge consideration for those wishes to come true.
A bike suspension soaks up shock and takes up the hard-hit on your behalf to allow you to ride comfortably. So, consider it.
Note, however, that the bike suspension of the best bike for fat guy can take any of these forms:
- Fork suspension
- Seat post suspension
- Saddle suspension
- Hub suspension
3. Frame and Wheel Strength
How do you know that a given bicycle can hold your weight? One way is by checking its load capacity.
Sadly, most manufacturers don’t indicate that. So, you may have to ask them or do some research.
The other way to go about it is to look at its frame and wheel construction. This is important even after knowing the load capacity.
Consider carefully hand-built aluminum and steel frames as they are more supportive of huge weights.
The rims should be a double-layer alloy featuring a high spoke count to guarantee wheel strength and stability.
4. Comfort Features
Comfort is a priority for bikes for bigger guys, and that’s why I mentioned the need for suspension. However, a bike suspension is not the only comfort feature worth considering.
You have to consider the seat and handlebars, for starters. The bike seat should have the right shape and padding and should preferably be adjustable.
On the other hand, the handlebar should have the correct height and should preferably come with grips.
The bike geometry should also allow you to cycle without straining a lot.
5. Quality Brakes
The brakes suffer the most hit when you are heavy. For that reason, you cannot compromise on their quality.
Overall, it comes down to choosing between disc brakes and rim brakes. While rim brakes are cheaper and decent in perfect condition, they are less reliable in rugged and wet conditions.
In such cases, going for disc brakes make sense as they are more reliable and more robust. They’ll, however, cost you more to buy and even service.
6. Gear Number
It’s a matter of preference when it comes to the gear number. Maintenance-wise, it’s easier to maintain a single-speed bike. Such bikes are even cheaper than their geared siblings.
The only issue is that they are hard to ride. You’ve to pedal each time, and you can only take on flat grounds.
If you want to tackle ascents and descents, you have to go for a geared bike. Note, however, that their cost of purchase and maintenance is higher.
Other Considerations
Also, look into the following:
- Strong and quality tires
- Quality drivetrain components
- Good frame warranty
- Excellent pedals
- Accessory mounts
Best Types of Bikes for Fat People
Here are the various types of bicycles for big guys:
1. Road Bicycles for Fat People
As their name suggests, road bikes are you go-for bikes when you want to ride on-road. Most people buy them for road racing, but they are also a decent commuter and fitness choice.
You can even ride a road bike for leisure.
Expect them to come lighter than all the other bike types as they are optimized for speed. They also enjoy an aggressive geometry characterized by drop to encourage more pedaling power and agility.
They also feature slimmer tires to fast-rolling on-road.
Their only downside is that you cannot ride them off-road, lest they’ll wear down much faster.
One strongly-built road bike for fat guys is the Schwinn Phocus 1600. Its aggressive but accommodating geometry makes it perfect for road racing, commuting, time trial, and triathlon.
2. Mountain Bikes for Heavy Riders
While a road bike’s speed is unequaled on-road, a mountain bike’s is unrivaled off-road. A mountain bike also enjoys an aggressive geometry for efficient pedaling.
The handlebars are, however, flat for easy steering off-road. Note, however, that, unlike road bikes, mountain bikes can go everywhere.
Their only challenge on-road is that they are slower. That’s because their tires are knobbier, which means they suffer more rolling resistance.
You can use a mountain bike for trail adventures, commuting, exercising, off-road racing, and fun cycling. That’s how versatile they are, and one MTB that fits the bill is the Schwinn Bonafide.
This Hardtail is a bonafide off-road beater, just like its name suggests.
It comes with crisp-stopping disc brakes, a 24-speed drivetrain, robust fork suspension, and everything you expect from a trail two-wheel beast.
3. Hybrid Bikes for Fat People
Popular during the 90s, hybrid bikes bring the old style to the new era.
They come with rack and basket mounts, full-wrap fenders, massive tires, and often swept-back handlebars to remind you of the retro style.
Overall, these bikes are a casual choice. When you want to run an errand, cruise your neighborhood, or cut down on commuting expenses, they are your go-for bikes.
Note, however, that hybrid bikes have evolved in the last few years. They now come in subcategories like:
- Comfort bikes
- City bikes
- Commuter bikes
- Dual-sport bikes
One best bike for overweight female, which defines true comfort, is the Raleigh Bikes Detour.
Its unique geometry makes it a fantastic commuter and recreational choice. You can even ride it for fitness reasons.
4. Beach Cruisers for Fat People
Unlike hybrid bikes, cruiser bikes (or beach cruisers) are exclusive for recreational riding. As their name indicates, the bikes are perfect for the beachside, thus an ideal choice for the lazy summer.
But still, you can ride them around town for fun.
They are distinguished by their smooth-rolling large balloon tires and a laid-back geometry that lets you ride more upright.
These bikes are best for flat ground, and overall, they are among the most affordable options.
One affordable cruiser bike for fat guys is the Schwinn Mikko & Huron.
This dual-suspension beach cruiser comes in single-speed and multi-speed options to allow you to take on lighter hills.
5. Fat Bikes for Heavy People
When most people hear about bikes for fat guys, they always think of fat bikes. Understandably, it’s because the bikes have the term fat before them.
Well, the term fat refers to their supersize tires which offer them floatation and balance.
The tires allow you to blast through mud, dust, snow sand, and other challenging terrains. So, a fat bike is your all-weather and all-surface choice.
A perfect pick for fat guys is the Mongoose Dolomite.
Overall, there is no peak that you cannot reach with the Mongoose Dolomite. Its 4-inch knobby fat tires and 7-speed drivetrain allow you to conquer all grounds in all seasons.
6. Electric Bicycles for Fat Guys
As a beginner fat cyclist, no one can fault you for seeking some assistance from your bike. I’m talking about motor assistance, and that’s what an electric bike promises.
These bikes have evolved a lot in the last few decades, and they are now quicker and more comfortable.
They are also quite versatile given that they can take an array of terrains.
One such e-bike that is likely to hold your weight is the Ancheer Electric Bike.
This adult e-bike doubles up as a commuter and mountain bike, making it perfect off-road and on-road.
With a potential top speed of 20mph, very few cyclists can catch you riding the Ancheer E-Bike.
What’s even more impressive is the fact that the e-bike cost under $1,000 on Amazon.
FAQs
1. What Is The Best Bike For A Fat Person?
Here are the best bikes for a fat person:
- Schwinn Phocus 1600: Best Road Bike for Fat People
- Schwinn Bonafide: Best Mountain Bike for Fat People
- Mongoose Dolomite: Best Fat Bike for Fat People
- Ancheer Electric Bike: Best Electric Bike for Fat People
2. Can You Be Too Fat For A Bike?
There is nothing like being too fat for a bike. You only need to find a bicycle that’s strong enough to hold your weight. More importantly, it should feel comfortable, and that means getting your ideal size.
3. Can A 300-Pound Person Ride A Bike?
So many bikes, especially mountain bikes, fat bikes, and hybrid bikes, come with a 300-pound capacity. So, a 300-pound person can ride a bike as long as the bike can hold the weight.
4. Can A 400-Pound Person Ride A Bike?
There aren’t many bikes for over 400 lbs, but such bikes do exist. Overall, provided you are willing to ride and find a bike that can hold 400 pounds, you can enjoy cycle.
5. Are Fat Bikes Good For Heavy Riders?
The advantage of fat tires is that they distribute your weight on the bike frame, which favors heavy riders. To some extent, the fat tires absorb shock, which also suits overweight riders as they have the most impact.
6. Can You Lose Weight Riding A Bike?
It takes determination, consistency, and a good attitude for you to lose weight cycling. You’ve to cycle more regularly and longer whenever you can to see a considerable change in your weight loss plan.
Closing Thought:
Now, you know how to find bikes for fat people. You can use my guide to identify a bike that not only holds your weight but also fulfills your cycling need.
But if you want to save your time, consider my top 6 choices. They are the perfect combination of quality, comfort, strength, and purpose.