First MTB Heavy Rider Suggestions

[101mtb101]

Hi guys just made an account to ask for suggestions for a new MTB for heavy rider. I am around 190kg atm and am looking at getting into mountain biking to lose weight, my aim at first is to just ride trails till i lose a bit then maybe branch out to tracks once I'm lighter. I went into a bike shop near me and they recommended a Norco Storm 3 or 4. Am looking at around a $600 - 1100 budget hopefully that price range would get a MTB that can last a while at my current weight, am not going to be doing any jumps or drops on it. Do you's have any other suggestions or insights on the Norco Storms. Thanks

[Andy01]

You obviously went to a 99Bikes.

I had a 2018 Storm 3 (until it was written off going head-on with a SUV a few months ago). I didn't have any major issues with it but it is just a run-of-the-mill cheap-ish MTB. I was only 76kg at my heaviest though (currently 63kg).

There is nothing special about it, and certainly nothing (that I am aware of) that makes it particularly "load-worthy".

I am no expert by any means but this question pops up every few weeks here (also look in the buying a bike & general discussion forums) and the reply is almost always about the wheels. Generally the recommendation is to get a good solid aluminium or steel framed hardtail MTB (preferably from a more reputable brand like Giant - maybe Giant Talon ?), and find a wheel builder to build some custom wheels with a high spoke count.

Most bikes seem to be rated for around 130-135kg of total load (including the bike weight, which is usually around 15kg), and from what I have read it is almost always the spokes that start breaking first under heavy loads. So having more spokes per wheel increases the load carrying capability.

Good luck.

[Nobody]

This thread and a link in it to another thread may help.

Bike for 180kg+ rider?

[Getfitgordon]

Hi Andy01
I'm in a similar situation, did you find a bike suitable. I'm 200cm so looking at an XL or XXL frame.
Thanks

[Andy01]

Hi Andy01
I'm in a similar situation, did you find a bike suitable. I'm 200cm so looking at an XL or XXL frame.
Thanks

Gordon
I am only 165cm and 64kg, so I have never been in the situation of looking for a bike rated for a heavier/larger rider (quite the opposite). I just replied to the OP (who never returned after the one post, so maybe he didn't like my reply ). I bought a Giant Roam 1 to replace my Norco and I am very happy with it.

This time of year is a bit difficult (at least the last couple of years) because current year's (2022) stock is very limited and the new 2023 bikes are probably 2-3 months away - at least that was the case last year.

There has been a number of threads in the various forums (look in general discussion & buying bike bits forums) about larger / heavier riders. This MTB forum doesn't get a lot of traffic.