Large Riders on Divvy

I have a guest in town next month who is 6'8" and somewhere near 400 lbs. Customer service at Divvy informed me that the weight limit of the bikes is 265 lbs. Total Bummer! It raises a few questions:

1. That seems low to me, and I cant imagine that everyone riding one of those in Chicago is under 265. Do any of you see people pushing that limit, or want to admit that you push the limit yourself? (its ok, I was over that weight when I started biking too.. it goes away) :) 

2. I really want him to experience what I get to enjoy everyday. There is even a mass the weekend he is in town. What are some other options for getting this man on a bike for a few days? 

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Permalink Reply by Tom Dworzanski on August 30, 2013 at 12:17pm

1. I'm pretty sure I've seen people over 265 on them. It's not really about your weight on a scale, it's about how much stress your weight puts on the components when you drop off a curb or go over a pothole. There probably wouldn't be problem if he rode at a moderate pace on smooth pavement, it's the potholes that will destroy a wheel or pedal with that much weight.

2. I don't know what your other options are but you'd prob have to look for a quality steel touring bike to meet manufacturer's specs for his weight.

Permalink Reply by william on August 30, 2013 at 1:25pm

are you sure a 400lb obese man even wants to ride a bike? 

Permalink Reply by Legacy Frameworks on August 30, 2013 at 1:49pm

Hey TK, I have seen some custom frames built for people this big, but I dont have any particular expertise. You may want to talk to rental places, Bike and Roll, green line wheels in Oak Park. You may be able to get a trike that can hold that weight, or get some more info at least. 

Have Fun!

Permalink Reply by Tom Dworzanski on August 30, 2013 at 2:02pm

Why would anyone ever not want to ride a bike?

william said:

are you sure a 400lb obese man even wants to ride a bike? 

Permalink Reply by Michael A on August 30, 2013 at 2:03pm

gates?  they are the only belt drive in the cycling game

Permalink Reply by Bez on August 30, 2013 at 11:54pm

I'm currently 270 and was 10 pounds heavier last time I took a Divvy.  The bike didn't seem to have any issues.  The company likely sets the limit lower due to the stress on the components over time and as a CYA in case one does fall apart when someone larger is on it.  Not that Divvy as a company is out to screw people that get in accidents, but it limits their liability to some extent if an equipment failure causes an accident and someone decides to try and bleed them dry through litigation.

As for getting larger riders on, you'd really have to ask the rental companies for their options.  While limited, I'd imagine it has come up with them before, so they may have accommodations 

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on August 31, 2013 at 4:47am

+1. 

Tom Dworzanski said:

Why would anyone ever not want to ride a bike?

william said:

are you sure a 400lb obese man even wants to ride a bike? 

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on August 31, 2013 at 4:48am

good ideas

Legacy Frameworks said:

Hey TK, I have seen some custom frames built for people this big, but I dont have any particular expertise. You may want to talk to rental places, Bike and Roll, green line wheels in Oak Park. You may be able to get a trike that can hold that weight, or get some more info at least. 

Have Fun!

Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on September 3, 2013 at 4:01am

Divvy's are pretty hefty...

I think It'd take a lot to bring one down.

Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on September 3, 2013 at 5:24am

I was thinking the 6' 8" thing would be a bigger problem than the weight thing.  Does the seat post extend high enough to make the Divvy a good fit?

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on September 3, 2013 at 8:00am

I know a couple of guys in the 6'5" to 6'8" range with longer legs than practically anyone else out there. With the seatpost at max height, they are able to ride Divvy bikes. 

BTW, I normally have trouble getting enough seatpost height on bikes, and Divvy's extra long seatpost gives me a couple of inches to spare. :)

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