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Bicycle Recommendation

marty

marty

Minor legend
Joined
Apr 19, 2007
Messages
3,397
Location
Buffalo, New York USA
Looking for bicycle recommendation for a guy. 5 foot, 11 inch tall. 250 pounds. He is not the sharpest tool in the shed. 4 miles from his house to work. No hills. He has a Trek pedal bike that seems too small for him. Something has gone horribly wrong with the rear derailleur. If I took a picture of rear derailleur it would cause all you to become traumatized and have nightmares for the rest of your life. Bent, two gears broke. Chain destroyed. I asked how did this happen? Guy said "When I break something. I REALLY break it". Front derailleur also showing signs of chain rubbing for a few thousand miles.

This guy is 50 something years old and has never owed a car. He does have a driver license and is excellent driver. I would imagine if he did have a car. Some transmission rebuilder would say - how did you destroy these gears? Guy would say - "When I break something. I REALLY break it"

I said buy a electric bike for $1000+. Stop dreaming Marty.

OK...... Thinking coaster brake single speed pedal bike. Want no maintenance. Oil the chain and that's it. What size bike for a 5' 11" Guy?

What Size Bicycle Fits What Size Rider?

What type of bike? Want comfortable riding position. Speed faster then walking would be great.

Thinking buy from Walmart. Any other low cost online places? I would rather buy it online so bike comes in a box and I put it together. Have no faith in bikes assembled by Walmart bicycle mechanics.

Budget is as little as possible. Would a Chalo quality bike be much better? I miss Chalo! For those of you who don't know what is a Chalo quality bike. It is a real bike from a real bicycle shop. Walmart sells BSO which stands for Bicycle Shaped Object.

Thanks all for helping a guy transport himself 4 miles. He is walking now.
 
For 1000 bucks, you can live large at Walmart. I don't like fat tire bikes myself, but this could carry 250 lbs and go 4 miles out and back. I read somewhere that Ozark Trail is a Walmart house brand, like Kent and Hyper,. The battery claims UL2829 certification,


I ride cheap bikes. What might be a BSO if you had to pedal it can run pretty nice with a motor. Shifter/Brakes are inexpensive upgrades. Exploding batteries are the big unknown,
 
For him, stick to rear hub motors (internally geared preferred).

Nice choice @docw009 on the Walmart special (and I'm not really a fan of fat-tired bikes except in certain circumstances).
 
Last edited:
He most likely bashed the derailleur and bent the hanger, then shifted to the low gear where the spokes caught and carried the derailleur around. Happens all the time. He needs a bike with internal 3 speed hub so he can't do that anymore. The rear wheel is stronger that way too.

It is typical for failures related to abuse or neglect or lack of maintenance to get attributed to riding super hard. Sorry friend, that's not what happened.

If you ask me, it is an Electra Townie 3i. That bike puts your head up and lets you put feet down without stepping off the seat. It is proven for a long time. Owners like them.
 
marty said:
No motor. Pedal. Want simple no maintenance.
Click to expand...
All bicycles need some maintenance to get the best performance and longevity out them. That said, I suppose that is what a classic omafiets/dutch bike is all about. Single gear and they leave them out to rust and ride them for years.

dutch-bike-omafiets-which-brand-is-it-how-much-is-it-worth-v0-nwjycjsej20g1.png
 
Fat tires are difficult to pedal and steer. Try before choosing this.

Look for a commuter bicycle with a Shimano Nexus or Alfine rear hub and Gates Belt drive. Lowest maintenance, most 'neglectable'. Take it into the shop once a year to tune. Cable brakes rather than hydraulic, although the bike shop could handle either if you go that way.
 
Yes an ebike would be wasted on him if he does no maintenance. Down here his size would be a large but I don't know if they have different sizing guides over there. Perhaps take him around a few pawn brokers or thrift shops, places with cheap bikes he can sit on. You might find just what he needs there?
 
Guess I read it wrong. Thought you had $1000 budget, but that's dreaming.

If he were a friend of mine, I'd give him a bike, but not a coaster.
 
offGridDownUnder said:
Fat tires are difficult to pedal and steer. Try before choosing this.

Look for a commuter bicycle with a Shimano Nexus or Alfine rear hub and Gates Belt drive. Lowest maintenance, most 'neglectable'. Take it into the shop once a year to tune. Cable brakes rather than hydraulic, although the bike shop could handle either if you go that way.
Click to expand...
Lots to go wrong with cables.
 
Papa said:
I think it's a mistake to buy any cheap box store POS, then turn right around and spend even more upgrading junk components.

As I have preached to my kids ages ago; If you posses more $ than time, buy new and farm out maintenance to your LBS.
Or... buy quality used and piecemeal decent components... and 'learn' simple maintenance.

Two of my 3 daughters own a creeper, floor jack w/safety stands, and enough tools to embarrass many wannabe grease monkeys.
Click to expand...
Never really liked creepers. Give your daughters some big pieces of cardboard and they will be like me.
 
docw009 said:
Guess I read it wrong. Thought you had $1000 budget, but that's dreaming.

If he were a friend of mine, I'd give him a bike, but not a coaster.
Click to expand...
What do you not like about coaster brakes?

Not expecting this bike to go fast. No hills around here. No worry's about going down hills.
 
What ya think about this?
Sun Revolutions CB-26
sun.bike

Revolutions CB-26

Revolutions offers up the perfect mix of style and value to create a cruiser that's simple and fun to ride. An extra long wheel base, super wide tires, and upright riding position make the Revolutions comfortable, durable, and easy to ride, exactly what's needed for just cruising around. Classic...
sun.bike sun.bike

Web site works. Frame color is important. Graphite Metallic = GREY? $450 Wo that's a real lot of $$$

sun.bike is a little weird in the world of .com
670540_a0fb89e3-016c-4469-9675-ea83ea324fc1.jpg
 
Wondering? 5' 11" Male. 18.5" Frame.

AI Overview

An 18.5-inch (approx. 47 cm) bike frame is generally suitable for riders
between 5'6" and 5'11" (168 cm – 180 cm) tall. This size is common for medium-to-large mountain bikes and medium hybrid bikes, providing a balanced fit for average heights.

Would a bigger frame be better?
 
marty said:
Wondering? 5' 11" Male. 18.5" Frame.

AI Overview

An 18.5-inch (approx. 47 cm) bike frame is generally suitable for riders
between 5'6" and 5'11" (168 cm – 180 cm) tall. This size is common for medium-to-large mountain bikes and medium hybrid bikes, providing a balanced fit for average heights.

Would a bigger frame be better?
Click to expand...
24" wheels? That frame will be small on him. I am 5'8" with a 29" inseam and usually 51cm is my size in a road bike. That said, there doesn't seem to be much consistency in frame sizes between manufacturers these days.
 
Think that a good doctor would measure and not ask patient what is his height? Will measure guy's height and distance from broom handle below his balls to floor.
 
If you're under a 2000 lb vehicle and there is the least risk of it falling on you you are no pro at all. Cars fall VERY fast, a lot faster than you could ever drag a creeper out with your heels. Creepers are for mechanics that spend half their day under cars, it makes sense. Other people clutter their garage with them to 'look' pro. I don't use jack stands, I lift with a trolley jack and then slide a wheel under the side of the car just in case. It's the easiest way to be sure. Either that or it's driven up on wide steel car ramps with the wheels chocked. Jack stands are for long term elevation imo, when you want 2 or all 4 wheels off the ground for a protracted period. Large sheets of cardboard are best in the home garage because you can slide over them easily, and more importantly, they keep all the oil and grease, as well as the tools, off your concrete or tiles. You'll find them out back of an electrical store in the recycle bin. Ones for fridges are best. Take your Stanley knife with you.
 
OlderGiantFan said:
If you're under a 2000 lb vehicle and there is the least risk of it falling on you you are no pro at all. Cars fall VERY fast, a lot faster than you could ever drag a creeper out with your heels. Creepers are for mechanics that spend half their day under cars, it makes sense. Other people clutter their garage with them to 'look' pro. I don't use jack stands, I lift with a trolley jack and then slide a wheel under the side of the car just in case. It's the easiest way to be sure. Either that or it's driven up on wide steel car ramps with the wheels chocked. Jack stands are for long term elevation imo, when you want 2 or all 4 wheels off the ground for a protracted period. Large sheets of cardboard are best in the home garage because you can slide over them easily, and more importantly, they keep all the oil and grease, as well as the tools, off your concrete or tiles. You'll find them out back of an electrical store in the recycle bin. Ones for fridges are best. Take your Stanley knife with you.
Click to expand...
My apologizes for utilizing the word "creeper" on an ebike forum. Obviously confused a few members.
 
Papa said:
My apologizes for utilizing the word "creeper" on an ebike forum. Obviously confused a few members.
Click to expand...
Huh? I took it your daughters are mechanical.
I've never been fancy enough to own a creeper.
Oh! I need to buy a battery. I put box stuff down.
 
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