The YikeBike is designed to be super small when folded up so does not have a carrier or pannier bags. You can use a standard backpack while riding. The maximum total weight of the rider and bag is 100kg.So... not meant to be sold in America, then?
...For most of the bicycles we sell, they will probably be able to handle in excess of 300 lbs, but most of the manufacturers of the bikes we sell do not provide us with specific rider weight limits for the bikes. In other words, the bikes should be built strong enough for heavy rider, however since the factories don't give us specific weight limits on the bikes we can't advise the maximum rider weight for any specific bicycle.Presumably if they were going to make bikes that would break down for people over 220 pounds, they would have to mention it somewhere.
If you are a heavy rider, over 250 lbs, one of the best ways to stay safe on your bicycle is to be sure that your bike is kept on a regular maintenance schedule. Taking your bike in to a local bike shop for routine maintenance can help you ensure that all of the parts on your bike are holding up ok to the weight...
Again, I'm not interested in arguing about it, but the one thread you pulled up is neither representative of all cyclists nor does it necessarily contradict what I said.Well, I just think you're wrong here. I've never heard anyone say anything like that (other then for super-expensive ultra light weight bikes) and it seems like it would be pretty dangerous, from a legal perspective to sell bikes that can only support 220 pounds without warning people about it. I actually tried to do fair research here, I didn't find anything to support your opinion, really (except for one comment about a custom seat post that was only rated to $185 pounds)
It's just not as profitable to make a bike for the average heavier American who, on average, sees the bicycle as a toy, which is why you see the distribution of bikes that are out there.Look, if you don't care that much about this issue, that's fine. But don't go making up random facts and acting like they're true. No offense, but it's really obnoxious. I actually looked this stuff up with an open mind, and I didn't find anything that backed up what you said. I also don't think it would be that much more expensive to build a bike that can support a 300 pound person then a 200 pound person, we're talking about steel or thick aluminum here (or titanium). Given the cost of additional metal, and the risk of liability, and the fact that people might take their bikes off road, over curbs, etc, it's more likely (in my mind) to have a bike that's over designed then one that's under designed. The fact that they don't even list or mention bike weight limits makes this clearer.
To avoid this issue I only ride steel framed bikes with no less(Actually, the very last comment does mention 220 pounds, which I didn't see, but he just says "my understanding is...") To say that it backs up what you say "unambiguously" is silly, since only one comment even mentions weights as low as 220, and other comments talk about much higher weights (and then there's the custom seat post issue). And these are probably about expensive bikes as well.
than 36 spoke wheels and they hold my 350+ arse just fine.
...
As a bike dealer, I have on occaision worried about the rugged factor when selling a bike to the larger folks. In 1990, a 12 year old kid, Jason, came into my shop looking for a new bike. I only mention his age because at that time he weighed in at 325. The bike held up fine, but the various components did not. He folded wheels, stripped cogs, and generally wore the bike out in a couple of months. Fast forward to now. He is still riding. He is still huge (now about 450). He rides a Rocky "Flow" now. It seems to be holding up just fine. Jason gave up trying to ride off road. He sticks to the street. So, I guess the frames themselves are rugged enough for up to 500 pounds, but the components may not be.
...
etc.
Let me mention that our folding bicycles do carry a weight capacity maximum of 105kg or 230lbs. The point being is that if a 200lb rider drove off a curb accidentally, the pressure exerted on the parts the rider is holding, namely the handlebars and therefore the stem that holds the handlebars, the seat and the seatpost that holds the seat and the pedals axle shafts can have a momentarily exertion of 600lbs more or less. That is for a 200lb person, and our limit is 230lbs.I know that Trek makes a folding model that was cleared for people up to 250 pounds (haven't been able to Google which one) because I know someone who bought one of those and rode it successfully at 250-260 pounds. Believe me, he did a lot of research before he found a model he was confident he could use.
So we are quite firm on our rule regarding this regulation, although we have heard of other heavier people riding with no failure and no problems ever. Certainly a bike with larger diameter 2.0" tires would be advisable to insure adequate protection of lighter weight alloy rims and making sure that the tires are always fully inflated.
You are stuck in this "Catch 22" vicious circle that a good way to burn calories and lose weight is by cycling. However Dahon (and numerous other manufacturers) place a rider weight limitation on their bicycles. How you ride, your "finesse" is negotiating treacherous terrain and periodic maintenance determine how well the bicycle can last.
baseless assumption: Why assume it uses needle or roller bearings? ... perhaps the rim runs on a few small roller wheels, one which is driven by a motor.In my defence, it was more blind speculation than blind assumption, but your speculation is much better than mine. Google says it has a long history.
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posted by thorny at 8:06 PM on March 5, 2010 [2 favorites]