Finding the best bikes for big guys is like searching for a unicorn.
Let's face it...
Big guys like us aren't a part of the usual demographic of bicycle riders. So most manufacturers only offer bikes with a max weight limit somewhere around 250 lbs. And with such a low weight limit, riding such a bike puts us at great risk for injury!
Now I'm sure you wouldn't want to force yourself on a bike with wheels that bends as soon as you get on. Nor would you like a bike that has a very small saddle or a lightweight frame that will snap as soon as you hit the first bump.
You'd much rather find a heavy-duty bike for big guys that has a durable frame, high weight-bearing capacity, a comfy saddle, and durable wheels that allow you to ride in comfort. If that's the case, then I've got you covered in this article!
After a whole year of speaking with manufacturers, research, and testing, I've found the eight best bikes for big guys that offer everything I mentioned above. These bicycles for heavy adults are the only options you should consider if you want a durable bike that accommodates your weight and won't break the bank.
Best Bikes for Big Guys:
- Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Bike for Big and Tall People
- Merax FT323 Mountain Bike for Fat Guys
- EVRYjourney FAT TIRE Bicycle for Heavy People
- Mongoose Impasse Men's Mountain Bike
- Schwinn Phocus Bicycle for Heavy People
- Raleigh Bikes Detour Hybrid Big and Tall bikes
- Schwinn Bonafide Bike for Big Guys
- ANCHEER Electric Bike for Fat People
Mongoose Dolomite - Best Bicycle for Big Guys Overall
Mongoose has been one of the top-rated bicycle brands for over 40 years, with many bicycle options equipped to tackle even the most demanding trails. As such, when I first heard about the Mongoose Dolomite back in 2018, I immediately got one myself. And I must say since I've owned this bike, all I have for it is high praises.
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This bike is one of the original fat tire mountain bikes specifically built for tackling all terrains. It has fat tires that are 4 inches thick and offers impressive cushioning while riding it. So if you're searching for the best bicycle for a heavy person with comfort in mind, the Dolomite might be all you need.
The best thing about the Mongoose Dolomite is that it's a very inexpensive entry-level fat bike. This means you can get on this bike at half the price you'd have to pay for an advanced fat bike that might not even offer the same specs. For any overweight riders between 5'6" to 6', this bike is the best option as it doesn't have any set weight limit.
However, the manufacturers have stated that they typically test all their bikes at around 250 lbs. But thanks to the large tires and heavy-duty steel frame, you won't have anything to worry about. I weigh 347 lbs and stand at 6'4" tall, and I've had no problems riding this bike for the two years that I've owned it.
In terms of style, you get a beautifully designed bike that is offered in three color schemes. Regarding performance, it provides everything you might need with two exceptions that I had problems with on the bike.
It comes with a front and rear disc brake setup, a threadless headset that offers great adjustments for rider height, thick tires, and 7-speed twist shifters. The only issue I found with the bike is the seven speeds gear setup that I think is too little to get full enjoyment for my fitness level. However, it does help with exercising as it forces you to push a little harder over hilly terrains. On flat surfaces, you might not even notice it.
The best thing about the Mongoose Dolomite bike for heavy guys is that it was very easy to assemble. You could completely put it together in less than 30 minutes to an hour. And the large tires make it very easy to ride in snow, dirt, mud and perfect for city roads. If you're looking for a safe and fun way to exercise or commute, you won't be disappointed with the mongoose dolomite.
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Merax FT323 Mountain Bike
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Merax is another great brand that provides an excellent bicycle for big guys. They've been around since 1995 and have years of experience providing good customer support. So when I reached out to them to see which of their bikes is best for big guys, I was surprised by their support even though I expected it.
Merax recommends the FT323 Mountain bike as the top option for heavy adults as it features a dual-suspension setup. This mountain bike is capable of withstanding a max user weight limit of 330 lbs. Moreover, it is offered at a very reasonable price, considering the weight limit.
It comes with a durable aluminum frame, 26-inch wheels, and a dual-suspension setup that makes the bike easy to control and lets you comfortably maneuver over any terrain. The frame features reinforced welds that make it a little more sturdy than the average mountain bike frame. With this in mind, even though they say the bike has a weight capacity of 330 lbs, I still got rode it without issues even though I weigh 347 lbs.
You'll also love how easy it is to ride this bike, thanks to the 21-speed twist shifters and rear derailleurs from Shimano that allowed plenty of ease to pedal over hills. The bike also comes with linear-pull brake pads on the front and rear that I found sufficient to stop quickly. Plus, it even comes equipped with front and rear reflectors that will come in handy when you ride at night.
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EVRYjourney FAT TIRE - Best Fat Tire Hybrid Bike For Heavy People
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The EVRYjourney FAT TIRE from SixthreeZero is another impressive bike for a heavy person. This bicycle features the perfect blend between a hybrid cruiser bike and a fat tire bike. As a result, you get a heavy-duty bicycle that can tackle any surface and allows you to ride around in a relaxed manner.
If you typically ride or plan to ride between 10-20 miles and want to do so in a carefree way, you will love this bike. It offers a weight range of up to 300 lbs; however, you could still ride it comfortably if you are slightly over that. Moreover, it has a large padded saddle that offers the best out of the box comfort I've ever felt from a bike seat, and it can accommodate riders between 5' - 6'4".
The design and specs of the EVRYjourney FAT TIRE are more premium than the options before and makes it particularly great for riders with knee pain. It uses mostly Shimano parts for the derailleurs, cassette and even has a Shimano Index Revo 7 speed Shifter paired with mechanical disc brakes on the front and rear.
This bike is excellent for big guys if you want to cruise around or need a premium quality commuter bike.
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Mongoose Impasse Men's Mountain Bike
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The Mongoose Impasse Mountain bike is the best option for bigger guys that want to do serious mountain biking. This bike offers all the specs you expect on budget MTBs and provides a little more than you would expect. It has doesn't have a set weight limit and can support really heavy people up over 300 lbs.
With the Mongoose Impasse, you get 29-inch wheels that are 2.35 inches wide. These wheels are sturdy enough to handle your weight and provide a good grip for trail or road surfaces. The Impasse also features an aluminum mountain-style frame with internal cable routing and front suspensions. It also features a 21 speed rear derailleur that is paired with twist shifters and disc brakes.
With this combination of features, you get a heavy-duty bike for big guys that can tackle any mountain or road while handling your weight.
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Schwinn Phocus
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The Schwinn Phocus is one of the best road bikes for big guys that you could consider buying. It doesn't have a specified weight limit, but it has many positive reviews from riders weighing over 300 lbs that have owned it for a long time. As such, if you specifically need a road bike as a big guy, you could safely buy the Schwinn Phocus without worrying that it'll break under your weight.
This bike is offered in two styles and colors for men and women, making it a great choice for any overweight person. Furthermore, it features 700C wheels that are made from a high profile alloy double-walled rims. The wheels feature 32 spokes that add incredible durability for even the heaviest riders. And thanks to the carbon fiber fork and rigid aluminum frame, you'll have nothing to worry about regarding the durability of the bike.
The Schwinn Phocus's other specs are also very good, as you can get it with either a 16 or 21-speed drivetrain that uses a Shimano Claris derailleur. It also uses a micro shift integrated brake/shifter lever combo that makes it very easy to handle the bike and removes excess clutter from the drop handlebars. And when paired with the Promax alloy dual pivot calipers, you get a bike with tremendous stopping power.
I also loved that this bike features caged pedals that'll allow you to use any shoes with it. This makes it easy for fat persons to easily get on and ride without needing any special cycling shoes.
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Raleigh Bikes Detour Hybrid Bike
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If you're looking for hybrid bikes for a 350 lbs man or woman that is easy to mount and dismount, the RaleighDetour is the one to consider. Raleigh is more popularly known for making cheaper bikes that won't cost an arm and a leg. And a budget-friendly bicycle for heavy persons is just what you'll get with the Detour Hybrid bike.
With the RaleighDetour, you get a heavy-duty bicycle for heavy adults that is incredibly sturdy. It features a 6061 Aluminum True Comfort Step-Thru Frame that can withstand up to 350 lbs. I loved the step-through frame design as it makes it very easy to ride the bike as a fat person. And if you have knee issues having a bike with a step-through frame is even more beneficial as it won't require you to lift your legs too high to mount it.
In terms of performance, the RaleighDetour hybrid bike has a good suite of features that make it worth the price. It features Shimano's EZ Fire 8 Speed shifters and a Shimano Altus rear derailleur that make changing gears very fast and smooth. It also uses Tetra 837 Alloy V-Brakes for good stopping performance. Moreover, the 700C tires offer good grip and comfort for taking on the road.
The Raleigh bike's best feature is the comfort saddle that I found very comfy, even for a heavy adult. You'll also appreciate that it comes in two matte finish colors and three frame sizes that'll accommodate riders between 5'1 to 6'.
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Schwinn Bonafide Bicycle
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The Schwinn Bonafide bicycle for heavy people offers a premium entry to mountain biking but at a reasonable price. Like most other Schwinn bicycles, it doesn't have a max weight limit. Moreover, it has a heavy-duty aluminum frame that makes it one of the best mountain bikes for big guys.
With the Schwinn Bonafide bike, you get a 17-inch frame with a front suspension paired with 29-inch wheels that feature double-wall alloy rims. This setup will allow you to easily tackle most terrains and offer similar performance to what you could only experience with an expensive bike. It comes with 24 speed Shimano EZ fire shifters and Shimano Tourney rear derailleurs that make hill climbs a breeze. You'll also get mechanical disc brakes and flat mountain bike pedals.
Schwinn also provides a 5-year limited warranty covering many issues you might face after owning the bike.
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ANCHEER Electric Bike - Best Electric Bikes for Heavy People
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For anyone searching for the best electric bike for heavy riders, this one from Ancheer is the one you should consider. It has a recommended weight limit of 300 lbs, but it has a premium build quality to handle even heavier riders. Moreover, it has a powerful 350W battery that'll propel you between 22-40 miles on a single charge.
With the Ancheer Electric mountain bike, you get a great set of performance components such as 21-speed gears, mechanical disc brakes, front suspension forks, and 26" wheels. The 10.4 Ah lithium-ion battery also allows you to reach speeds up to 20 MPH and can be charged on and off the bike.
This electric bicycle for heavy persons has three working modes that allow you to switch between Ebike mode, Assisted Biking, and lastly Normal Bike, so you have full control. Moreover, it has an LED 4-speed smart meter that allows you to easily increase or decrease your speed.
If you're looking for a bike for fat people that's very easy to ride, you won't find any much out there that is better than the Ancheer Electric bike at this price.
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Things to Consider When Buying Bikes for Big Guys
If, for some weird reason, you don't find the best bicycles for heavy adults on this list and you decide to look elsewhere, here are a few things you should always consider. These principles are the same ones I used and why I ended up with this set of bicycles after going through hundreds of options.
Heavy Duty Bike Wheels
As most bikes don't have a set weight limit or get tested at 250lbs, you will often find that most manufacturers don't put much effort into their bike wheels' quality(except for premium brands). However, a few do (particularly the ones I listed above), and they all have a few things in common.
The first is that they all have large, durable tires that allow enough air that will enable you to reduce or increase the pressure to accommodate your weight. They also all have at least 28 spokes, but most likely, they have 36 spokes. The spokes increase the weight-bearing capacity of the wheel and allow more adjustment for your weight.
The best bikes for big and heavy riders will also have either a double wall or is built with high-quality aluminum alloy. The good news with bike wheels is that they are mostly replaceable. Even if the bike you like doesn't have the best wheels, you could easily swap them out for more premium ones.
Frame
You always want to get a bike with a heavy-duty frame as this is one component that bears the brunt of your weight. As such, I highly recommend getting a bike that uses either premium quality aluminum or steel frame and, if possible, features a rigid or suspension fork.
It would be best if you also tried to get a bike with a suitable frame for your height. And if possible, one that allows you to get on and off it easily.
Bike Seat
There's no point in getting bikes for fat people with a seat that doesn't accommodate your wider sit bones. However, like bike wheels, you can easily replace the bike seat with a more comfortable seat for overweight persons.
If you keep all of these points in mind when shopping for the right bike for your weight, you will never be disappointed. And if you want to save time and money you might waste buying the wrong bike, I'd highly recommend going one of the options listed above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 300 pound person ride a bike?
Yes, 300-pound persons can ride a bike without worrying about anything as long as they ride a bike designed for heavy people, supporting a 300 lb person. Otherwise, you run the risk of injuring yourself by riding a bike that doesn't support someone at that weight. Most manufacturers only test their bikes for up to 250 lbs; however, the options listed in this article support riders 300 lbs and over.
How heavy is too heavy to ride a bike?
There is no set weight that is too heavy to ride a bike. As long as you have the knowledge and experience to ride a bike and find bikes for fat people that support your weight, you will be able to ride it.
Are fat tire bikes better for heavy riders?
Yes, fat tire bikes are better for heavy riders because these tires are larger and can accommodate more air pressure, which will withstand a heavy person's weight. With Fat tire bikes, you have more freedom to reduce the air pressure in the tires so you can improve the comfort and maneuverability of the bike without damaging the rims. Fat tire bikes also have a more heavy-duty design that makes them better at supporting heavier people.
Is cycling good for overweight?
Cycling is good for overweight persons because it is easy on the joints and doesn't require as much effort and endurance as most other exercise forms. Riding a bicycle is considered a low-impact exercise and a great way to work your way into fitness slowly.
Wrapping Up
Finding the best Bikes for big guys shouldn't be as much of an issue for you if you've made it this far. By now, you should've found the right bike for your needs, as I've made sure to include a bicycle for every scenario. So regardless of if you wanted a hybrid, mountain bike for big guys, road bike, or even an electric bike, there is one for you on this list.
You just need to make sure you pay attention to the weight limit of the bike you decide to get. As long as it is around your weight range by ~10 - 20 lbs, you should be just fine riding it. If you've got any concerns about your selection, feel free to reach out, and I'll help in any way I can.