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Can I tell you a story (that’s got a happy ending)?
I bumped into an old school pal of mine the other day and we got chatting.
He told me that after he’d left school, he got pretty chunky. I’m not talking about a couple extra pounds, I mean a LOT of pounds, and he was on a downhill trajectory.
As kids, we were always out on our bikes, cruising the streets with our buddies. Yeah, we were probably up to no good, but at least we were keeping fit and active. Any, anyway, our parents never found out, so that was fine.
But fast forward a few years and things had changed for him. Too much junk food, too many parties, too little exercise, and too much time spent jammed into a cubicle.
The result was that he was morbidly obese. It really got him down and he couldn’t see a way out of it.
He wanted to exercise and get fit. He really wanted to cycle! Was there such a thing as a push bike for heavy person? But he didn’t think he’d make it to the end of the block, let alone for any meaningful distance that would start shifting the needle on the scales.
Maybe you can empathize? Maybe you’ve been there?
Then a friend of his told him about his new electric bike and it got him thinking – if he could find a sturdy bike with a powerful motor, it could be the answer he was looking for.
Eight years later and he’s onto his third ebike and loving it. The technology has got better and better over the years. But what’s stayed the same is the feeling he says he gets when he jumps on the bike and sets off.
He’s now lost 35 pounds and feels fitter and healthier than he has since he was that kid cruising the streets.
More importantly, it’s given him a new lease of life.
He commutes the 15-mile round trip to work every day on his ebike (whizzing past all the stationary traffic – ha!)
On a weekend he heads out with the kids for a longer trip – sometimes he even beats them, but he says he always finishes up with a big smile on his face.
If that sounds good, then why not give it a try yourself?
To make things easier I’ve pulled together a quick guide on things to look out for when choosing an ebike that’s right for you. I’ve also listed my recommendations for some of the best bikes on the market today.
Bikes for morbidly obese
There are a number of things to keep an eye out for when you’re choosing your new ebike:
- Sturdy frame
- Powerful brakes
- Comfort style bike geometry
- Accessories
1. Sturdy frame
You’ll want a sturdy frame as this will be able to withstand greater forces. Don’t go for anything that looks too flimsy as this will likely not last.
Bikes that are designed for carrying large amounts of cargo (called, “Cargo Bikes” funnily enough) and mountain bikes will usually be designed with strength in mind.
2. Powerful brakes
The more weight a bike is carrying, the stronger the brakes need to be in order to safely slow you down. Many bikes these days (and all but one on my list) have the new style disc brakes, which are ideal.
3. Comfort style bike geometry
Bike geometry is just a fancy way of talking about the bike frame and whether the riding position is more upright (like a beach cruiser or three-wheeler) or hunched over like a road racing bike.
For larger riders carrying extra round their middle section, then the more upright a riding position, the more comfortable the bike will feel.
4. Accessories
Once you’ve chosen your ebike, make sure you get yourself a good pair of cycling shorts. Don’t worry, they don’t have to be tight spandex. What you need is a loose fit pair of shorts, ideally with a drawstring waist. The most important bit about them is the thick layer of padding on the seat to keep you sitting comfortably. A pair like this is ideal.
Very unfit how to start cycling?
I hope that gives you a clearer picture of what to look out for with your new ebike? Let’s dive in and take a look at my recommendations for the best electric bikes for obese riders:
RadRunner 3 Plus Electric Utility Bike
Let’s start off with one of the best e-bikes in the market right now – the RadRunner cargo bike from Rad Power Bikes.
The super sturdy frame, fat tires, and powerful motor/battery combo give this workhorse a whopping 350 Lbs of carrying capacity for the rider and cargo.
The integrated rear rack makes carrying anything a breeze and this rack can even be accessorized with an optional second seat. So, you can haul a friend too.
The fat tires, comfort seat and front suspension give an incredibly smooth ride. No matter what the terrain.
One of my favorite features on the RadRunner is the really low step-through frame – making it easy to hop on and off without tilting the bike dangerously to one side (handy when you’re packing top-heavy groceries on the rack).
The RadTrike has rugged looks that are sure to get you admiring comments as you cruise along.
It has a carrying capacity of 325 lbs (rider weight) and a low center of gravity for helping you keep your balance. This bike has a powerful 750W motor that, with the 480 Wh battery, can take you between 20-55 miles depending on the assistance level.
Coupled with the motor, the RadTrike also has powerful brakes to give you the control you need on your journeys – front mechanical disc brake and rear foot-operated coaster brake.
This has a carrying capacity of 300 lbs, so is perfect for you and your cargo on the rear rack.
It also has fat tires which love going off-road and through mud and snow. Finally, the front and rear disc brakes make stopping easy, even if you’re maxing out the carrying capacity.
Final word
It’s never too late to get into cycling and develop a new, healthy lifestyle. Try out one of my recommendations and I challenge you not to end up without a big cheesy grin on your face!
Now, what are you waiting for? Go buy that ebike and get riding!
Happy cycling!
