Am I Too Heavy for My Bike?

Question:  I weigh 225 pounds and own a great bike with a Reynolds 853 frame, Time Millennium carbon fork, Ksyrium wheelset and full Ultegra group. Am I too heavy for this setup? Does my size create an unreasonable risk that the frame, fork or wheels will fail? — Aaron P.

Coach Fred Matheny Replies:  I don’t think the bike is a problem. If you keep it in good mechanical order, it should bear up just fine under your weight and horsepower.

Of course, check the wheels and tires regularly, and be aware of creaks and squeaks emanating from the frame or handlebar area that might indicate a crack in the metal. But plenty of steel bikes have withstood heavier riders than you for years with no problems at all.

Bigger riders are often hardest on wheels and spokes, so have high-spoke-count wheels of high quality is a good idea.