Ryan Jackson is worried that a new carbon frame won’t take his weight or the punishment that he wants to put on it. We put his mind at rest and make some observations.
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Question: I am looking to buy a carbon frame road bike. I ride alum. Frame now. I’m 6’3” 220lbs. Looking @ Bottecchia out of Texas. Fast group rides and centuries only. Will it hold up! 100 to 150 miles a week avg. training.
Hi Ryan,
I’m not sure if the Bottechia frames have a weight limit, that is something you will have to take up with the distributor. I have only seen rider weight limits mentioned for carbon frames, only for frames built with Scandium tubing.
You are not a small guy, but I would say that a carbon frame will hold your weight, with all equipment it may not last as long as a bike that a smaller/lighter rider uses.
The strength of carbon is well known and should take just about anything you can throw at it. If in doubt ask the shop, distributor or manufacturer, this could help if you have any warranty issues later.
Let us know how you get on…
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Brent Burgess
I have a 2009 Specialized Roubaix Pro SL. I weight 250lbs. It has been outstanding. With a SRAM Red gruppo and Mavic Kysrium SL wheels. I ride on lousy roads with weather beaten asphalt. It is very forgiving yet stiff out of the saddle on a hill. It is an excellent choice for a large rider.
David
HI,
the 220 lbs question ,in my experience, is so case sensitive that you might not even get a straight answer.
Dewey Thiessen
Brian,
I’m a 5’10” “Clydesdale” whos weight varies from 220 lbs to 240 lbs as the year moves from summer to winter. I’ve ridden 27,000 miles on an 54cm 05 Specialized Tarmac, 6,000 miles on a 54cm 09 Cervelo RS and 2,000 miles on a 52cm 07 Specialized Roubaix Pro. All three frames/forks are full carbon fiber. Other than the normal dings acquired over time, all of these frames have held up with no issues. Buy the carbon fiber frame! You’ll love it.
Dewey