Weight limit is a funny concept. I remember Columbus had a weight limit on the SL tube set that for most of my riding life I was above that. Then I would see a young man the weighed all of 150 lbs. wet and he would trash the rims and bend the axle. I put it down to how you ride. The example I always do in my shop is jump up and land soft and you would feel nothing then I would jump the same but let my legs remand rigid and boom you would feel it run though the building. It is a combination of the two yes if you are 230 lbs. you will at sometime bend or brake an axle and if you weigh less it will not happen as often I mean it is simple math. I have riders here that tip the scale at 260 and ride with no problems but I rebuild the wheels and replace the axle more often as preventive maintenance. All the best Steven Steven Willis 1778 East Second Street Scotch Plains NJ 07076 908-322-3330 http://www.thebikestand.com
>A bike shop owner that I respect and who has both talent and a sincere
>interest in old classic bikes, told me recently that freewheel type rear
>hubs have a built in weight limit. He told me that a 200 pounder and up
>will tend to bend axles on freewheel bikes because of the location of the
>supporting bearing structures. I realize that this was the main selling
>point for Shimano's freehub design in the early 80's, but at my weight
>which varies between 150 and 160 I never have bent an axle. I have seen
>lots of them though that have that characteristic bend at the drive side
>from being ridden by riders in the low 200 lb. range. Isn't it strange that
>when classic bikes were at their height, the average "BIG" guy used to be
>around 190 to 200, and now so many men seem to weigh 210, 220 and 230. It
>almost seems that the average guy now weighs that. Bikes come from the
>factory now with thick heavy strong aero rims, and freehubs and strong
>aluminum frames. The reason I bring all this up is that I sold the Benotto,
>which I was comming to love for $250 plus another bike that I can sell
>parts off of on E-bay. The poor old Benotto seemed to strain under the
>weight of the new owner who is 220 to 230. I wondered whether the bike
>would resent me for abandoning her. After all, we did spend some quality
>time together this week. I even asked the new owner if he would prefer that
>I put on a solid axle to resist bending, but he said that just likes quick
>release. Then I insisted that if he didn't like anything about the bike he
>could return it. "No, it's just perfect.. Scratches and all."
>
> Rationally, it doesn't seem that 230 lbs is that different from 160, and
> that these bikes had a built in ability to take the extra weight as part
> of the original design. The question is then,,, Were these old lightweight
> bikes with Columbus tubing and the like built to take the extra stress of
> a heavier rider?
>
> Garth Libre in Miami Fl.