I’ve had a lot of bikes over
The years but my problem is they’re uncomfortable and I therefore don’t ride them. I’m 250lbs. I want a bike for exercise, commuting within 10 miles of my house, and occasional off-road use on trails. I’ve been thinking about and narrowed my choice to these two bikes:
- Priority Sauce single speed
belt
- driven bike.
- Kona Dew hybrid bike with a lot of gears.
My inseam is about 27”, so the Priority Sauce is a bit big, while the small frame size of the Kona Dew would allow me to stand over the top bar. Price is within $150 of each other (Kona Dew is $650, Priority Sauce is $810 with shipping). Which would you recommend?
by Snarky_Guy
18 Comments
I’m 260 and do pretty much all of that in a Surly Straggler
My call would be the kona. Reme6the pain is typically because you haven’t ridden a bike and your buttocks isn’t used to the saddle. Get padded bibs shorts.
I’d go with the Kona, but anything that is the right size is always best. I personally prefer to sit on a bike before I buy it so if you can try the Kona and you like it that’s what I would do.
I have 2 Priorities and love them both.
I got a Kona rove when I weighed about 240 pounds, it’s been about 3 years and the rear wheel finally needs truing. I ride plenty of short pavement and single track and the frame has never let me down
I’m heavier than you and I ride a Kona Dr Dew. It’s holding up fine two years since I bought it.
Go with the Kona. Gears are nice.
I’ve got a Priority Onyx and the belt drive and internal gearing is really, really nice.
Almost zero maintenance in 5 years of daily riding.
The Hot Sauce (8 speed, internally geared) is currently $799.
The 18″ would fit you well.
I think the standover height of the Sauce will be a problem (sorry, as a fellow short legger). I have an Ace, but I’m not sure I’d recommend it for you — it can’t run much beyond a 32 on the tires. I’d go with the Kona between these two. Also check out the Marin Fairfax and Larkspur frames.
I’m 300lbs. The problem is wheels. Especially if you are strong. The sprint pressure on the wheels , even when I was 280lbs put spokes out daily. My sprints were OK, i topped out around 1300-1400 watts.
I try to have a minimum of 32 spokes, and either tightened to the max spec (check regularly) or use a thread locker.
Don’t forget cushioning. Big tyres at the correct pressure for your weight and the carcass size with help protect the wheels from shocks suck as bumps.
I mostly ride gravel these days so use strong 29er rims with 34-45mm tires.
I personally love the priority bike 🫶🏻 by the way I was 306 pounds 14 months ago when I re-entered cycling after 10 years away! Now after busting my but cycling daily and eating like a freaking mouse I am 188 pounds. My restart bike was actually a Brompton and I looked funny 😁now days my main bike is a Moulton and I zoom around like child, even though I am 62!
Seriously, check out a Specialized Roll Low Entry. Easiest bike on earth to ride.
I was a heavy guy and have a Dew Deluxe that I’ve put over 4,000 miles on. Other than a couple new chains, bottom brackets and brake pads the bike has held up remarkably well and is a joy to ride
I’m about that weight and I’d get the Dew.
I wrenched at one of the biggest Kona shops and we sold many Dews, and they’ve always been a good value bike. You can upgrade the wheels down the road if you have issues but I suspect you will be fine. Utility bikes are generally pretty durable with normal maintenance.
The Priority bike as a single speed is a bad idea if you live anywhere with hills. With the geared hub it’s probably ok, but I never thought much of the internally geared hubs as they felt like there was drag.
how tall are u
I highly recommend not getting priority if you’re heavy. I recommend something steel, and more importantly, strong wheels
Don’t do a single speed. Dudes our size are not made for a single speed.