I’m about 6’4 270, and I know nothing about bikes other than how to ride them.
A few years ago, my brother gave me this bike. Whenever Im on the bike, the back tire goes flat. I try to inflate it every time before I get on and nothing works. I had a local bike shop put new tires on it a few months ago, but the same thing kept happening.
Do I just need a different kind of tire? They are pretty thin. Or a different kind of bike for somebody with my body size ? Or is my bike just cheap? Or is the wheel itself bent?
My kids are really getting into riding around the neighborhood and I’d like to be able to ride with them .
by GoMustard
19 Comments
Yes and No.
Yes: The frame size is hugely too small.
No: That tire can carry way more weight. See that it is undamaged and mounted correctly and inflate it to max pressure. It’s noted on it’s side.
You loose about 0.5-0.8 bar / month due to diffusion. So regular refills are normal.
Look for the recommended tire pressure on the side of the tire and inflate it to that. You can get a bicycle pump with a guage on it or use one of those little pocket tire guages you use for car tires. Get in the habit of checking your tire pressure every few rides as regular maintenance.
Looking at the second picture though, you might want to raise the seat a little. Your legs should be just barely bent when on the pedals. You’ll be much more comfortable.
You are too tall for that specific bike, yes. You should get a larger size frame, with tires that are at least 2″ or 40c.
I recognize that rim/tire combo and it’s not ideal. Look for a hybrid bike with a wider box section rim.
Bike looks a little small for you. My dad is 6’4” and rides a 62 cm/ XXL frame.
Are your tires going flat as you ride, or are you leaving the bike for days/weeks and coming back to a flat tire?
You’ve an inch or 2 on me and a couple pounds and I find I have to inflate my tires to the max psi before each ride or they’ll look like yours. I just have a whatever bike to cruise around with my kids as well.
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Are you trolling us?? That bike is for someone a foot shorter than you.
The simple answer is yes you are way too big for that frame.
Pump it up to the max PSI listed on the side of the tire and that should fix it. If not, you’ll need a slightly wider tire if it will fit in that frame. When it comes to pounds per square inch, you can either increase the pressure, or increase the square inches. If you do go with another bike, I’d get something with stronger looking rims. Maybe these rims are engineered really well, but that spoke set up doesn’t look ideal for a bigger guy.
Yes
It does look small but there’s a problem causing the tyre going flat. I would check the tube – just get another good quality make like Michelin, Continental, Schwalbe or Vittoria and a good tyre – we found the Schwalbe Marathon plus are good tough tyres. Rim tape should be good and protect the tube. The spokes should’nt be sticking out into the tube- file then smooth if they are.
How are you inflating the tyres ? Do you have a pressure gauge? Are they initially up to the pressures on the side of the tyre or do you just guess? They need to be inflated up towards the max rated pressure to take your 270 weight
Is it a 24” bike for kids?
Hi! Yes the bike is ABSOLUTELY too small for you like way too small and if it fits in your budget you should upgrade to a larger size frame. Also i noticed something… In the first photo it shows that your feet is in the middle of the pedal, make sure you dont ride like that, its supposed to be like the place where your toes are or where they ”start” should be the spot what you put the pressure on with that you will get way more force out of you. Ill try to find a video about that and ill edit my comment then. English is not my mother tongue so sorry for possible mistakes.
Edit: here is me about two months ago before a race, you can see how my shoe is placed, all the force and pressure is on the spot where your toes are.
https://preview.redd.it/i0jxgrmr8eud1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f89a7003f15bf0d8fe75eec0dcdf2bd45d1f5b85
Edit 2: here is a perfect video showing with what part of your feet you should press the pedal [https://youtube.com/shorts/tQV4Mmmwoig?si=zFeUzH1QD8oqLCnu](https://youtube.com/shorts/tQV4Mmmwoig?si=zFeUzH1QD8oqLCnu)
Edit 3: here is even better video with flat pedals and not cleats [https://youtu.be/WW87e4OIMjs?si=i41JwSMJ7LqyY36c](https://youtu.be/WW87e4OIMjs?si=i41JwSMJ7LqyY36c)
TL;DR
Bike is too small
Tire pressure too low
Fix feet placement on the pedals
Picture of you on bike made this image come to mind.
https://preview.redd.it/altmkre88eud1.jpeg?width=490&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4460dcad825d99e18d32cfbf7b04b31738f28f8b
The flat tire I, like others, would say is a matter of inflating it correctly. Other than that I wonder if the strength of 24 spoke wheels will be sufficient in the long run.
You need to put more air into the tires
What size is the tire.. I have the same bike in the basement, also my brother’s at some point. Bike came with a 38mm (iirc) on a fairly narrow rim.. 28mm or maybe 32mm is a better fit and takes a higher pressure.
Those rims hold up to my 200lbs but I had to rebuild the rear wheel after my brother attempted to true it. For 270lbs, you’d really be better off with a 32h or 36h (spokecount) rim/wheel with a wider inner rim width, something like an Alex Adventurer two which has a 21mm inner rim width. Other touring rims are a good choice.. DT Swiss TK540, Velocity Dyad or Cliffhanger, Ryde Andra. Mavic A719.
Pretty sure it’s a 700c and 135mm hub, quick release (QR). But replacing the wheel may not be necessary if a narrower tire fixes the flats.
Also, when you get a flat, mark the rim where the puncture was. Watch for a pattern.. same place every time?
(Edit to add) and realistically, that bike is too small for you. It’s a one size fits all model but really best for someone around 5’9” to 5’11” and under 200lbs.. ideally closer to 160lbs with those wheels.
As a larger rider, inflate near max pressure to avoid pinch flats.