u/Herr_Macan

I’m looking to invest in a solid bike that can last me several years, ideally much longer with proper maintenance. My main use would be recreational riding, commuting to work, riding around the city (curbs are an issue), and occasional light trails/nature rides. I’d also like the option to carry some extra gear from time to time.

The issue is that I currently weigh around 140kg, and I’ve noticed that most branded trekking bikes I’ve looked at (mainly Trek and Cube) have total system weight limits around 140kg, including rider, bike, and gear. Since the bike itself plus basic gear already adds extra weight, I’m effectively over the limit by 25–30kg before even riding.

So I wanted to ask:

1. How strict are manufacturers with these weight limits in real-world use?
2. Should I rather look into different bike types (e.g. MTBs) to get the job done, considering they come with built-in suspension?
3. Are there any bikes you’d recommend that are safe and durable straight out of the box for a heavier rider, without constantly worrying about damaging wheels/frame/components before I lose some weight?

I’m mainly looking for something reliable and comfortable rather than high performance, available on the European market.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to buy a good-quality bike to help me get into cycling and lose weight, ideally something I can keep for years. Primarily to use it in the city and some parks, to be able to go up curbs since my local place is not fully bike-friendly.

Problem is: while I fit a Medium frame by height, I’m currently around 140 kg, which puts me over the stated system weight limits on a lot of Cube bikes where rider + bike + gear combined should not exceed 140 kg.

I know those limits exist for a reason, but I’m curious if anyone here has real-world experience riding while over the recommended weight limit. How did the bike hold up long term? Any issues with wheels, spokes, frame durability, brakes, etc.? I’m not planning to abuse the bike or ignore safety entirely, but I’m curious how conservative these limits actually are in real-world use. Are they more of a legal/safety margin, or are they closer to actual practical failure thresholds?

Would especially appreciate input from people who’ve ridden above the stated limits themselves or worked on bikes that regularly do.