You’re ready to invest in a bike. Congratulations! Cycling is one of the most enjoyable physical
exercises that exists. It’s easy to do, and you move like the wind when you’re riding, no matter
what your size.
If you’re trying to decide which bicycle is the right one for you, take a look at these important
considerations, and we’ll guide you in choosing the bike that will get you happily riding once
again.
1.
How much do you weigh?
We suggest you start with your weight first. The reason you found our store is probably because
you know that you’re not safe on a regularly-built bike. Start here
and then we can work our way into other factors to decide upon.
Each one of our bikes has a weight rating on it. This gives you the
maximum weight this bike can safely hold. There is NO minimum.
The idea is to get a bike that will hold your maximum weight, and if
you lose weight, that’s great. It does not mean you have to change
bikes, because your bike will continue to work really well for you.
Our strongest bikes will hold riders up to 550 pounds. These are A
New Leaf and the Time of Your Life, and the Supersized Personal Activity Vehicle.
The 29er Max will safely hold 450 pounds.
The Zized! Zuma holds 425.
At 400 pounds, we’ve got the Revolution and the Samson.
The top weight for the Zized! Tri-Ride and for the Supersized Newsboy, Newsgirl, Tall Boy, and
Comfort bikes is 330 pounds.
We also have the Zuma and Tri-Ride electric bikes at 240 pounds.
Susan wanted a mid-price bike that would allow her to ride on the mostly -flat bike paths near
her home in Florida. At 275 pounds, the Revolution she chose was not the only option, but she
loved the style and the quality of the bike. She also loved that she could get a custom color, so
she now proudly rides on a bright pink bike. She’s having a blast with it!
2.
How old are you?
Age itself is not really an issue, but it’s more an indication of where people may find themselves
on the scope of things like bike fashion. In general, the most popular model for men under the
age of 50 is A New Leaf. The mountain bike look, coupled
with the ruggedness of the bike, seems to be the driving
factors.
For women, and anyone that still has the balance required to
ride a bike, we are big fans for the Time of Your Life. This
bike was specifically designed for big people--it’s easy to get
on and off, and thanks to the design of the frame, you can
touch the ground when you’re still on the seat, which allows
an extra measure of comfort.
Tom is a 30 year old engineer from the Houston, Texas area. He wanted to be able to go out
riding with his friends, but his old bike kept popping spokes and was making a lot of strange
creaky noises. At his heaviest weight ever, he counted on dropping the pounds as soon as he
could ride. A New Leaf was a perfect choice for him, and he found himself hooked on riding
within a couple weeks of receiving his bike. Now 50 pounds lighter, he rides at least 5 times per
week for the pleasure of it, and because it allows him to continue to enjoy eating the way he likes
to.
3.
Do you have any physical challenges?
We love biking and recommend it for everybody. And the fact that biking is non-weight bearing,
which means that you won’t damage your joints by exercising, is an important factor to consider
when you are a heavy person.
BUT--we are NOT doctors! Please be sure to check with your health care professional to be sure
that biking is a recommended activity for you.
Once you have your doc’s okay, it’s good to consider any special concerns you might have. For
instance, if your balance is not great, then maybe you could consider a
tricycle. They are a great way to get around when you can’t really count
on just two wheels.
If your wrists tend to get achy, focus on bikes which have you sitting in
a very upright position. That way you won’t be putting pressure on your
hands as you lean into the handlebars. Some good examples of these bikes are the Time of Your
Life, the Samson, the 29er Max and the Supersized Comfort Bike.
If back pain is an issue for you, and you want the support of a seat back, both the Samson and the
Supersized Personal Activity Vehicle are very comfortable.
Chris was very skeptical of the seat on the Samson--it just didn’t look “normal.” But she loved
the back support it provided, and decided to give it a try. Within one week of starting to ride, she
called to tell us how much she adored this bike. She couldn’t believe how incredibly comfortable
and supportive the seat was, and the crank-forward frame made riding a breeze. She also loved
the upright handle bar, which meant no weight or pressure on her hands.
4.
What kind of terrain will you be riding on? Is it hilly?
If you’re a heavy person and live in a hilly area, it can be hard to get up the courage to start
biking again. It’s hard for skinny people to get up hills on a bike, so add to that a bunch of extra
weight and it makes it, well, really hard.
Have you thought about electric assist bicycles? They are a perfect solution to the dilemma of
hilly terrain. They make biking fun and easy again! The electric assist bikes give
ASSISTANCE. They are not simply scooters with a twist and go system. They allow you to
pedal while getting some help, to pedal with no help, or, if you just too tired to carry on, to just
twist and go. The choice is yours. And you can change
how you interact with the bike with a simple twist of
the throttle and/or movement of the pedals.
If, on the other hand, you live in a flat area, you can
take that into consideration, too. For instance, three
speeds may be plenty for your terrain. Three speed
bikes we sell include the Revolution, the Supersized
Newsboy, Tall Boy, Newsgirl, Comfort Bike, and
Personal Activity Vehicle.
If you know you have the strength, and/or you have the determination to JUST DO IT, hills can
be done with just muscle power. And, really, there is nothing wrong with walking up a hill. It
may not feel as cool as powering up on your wheels, but you’re still getting there on your own
power, and that is something to celebrate! A New Leaf, the Time of Your Life, and the 29er
Max all come with an 8 speed internal gear system, which provides plenty of variety for
conquering most biking challenges. The Samson has an external gear system with 24 speeds,
which provides a vast range for dealing with different terrain.
Sally loved to bike when she was younger, but found that the weight she put on as she aged really
slowed her down. Living in Colorado, she was faced with mountains just about every way she
rode. She decided to purchase a Zized! Zuma, and hasn’t looked back once. She loves it! “The
feeling of freedom that comes from knowing I can conquer any hill is phenomenal,” she writes
us. “And because I’m not afraid that I’m going to have to walk my bike a lot, I end up riding a
lot more. I’ve lost 15 pounds in the last 4 months--just from riding so much!”
5.
What’s your budget?
A Zize Bike is a once in a lifetime investment. Our bikes are not inexpensive, but you know the
old adage, “You get what you pay for.” It couldn’t be more true than for our bikes.
In general, the pricing is highest for the bikes that hold the most weight. If you think about it
that makes sense, because these are the pieces of equipment that must work the hardest. The top-
of-the-line parts, the welding and assembly, every detail is addressed with attention to the bike’s
strength and comfort and the rider’s safety.
Mike was one of our first riders. He got his Time of Your Life in 2007. He recently wrote me
that he continues to ride every weekend, and in the entire time
he’s had his bike, he has not had so much as a flat tire! He
gives his bike a tune-up every spring, keeps his tires filled
regularly, but other than that doesn’t do a thing to his bike.