Best Mountain Bike for Big Guys

It’s a well known fact that there are many heavy men and many overweight women in the USA today. In fact the CDC reckons a whopping 71% of Americans are overweight. The truth is, being 200lb, 300 lb or even 400 lb is not so unusual. However it’s not ideal to be those kinds of weights either. If you want to control your weight, studies show that diet alone rarely brings long term significant weight reduction. At best it is temporary but then the pounds start slowly piling on again. First and foremost, what you need to do is change your lifestyle and especially your exercise level – and cycling is a great way to do that, especially the high calorie-burning sport of mountain biking.

The best mountain bikes for big guys in 2022

1. Best all-round affordable big guy mountain bike: Kent Hawkeye Mountain Bike, 29″
   Kent international makes some great bikes and we picked this from their line-up. It suits both the big ride and the tall rider (and the big & tall rider). This makes the top of our list for sheer affordability without cutting quality corners. Make sure you have time (and patience) to do the assembly and you will be rewarded.
2. Best for the rough stuff: Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike
   A little smaller than the Kent, this cool bike from Huffy is very popular with the big mountain bike rider community. Great gears and a great ride mean we like it too. When the going gets tough, the big guys get Huffy. See what we did there?
3. Best compact mountain bike for obese riders: TITAN Glacier Dual-Suspension All-Terrain Mountain Bicycle
   If you are looking for a compact package that does the job, look no further than the Titan. You get a lot of mountain bikes for the money. Full marks for that dual suspension too, which many prefer to the hard tail design.

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Ok, later we will look in detail at these 3 again, along with 4 other contenders for our 7 top rating mountain bikes for big guys. But first, over to our reason and rationality desk, who are back in business looking at science, following some recent events (where we kind of voted with our feet on whether using reason was a good thing or not, or if the popular opinion was all that mattered). Just making a quick topical reference there, which has nothing to do with our list.

The Science of the mountain bike for heavy rider

Now, Isaac Newton didn’t invent the mountain bike for a heavy person, but he did do all the preliminary basic research. It’s really simple and we don’t need to use any equations, but it goes like this:

Bike frame: Weight = mass x gravity
We expect you’ll be cycling on earth, so don’t worry about this one – however, remember that as a fat mountain bike rider you are going to need a frame that is rated for your weight. Some frames are ok to 400 lb, some to 300 lb, some less. You need the right strength mountain bike. Make sure you pick the right one. If we are also talking about a mountain bike for a tall man, as well as a heavy man, you need to check frame size too. The best mountain bike for a tall man needs to be tall. As we’re sure you figured out.

Bike suspension and brakes: Change in momentum = force x time

On your mountain bike for big guys, you will be differentially moving in all axes (including up and down, slowing down etc.).
That means don’t skimp and go for low-cost suspension or brakes. They both need to be rated higher than for a normal bike rider. Get a full suspension mountain bike for big guys or by saving money, you may pay a bigger price. That’s because wear and tear will be a potential problem if you go too ‘affordable’.

You are, after all a large person, and you will be going fast downhills. Fat guys who buy popular but unsuitable models will pay dearly in one way or the other.

Bike Tires and Gears: Momentum = mass x velocity

As a big guy, don’t forget great tires. The best mountain bike for heavy riders is not just about the bike, you need good gears. Then, you need strong and maybe oversized tires to get that grip, carry that weight and generate that motion. Make sure you have a bike with tires with good reviews as a big man’s brand. Do you really want a blowout on a high-speed descent? Nope, me neither.

Bike Saddle: Force = mass x acceleration

There is no polite way of saying this – for a big man riding, your buns and inner thighs are going to take a lot of punishment. That’s just the way it is and the heavier you are the more severe that punishment will be. So, get a decent comfortable and broad saddle – not one of those toothpick sized ones. Otherwise the day after a big ride – oh man, do we have to spell it out? You are a big guy on a bicycle. Ouch.

Mountain Bikes for Heavy Riders

Now that’s all done, here are our top 7 best mountain bikes for big guys. With Covid-19 hitting bike production, like so much else, it’s important to order bikes that have good availability – these all do.

1. Kent Hawkeye Mountain Bike, 29″

Best all-around affordable big guy mountain bike

Say ‘Hi’ to Kent model number 6061. What you get for a very, and I do mean very, reasonable price is a light but strong 18.5-inch aluminum frame and an aluminum crown front suspension that will easily handle those big guy scary hill climbs over gravel stones and those pesky tree roots.

For tires you get all the right boxes ticked. Big 29-inch double-wall alloy rims with chunky and well-made 29 x 2.30 tires. All that links up with
Shimano 7 speed freewheel, front and rear derailleurs and what Kent call “rapid-fire” 21-speed shifters. That’s all great to get you going, but how about stopping. Well, that is handled nicely by front & rear mechanical disc brakes.

Yes, you have to do some assembly (and it helps if you have done that before) but the price is so keen, you could get a local shop to do it for you and still be saving a bunch of cash. You might invest in a wider saddle too and upgraded fork and still be way better off and cheaper than buying some of the rivals.

For the very affordable price, which is about half of many comparable competitors, it’s a steal.

Final words: Competes with other popular brand mountain bikes that cost twice as much (or more) but which are not – in our opinion – necessarily always twice as good. It’s not a $1,000 bike but nor is it meant to be. We like it a lot.

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2. Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike, Stone Mountain 24 inch 21-Speed

Best for the rough stuff

Huffy is a well-known and popular brand and if you like Huffy hardtail bikes then you are in good company. You get a well-made but affordable 28 lbs bike with a 17” frame, and the 26”-wheel Summit model is 18 speeds. Rider weight officially goes up to 250 lbs but there are 300 lb riders out there.

Out on the road or on the dirt, you’ll appreciate the very capable front suspension, efficient brakes, and chunky tires which are all very good in this price bracket. You will probably do well to invest in a specialized big saddle though – but that’s true for almost all the bikes on our list.

Some readers may think that very few people need a $1,000 bike – except to show off. We see things a bit more nuanced. In our humble opinion there is nothing wrong with a bit of showing off. In any case that’s not what the Huffy (or this review) is about. It’s about getting on the road or up a hill on a decent bicycle when you are obese. If that is your thing, then this Huffy might be just what you need.

Final words: If you are buying with your head, not your heart, give the Huffy hardtail model a try. You might just like it as much as we do.

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3. TITAN Glacier Dual-Suspension All-Terrain Mountain Bicycle – 26″ Alloy Wheels

Best compact mountain bike for obese riders

The whole bike community thing can sometimes get a bit irrational or plain silly. Ultra light bikes made from stealth fighter grade unobtanium form the planet Pandora and handcrafted by monks in a secret cave in Tibet etc. The truth is a few grams here or there really don’t make that much difference and neither do you need to spend massive amounts of money on bikes or clothes either. It can all get a bit narcissistic, move away from the science, and all end up over competitive. No, we aren’t talking about any election. This is just about bikes.

Since we are reason and science fans here, this is going to be really simple. You want a strong bike as you are a heavy rider. You are not trying to win the Tour de France ok? then you need something like this Titan. Yes, pick up the Titan Glacier and it’s a bit heavy because it is stell framed. You are not a pro rider. If you want a weight reduction it will be easier, cheaper and healthier to work some pounds off of yourself, than pay crazy money for an ultralight aluminum or fancy alloy mountain bike. What’s more, we are talking mountain bikes here, not road racing bikes. Like Gordon Gecko said (sort of) ‘heavy is good, it gets things done’. Steel is good.

Final words: If you are genuinely looking for a great bike as a heavy rider, and fashion is not your thing, then why not buy something that will actually do the job? The Titan Glacier is for riding, not posing, and is an honest bike that we really like.

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4. Mongoose Salvo Adult Mountain Bike, 27.5-29-Inch Wheels

Best fatter tire luxury bike for big riders

Now, don’t misunderstand us on the price and cost topic. If you have the money and it makes you happy, spend whatever you want on a bike. Like Sheryl Crowe sang, if it makes you happy then it can’t be that bad. We love Mongoose bikes, and the Salvo is somewhere towards the upper end of the price range – there are more pricey Mongoose models and of course cheaper ones too, but we think the Salvo is especially interesting.

So, for more than three times the price of some of the models on our list, what do you get? The answer is superb quality. The Mongoose Salvo looks, feels, and rides just as you’d expect a bike costing this much more to. It’s great to own and definitely one to impress other riders with.

Now, for the detail. You get an aluminum frame that is light and strong. The suspension uses what Mongoose calls “Free Floating Technology”. This kind of suspension is designed to handle trail riding smoothly. There are three frame sizes, all of which work for obese riders, – you just pick the one that is right for your height. We would go for the 29” wheels on that topic. The SRAM SX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain is impressive and we like the touch of running cables inside the bike. Pity, it doesn’t ship with assembly tools though – that only cost a few dollars.

Final words: If you do have the money, why not check out this gem from the huge Mongoose range. In this case, you pay more, and you get more.

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5. Cycle Force Men’s Dual Suspension Mountain Bike

Best for an obese rider over the bumpy stuff

Our 5th choice is a little bit different. We have picked the Cycle Force on our list because of the great dual suspension. Heavy riders have more mass and if you combine that with acceleration and deceleration you get more force. More force means more discomfort.

The Cycle force suspension really works well and is hard to beat, at the very affordable price this model sells at. The big win with any dual suspension system is the ride quality but this is not always as good as it can be. What Cycle force has pulled off is a good ride but at a very low price.

The rest of the bike is competent too. Frame and fork are both very sturdy steel. Wheels are alloy rims, paired with 26 x 1.95-inch mountain bike tires. The drivetrain is 18 speed, with twist shifters and conventional linear-pull brakes.

Final words: Early bikes used to be called ‘boneshakers’ for a reason. If hills are your thing, then check the Cycle Force out.

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6. Schwinn Hybrid-Bicycles GTX

Best hybrid mountain and road bike for obese riders

Our number six pick is something else a little different – a hybrid bike that is great on the road as well as in the forest. The Schwinn GTX is both practical for a run down to Starbucks or down the Rockies. There is an Aluminium dual sport frame, and the 700c wheel size with dual surface road/trail tires will fit riders from 5’4” up to 6’2” in height.

Finally, to go and stop, the 21-speed shifters with rear derailleur provides clean and accurate gear changes and alloy V-brakes deliver plenty of stopping power.

Final words: The Schwinn GTX is a “best of both worlds” approach that solves commuting and off-road tasks equally well.

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7. LODDD High Carbon Steel 26 Inch Folding Mountain Bike

Best folding mountain bike

Our final number 7 pick is one more twist in the tail of possible choices for a big guys mountain bike – and that is this folder from Lodd. There are many plusses to a folding bike. You can store it easily in a car. You can take it on public transport. It doesn’t take much space if you live in a small apartment. So, the main downsides are that some people worry they are a little more complex (read fragile locking mechanisms) and a little less robust. The reality today is that a folding bike is as good a bike and as robust as a non-folding version.

There are 26-inch 6-spoke rims with the Loddd magnesium wheels, plus carbon steel double suspension, with a 26″ sturdy “High Tensile Steel Folding Frame”. It will not buckle or fold until you want it too. Trust us.

Add 21-speed gears and you have a fun but portable solution for big riders.

Final words: Do not discount the possibility of a folding bike – they can make a lot of sense.

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TOP3 Mountain Bikes for Tall Man

1. Best all-round affordable big guy mountain bike: Kent Hawkeye Mountain Bike, 29″
2. Best for the rough stuff: Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike
3. Best compact mountain bike for obese riders: TITAN Glacier Dual-Suspension All-Terrain Mountain Bicycle

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So, there you have a range of 7 different models, each of which is a possible answer to the question ‘what is the best mountain bike for big guys?’. We have seen low and high-cost types. We have looked at dual suspension, hybrid and folding models. Now, it’s all down to you. We hope you have had a reasoned and objective look at this area and thanks for reading.