My bicycle is a Trek Navigator 200. ..It's maximum weight capacity is 270 pounds...I need to make it carry much more than this ...I've read that adult training wheels and bigger tires will increase its ability to carry more weight....Is this true? ..What other ways are there? If I can manage to do this I will drop my carbon footprint dramatically ...I want to use this for business commuting..
Update:I'm sorry ..I forgot to say it's mainly to increase the weight carrying capacity for the driver and the front and back baskets....Towing a trailer is not feasible...Thank-You
Verified answer
The weight limitation is in the frame and chainstays, so changing the tires or using training wheels (all of which attach to the chainstays) won't change the load capacity of the bike. If you can find some training wheels that also have panniers, then you can safely offload those from the bike's loading factors. But ultimately, those two strategies are no-goes.
As others have said, you are probably better off trading the bike in for something built for the needed capacity. I found that, due to my weight, rides on "traditional" upright bikes over a few miles are...unpleasant, due to the weight being posited on perineal nerve. I found a used recumbent, and it has made all the difference. I would highly recommend you check out some recumbents. In my opinion, the ones that use "saddles" like upright bikes are generally not as good as the ones that have "seats" (almost lawn chairs). That is in terms of comfort, not bike quality or ability. There is also another seat type (I think they look like skateboards), but I've only test ridden a couple of them, so I can't offer opinions on them.
You said weight is an issue, but didn't specify how much, so I am going to go extreme and recommend you check out the TerraTrike Rover, which has a 400 pound capacity. Pretty sure it is the highest capacity production bike out there. As far as trikes go, the Rover is more upright than most, which is good for a first-time recumbent.
If all that sounds like not-your-cup-of-tea, maybe cargo bikes (a.k.a. cycle trucks)? Just trying to give you options!
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RE:
Bicycle Trek Navigator 200 How to increase its weight carrying capacity?
My bicycle is a Trek Navigator 200. ..It's maximum weight capacity is 270 pounds...I need to make it carry much more than this ...I've read that adult training wheels and bigger tires will increase its ability to carry more weight....Is this true? ..What other ways are there? If I can...
If a trailer really is not feasible and the load is really much more than 270 pounds then it would be cheaper to trade in the bike for one suited to your needs than it would be to replace the bike's frame, fork, and wheels. Unless you are on flat ground you may also want to replace the chainwheel with a smaller one for lower gears.
You're quote, "I'm sorry ..I forgot to say it's mainly to increase the weight carrying capacity for the driver and the front and back baskets....Towing a trailer is not feasible."
Either
A) Lose weight
B) Go with the trailer, or...
C) Get a "touring road bike" - designed to haul extra weight.
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/steel-road/commute...
Get a small cargo trailer.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D...