10 Best MTBs For Heavy Riders 2023 (Everyone Deserves a Great Ride)

Most bike brands don’t have a weight specification for riders. Their only concern is the height of the rider and the height of the bike. Although it might seem like a small issue, big and tall guys deserve a bike that will not break under their weight.

A bike for a heavier rider should have strong wheels, more spokes, and a powerful frame to withstand the pressure. And in this article, we are going to give you just that. Here’s a breakdown of the best mountain bikes for heavy and tall riders.

Best MTBs For Heavy Riders

1. Mongoose Dolomite

As they say, big guys drive big machines. Fat bikes are for riding on snow, deserts, ice, or mud, but they have long been associated with heavy riders.

Mongoose Dolomite is a perfect choice if you are a heavy rider that desires a bike with fat tires.

The advantage of fat bikes is that they soak up bumps, so the manufacturers don’t have to add an expensive suspension to cushion them.

The Mongoose Dolomite does not come with a fork, making it an affordable bike and allowing you to hit the trails without knocking out your bank account.

It comes with mechanical disc brakes to offer a great bike performance. You may consider upgrading to trigger shifters and dump the twist shifters that come with the bike.

Dolomite is the perfect entry-level bike for you because it provides a more comfortable ride for a heavier rider.

The fat tires do more than support your body weight even on the rough terrain, which is great. It’s not a fast bike, but the Dolomite will offer you the pleasure of cycling and let you enjoy your surroundings.

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2. SavaDeck Deck 300

Are you a heavy rider looking for a strong but light carbon bike that is also not so expensive? The SavaDeck Deck 300 could be all you’ve always wanted in a bike.

This hardtail bike is designed to be lightweight and comfortable for heavy riders who want to stand out. The Deck 300 is not very popular, but unique is good, no doubt about that.

Packed with an SR Suntour fork in the front with 100 mm of travel, the bike is suitable to ride on a soft trail.

It also features a Shimano Deore drivetrain and Shimano MT200 hydraulic front and rear disc brakes for unmatched stopping power. Unfortunately, the bike lacks a dropper post.

Deck 300 is a decent entry-level mountain bike for you if you want a simple carbon bike for the ride. It’s not easy to operate but safe even on descents.

It’s also a great climber if you can push it up the hill. The bike also performs on descents, especially on smooth trails. SaveDeck Deck 300 is definitely a good buy.

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3. Ibis DV9

Ibis DV9 is one of the best quality hardtails I have tried, and due to the high demand by heavier riders, the bike is already out of stock on the website.

However, you can still find the bike in other online stores and maybe in your local store. But you should be aware of the features of this bike which make it one of the top bikes on this list.

The DV9 features the large 29” wheels, the norm now, and a 1×11 SRAM SX drivetrain. The bike also gets a 100 mm or 120 mm travel RockShox fork.

On top of these high-end components, the bike also features a sturdy but light carbon fiber frame.

The Ibis DV9 will be a great bike for you, especially if you adore a high-quality bike with high strength and a wide gear range to hit the rough terrain hard.

It’s such a star that it sold out, but the 2023 model is about to hit the market. Besides being a great climber, it’s good on descents. You can also ride it around town.

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4. Schwinn S29

The Schwinn S29 model is one of the most affordable full-suspension mountain bikes I know, and it goes for less than $500.

You don’t expect it to come with top-of-the-range components as everything in the bike plays its role. Most importantly, the S29 is going to be a perfect bike for your body weight.

It’s not luxurious like the expensive full-suspension bikes I have ridden before, but the Schwinn S29 is a quality bike.

It’s strong for the big and strong guy. The bike features a 3×7 Shimano drivetrain which a pro rider would not look at twice, but we all start somewhere. It also features a Suntour front fork and a rear shock.

This is a fantastic bike for overweight guys. It’s also a great MTB for beginners who know little or nothing about bikes but trying to find out.

It’s an incredible climber with the ability to get you to your destination even if it’s the highest point in your town.

It’s also forgiving on the descents. The S29 is going to be a bike you’ll love as you join the world of cycling.

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5. Diamondback Overdrive 1

Heavier people need the lightest bikes they can get. Otherwise, climbing with this bike will prove to be a difficult task. The Diamondback Overdrive is one of the lightest bikes built a firm with heavy riders in mind.

So, whether you want a bike that you can cruise with around town or participate in an event with, then the DiamondBack Overdrive 1 is just the bike that will make your heart mellow.

The MTB comes fully assembled in the box, with a few attachments remaining, which you can make effortlessly and hit the trail in a couple of minutes.

The budget bike features a Shimano Altus drivetrain and an SR Suntour XCT fork with coil spring and 100mm of travel. The most incredible feature of this bike is the butted aluminum frame which makes the bike lightweight.

If you enjoy long rides, the Diamond Overdrive 1 is the perfect bike for your body weight.

The Overdrive is a bike loved by the young and old and an incredible ride for beginners trying to find their position in the mountain biking niche.

It’s not the best bike for racing, but it can take you around the world if you want to.

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6. Addmotor MOTAN Electric Fat Bike

When the terrain gets too hilly, and you have to either turn back or drain the remaining energy you have, especially if you are a heavy person, that’s where electric bikes come in.

However, you can only have this benefit if you are riding an e-bike. Well, I’m not a fan of e-MTB as I prefer suffering all the way up, but if you need a hand in those unforgiving climbs, then you need a bike like the Addmotor Motan E-Fat bike.

The Motan comes with a 12.8Ah Panasonic battery which will power your bike tens of miles before running out.

For the suspension, the bike features 100 mm of travel and is packed with Addshox forks from the same bike manufacturer.

It also features a 1×7 Shimano Altus drivetrain to allow you to climb the not-so-steep climbs. Motan comes with a detachable rear rack. Unfortunately, the bike comes in a single size.

The Addmotor 26” is one of the best fat-tire bikes right bike for you if you are a heavy rider that rides mostly steep areas.

All you need to do is turn on the motor when the inclination feels too hard for your bike. The bike can climb a hill at 23 mph, which is quite incredible.

You will definitely descend even faster, provided you have your fingers close to the brakes.

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7. Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bike

Schwinn is one of the pioneers of bike manufacturing, even though there haven’t been any massive changes in their bikes.

However, most of their bikes are entry-level low-budget bikes, including the High Timber. The model is highly recommended for those hungry for adventure.

Don’t look down at the bike. It’s your best bet if you are on a budget and looking for a bike that can transverse any terrain. One of the greatest headliners in this bike is the high-quality Schwinn suspension forks which are the best budget forks I’ve come across.

The other main feature is the 7-speed cassette and 3-speed crank to allow you to roll fast and climb the hills efficiently. The High Timber also comes with twist gear shifters to allow the rider to change gears at ease.

One of the facts about this bike is that it comes with different wheel varieties. The High Timber is a nice heavy-duty mountain bike for heavy people especially.

It’s suitable for kids and adults, depending on the size of the bike or wheels. This can be the perfect bike for semi-technical trails and riding around town.

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8. Marin Pine Mountain 2019

Marine Pine Mountain is a mountain bike with incredible features. The bike does not come with a front suspension, making you feel like it’s impossible to ride on the trails.

Well, the wide tires compensate for that.

They are capable of absorbing the shock. Otherwise, if you don’t mind the front suspension, which you can actually upgrade, this is a terrific bike that will complete your days.

Pine has a rugged steel frame and fork that are hard as stone. It also features a 1×10 drivetrain which is just as capable. It includes a Deore mech, shifter lever, Marin crankset, KMC chain, and a Sun Race cassette.

The rest of the parts, including the handlebars, wheels, stem, and seat post, are alloy. The wheels are tubeless-ready. The Pine 2019 model is the right bike for you if you want a budget bike suitable for a heavy rider.

The 2021 model comes with 29” wheels and a suspension fork but still maintains the traditional steel frame. You can upgrade to that or stick to the 2019 model. The bike is a great climber but not on too steep terrain. It’s worth buying if you value a great bike.

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9. Mongoose Tyax Expert

For those looking for a high-end alloy 29er for heavy riders, you can never get it wrong with the Mongoose Tyax. There are three types of Tyax, namely Comp, Sport, and Expert, but I’ll be going with the Expert in this review.

Why so? It’s one of the top-rated Mongoose bikes in the Tyax category, and also the bike I had the privilege to ride.  The bike is trail hungry and capable of conquering the most challenging terrains.

The Tyax Expert has incredible features, but the SRAM SX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain caught my eye. It completes the bike’s overall look and turns it into a mountain beast.

Other features of the bike include a Suntour XCR fork with 100 mm of travel. Tektro brakes of this bike are powerful enough to stop it on its tracks. The Tyax also comes with WTB alloy rims and Kenda tires.

Tyax Expert is definitely an ideal choice for you if you are a heavy rider who loves rediscovering the trails every weekend.

It’s a great climber and a smooth cruiser on not-so-tough terrain. If you are looking for a strong bike that rides incredibly, I’d suggest you die with the Mongoose Tyax Expert.

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10. Kona Process 153

One thing I have heard riders say is that heavier riders descend faster downhill. Weight and gravity work hand in hand to increase the rider’s speed. I don’t wish to argue with Physics.

It is what it is, whatever works! All I know is that as a heavy rider, you won’t have to put too much effort to keep your bike rolling downhill.

Kona Process 153 is the perfect example of an enduro 29″ full-suspension bike. The Process is a full suspension bike with a RockShox Yari RC fork and RockShox Deluxe Select with 160 and 153 mm rear suspension.

It also includes a combination of SRAM NX and SX Eagle parts to complete the 1×12 drivetrain. It also gets an SRAM brake set which comes in handy while racing downhill.

The butted alloy frame makes Kona Process one of the lightest bikes in the world. You can also change the rear wheel to 27.5″+.

The Process is the ideal bike without a weight limit if you are a heavy person looking for a bike to ride enduro and trail.

It’s an excellent all-rounder mountain bike for almost every, including downhill racing. It’s also one of the most costly bikes on the list due to its features and its ability to roll on rough terrain.

Although it’s not the best climber, the Process is forgiving on descents. If you want a great bike, you got to grab the Process 153.

How to Choose a Bike for a Heavy Rider

Consider the Frame Material

There are generally three most common materials for building heavy duty-frames, starting with carbon fiber which is the lightest, then alloy and steel, which was used to build the first bike.

Carbon fiber frames are getting robust, but for a mountain bike, even aluminum works fine. Go for the metallic bike frame, which is either steel or alloy, and you’ll be able to save on money rather than spending more on an expensive bike with a carbon frame.

Wheel Width

The heavier the rider, the wider the wheels should be. It’s an unwritten rule. Wider wheels mean better traction. Better traction allows you to have more control of your bike, especially when taking corners.

Wider Seat

A smaller saddle is not comfortable for a heavy rider. You would want to be more relaxed in your ide. The best option is to upgrade to a wider seat with good cushioning.

Number of Spokes

Carbon wheels are evolving and coming with less than 20 spokes. As a heavy rider, you should find a bike that comes with magnesium alloy wheels with 32 to 36 spokes each.  It’s not just for your safety but also to prevent you from trueing your bike every time.

Wrapping Up

Most of the aluminum bikes available can be ridden by any heavy person. Just ensure the saddle is the perfect side for you and it has enough spokes.

You shouldn’t have any worries about choosing an excellent bike. For any concerns or questions, we are at your disposal.