how well do Dutch omafiets and Japanese mamachari fare in this regard? so much of what’s available in the US seems aimed at sport (racing or mountain biking) rather than the utility and daily commuting focus of Europe and Japan …
Well only 15% and 4.5% of adults are obese in the Netherlands and Japan, respectively. Nearly 50% in the US are. I don’t see any reason why the few design differences between a classic American hybrid or road bike and either of the types you mention would drastically affect their weight capacity, but it’s also just much less of an issue in those countries.
Those bikes are often steel, and likely could support more weight, but not by much. Wheels and tires have their limits too. I wouldn’t consider anything but a custom bike or higher-end steel touring bike if I weighed more than 250lbs.
Generally 120 or 150 kg judging from Sparta and Gazelle materials. That’s about the same as in the article.
Now, our weight distribution is a bit less extreme than in the US, But there are definitely commuters using their bike outside the manufacturer specifications out there right now.
how well do Dutch omafiets and Japanese mamachari fare in this regard? so much of what’s available in the US seems aimed at sport (racing or mountain biking) rather than the utility and daily commuting focus of Europe and Japan …
Well only 15% and 4.5% of adults are obese in the Netherlands and Japan, respectively. Nearly 50% in the US are. I don’t see any reason why the few design differences between a classic American hybrid or road bike and either of the types you mention would drastically affect their weight capacity, but it’s also just much less of an issue in those countries.
Those bikes are often steel, and likely could support more weight, but not by much. Wheels and tires have their limits too. I wouldn’t consider anything but a custom bike or higher-end steel touring bike if I weighed more than 250lbs.
Generally 120 or 150 kg judging from Sparta and Gazelle materials. That’s about the same as in the article.
Now, our weight distribution is a bit less extreme than in the US, But there are definitely commuters using their bike outside the manufacturer specifications out there right now.
To say nothing of toddler moms.