Ok, I am heavy(fat). 250# worth not geared up. I ride rooty florida trails; short steep climbs, short steep downs; occasional(sp) drop offs no more than a couple feet; maybe some small jumps, too. I broke my bike sunday. Thought it was burly enough, guess not. I want a new bike. Specifically, a Heckler.

Question: Considering what I ride, would a Heckler (set up as trail bike with Fox V125) be strong enough for big ol fat ol me?

Also: Based on strength, would an Enduro be better?

Also: Xpost from Spec forum- I had an idea to modify the Spec single pivot Big Hit(39#, 5.5" travel, Marz EXR 120, ditch witch's) with lighter but still strong wheels w/2.1 tires, longer stem, maybe pro pedal vanilla to replace the crap X-fusion(?) rear shock, and run the seat high to make a poor man's Heckler. Ok, after I found out what the thing actually weighs, its more like a poor man's Bullit. But still, you get the idea. Does this sound dumb? Good idea? Bad idea? Shut up geek?

thanks,
jeff

Strength would not be a problem for the Heckler. The front end on the thing is set up for Free ride abuse. If you plan on doing major drops no frame will stand up over time. I just was looking at a Heckler yesterday; I am very impressed with the new design and beefed up frame. The one I saw was also light enough to get up the hills at 28 lbs with a 5th element air and Fox Talas fork. You beef up the suspension with a coil over and dual coil shocks and still be just over 30 lbs. The Heckler is on my want list.

I weigh in at 215 w/o gear and my 03 Heckler has held up fine. I think this frame is plenty tough for a 250 pounder. If I were you I wouldn't try to build a "poor man's Heckler", just save your dough and get the real thing, or you'll wish you had. Hecklers are actually some of the most affordable 5" travel trailbikes compared to foes, turner, and ellsworth (they aren't as pretty and the new ones are made in Taiwan though)

Check out this thread over in the manuf. forums to get an idea of component options. Mine weighs in at 37lbs and is built waaaaay strong enuf to hold up to more abuse than I could ever hope to dish out. Granted i only weigh 165, but l wanted it built bombproof, and I dont regret it at all while pedaling up hills on the trail.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=217

I weigh about 240 lbs suited up. I just got my Heckler, and the thing is built tough . Should have no durability issues for a fatass like yourself, however you may want to consider a beefier fork. I'd recommend at least a Zoke Z-1. The fox probably wouldn't stand much abuse for a guy your size. I've got an 03 boxxer race on mine in the 6 inch setting . Check it out. It weighs about 34lbs right now.