Touring - Sorry for the multi-post - Clyde must ride!

Sorry for the multiple posts!!! Apparently I was posting while they were doing server maintenance and this was the result. I'm really not a jack_ss. Below is the original post that would not show up. If anybody knows how to delete the other posts please let me know.

Original:
I can't pick a bike. I think the volpe would work but the 520 and t800 look nice too - along with surly and specialized tricross - lol. Unfortunately none are stocked here in Houston except the tricross and one 58 volpe (I'm a 54-55). At 340lbs the bike pick is critical. The problem is - well not really a problem, I have been losing weight pretty regularly. I have been losing ~10lbs a month since April. Before I plateau I want to get back to riding. I had planned to do some hiking before the bike purchase but knee surgery ended that option. I want a bike that will work now but be even better when I'm ~270lbs. Are these good options or should I stick to a mtb with slicks? I haven't really found many nice mtbs with rigid forks.

I plan to ride for fitness and then move to longer rides like touring and our local MS150 ride. I live near a paved trail that is quite long - probably +18 miles round trip. I plan on a 32-36 spoke front and probably a tandem wheel on back.

Any help would be much appreciated.
Steve in Houston

I'm 280ish and cracked my 520. I doubt the alu t800 would be any more durable, I'm destroyed a few alu bikes. I'm also not convinced that any of those bikes are any stronger than the 520. In both MTBs and road/tourers, I've become conviced that custom is the way to go.
Note that I put a quite a bit of torque to the pedals -- you can see the frame flex noticably as I pedal -- and that is just as likely to have caused the damage as the weight. Also note that i was carrying a lot of extar weight and stressing it more than you might (was riding cross country).
Whatever you get, get one with a lifetime warrenty. Saved me quite a bit of money, though once a frame cracks, i tend to sell th new warranty frame and go with something else.
I terms of ride, I'd recommend the 520 to any clyde, however, yu'll forgive me if I'm a bit sceptical of its durability.
FWIW, I run a the stock 36-hole Bontrager Mavrick in the front and a 48-hole Bontrager Clyde (you see, the name should draw you) with a high-flange XT tandem hum with a shortened axle.

Check out the Marin Muirwoods. It’s a street bike with 26” wheels and has a steel frame. I have no personal experience with Marin but have looked them over at the LBS and they appear well made. I use a 96 Trek 830 mountain bike with rigid fork that has Continental Town and Country tires with a set of wheels from Harris (Sun Rhyno Lites with Deore hubs). This has served me well as a commuter and street/bike path ride. I am 220 and have ridden this setup when I was around 240-250. I’m just thinking a good steel mountain bike like frame and some sturdy wheels would serve all your purposes.

Well ... given that you are planning on losing another 70+ pounds, perhaps you would be better off getting a cheaper bike now and then buying a "keeper" when you reach your target weight. Several posts give the Windsor tourer accolades. Apparently it is a copy of the Fuji tourer which has its fans.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/tourist.htm

My thought is that if you get to 250 pounds or less, you may want a different bike than at 340.

If instead you want to get a high quality bike for a heavy person, a good alternative is the Kogswell Randonneur. It has a sturdy steel frame and fork. Losts of brazeons for racks and such. It has smaller wheels which--all other things equal--are inherently stronger. There is a smaller selection of tires; but the selection is good for touring and commuting. Note that they only sell the frame and fork ($500).

http://www.kogswell.com/PR.html

If anybody knows how to delete the other posts please let me know.
There's no way you can delete a thread, that's a job for the Mods. In that spirit I just deleted the extra copies.

--J, a Forum Mod

Co-Motion makes a bike for heavy riders: http://www.co-motion.com/mazama.html but is not cheap.

Co-Motion makes a bike for heavy riders: http://www.co-motion.com/mazama.html but is not cheap.

There is another thread in the touring forum discussing mountain bikes. You never mention price as a constraint, but 26" tires and a steel mountain bike frame/fork is probably a good low-budget alternative. If you are handy, you can put this together yourself. Nashbar recently release a Reynolds 853 mountain bike frame for $400. They also have a decent alternative for $70.

The Reynolds 853 frame
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=130&subcategory=1176&brand=&sku=17655&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=
The 4130 frame
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=130&subcategory=1176&brand=&sku=14736&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

And they sell a 4130 steel rigid fork for $60
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=86&subcategory=1183&brand=&sku=13284&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

I have a strong preference for drop bars and am willing to spend a day putting a bike together. So given your constraints, I would go with the slick/trekking 26" tires and put together a bike that fits your needs since finding a ready-made bike and altering it appears expensive.

Good luck! Please let us know what you decide.