Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Bike Recommendations

My wife is looking to lose about 20 pounds, and despite spinning classes, aerobics classes, etc., just can't seem to find anything she finds fun enough to make exercise enjoyable. I've been working on convincing her to join me for rides, but her current bike (an older Wal-Mart-ish mountain bike that doesn't fit :eek:) is obviously uncomfortable and leads to knee pain. Therefore, we're looking for a new bike.

Despite my initial recommendation to look at road bikes, she's very uncomfortable with them, and is dead set on a hybrid (reasonable -- it's her bike). She's also worried she won't enjoy riding and will still have considerable knee pain and want to give it up shortly, and will have wasted the money on the bike. Therefore, we've come up with this plan:

1. Identify potential low-cost (but not inferior quality) hybrid bikes that might suit her needs.
2. Find a local bike shop that will fit her to it and allow her to take it on an extended (i.e. 1-hour) test ride. Will definitely consider the 'used' rack at the bike shop if they'll fit it to her.
3. Purchase bike, ride lots of slow and easy routes, and enjoy the spring!

Toward that end, I'd love to enlist your recommendations for item 1. Key is going to be cost -- although I'm certainly open to investing in a good quality bike if she'll stick with it, she herself has stated she'll want to keep the cost down as much as possible, not knowing if this will work for her (so I've eliminated all my usual advice about minimum 105 components, etc.) I've already done a bit of research, but won't mention what we're considering so far so as not to bias any responses. Thanks in advance for your help and expertise!!!

My wife is looking to lose about 20 pounds, and despite spinning classes, aerobics classes, etc., just can't seem to find anything she finds fun enough to make exercise enjoyable. I've been working on convincing her to join me for rides, but her current bike (an older Wal-Mart-ish mountain bike that doesn't fit :eek:) is obviously uncomfortable and leads to knee pain. Therefore, we're looking for a new bike.

Despite my initial recommendation to look at road bikes, she's very uncomfortable with them, and is dead set on a hybrid (reasonable -- it's her bike). She's also worried she won't enjoy riding and will still have considerable knee pain and want to give it up shortly, and will have wasted the money on the bike. Therefore, we've come up with this plan:

1. Identify potential low-cost (but not inferior quality) hybrid bikes that might suit her needs.
2. Find a local bike shop that will fit her to it and allow her to take it on an extended (i.e. 1-hour) test ride. Will definitely consider the 'used' rack at the bike shop if they'll fit it to her.
3. Purchase bike, ride lots of slow and easy routes, and enjoy the spring!

Toward that end, I'd love to enlist your recommendations for item 1. Key is going to be cost -- although I'm certainly open to investing in a good quality bike if she'll stick with it, she herself has stated she'll want to keep the cost down as much as possible, not knowing if this will work for her (so I've eliminated all my usual advice about minimum 105 components, etc.) I've already done a bit of research, but won't mention what we're considering so far so as not to bias any responses. Thanks in advance for your help and expertise!!!

The Trek 7.0 series. The 7.2 and 7.3 are good choices.

Take a look at Giant's FCR series as well. I found a killer deal on one that was quite comparable to the FX 7.2 and 7.3 for about 20% less (before a closeout discount).

If you want to stay on the inexpensive end of the hybrid spectrum, take a look at a Trek 7000 or 7100. They also have a women's specific design. The cost at a local shop was just under $300 for an '08 7000. If your wife decides to stick with it you may have to upgrade later, but you already know that. I started out w/ a 7100 last August and had some similar concerns. I absolutely love riding and have 1700 miles in so far. I hope a new bike is somewhere in my near future as well.

Good Luck.

Spend the extra time on getting a great fit, regardless of brand.

Thanks for the great advice -- wife decided on a Trek 7000 series after test riding a fairly wide range of hybrids, from the Trek FX to Specialized to Giant series. Much appreciated!