Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Newbie help with purchase

Hi there! (I posted this message in the hybrid section as well)

I have found the love of biking! I have recently lost 63 lbs biking, run/walking, running the grandstands, and circuit training. I just completed my first 5 k run! I also swim - usually 2000 m/week. I want to lose another 100 lbs, which currently puts me at 280. I need a new bike! I am currently on a Canadian Tire special, a bright red "supercycle". This baby has been good to me, helping me in my new healthy lifestyle and on the road to my weight loss. But now, I really want a good new bike.

I find that my feet and hands go numb on my bike, about 5 k into my ride. I can get up to about 20 k/hr speed, but feel I could go faster if my bike would let me. When I am in the highest gear, I can still pedal alot but the bike just won't respond. KWIM? I also don't like the feeling of leaning forward so much on the handlebars. I try to move my hands around during the ride to help with the numbness, but it's really irritating and distracting! Also with my feet going numb, it's hard to stay focused.

I have been doing alot of internet research and feel that a hybrid is a good bike for me. I mostly ride in town, and on gravel roads. Not any off-roading trails. I like sitting up straighter in the seat and not leaning over so much on the handlebars. But I like the versatility of the hybrids. I would like to spend $300 or $400 dollars CANADIAN only, as I do have a young family and a tight budget. I purchased a bike trailer for my 2 year old, and we go everywhere! My car has been parked most of the summer, and we live in a small city that is accessible by bike.

Any and all information/help would be most appreciated.

HYBRID BIKE suggestions for a large newbie?? So far I've researched Trek, Giant Cypress, Giant Sedona, Specilize Crosstrails/Crossroads bikes...have not test driven any yet, only internet research. The budget is the main concern right now, and also getting a good beginner hybrid bike for my size.

Thank you so much!
Lovely to be here!

Pattie

Try looking on craigslist or kijiji for a used bike if you are around a bigger city, you can probably get much better quality in a used bike than you can get new at that price.

As far as the feet and hands, it sounds like your general bike fit may be off. Also make sure your shoes are not too tight.

20k's in your biggest gear seems slow. You are probably spinning your legs too slow(this can also cause foot pain), if you pull up a couple gears you might go faster and save your knees a bit. 20k's with a trailer especially is a decent speed.

Read through this if it is new to you:
http://sheldonbrown.com/beginners/index.html

Hi Pattie, welcome to the forums :thumb:

Unfortunatly I don't think there are any road oriented hybrids that you could purchase new from a bike shop in your price range. :( Your best bet is going to be going the used rout. Alternativly you could look into Bikesdirect, this Windsor looks to be a nice mix at a decent price: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/stratford.htm You'll have to email the company to see about shipping out of the US. If you do this it is greatly advised that you take the bike to a professional bike shop for assembly. Around 400 could also score you a left over 7.2 FX but that is going to come down to luck and timing. Call around and see if any of your local bike shops have anything used. You might be surprised, one day when I was nosing around at the used bike row I found a Trek 3700 mountain bike for 80 dollars. It was a few years old but still had all the modern componets.

Good luck, and keep up the great work!

Bau