Introductions - Looking for my first bike. Miami, Fl.

I would love to hear suggestions. I'm just starting out and don't know what kind of bike to go for. So many options. I currently use a Mongoose mountain bike but I'm looking to buy one of my own. Don't know if I should stick with mountain, go to a hybrid or make the leap to road bike. ANy suggestions?

Dont get a mountain bike unless you are planning to ride real off-road or up and down steps. Hybrid, touring or road bikes can be adjusted to some extent to the suface you are riding by the selection of tires. Touring and road bikes with the drop bars are easier for long distances because you have multiple hand positions, and head winds are much easier in the drops.

Don't know if I should stick with mountain...
You have mountains in Miami??? ;)
Get a road bike. You won't regret it!

I also need to add that I am on the heavy side. So I don't know if my heavy frame would be suitable for a road bike. Thanks for the info though.

When I started cycling in 1999/2000 I weighed ~240 pounds and my road bike supported me with no complaints. ;)

I started out with a HUFFY as I didn't know if I would stick with riding a bike. The HUFFY was also comfortable to ride. (I'm a big girl - lets be honest I have a fat ass.)
I now ride a TREK 7200 and I love it. It cost a lot more than my other bike but well worth it.

How do you like the 7200. My brother in law's dad has the 7100 and he really enjoys it. However he only rides about 6 miles a day so I want info from someone who rides alot more time.

currently using a huffy MTB to ride round the Kendale Lakes route in Miami. Been back in a saddle for two months going once a week, did 24 miles on Saturday

Once I can get a road bike I will, suggest you do the same. I have to ask what do you class as heavy side, as I am a good50-60 pounds overweight and would be fine on a road bike.

I weigh 235 lbs and ride a Peugeot hybrid, with 28mm wide tires. This is easy rolling on paved roads and is radable on crushed stone trails. I regret not having a tourer with drop bars. For heavy weights you must get wheels with double walled rims (double wall at the bottom of the U where the spokes go through), and well tensioned spokes.

Well right now I'm at 295 lbs. You should know that scotsman.

You know the mongoose should have given it away. What can I tell you still on weekend mode.

I saw some nice Mountain bikes at Bike Tech but I'm not sure I wanna head in that direction or if I should continue on my quest for a road bike.

I too have a similar question. I like my cheapo mtn mongoose, but have been riding more and would like to get a new bike..looking at Trek mtn bikes..i live on a ranch and ride through dirt roads, gravel roads, rocky roads, you name it, and also ride to town, do errands and basically ride when and where i can.(trying to lose weight) I was wondering if the trek hybrid is right for me or spend the same amount of $ and get a nice trek mtn bike? We live in a small town and do not have LBS around here. Am worried about that too, I'd have to haul the bike near 80 miles(don't go to big city that much) to get repaired? But it shouldn't need it all that much right? I don't know, but i know what you mean Delta.

I mean here in Miami we don't have mountains but I do enjoy the feeling of a mountain bike. I tried out a Giant Boulder MTG bike and it had a wonderful ride and feel to it. But then I tried out my brother in law's Giant TCR Road Bike and he said he couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I pretty much do road riding so I might as well get a road bike I suppose. Any other thoughts or experiences out there. Let me know. Thanks

If you think you really want a road bike, but are looking at "mountain" bikes because they are "stronger" for your size...get a road bike. You will NOT regret it.
I am 300#. I ride a road bike. I have a steel frame Bianchi Vigorelli and an aluminum frame Specialized Allez Comp. Both are fine for my size. Very VERY few bike frames have a "weight limit". I am personally a little leery of Carbon fiber bike frames, and any of the really light frames. But at the same time I do believe that it's all in my head.
Your only "issue" is wheels.
You need a heavy duty wheelset. There are TONS of threads about this very subject.
I have Ksyrium SSC SLs. They have been great so far but are expensive. Otherwise, something with a higher spoke count is what you want.

I was in the VERY same position as you. I knew I wanted a bike and assumed I needed a mtn bike. My local bike shop even helped steer me in the wrong direction. (I dont go there any more) Then I discovered a used road bike in another LBS for 125 dollars. I haven't looked back.

For the record, South Florida's Markham Park has what is considered to be one of the MOST technical single tracks in the country. No we don't have mountains, but we make up for it with some real technical stuff.
I'm no mtber but I know a few.

Thanks for the invaluable info. I really appreciate it. Especially from someone as heavy as I am. By the way. Where exactly is that park. I've never heard of it.

Markham Park is in Broward County, on State Road 84, just west of I-75.
There are some other good MTB areas around also.
My friends ride with these guys a lot...Club Mud (http://www.clubmud.com/about.shtml)

Wow those are some nice trails. I actually only ride on the streets but I think I would like to try that out some time. Thanks.