General Cycling Discussion - Don't Know

HI,
I am looking to get back into riding. I want something better than entry level and something I can use to go with the option of short rides or longer rides on paved streets.I'm about 6'1" TALL and weight about 230 lbs, so I want something that will hold up to some pounding, yet something with the flexablilty to get my riding to the next step. I have been doing some research and I've read about "credit card touring bikes". When I went to a neighborhood bike shop that has been around a long time, the owner said to go with the "SCHWINN VOYAGER" and progress from there. There are so many bikes I've read about, that I'm to confused to decide. ANY THOUGHTS?


TIA

I don't have any feedback on the Schwinn, but there are lots of discussions that you might find useful over on the Recreational & Family section of this forum:

http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=182

_Dave_

HI,
I'm about 6'1" TALL and weight about 230 lbs, so I want something that will hold up to some pounding, yet something with the flexablilty to get my riding to the next step. I have been doing some research and I've read about "credit card touring bikes".
TIA

How much do you want to spend? I'm 6'1" and 245lbs (for reference). I have been in kayaking for several years and did the upgrade thing for the first 3 - recreational, plastic touring then kevlar sea kayak. I spend more than if I just had bought the top of the line right from the beginning. So when I got into cycling, I rode the mtb I had for the first year and then looked for deals on road bikes in the fall. I did my research because I didn't want to do the upgrade thing again. I went with a Litespeed Blue Ridge bike - full ultegra group (except brakes - Avid Shorty 6 so it can accept up to 38cm tires. This bike can be a cyclocross bike ( setup as I bought it), light touring bike (just change the tires and add a rack) or a road bike ( again, just change the tires ). It was the ultimate do it all bike. I live on a dirt road so I encounter some rough rides before I get to pavement - that is where the cyclocross and ti strength come in handy. The Mavic Open Pro wheels are very sturdy as well. The bike weights in at 20 lbs including spd pedals. Sure there are lighter bikes - but 2 or 3 lbs isn't going to make a difference when I'm around 245. I love the bike and have ridden 1,500 miles so far this year and lost 30lbs. So it comes down to how much you want to spend. I will never have to upgrade this one since I never see myself doing racing. I don't consider century rides a race.

Mark

A light-touring bike makes a good all-round general pupose mount for fitness, commuting, supported touring and even shopping. They are not expedition tourers like the Trek 520, being lighter, faster and more agile, but they are a lot more practical than racing bikes because they accept fenders, luggage rack and have wider and lower gear ratios.
For a big guy, the main weakness in any bike are the wheels, not the frame.

Find yourself a good local bike shop. Figure out your total budget.
The Specialized Sequoia is a reasonable example, but there are others.