Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - New Member - looking for guidance

I just joined today, on a nearly 200lb weight loss treck. I've got 80ish lbs to go, and I have decided to incorporate a new form of exercise into my life. Looking to ride 2-3 times a week, mainly on streets and paved paths and some occasional dirt roads.

I think at this point a Hybrid style bike is what I'm after. The issue is mainly budget. I tried out a few bikes at Walmart and Target, but at my current weight of 275lbs, I didn't not feel these would stand up to my weight for long at all. Especially the pedals, I could feel some of them flexing. Granted I didn't look at anything over $200, but if I'm going to break that mark, I want to go to a local shop anyway.

I have no idea where to begin, but I do have a place pretty close called Sun and Ski sports in Houston. They have several models $350 and under I was looking at. My only real interest at this time is excercise, something that can handle my right, and a bike that offers an nice upright riding position.

These are the ones I'm considering, would they be good choices?

Specialized Globe Carmel 700 Comfort Bike '09 $299.99
Haro Heartland Ltd Comfort Bike '10 $349.99
Marin Kentfield FS Hybrid Bike '09 $349.99

I know nothing of brands anymore I had a Trek when I was younger, and a friend with a Specialized and we thought they were good bikes then.

275lbs, 5' 11"

Same price range : http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/hybrid/7000/

Specialized are fine (I have two), but consider the above.

Don't get a bike with springs unless you're going offroad. One more thing to maintain.

Check craigslist for a good used bike there in Houston. I know that there a few bike shops that sell used bikes that may be a good option for you. I second the no shocks on a bike. There is to much loss of power with springs. As far as your weight, youll be ok. You just need to make sure you get a good rear wheel, at least 36 spokes. You will probably be visiting the LBS more often to get your wheels trued up than some skinny fellow but thats the name of the game. Hopefully youll get hooked on riding.

Fully rigid = lighter and faster. Any of those bikes are way better than a Walmart bike. Make sure the shop you get it from will do some free maintenance and tuning for the first year or two since you'll be probably be getting the wheels trued at least once after you get the bike. As for brands, Haro, Specialized, Marin, Trek, Cannondale, Bianchi are all good.

Good advice here, the best advice is get riding. Its great for your joints and C/V. Don't forget a quality helmet and gloves. When us Clydes fall, we hit the ground hard.

those new bike prices didn't sound too steep

I see a lot of people who want to get into bikes that tend to artificially limit themselves by budget. Granted, some people have a hard and fast- $350 is all I can muster sort of limit, but lots of people tend to artificially cap their budget for all kinds of silly reasons when they can actually afford more.

Having done it once before, I'd definitely do it again. Biking has been such a positive thing in my life that I'd clean out my bank account or go in hock up to my eyeballs if I had to just to get the bike I wanted that got me out riding every chance I had.

That said, when you do clean out the 401k, I can send you my mailing address if the bike shop needs to know where to send the sales commission check. :D

Yeah, can't go wrong with any of those three, well respected brand names all. You will probably want to have the bike shop upgrade the pedals to BMX platforms, tho... if you're heavy, but in good shape (ie: fat but athletic) you are going to destroy the plastic pedals that come with all bikes these days.

Another option would be something like the Kona Smoke, which is more like a mountain bike designed to be ridden on the street, intended for long-haul commuting on a budget, and will grow with you as you get more into cycling. Another is the KHS Green, which is an inexpensive Dutch-style roadster - upright riding position like a hybrid, but for some people more comfortable than the "sit up and beg" posture that most comfort bikes make the rider adopt, and perfect for bike paths and around-town bombing.

The most important part of bicycle selection is that you select one and ride it. :D

it took a lot of time; money and bikes to arrive where I am today. I could have saved all that money and bought one really nice bike.