Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Advice for a beginner

Hi, I would like to get into cycling for fitness and was looking for some advice on what kind of bike to get. I'm a big guy 5'11" 320 pounds. I have done a little research and found a few bikes I like. I wanted to know if they are good enough for my weight? I will be riding on roads, dirt, and gravel trails. After I lose some weight I would like to try some rougher tails.

These are the bikes I have looked at.
http://www.cannondale.com/2012/bikes/mountain/hardtail/trail/2012-trail-6-20803
http://www.cannondale.com/2012/bikes/mountain/hardtail-29er/trail-sl-29er/2012-trail-sl-29er-5-20765
http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/mtb/2012--ds1
http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/mtb/2012--ds2
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/roam.1/9024/48881/

Thanks in advance for any help.

Test ride them all before you purchase. The most important thing is to be comfortable. If you can see if the shops you are looking at sell used or pick up last years model for a discount. The truth is a majority of bikes are only ridden a few times and then put away. Don't spend the extra money until you really know what type of riding you will do.

Any bike that makes you want to ride will be great. The only concern with weight would be spoke count. You may want to talk with the LBS and see if they can order it with a wheel that will handle it. Most of the time the original wheels are fine. Of your picks I like the Cannondale 29er the best, but thats just because I only have a commuter and road bike. I want a 29er real bad but my wife says I have enough bikes.

I don't know if it's any help, but I'm almost exactly your size and had the same request you did, yesterday. I went to my LBS, they sell Giant, Specialized and a few other brands, not sure if they have Cannondale or Redline. Anyway for me, they recommended The Giant Roam 1 that you have listed. It comes with the upgraded cassette and double wall rims. They also recommended upgrading to a more comfy seat.

best advice for a beginner is....

...DONT OVER THINK IT. A LBS will fit you to a bike that will hold your weight, if anything goes bad bring it back to them, they fix it. no matter what bike you buy now, n+1 kicks in quick

second best advice for a beginner is....

.....just get out there a ride and don't forget to say weeeeeeeeeeeeeee weeeeeeeee when going downhill.

I personally went cheap and got a $75 wally world beach cruiser (still use it to commute to work), but it turned out i like road bikes so now i have 2 road bikes and the wally world tank. I lost 40 lbs last year (would be more if running knee injury didnt happen).

Thanks for all the advice. After trying all of the bikes listed that I could find at LBS. I have decided to go with the Giant Roam 1.

Only thing I'd add is try and find some friends, family or even a club to ride with - cycling w/friends makes it much more enjoyable. Most cycling clubs will break down their groups into pace and a lot of them just have casual type rides too.

I'm 6'2" 285 and I just bought a trek marlin 29er. I started out last year at 320 on a second hand, 11 year old specialized expedition. I lost 35 lbs riding that beast.

I have had my bike for about a week now and have been on a ride everyday. I don't go very far and my legs are a little sore but I'm having a great time.

I have had my bike for about a week now and have been on a ride everyday. I don't go very far and my legs are a little sore but I'm having a great time.

Good for you. Keep it up.
Gary

I recently bought the Giant Roam 1. I'm liking it so far.

I have had my bike for about a week now and have been on a ride everyday. I don't go very far and my legs are a little sore but I'm having a great time.

Great to here mate, it changes very fast from those little rides to in " lets see if i can ride that 30km ride" and just goes up from there :)

keep up the good work and ask lots of questions on here if you need any help, everyone on this sub forum is great

I have had my bike for about a week now and have been on a ride everyday. I don't go very far and my legs are a little sore but I'm having a great time.

yep that will happen on a new bike! keep at it and the legs will come ;)