Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Newbie wants to ride and lose weight...which bike?

So I've been doin some research and came across this forum :)

I'm currently looking around for a bike that will carry me as I lose weight (295 lbs.)

Will a hybrid bike be good for me? Or Will It break easily because of my weight?
I got a mountain bike 7 years ago for that reason (beefier/sturdier) but I rarely go off road if so maybe just dirt paths here and there. My brother recommended a hybrid because you can ride further easier etc. I liked MTBs because of sturdier frames especially now with 29s they look bada$$ but been looking a hybrids and they look pretty nice also. If I get a montain bike with 29s and replace the tires with smoother thread will that be like having a hbrid bike?
:(


Been looking at these bikes, please help me decide

Specialized cross trail disc
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/multiuse/crosstrail/crosstraildisc

Giant roam 1 or 2
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/roam.1/9024/48881/
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/roam.2/9024/48882/

Diamondback trace
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12225174

If your goal is to lose weight, maybe it would be best to just ride the mountain bike for now. More effort = more calories burned per ride.

Hi mate,

I can't say which way on those bikes, but i can point out that you can put "slicks" or city tyres on your 26" MTB wheels.

If the bike is it good order i wouldn't over look the value of some nice tyres something like

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24542

just a thought.... then again a new bike <drools>

There are numerous threads on this forum nearly identical to this one. Just read through a few of them, you'll get plenty of ideas.

My advice is to get to a bike shop and ride as much as you can.

Like you I was looking at those style of bikes, Mountain bike-ish hybrids with a front suspension.

The store that was selling the Crosstrail succeeded in losing my business before I even made it for a test ride. It may have been a good bike but I wasn't going to buy it from them, or drive 85 miles to the next closest dealer.

I went to another store which had Giant and Raleigh bikes, really hoping to ride the Roam 1. They were sold out, but put me on a Misceo 1 (a very similar bike from Raleigh) I discovered I didn't like the front suspension. It had wider tires, and with the weight of the fork, it felt like I was still pedaling a mountain bike. It could lock the fork, but the same mechanism that locked the fork also controlled the resistance, and at my weight (290 lb) I had trouble finding the right resistance. It always felt too springy, unless it was locked.

I ended up looking at straight bar "fitness" hybrids with no suspension, such as the Giant Escape, and the Raleigh Misceo with no numbers (a completely different bike than the Misceo 1 or 2 and causes no end confusion when searching) They were lighter, had more road-ish tires, but built more like mountain bikes and could still go offroad in a pinch.

Anyways long story short, get out and ride. You'll find something that "fits." I went in totally wanting the style you're looking at, and after trying them out found something else I preferred more. Your experience may be different, and totally opposite from mine, but you'll never know unless you get out there and ride them.

Thanks for all your input...will try to test some. I've always thought of getting a mountain bike and putting less aggressive tires on but wasn't sure if it will make a difference or not. But since I already have a MTn bike, I figured I'll get a hybrid and keep the MTn bike in case I get into more off roading in the future.

If you get more into offroading you can always put chunky tyres back on the MTB. Those Marathon Plus tyres someone linked above are great for puncture resistance but can be tricky to put on and take off - you'll almost certainly need tyre levers.

If you're not sure whether you'll get back into offroading why not try putting more road-friendly tyres on the MTB, see how you like riding it, and go from there. It saves you the cost of a new bike, keeps the bike you already know, and means if you do find you enjoy riding on good surfaces more than offroading you can sell the MTB and use the proceeds towards a nice road bike once you've lost a bit of weight.

If you've got a wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket then your best bet is to go and actually ride the bikes you're looking at so you know how they'll feel for you. Check their weight ratings - I wouldn't expect you to have problems with a hybrid but it worth looking anyway. When I bought my Rockhopper I was a bit over 280 and only slightly over the recommended rider weight but it did me OK. I hardly ever ride it now but still keep it for those times I just want to get muddy.

One other thought, if you're looking at a new bike take a look at cyclocross bikes. They look much like road bikes with drop handlebars and 700c wheels but can handle offroading as well. Perhaps not as well as a mountain bike but I figure when I go out on my cross bike the bike can probably tackle tougher offroading than I can.

Don't worry about your weight too much. If you end up breaking a spoke, you'll just break a spoke. Which you should fix immediately before riding any more, but the whole bike won't crumple under your weight.

By the way, road tires on a mountain bike is basically what a hybrid is - so if you put slicks on your mountain bike, you'll have something close to a hybrid. With 26 inch tires instead of 29/700c, though. The extra 3 inches of diameter do help with speed a bit.

I ended up looking at straight bar "fitness" hybrids with no suspension, such as the Giant Escape, and the Raleigh Misceo with no numbers (a completely different bike than the Misceo 1 or 2 and causes no end confusion when searching) They were lighter, had more road-ish tires, but built more like mountain bikes and could still go offroad in a pinch.



Good ideas.

If you do go for a new bike I would stay away from the front suspension. There are a number of good, solid hybrid bikes with no suspension that are worthy of trying, all the big manufacturers have them. Often several different lines of them.

Any well made bike should support you. I was up to the high 200 range at one time and my road bike has held up just fine. Any good mtb or hybrid will be just fine.

Thanks for all your input...will try to test some. I've always thought of getting a mountain bike and putting less aggressive tires on but wasn't sure if it will make a difference or not. But since I already have a MTn bike, I figured I'll get a hybrid and keep the MTn bike in case I get into more off roading in the future.



Just to let you know, by changing the tires on your mtb to slicks or semi-slicks you are very close to a hybrid type bike. The difference in ride on pavement is huge, to me at least. I have changed the tires on my Specialized Rockhopper to slicks and I it rides a little faster now. It generally feels quicker and has more traction than before which helps taking sharp turns at speed.

Personally I would keep my mtb and ride it till the wheels fall off. Then I would reward myself with a road bike of my choice. Good luck.

Is it worth keeping the mongoose MTB? Heheh it feels heavy and has suspension in both fork and the frame. Maybe im itching to spend on a new bike heheh thanks for the infos fellas! I'll ride my 7yo mongoose again see how it feels...bec the last time I rode it, the gears weren't shifting right (they get stuck) and the front wheel gets misaligned easily (handle bar straight, wheel slightly to the left or right) I suck at fixing anything :(

I have a Trek 7.5 FX Hybrid and it works great for me at 255 I would highly recommend it to anyone.