Rainjoy

I am looking to buy my first bike since I was a teenager.

I feel strongly about a cruiser style (I need the upright position as I can't put weight on my clavical due to an accident that didn't heal right, the seat of the other kind hurts my butt ALOT also, and as a teen I once tried a city bike type and hated it so much (it was sooo uncomfortable!) I went back to a cruiser type).

My daughter just took her training wheels off her bike and is all excited to ride like crazy. I want to get a bike to ride with her.

Short term goals include riding around the block with my 5 year old daughter and other easy, safe venues for a child who just learned to ride.

Long term goals may include up to a five mile ride or so (one way) to Star Bucks or the Park.

Riding on a beach (a 2 hour car drive) or along hard packed walking trails at the river (local) might be something to consider in the distant future?

What I like is the wind in my hair, the feeling of flying, and to play, race, and chit chat with my young child.

My BIG PROBLEMS!!!!!

1) Er... I weigh about 300 lbs. I need a bike that will support me. My cheap Wal*Mart Bike I had 16 years ago the back tire got kinda bent out of shape from my weight (I have been heavy since very early childhood!)

2) I don't have a ton of money and don't want to pay more then 300 (if my dream bike is 350 that is okay, if it is 550 that is out of my range)

-----

Firmstrong beach cruiser (or seven speed cruiser) has a weight limit of 300lbs!

None of my local bike shops have it. They only have Sun or Electra or Country

Which are more expensive AND have a LOWER weight limit!!!


Should I get he firmstrong online (poster weight limit of 300lbs)? Or the Sun from my local shop (weight limit of 250)

Also should I get gears or coaster breaks?
(Coaster breaks are all I know, there are a few hills in my area, not super steep but I out of shape)

ptempel

I'd recommend to use your local bike shop if possible. They could also recommend any other options like a flat bar hybrid. Would definately get one with some gears since it will be more usable on the hills so you can take it to more places than a single speed. I see that Raleigh and Schwinn have some similar bikes here:

Neighborhood - City - Bikes
https://www.schwinnbikes.com/usa/bikes/urban

All are over $300, but a few are close to your price point, for example. If you're willing to spend a little more, then REI might also have some interesting bikes. The barrow bike looks like it would have more utility albeit at ~$487:

https://www.rei.com/product/888332/n...rrow-bike-2016

10 Wheels

Start walking daily and drop some weight..

Rainjoy

So, you think one from a local bike shop with a lower weight limit will hold up better then one bought online with a higher weight limit?

Also, I looked up some of those online and talked to the chat guy at Raleigh.
The Raleigh cruiser style is rated to 285lbs
The Schwinn to 250lbs.

Is getting one form a bike shop more important/reliable then getting one rated for your actual weight online?

(This is an actual question, not being snarky.)

SquidPuppet

These guys make a good bike at a fair price. Inquire with them about weight limits.

Cruiser 1 | Electra Bikes

ptempel

I guess it depends on how handy with tools you are. If you are not comfortable using a few tools to put the online ordered bike together, then add in the cost to bring it into the bike shop and have them do it. The only other problem with the online bike is that you can't test ride it. So you need to have a good idea of what size you need. Other than that, online should be ok as well.

Rainjoy

I am not super handy.... but my dad is. Also, I can ask the bike shop how much to put it together/tune it. The internet (font of all knowlage) said about 40 dollars (which would make the bike about the same as the one they are selling anyway).

I am more worried that there is some reason that the bike shops don't carry it.... is it an inferior product?

It IS slightly heavier then the Sun, but then most people probly don't need the higher weight limit

Rainjoy

I looked up the Electra Bikes earlier when the bike shop an hour away had them... they don't have a posted weight limit?
The ones the shop I called carry had 32 spoke rims, however, and the ones I just clicked on (same price) seem to have 36 (I counted them from the pic, they weren't listed in the specs).

Any info on aloy wheels as vs aluminum?

The Electra (the one I clicked on) had "alloy" wheels and the Firmstrong has aluminum

SquidPuppet

Different wording that means the same thing. "Aluminum Alloy" is technically more correct.

HauntedMyst

Electra Townie. Comfortable and easy to ride.

kwk1

I'm 6'1" and 290lbs.. Took a Townie out a few days ago for a test ride, ordered a 21D yesterday. Very comfy, especially after unsuccessful back surgery and tennis elbow surgery on both elbows. I couldn't ride my Trek mb for more than 12 minutes without forearm/elbow pain. Also getting Fat Franks put on, can't wait for it to get here. Good luck with your search.

KOTA

My wife and I each have an Electra Townie 21D. I customized and built bikes for years. About 6 years ago I decided to buy my wife a NEW bike for her birthday. I took her for a test ride on the Electra. Off she went, after not seeing her for 10 minutes, I became worried and asked the sales person to let me take a bike to find her, another 21D.....About 300 feet later, I said out loud: CRAP, I'm buying TWO bikes today! They are more than $300. Sometimes you can find them on Craigs List cheap. I weigh 260, and have never had a problem with the wheels.

SkunkWerX

Your 21D rocks! Nice bike! it got my attention.

To the OP: You are doing the correct thing researching, looking at spoke count, etc.
As 10wheels recommended, start a health plan now to start shedding some lbs. The bike will assist with that, but you will need some strength and endurance anyway for biking, so as stated, walking is a good thing becuase you can start immediately.
This is coming from someone who dropped weight (Me). You need to make some changes, get snacks out of the house, don't buy them anymore, smaller portions, cut sugars, cut fast foods, cut sodas. Retrain your body and your system, it will respond. The first 20 or 30 lbs. is easy to take off. At 270 pick the bike you like, within reason, and start using it regularly, you'll drop another 20, then you'll be 250. It can happen, you just need a plan, and execute.

After seeing the pics of KOTA's bikes, you should really look at the Electra Townies.
If you have hills, then having at least the 7 speed model will be helpful.
The 21 speed model is simply beautiful and should tackle almost all terrain in North America, I would think...

Only you can make this happen. Formulate a plan, and execute it.
Biking is s great way to burn calories and get fit, and stay fit.
Good luck!

Alia

I put over 4,000 miles on an Electra Super Deluxe at 350. That thing is a tank. It'll hold you, for sure.

Wilfred Laurier

I don't know much about the cruiser bike market, but your plan seems sound.

My recommendation is to check out the Clydesdales/Athenas subforum here on BF. It is where the bigger riders (some much bigger than you) go to seek and offer advice and support on problems that are specific to the bigger cyclist.

Edit: Aha! I just saw you have already discovered the C/A forum. Best of luck!

JehD

Another recommendation for the Electra. If you get the Cruiser 1 Cruiser 1 | Electra Bikes the Website shows it at $279. If you have a Trek Superstore where you live you will have a few more options as they are showing last years bikes as well some with gearing, especially if you up the budget even $50.

That being said I have a Cruiser 1 and am in the 250 ish range and have no problems. Its not like you going down the mountain side at 30 mph with 6 ft drops. You going to ride it on the street and sidewalk with a 5 y/o. Trust me your good.

I would resist the temptation for a cheaper Box bike as Ive had my Electra 1 for 8 years and aside from tubes no issues. In 10 years you can give it to your daughter.

EnjoyinTheRide

You need a tank lol and a good one lol so here you go.

The Schwinn Signature Series Classic Deluxe 7. I test rode this tank and it can hold you no problem. Now lol , lets be honest lol, Its not easy loosing weight but it is relatively easy to save some money and that I would do cause this tank aint cheap...But it will hold you, and you will be stylin, everyone in the neighborhood will want one lol. It rides very smooth, is a very high quality bike, its got 7 speeds (internal) that will be a benefit to you and even has built in lights...serious cruiser kid u not.

Classic Deluxe 7 | Schwinn Bicycles