EmmyW1984

I understand that a solid fork would be better, but my ultimate longterm plan is to go on some of the trails around here once some more of the weight has come off. And to be honest I don't want to have to buy another bike a year down the line because when I started out I bought one with a steel fork, which is the reason why I've been looking at mountain bikes with lockout suspension forks. I understand that parts will need replacing over time, spokes need tensioning etc, I'm not going into this with closed eyes and expecting everything to magically put up with my weight. I'm looking at this as a long term thing, but first and foremost is to continue with shifting the weight and THEN look into the trails round here.

ColaJacket

What kind of trails would you be riding once you lose some weight? Would you really be doing heavy duty MTB trails? Or would you be doing gravel trails?

If you're just going to be doing gravel trails, then a Hybrid would probably be a better buy. You might want to check out some MTB trails, and, at least, walk them. That will give you an idea of whether you'd really want to be riding them or not.

Do you have link to show us some of the trail near you that you might want to be doing? That might help the more knowledgeable tell you what you need.

GH

dr_lha

You don't really get "gravel trails" in the UK, so I would expect most trails would involve roots and stuff.

EmmyW1984

I actually ended up walking on one by accident last year when I was out with the dog. It was a gravel trail to start off with, but then developed into a heavier trail through the forest with tree roots and bumps in the path. I'm probably not making much sense, but am trying to find a link as quickly as I can

This is another one not too far away that I'd like to work towards (obviously wouldn't be my first attempt when I first start trying the local trails, but would be well into the distance once I'd got a lot more experience)

Pendam Trail at Bwlch Nant Yr Arian Visitor Centre | Mountain Biking | Devil's Bridge|Ceredigion

MRT2

That looks like single track to me. If that is really where you picture yourself riding in a year or so, then I suppose a mountain bike makes sense. My fear is, if you really intend to take up mountain biking as a sport or activity, you may need to up your budget.

EmmyW1984

That is the sort of thing that I would like to aim for. We have so many of them round here so ample opportunity for me to learn and progress.

When I was younger I used to love bike riding. I know mountain biking isn't the same, but it incorporates something that I enjoy. And I'm so sick of being this size that I'll happily try anything to get the weight gone

I don't think I'll be that sort of level quickly so by that time I'll more than likely be able to upgrade my bike when I need to and up my budget as well, which will be exciting as I won't be so limited by my weight

CycleryNorth81

Why not get a used steel bike? The steel bikes are made from chrome moly, have a solid fork and 36 spoke wheels. A used bike in good condition will also be cheaper with money left over accessories (helmet, shorts...etc).

MRT2

I think that is another reason to consider a hybrid. I am not much of a mountain biker, but my son is an aspiring high school mountain bike racer. I spent some time watching his team practice last summer and fall and I must say, it is a much more physical activity than I imagined it would be. For example, I didn't know that the default position on a mountain bike isn't sitting but standing. And the hills are a lot steeper and more technical than anything I ever dealt with on roads and bike trails (both going up and coming down). And I am coming from a background of riding road bikes and hybrids for over 18 years.

Anyhow, not trying to be discouraging. If this is what you want to do, through training and diet you should be able to get there in a year or two.

MRT2

Sensible advice, but I get the sense OP is focused in on purchasing a new mountain bike. Sometimes, a person just has to scratch an itch, and that is my impression of where OP is with mountain bikes.

ColaJacket

I'd add that is the OP really does want a MTB, then she needs to make sure that it has a triple crank in the front.

GH

EmmyW1984

CycleryNorth81 I've been looking for a used bike, but nothing as of yet that doesn't involve a 2-3 hour car journey.

I've not totally ruled out a hybrid at this point, and will go with whatever fits me best and that I'm more comfortable with and if that's a hybrid then so be it. We're going to go back to the lbs when my husband has his next day off work and have another look and try to make a decision as I want to get started sooner rather than later

CycleryNorth81

I believe the most important part of the bike is the wheels. Its does not matter which LBS you buy the bike from but you need to have access to a master wheelbuilder. A master wheelbuilder is not same as a kid with a spoke wrench in his hand. A master wheelbuilder will assure your wheels are strong enough to accommodate the stress.

MRT2

And the truth is, the stock wheels on any sub $1,500 bike (and surprisingly, quite a few bikes retailing for more), are machine made wheels built to hold the average 160 lb rider for awhile. I had problems with back wheels on two new bikes over the years and I weigh 250 lbs. The good news is, a good sturdy 36 or 40 spoke hand made wheel isn't extremely expensive. But on the other hand, it is labor intensive, so not all bike shops will want to do it.

Judi

What you eat is probably 90% of your weight loss efforts. Exercise should be what you do for fun and to firm up what's left as you lose the weight, not the way that you plan to lose the weight. As an example, I started riding daily a couple years ago, but didn't change the way that I ate. I lost 20lbs the first couple of months, but never lost more than that. Last year I had some health problems and decided I needed to start eating like someone who wanted to see her kids grow up. I lost a hundred pounds in the first few months, during which I wasn't able to exercise at all because of my health problems.

If you just ride on paved surfaces and keep the tires properly inflated, you will probably have less wheel problems than you're thinking you'll have. Riding rough trails at a heavier weight means a more expensive bike and needing repairs more often, so maybe it would make sense to get something that's comfortable to ride now and stick to roads for the time being. If the bike becomes an obsession, then later on you can get one for those trails. But my guess is that those kinds of trails wouldn't be all that you wanted to ride, and you'd end up wanting a bike specifically for trails and another to ride on regular roads. It's nice to have a comfortable bike that you can use to run errands and just to ride around town.

MRT2

n + 1.