keracer

First off, I've been going through this website for a few hours now, especially this section for the bigger people of the world.

Anyway, I've been considering the jump to a bike for a while now. I've been walking fairly regular (4+miles a day). But that gets a little boring sometimes.

I currently have a department store bike I got about 10 years ago. Rarely ridden,due to the fact that it hurts to ride.


I've been told to not let a department store bike discourage me, that going to a LBS and getting setup right will make a world of difference. My boss said it's like comparing a golf cart to a cadillac.




So now here I am.

I'm 5'9" tall, and between 270-275 right now(down from 303 in January). 31 inch inseam, 10.5 feet.

My budget is kind of low right now, $500 range. I'd be looking for mostly road, with some dirt paths.

I only have one bike shop within a reasonable distance. They carry a pretty good selection,and many local people recommend them.

Anyway, I'm currently looking Hybrid:

Trek 7100
Trek 7200
Trek 7.2 FX
Trek 7.2 FX WSD
Kona Dew

And on their comfort side:
Fuji Monterey
Trek Navigator 3.0


The 7100 and 7200 top my interests. The Kona Dew also catches my eye.

Any positives or Negatives on any of these bikes? How do they hold up to someone my size?

I saw mention of ditching the suspension seatpost, so what would one look for? Are there different sizes? Something like that I would shop around online for,besides the LBS.

I'm not against upgrades in time. I'm just looking for a decent starter bike for now.


Thanks for any tips and info that you'd be willing to share. I know I have a lot more reading to do here, lots of valuable information.

epcolt

Ride them and see which feels the best! That is the best way to judge them.

v1k1ng1001

I personally would opt for the Kona Dew Plus for $500.

CACycling

First off, what do you mean "hurts to ride"? While I am not a proponent of x-mart bikes, it may be a different issue causing pain. Correct that and maybe the x-mart bike will let you ride enough to see what type of riding you really end up doing.

And forego any suspension. Any suspension stuff isn't designed for your (or my) weight. Plus suspension isn't necessary (or very beneficial) for the type of riding it sounds like you will be doing.

And, when you are ready to get a new bike, ride lots and see what works for you.

lil brown bat

Do not buy anything with any suspension.

Do not buy anything with knobby tires.

Everyone thinks they need a bike that'll go anywhere. In reality, people who think they'll ride "some trails" almost never do.

Ride some bikes and pick one you like.

Fribley

Well you sound EXACTLY like me a little over a month ago, same height/weight/bike choices.

I ended up going with the trek 7100, I throughly enjoy it and I have had no problems with it holding my weight. I choose it becuase of its price tag on my very limited budget (it was still about twice what I could comfortably afford, and I ate ramen noodles for a week and was a day or two late on rent.....but it was worth it). Had I been able to reasonably afford the 7.2X I would have liked to have gone with that one. I think the 7100 is great around town and on shorter trips but anything over thirty miles or so i end up wishing i wasnt so "up-right" on the bike.

So i would suggest any of the bikes you have listed there but if you tell us your goals and plans with riding we can be more specific.

noteon 

Specs are nice, but the one you feel coolest on is the one you'll actually ride.

Glenn1234

+1 on the stuff about the suspension (none!), and the ride lots one, and on the question of it "hurting to ride", what exactly is hurting? (+1 on that question too. If you have the X-Mart bike it should be good enough to see what you will want in the future - there are things that can be done on the "hurts to ride" front, depending on what it is, and depending on what it is, if it's not corrected, it might be a problem on the $500 bike too).

(same place you are, btw, minus the consideration of the more expensive bike, on a used $25 bike right now)

keracer

"hurts to ride" wasn't the right term I meant. I meant it is a very uncomfortable bike. Even with different adjustments on the handlebars and seat, I can never find a happy medium.

I can understand what is being said about it might be a different issue than the bike. Thats another reason why I am going to try the LBS.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Neil_B

If your bike shop will work on an x-mart bike. Some shops refuse to service them, simply because they use non-standard components. It sounds like the bike is either too small for you, or too big. I'm not sure what a shop can do to 'fix' the wrong frame size.

If you are in a position to do so, you may want to consider shopping for a second hand bike on Craig's List. Good older model bikes are sold regularly on CL for much less than the cost of a new one.

Of the new bikes you mention, I have a 7.5 fx, which is like your 7.2, and the Navigator 3.0. Both are fine bikes, but the Navigator is more of a bike for "5 miles on a bike path on Sunday if the weather is good" riders. If that's the sort of riding you want to do, it's the perfect bike for it. If you get it, have the shop replace the suspension seatpost.

BTW, "East Central PA" isn't that far from Chester County. PM me if you want to meet for a ride.