RC2904

I have been riding about 9 miles an evening about 5x per week for a few months and started out around 350lbs. The bike I picked up was a mid 90s 22 inch Giant Iguana because it was hard to find anything else on craigslist that fit my size (6'3"). Its a sturdy bike with chromoly frame, 26 inch wheels, etc. In the beginning I was stopping frequently for breaks, sometimes having to drop to the granny gear, etc. Lately ive been riding the whole way in my top gear and averaging about 14+mph. Now that I have done this enough to tell its something I can maintain and like doing I want to upgrade to something more like an entry level hybrid or fitness bike that I will be happy with even when I get down closer to 225-250lbs. The primary contenders I am looking at are these:
SE Monterey 21 Monterey 21 - Fitness Series, Bikes | SEBikes.com
Giant Escape 3 Giant Escape 3 - Bike One in OKC and Norman, Oklahoma
Some Vilano thing Amazon.com : Performance Hybrid Bike Flat Bar Road Bike Shimano 21 Speed 700c Bicycle : Hybrid Bike Men : Sports & Outdoors
Open to other ideas in this price range

Im noticing some similar materials and components on all the bikes in this price range so i dont know if im just paying more for a brandname with the Giant/SE vs Vilano. The cookie-cutter here seems to be aluminum frame, steel fork, 700c wheels, shimano tourney/ezfire etc. The other consideration is weight. I see some people on here saying they ride 700x28 or 25c at my weight no problem and others saying its a horrible idea. If i did get the SE with the 700x28c I wonder if I could fit 700x32 tires on those wheels for now and save the 28s for when I get to a lower weight. Another possibility is maybe I shouldnt even be looking at these until I lose another 50lbs or so. What do you guys think ?

1loosemoose

My wife and I both have Trek 7.3 FX bikes and they have been flawless. They are a little more expensive than what you have listed above.
Good luck on your purchase and keep up the good work.

baron von trail 

The heavier the weight the wider your wheel's need to be. IMO anything over 270 puts someone out of road bikes, which have widest tire acceptance of 28mm, most only 25mm. A hybrid with 38 mm wheels is my recommendation.

linnefaulk

Have you switched to slick tires yet?

Granturismonut

I started at 340 riding my aluminum Cannondale roadbike with 25mm tires it has well over 1000 miles on it and has never needed so much a wheel trued up.

My advise to the OP is to find a local bike shop that will work with you on your new bike purchase (test rides, fitting the bike to you and maintaining it) Congratulations on everything you've done so far.

nfmisso

I do not understand why you would want to DOWNGRADE from the Giant Iguana you already have.

If you have not already done some minor upgrades; here are my recommendations:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product//B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 26 x 1.5 these 100 psi tires roll very well, I like Sunlite Thorn Resistant tubes.

New brake and derailleur cables.

New KoolStop Salmon brake pads.

In addition, please note that the larger a bike wheel is, with the same number of spokes, the weaker it is....

Skebo

I have been riding @275lbs on my roadbike with 700x23c tires and I can tell you the same as Granturismonut. No major issues with my 20 spoke Mavic Aksium Race wheelset. Pinch flats can be a problem if you encounter rough pavement, but if you're vigilant and find the smoothest path through you will be alright. Especially, if you properly inflate your tires before every ride and get you're weight on your pedals through the rougher stuff so you can use your legs as shock absorbers.

Null66

There are several types of road bikes that can handle wider tires.
My DT running 700c 38's with room for wider...

veerod82

I have ridden a Specialized Secteur with 28cm tires for 2000 miles, and now 1000 miles on the new 25cm Gatorskin tires pretty safe and secure weighing over 300 lbs. I would advise anyone looking at a road bike to go for it if you are confident in your riding. (stock wheels too!)

Bill Kapaun

+1!!!
And maybe a cassette change if you don't need the largest cogs.

Granturismonut

Well on the flip side riding like a Heffalump will result in 2 broken spokes on the rear wheel tonight.

stevel610 

If you just have to have a new bike, go for it. I would side with the folks to keep the one you have for now. My first thought was to upgrade the wheels to a sun rhynolite set like these for $150 plus a new 8 speed cassette ($30) and slicks of course.

The bikes in your range won't be a real upgrade from what you have now. If you do buy, go to the local shop with nicest people. The reason is you will at some point need some help with popped spokes, adjustments, warranty work and it's a lot easier with a good shop.

stevel610 

My guess is your bike was much more than the $380 range the OP was looking at. An expensive set of wheels will hold up well, but entry level will probably experience some issues with higher weight riders.

KJJ72

I'm new to the site and have been lurking for a while but saw this and thought I'd comment. I've recently bought a Specialized Allez Sport 2014. I'm currently 309lbs and dropping fast and I'm having no problems with the bike but I'm obviously avoiding any potholes or drop offs etc. It's early days yet but the bike is fantastic.

Null66

WELCOME!

Hope to read about your rides, progress and fun!

Ray Dockrey

Congrats. I suggest going to Bike One. Both my Giants have come from Bike One and both stores are just super to work with. My Giant Anyroad 2 came from the the OKC store and I bought a couple of weeks ago a Giant Talon 3 27.5 mountain bike from the Norman store.