mdf26

Hello all, new member checking in from Middle TN. I don't even own a bike yet so pretty new to the entire sport. Looking for advice on how to start. I'm a clyde coming in at 6'2" and weighing roughly 265ish. I'm looking to get into riding as a fitness tool as well as to have a new hobby. I would really like to get into the sport as cheaply as possible while still getting a bike that will last me long enough to loose the weight that I need to. I think I want a road style bike to start with as I know my weight will destroy any suspension found on mountain bikes. I would love to ultimately get into riding trails but that will have to come once I loose enough weight as to not destroy the bike. I'm open to any and all advice and suggestions. I don't see myself on one of the road bikes with the tiny tires. I think I would crumple them. I can spend up to $500 or so to start with. I could spend more but I'm not looking for the best of the best to start off with. I just want something practical enough to rack up some miles and loose about 75lbs and then I will buy myself a nice bike. So that about sums it up. I live about 50 miles from the closest bike shops. I know that they carry all of the well known brands as far as Trek, Giant, Cannondale, Specialized, Raleigh, etc. I'm kind of hoping to find something used but I truly have no clue what is good or what would be a good price.

Fastfingaz

Well first of all welcome to the forum , big clyde it's good that you ruled out the road bike but i have ridden with somr pretty big guys on them and I say to myself how can that bike hold up but they do!!you know that you can add a thousand dollars more to that 500.00 and you still won't be getting the best of the best as you put it thou I can't really tell you which bike is best suited for you I think you should be thinking mountain something strudy with gears!! I'm sure someone with more info on this and they will give better advise , you picked a excelent sport and let us know when you're down to 220!!!!!!!

10 Wheels

Get a road bike.

My son in law enjoyng his Cannondale at 265 lBS.

cafzali

Welcome to the Forums from a TN native, although I've been a NY'er for the past 16 years. You don't say where you are exactly, but if you're near Nashville, you'll find a number. Here's a link to a YellowPages.com listing that includes reviews: https://www.yellowpages.com/nashville-tn/bicycle-shops

I haven't patronized any of them, so I wouldn't want to suggest one in particular.

As far as your key question, $500 is going to be a tough budget to get something that will last. Contrary to what you are aiming for, I'd definitely say go for a road bike. The key to getting a good road bike for you is getting one with wheels that are "stiff" enough to support your weight, as any frame will do the job. Once you get to the $1,500 price point, you start getting much higher quality. I'd go check out the selection in some local bike shops and get guidance on the best one for your budget and situation. Above all, you want adequate wheels. They definitely exist and won't set you back huge bucks, but often the wheels that come standard on a bike in that price range won't work well for someone of your weight. Basically, the higher the spoke count, the stronger the wheel and the higher the weight it can support with no issue.

Trust me on this: spend the money now so that you'll have a trouble-free experience later. You don't want to try to go "cheap" now just to result in something that you can't or won't ride. There's a big difference between a good value and something that's cheap.

Good luck!

mdf26

Hey thank you all for the welcome! I'm about an hour and a half from Nashville. I live about 45-50 miles from Cookeville, TN. There are only two bike shops there and when I went to them (about a week ago) neither of them really acted like my weight was an issue. I know that I'm a big guy, I'm not proud of it but I'm not afraid of it either. I'm 6'2", 265. I wear either a 38" or 40" waist depending on the pant and have roughly a 30-32" inseam. My neck is about 17". I know I'm overweight and I wish the bike shops there had at least mentioned the fact that I would put stress on the bike. I guess they were trying to be nice and not miss out on a sale. Who knows. I did see a hybrid style bike at one of the shops that I was pretty interested in. The sales guy claimed that it would work well on pavement with the occasional gravel or dirt road but would not hold up on any type of trails. I went into the shop leaning towards a mountain bike but the more I think about it the more I think I'd be suited for a road style bike. I may be thinking wrong....not sure. There is someone selling a Trek 7.6 FX WSD online for $800 I wonder if I talked it down to $600 (if he would even budge, I don't know) would that be a good deal? It's an 09' model that he claims was barely ever ridden (50miles). It looks really nice. I'm just very lost in this whole thing. I know I need to spend more up front but it will take me about 6 weeks to save another $600-$700. Need help! Thanks!

mdf26

Never mind....hahahaha that's a women's model! hahaha....my bad nevermind.

Fastfingaz

Hey mdf I noticed in your intro that you eventually want to do some trail riding, the reason I said mountain bike I mean I don't think ur gonna do that with a road bike with those skinny tires? but what ever bike you dicide on will be great ,,,,,,,,,,,get you out there riding and sweatin