I am an overweight 23 year old male, interested in taking up cycling as a hobby and a regular workout routine. Some friends of mine are doing a two-day bicycle marathon next year, and I would like to train toward that, though if I can not get into shape by the time the event comes up, I would consider not doing it to avoid injury. I am wondering what kind of bike I should get - road, mountain, comfort? Also, what features should I really be looking for in a bike? I am trying to spend less than $500 - is this unreasonable? Thanks in advance for any help.

Given your price range and level of experience, I would suggest looking at a hybrid bike. It has larger wheels than a MTB -- 700c, the same size as a road bike -- and a more upright riding position than a road bike.

It can be difficult for a novice to adapt to the position of a road bike at first and, if you are overweight, you might experience some back pain until you slim down. If you don't enjoy riding, you won't ride.

The other thing is that, while it can be difficult to find a GOOD new MTB -- and impossible to find any new road bike -- for @ $500, there are a number of quality hybrids at that price point. If you find you REALLY love cycling, you can upgrade to a more expensive bike later on.

[BTW, you might find that, as you become passionate about cycling, you spend a WHOLE lot of $$$ on it. I have a riding buddy who puts it this way: "I don't live to work... I don't even work to live... I work and live to ride."]

Welcome to the forums, and welcome to the cycling world.

The first thing to ask yourself, is what type of riding will you be doing? If you are going to use the bike primarily on the road, but for short distances only, then a comfort bike or hybrid would be the way to go. If you're going to do some off road riding, then obviously a mountain bike would be for you. If you're riding on the road, but for long distances (or long periods of time) then a road bike is the ticket.

When you say overweight, what do you mean. I'm an overweight 32 year old, and I love to ride. What is overweight for you? I'm about 215 lbs, and want to get down to 190 or just below 200. Last year at this time, I weighed close to 260 lbs! Most bikes can handle the extra lbs, but if you're over 300 lets say, I'd stick with a mountain bike or a comfort bike. They'd be more comfortable for you. A road bike forces you into a "leaned" over position which is more umcomfortable for bigger guys.

What kind of marathon is it? Probably a long distance road ride or is it a 24 hour mountain bike race? Find out and use that as a starting point.

You can get a decent bike for your budget. Go to all (and I mean all) your local bike shops and test ride as many bikes as you can before you buy!

Also, check out some cycling books regarding fitness. I'm in the process of using Lance Armstrongs 7 weeks to the Perfect Ride. It's a 7 week excercise program that utilizes heartrate training. The training itself is easy, the hard part is finding time to ride 6 days a week, even if it's only 30 to 45 minutes each day and an hour to an hour and a half on weekends. I'm forcing myself to get up early and ride before work. I've actually gotten used to it, and miss it on my rest day!

Give us more information and I'm (and many others here) will be glad to help!

velocipedio-

I appreciate the post. I've seen hybrids at some bike store websites but wasn't sure what they were. One thing: I'm not up on the shorthand, so I'm wondering what "MTB" is. My assumption is mountain bike, but I could certainly be incorrect. Thanks again for your help. I'll post what I end up getting soon.

Yes MTB = Mountain Bike sometimes called ATB or All Terrain Bike.

As an overweight and unfit 30 yr old I bought aN MTB and fitted it with semi - slicks to use largely on road but with occasional light off-road use. It's certainly comfortable enough for a 20 mile ride, I don't know about longer.

Richard

a2psyklnut -

Thanks to you too - I appreciate the post. I'm not above 300lbs. Somewhere around 240ish, and I should also be working to get down to under 200. The marathon is a road race (Texas MS150 from Houston to Austin) in April, which is why I originally considered road bikes, but I read some literature somewhere that advised against heavier people getting a road bike and actually suggested a comfort bike - I guess because of the posture and the fact that the bikes are so much lighter. But then I read somwhere that a comfort will be too heavy and too much work on a two-day marathon, so I got confuddled. That's why the previous poster's recommendation about a hybrid made sense to me - best of both worlds, right? Also, from what I've seen, road bikes are prohibitively expensive. I certainly value my health and having a good daily activity, but $2500 for a bike? Spending that kind of money on a hobby is not how I was raised. Of course, maybe it's time to rethink that. Thanks again for your help.

latakiahaze -

Thanks for the clarification. Hadn't thought about the customized MTB idea. I will be training on road and light off road (bike trails through a park, etc.) and the race is a road race, so it seems that your setup would also make sense. So many choices! Thanks again.

Well, first of all, $500 is a decent budget. You may not get the best for that much, but then again have you priced golf clubs lately? $250 for a driver. Yep that's one club, who in their right mind you buy a set of Ping clubs for $2000.00? Hey did you see my new road bike? Only spent $1500. I guess it's all what you're into and how much you're willing to spend.

What I would recommend, is to do what Latakiahaze did. Since you're 23 and not sure what direction you will eventually head. Buy a decent mountain bike, swap out the knobby tires for slicks. (Most shops will do this for nuthing or just the difference in cost) A comfort bike is essentially a mtb with road tires. Some new tires for mountainbikes are very thin, down to 1.25 inches and can be inflated to 90 and even some upto 110 psi. That's as much as a road bike tire. (Tyre for you euro guys) I'd ride it as much as you can. That way if your buddys go off roading, you can switch back to knobby tires for the day. If you find yourself on the road all the time, then sell your bike and buy a used road bike.

A hybrid is a 700c tire (Road bike size) with a bike you ride in an upright position. It's a comfort bike, only backwards. If that makes sense!

Good luck!

I don't regret going down the MTB with slicks route, but I do wonder whether I should have stretched my budget further, and got an even better MTB.

Of course I now want a road bike as well

Oh... and a Tourer

... and a folding job for the odd day I do catch the train...

Richard - Addict after only a few months

I would suggest that you get a properly sized used hybrid to start with. You could start with a road bike, but if you are really overweight, it will probably fall apart very quickly. Besides, people with fat @$$es generally don't like the way a road saddle feels, at least not at first. Loose the pounds first, then upgrade to a good road bike.
Expecting that you will be able to go from a sedentary life to doing marathon road racing in a matter of merely months is extremely ambitious, to say the least. Try not to be unrealistic.

Hi NewCycler, welcome to the forums!

I also would suggest a hybrid, for the reasons D*Alex mentioned.

I've done the MS rides a few times on my hybrid, and it was no problem. I've got it set up with thinner tires than it came with, and aero bars (additions to the handlebars that allow you to get into a more leaned over aerodynamic position), but other than that it is stock, and has served me well on the road and light off road on paths, for 7-8 years now.

I do also have a road bike that I use on longer rides now, I didn't have it when I went on the last MS ride.

BTW, I wouldn't describe the MS ride as a race or marathon. It's the type of ride you can do at your own pace, the important thing is to get there. Some people turn it into a competition, but that's their choice, other just go with the flow.

d*alex and aerobat -

Thanks for each of your posts. I've gotten some really good info from this site today, and I appreciate it - I'm psyched to get started. Yeah, a friend of mine who's done the MS150 before said the same thing - it's more an at-your-own-pace ride, and that it's more about completing than it is about racing. My friends and I all plan to stick together and make an enjoyable trip out of it. You're right, d*alex - it might be aggressive to think I can prepare for the ride in 4-5 months - that's why I'm just going to train in order to get in shape, and if I feel ready for the race when it comes, great, and if not, I will just continue getting into better shape. Thanks again for all of you guys' help!

NewCycler,
Welcome to BikeForums and to a great sport. I started out heavier than you on a Giant Cypress hybrid comfort bike. It would be quite adequate for you right now and costs less than $300. Don't get the slightly more expensive model with the suspension front fork. You don't need it. The lower model comes with a suspension seat post which helps soften the ride a little.

Be aware that no matter what you get, you will experience discomfort in your rear. This will last for a week or two until you get used to riding. This is normal; don't let it discourage you. Just ease into cycling with short rides and gradually build. If you jump on and ride 10 miles, you will hurt and get discouraged. You need time to adapt.

Is commuting by bike feasible for you? I have found it an excellent way to get in miles.
Regards,
Raymond

Just wanted to add a caveat to my last post-you should look for a decent hybrid, not one of those mass-retailer specials (Magna, Free Spirit, Diamondback, Wal-Mart Mongoose, etc.). A bike shop might be the best place to start. Buy one more for practicality-it will be your 'rain bike' in a year or 2, so make sure that it can mount fenders, etc.

I think you'll find that roadies -- guys who ride road bikes -- will tend to suggest hybrids, while mountain bikers will recommend MTBs with slicks. It comes out to tyhe same thing in the end. If you see yourself riding almost exclusively on pavement, with occasional excursions on groomed hardpacked dirt trails [in parks, etc.], a hybrid would probably be a better choice; if you see yourself being more adventurous off-road, you might want to consider an MTB. Either way, you'll have a decent bike.

As for cost... I think of $3000 (US) as an EXPENSIVE bike. $1000 is an inexpensive bike, and anything from $1200-$2500 is "affordable." That's not everyone's range, but the truth is that you can get a pretty good, even race-able road bike for about $1000 these days. Start with the hybrid... if you like cycling and you want to move into the roadie world, start saving. Incidentally, cycling is probably the best exercise for losing weight. Period.

BTW, I have a friend who thinks of $4000 titanium bikes as "affordable." I guess it's one of those perspective things.

D*Alex - thanks, good advice. I was planning on going to a Sun & Ski Sports and possibly a few of the exclusive bike shops I've seen around to look for my new ride. It is certainly tempting to get the $99 Wal-Mart mongoose special, but even I must admit that spending that little on a bike is foolish. I appreciate the post.

velocipedio -

Yeah, the more research I do the more a hybrid seems to be in line with what I'm looking for. This will mainly be a way to exercise for me, and the occassional bike marathon or whatever will be just an extra diversion. I'm looking for some physical activity to jump into long-term, and I HATE jogging. I agree with you on perspective with regard to cost, and I can even see how $1000 could be considered an inexpensive bike based on some of the manufacturer sites I've visited. However, I must be sensible, and as with anything I am just starting, I don't go in full force until I'm sure. I took my first piano lesson a few months ago with a girlfriend of mine, and I certainly didn't go buy a grand piano just because I turned out to be kinda good at it. You friend, on the other hand, may just have money to burn. If that is the case, feel free to send some my way. Thanks for all your help today!

Here's a new topic we can discuss - and I may have to limit this to Texas residents or frequent visitors who might know. Is it a law that cyclers must wear a helmet at all times? What are the details - i.e. only when on a street, or only when in traffic, or no exceptions to the rule, or is this not a law at all? I've wondered about this for a while and never did hear a solid answer. I know it's a safety precaution, but if I'm just tooling around my mom's neighborhood on visits home, is it really necessary? Thanks.

Helmets are a must! I once bought a new motorbike and the guy gave my helmet a whack with a club hammer. Wrecked the helmet.
His comment was something similar to
"You don't blink when you spend a thousand dollars for your arse why not spend 50 for your head"
Geddit?

Harry -

Point taken. Rest assured that I am going to buy a helmet and plan on wearing it all the time. My question really pertained to rides on small roads with little or no traffic, where I will not be going fast, or in parking lots where there are no cars, etc. Basically, just wondering if it's OK to get the bike out of the garage, drive it a few houses down and turn around and come back without the helmet or if I will be ticketed for that. Thanks for your post.

NewCycler,

Lots of good advice, here. Welcome!

Whatever bike you choose, the most important things are:

1) Quality. Don't buy department store bikes. The initial quality is absent and they are assembled by who-knows-who. Most bike shops provide ongoing basic maintenance at no charge as part of a sales package. You won't be sorry.

2) Fit. The frame size must be exactly right for you, as assisted by a qualified bike shop attendant. Never buy an oversized or wrong-sized bike just because it's on sale.

3) Type. Get the type of bike designed for the type of riding you will be doing. Road riding = road bike or hybrid. Trail riding = mountain bike. Sidewalk = walking shoes (ha, ha, that's a joke, son! )

4) Learn. Take "Effective Cycling" courses, or learn by joining a cycling club.

5) Have fun.

6) The helmet thing. Do it. (It may have saved my brain...some may dispute this claim.)

P.S. If you are just starting out and plan to do lots of mileage at once, remember that it takes some patience to develop your heart and blood vessels, also your leg muscles, before you will be ready to attack long distance rides.

I agree with all who post here..
If I may add MY 2cents and say do the leg work stay with local bike shops take the time and visit as many as you can and ask
question about the gears, brakes etc..
find a bike that is comfortble to you. dont look at brand names.
try them all no matter what the cost. learn why they cost so much.
when you get your new bike ride it
you have to build muscle, your heart will work more, and your lungs will grow. this will hurt if done to much to soon..
go slow at first... join the local bike club that offers rides that fit your level..
but beware that once you get bit by the bike bug.. it will be in your blood...
have fun and good luck........

K

Ba-Dg-Er - nice research skills! I tried and couldn't find that section of law on texas.gov. Thanks for your help.

I wanted to add a comment about helmets. Get one and wear it all the time! I used to think, "well, if I'm just riding around the neighborhood at slow speeds, what can happen?" Well, lo and behold I got whacked! I was cruising along and this older lady pulled out from a sidestreet. We even made eye contact! And she just started moving forward. I had no place to go and no time to stop! Cartwheeled over the front of her car! I was o.k., but before I left, I felt invincable. Nothing will happen to me, I ride too smart! Now I wear my helmet always!

BTW, here in FL the rescinded(sp?) the helmet law for motorcyclists. How stupid is that? Oh yeah, helmets are mandatory for kids under 16, not required for adults! Another stupid piece of legislature. I guess adults heads are stronger than kids heads.

Also, as a parent, I always wear a helmet when I go riding with my boy! Tis better to teach by doing, than by saying!

Pete Clark and ahuman -

Thanks for each of your posts. Last night I went to a Sun & Ski Sports here in Houston and looked at their hybrids. Luckily the size I needed in the bikes he was recommending will not be available - I am generally a pushover at the point of sale - so I just asked a lot of questions and test drove a few bikes and really learned quite a bit. I will go to some smaller independent shops today and tomorrow to comparison shop and ask more questions about features, etc. The two bikes that he seemed to think were comparable in quality and good for a new cycler like myself were the Cypress DX and a model by Gary Fisher (spelling?), the name of which escapes me at the moment. The only difference he could point to between them was that the Gary Fisher has a trigger gear shift while the Giant has the thing where you turn the whole handlebar forward or backward. In my mind, that trigger did not justify the additional $60, but I will do a little more research over the next couple of days to determine which I really prefer. Both had front and rear suspension, which I know someone here has said is not worth the money, but it's only a $30 difference over the lower models in each case, and I would love my *** to be as comfortable as possible - it's a very important part of me. Anyway, thanks again for the help so far. I'll keep everyone posted on how this all turns out!