During my shopping for a bike, I expressed concern for weighing over 250 pounds and the ability of a road bike to hold up to my weight and abuse. Honest to Dog, EVERY SINGLE SALESMAN assured me that "these bikes have been tested for riders up to 205 pounds (a couple salesmen even suggested "250 lb's"), you're gonna be okay on anything on my showroom floor!"

Consider also that I am 5' 1" and have a 24" inseam, forcing me to choose between a custom-made frame/bike, or essentially a XS child's bike, maybe some kinda Euro Unisex upright seated Hybrid or unsprung Mtn. Bike sans top bar.......

After lots & lots of questions,
I decided that I wanted the comfort and flexibility of a quality steel frame, no less than 36 spokes, and a bike purposely built to carry the weight of lugguge & 'stuff' for touring. I also concluded that ya gets what ya pays for, so I steered clear of "cheap".

Having since logged 450 miles on my steel frame, 36 spoke, 26" wheeled 'touring' Novara Randonee road bike, I wish now that I purchased the new steel framed Novara Safari with it's touring "trek" bars and smaller, more durable 24" wheels.

It's fine to push the envelope of a bicycle's 'ability'/capacity/"tested for" IN A PERFECT WORLD with smooooth roads sans rocks, potholes, and unsuspected exprises. But given today's increasing class warfare...., ain' no rich folk gonna allow me in their perfect world with perfect roads where "COEXIST" bumper stickers, rainbows, Unicorns, and subscribing to the notion that 'government gonna take care of everything (and road surfaces) for you'.........

QUESTION AUTHORITY..... and salesman.
...and don't settle for cheap, or "...trust me..."