Originally Posted by
longbeachgary
You haven't even pedaled your first stroke and yet you want to do RAGBRAI and an Ironman? Buy a bike for what you're going to do today and don't worry about so far down the road.
This is great advice. When I started biking I was coming off a BAD (9month+) arthritis flare up where I was barely walking. I droolled over the race bikes but lbs convinced me for an enduro bike. I am very grateful they did that because that was one of the best purchases I have made ever made. Allowed me to ride comfortably which made me want to ride more.
Someone who is overweight (100lb is a good chunk of weight) will not benefit from a high end road bike. That person will benefit from just plain riding, which is why I suggest everything I did in my previous post because it gives you the use of very little excuses for not hoping on the bike.