Kanepashi,

I started at 290. I used my old 1997 Specialized MTB (steel, no suspension), and put 1.5" x 26" slick tires on it. It was great. It was plenty strong for me (riding on paved rail-trails).

It was fun, was plenty fast (slicks make a HUGE difference vs. MTB knobbies!!!), reliable, and cheap (you can find similar ones on Craigslist for $100-$150 all day long).

During my two years riding this thing, I learned a lot about myself, how I like to ride, what I liked, and didn't like, etc. Then I bought a new road bike.

I still have the old, steel, homemade hybrid, and still ride it when I want to plunk around, or when the weather is bad, and it's still a great ride.