Originally Posted by outashape

As an overweight female, I'd like to ask you a few questions. Where do you carry your weight? Is it all over, or hips/legs or are you shaped like an apple. Do you have a lot of extra weight in your waist and breasts? Are you real flabby or do you have a muscular build. The reason I ask is that I have a short torso and am overweight. If a "male" bike shop is sizing you, ask them specifically if they have any experience with overweight women. I went with a longer top tube, because my arms have to stretch out to accomodate a large gut and breasts. I know it would be easier to loose weight, but I have been a size 14 most of my life. (sometimes going down to size 10 or up to a size 16). It may be easier to start off on a hybrid where your weight is on the seat and not on your arms. Many cyclists go down that road. Once you loose some weight and develop lung capacity, you will probably want to buy a road bike. If you start out with a club. Tell them you are only riding 3-5 miles and then you will turn around and come back on your own. You can make arrangements with the ride leader to come look for you if your car is still in the lot or if you haven't left a note that you returned from the ride. Most club rides are slower for the first couple of miles so you make be able to keep up for a couple of miles. Look for a touring club, not a velo club.