http://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott.htm , a Brooks B-17 saddle and a front brake. I started riding it this summer and lost ~30lbs (down from 255) between then and august (no diet) when the bike got stolen. I loved it because I had no choice but to pedal, and now that I have a road bike with gears I find myself reluctant to coast. Also the wheels on this are TANKS, I got hit in the side of the rear wheel by a taxi with me sitting on top and weighing about 240, a few scrapes on the frame and a concussion for me (no helmet), but the wheel was still true after that.

Only negative for you is that I assume being on the east coast you have many more hills than I do here in chicago. The cross bike I bought to replace my TT is http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._cross_cx2.htm and it holds me +a 30 pound backpack just fine... also has the "quick" shifters... seat still didn't fit my fat a$$ at 220 but I'm never going to ride anything but a brooks for the rest of my life so that wasn't really a worry for me.

215 lbs as of 6:45 this morning ^^ the biggest thing for me was not dieting! I just ate healthier but did not limit myself and am just now looking to start dieting after I lost the first 40... I was in a similar situation, went from 170 sophomore year of HS and ballooned to 255 by freshman year of college. I eat more now than I did before, although much healthier, but the constant exercise and getting rid of the video games are what helped me lose the weight.