bigbiker1

Reposting from general forum, someone pointed me here!

I am in the process of finding a new bike. For the last 10 years I have been riding a 2006 GT Agressor. Very nice bike for $300 back in 2006, but I never really rode it as much as I would have liked. For starters I think its too small for me, it's a large but I don't really know what that means as for as normal standard sizes. To the bike's credit, it still rides good and didn't break in half even when I was at my heaviest which was a whopping 425lbs. I have been on a weight roller coaster the last 2.5 years being as high as 425 and as low as 300, then I lost my job and stress ate my way back to 385 and now I am back to around 350.

Anyway last time I lost the weight mostly by walking several miles a day but this time around I am growing weary of walking, especially in the midwest heat and humidity. I would really like to get back into more serious biking, at least 5-8 miles a day. I got out my GT last week and started riding, but honestly even at the 1 mile mark it was pure torture. I have the seat up as high as I safely can but I still can't extend my legs fully which leads to very sore legs that tire way too fast. My butt is really sore too and I ordered a Cloud 9 saddle, but I don't think that is really enough to fix my issue. I need a better bike and one that fits me.

My budget is a bit tight, I am between jobs again, but I am looking to spend 500-$750. If there is a bike that would for some reason be perfect I could stretch that a bit. I need to find something quick so I don't lose motivation and have something to keep me occupied while looking for a job so I don't start gaining again. My dad and brother both have nice carbon fiber Trek road bikes and love them. I don't want a road bike, I am not sure if I should get a mountain, comfort or hybrid bike. I will be riding mostly on a paved black top trail but also on a rail to trail dirt trail (Wabash Trace). I saw that the Trek shift 4 is rated for 350lbs, but it looks like it was discontinued and I can't find one locally that has one in stock.

I am going to hit one of the popular LBS in Omaha today and get some advice, but also looking for some advice here. Anybody have any thoughts for me?

EL LUCHADOR

Hi, I would look at a mountain bike.

You can do everything with a mountain bike.

Road, commuting,trails, gravel, cross. Etc.

It allows you to fit fat tires(and I would recommend fat tires)

They come with some very easy gear ratios.

Frames are typically beefier than road frames

Etc etc

dagray

Any bike you want. Want a road bike then get one. The key is to buy the bike you will ride. Yes you may have to upgrade the wheels or at least the rear wheel, but that is not a big issue.

I ride a 2013 Orbea Orca and am 6'3". I started riding this bike at 390 pounds and am now down to 345 pounds. Bianchi is a good brand, Raleigh is a good brand....

If you want a mountain bike get a mountain bike, if you want a gravel bike get a gravel bike.

Get a bike, go ride, and have fun... rinse, repeat.

EL LUCHADOR

some things work but are not ideal. a Clydesdale can also wear skinny jeans. It works but may not be ideal


for example, a road bike with 25c will need over 200psi at the rear wheel to hit the 15% drop guidance. not ideal.
for a member who is not in the fittest shape, the position of the bike is more than likely also not ideal.


so, I say get a bike that will be comfortable for you to ride over a variety of terrain -ie a mountain bike.


btw, my mtb is a trek marlin 6. $579. I put bontrager h2 37c tires on it for $60 ( next time I will go bigger than 37c, maybe 45c-50c)
so it would be in your budget. it has hydraulic disk brakes and a front shock lockout with preload adjustment. I commute to work on it and it is VERY comfortable. Way more comfortable than my road bike