Bike recommendation time
 

So I've been commuting by bike for several years now, although the last 5 weeks have been by car since I broke my arm. But my kids' nanny has been listening to me talk about how much I enjoy riding to work and how much I miss it, and I have gently tried to convince her to try it. This morning I think she reached the tipping point with it. She applied for health insurance and was denied because of her weight. She is a big girl, but sweet as can be. She is probably 5'6 and 250lbs. And sort of oddly proportioned, short legs, long torso. She doesn't want to spend a ton of money so I am going to help her find something on Craig's List. She only lives a few miles from us, but there are a few hills, so she'll want some gears. What would you, my most enlightened commuting vets recommend?


In other news, hopefully I get cleared to ride again tomorrow.

If you could find a used Electra Townie, I think she would like that. I've spoken to folks that were very heavy when they started riding and began with a Townie. It worked really well. Over time many of them switched to a more traditional bike frame as they lost weight, but the Townie got them riding. I think there's something about its center of gravity when one is very heavy...

Funny that you mention this now, one of my staff who is about 5'3" and has to be >250 lbs actually approached me last week and asked if I would go bike shopping with her. I guess my weight loss and body composition changes have really hit home for her. We're definitely going to be heading to the Electra dealer.

Denied health insurance due to weight? Being Canadian this is like such a foreign idea to me I can't wrap my brain around it. I would suggest a doc visit before she begins an exercise program such as riding a bike for weight loss. Baby steps first maybe get diet under control and a general aerobic conditioning first. For a bike it would have to be an MTB for the strength of frame and wheels 250 is a bit of a load, also for comfort with wider flatter bar, triple rings for ease of gears and a woman's specific saddle to bear weight properly.

I'd recommend that she get an electric bike. She'll likely keep up the commuting a lot longer with that.

I think a Townie is an excellent choice, but the last thing you want is for her to try to do too much to fast, get frustrated and quit, so I recommend starting her slowly, riding short flat rides to get her fitness level up before attempting to ride to work and do any climbing. On the other hand, the electric bike is also an excellent recommendation that will allow her to start riding to work much faster without getting frustrated by the hills.

Old rigid 90's mountain bike from craigslist. Cheap, sturdy, fender and rack-friendly, and geared low.

How many miles is a few?
It sounds like she should start off REAL slow! Something like a 1 mile ride around her neighborhood the first day and see how she feels the next morning. Biking can awaken a few muscles that have been dormant for years. I know!
Have her work up her distance slowly until she can handle the ride to your house AND BACK. (in case you fire her:))

I think its like 4 miles, all off it flat except the last 3/4 mile. My advice to her about it was, ride to the bus stop ( about 1.5 miles) ride the bus to my house, then ride home (all down hill or flat). That way she gets some riding in, but its not as hard as riding up the hill. She certainly isn't going to be towing the kids in our Burley yet.

For large sized riders post to the Clydes board.

As to CL bikes, you can't tell in advance what will be offered. If roads are smooth she might be better off with a 20" wheel (stronger). I would suggest a steel frame, especially on a used bike. If AL fails it does so unexpectedly.

Or, just support her further by emphasizing to her that it's perfectly OK to walk the hills. (There's no shame in it at all !!!! )

None at all. I still walk up a few of them.