Nothing in bicycling is hyped beyond its importance more than weight.

250 lbs and a Reginner. It has been said that you will probably change your first bike within a couple of years, and that is from our experience. Frame material is immaterial really but steel will last- gives a comfortable ride due to the give in the material, but may be a bit heavier. Aluminium frames are lighter in general- will last mnowadays but will be a bit stiff. The LBS you will find- They will ask questions and the main one will not be HOW MUCH? They may not carry a lot of stock but they can get it and they do know their bikes. Personally I would beware of the big chain shops as they are not cheap= Most of the salemen just want to sell you a bike- and lack of after service. They are great to see the type of bikes around a nd a lot of models- but unless the have the bike you want- in the size and colour you want and you can get a good price on it- Shop elsewhere.

250lbs--That will drop but one thing to think of is wheels. They will not have to be ultra strong and will be covered by warranty- but think of wheels as something you have to take care of. They do go out of true- they do get damaged- but they can be repaired or trued at the LBS. Check with the LBS but if going up one model in a range is going to get you a better wheel- then think about it.

Great info everyone, thanks.

I don't really consider myself a beginning rider. Even though I'm out of shape, I'm still very comfortable on bikes. I do need to get educated in what products are available which is why I'm here.

My saying is that you can never have too many bikes or guitars!

I got into biking about 4-5 years ago (I'm 56) because my wife wanted to do triathalons and wanted a riding partner. My only regret is that I didn't get into cycling 20 years ago (I mostly played soccer). Like musical instruments, after a while your preferences may manifest themselves, but when you start out, you don't know what factors are important to you. I bought a Cannondale road bike when I started out. A year later I was taking some mechanics classes and bought a frame and parts to build my own. In addition to just learning some basic bike mechanical skills, I wanted to try a carbon fiber frame (versus aluminum), a compact crank (versus a standard double), Ultegra (versus 105) gruppo, etc. In the grand scheme of things, these are kind of minor differences, but also significant if only psychologically. It's like having an ebony fretboard as opposed to rosewood, or different tuning machines, strings, or bridge on a guitar. But getting a good fit on a bike is like having a guitar with reasonable action as opposed to strings that sit 1/2 inch off the frets -- it will lead to an unenjoyable experience and discourage you. So I would suggest that being comfortable is the most important thing to aim for now.

Having said that, I found that a road bike made me want to ride much more than if I had gotten a mountain bike or a hybrid. I like road bikes - they go a little faster because they're lighter and have less rolling resistance, but there's certainly nothing wrong with mountain bikes or hybrids. Road bikes are targeted for speed more than comfort, but they become comfortable when you get used to them. If you have issues with your back, another option is recumbents. I think you will have to take some test rides, and get some experience before you'll develop a sense of what works for you.

BTW, I'm an archtop player: I have a Moll custom, a '47 Epihone Triumph, a Gibson ES175, a Telecaster, a Steinberger, and a nondescript flattop...

HOLD THE PHONE! Are you telling me that once I buy a bike I'm gonna get GAS (Gear Acqusition Syndrome) for them like I have for music gear? I have to take my shoes off to count my guitars now. I'm DOOMED!

This is my collection and it doesn't show the '58 reissue Les Paul I bought last year (or the amps, keyboards, and recording gear...).

Yes, you are doomed... I, too, have to take off my shoes to count my axes.
I started back riding a year ago. Got a hybrid. Loved it. Still do.
I just bought a new roadie last week (which I pick up on Saturday)
Draw your own conclusions.
I'm just sayin'... (tm)

It's more a case of the disadvantages of cheap aluminum frames. They are stiff. You can compensate
with large tires and a good saddle.

I weigh about what you do. Just look at my post again, I sweat wheels. You want a strong wheel.
For a performance bike, I'd suggest CXP33 rims, 32 spokes, and good hubs. I use Ultegra.

One option for you would be the Surly Pacer with a CBP parts package.

Like this one on sale

https://www.lickbike.com/productpage.asp?PART_NUM_SUB='2789-30'



https://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/fr...4_2493crx.aspx

Here is my experience for what it's worth. I'm 56, diabetic and about 250 lbs. Like you, I rode as a teen but stopped. About 18 months ago I bought a Gary Fisher hybrid and really got into riding. I joined a club and really enjoyed myself. Quite frankly, I found that I couldn't keep up with many rides, couldn't get up hills comfortably and couldn't maintain much speed. Still, being on the bike was wonderful.

A month ago I bought a new 2006 leftover road bike (Felt F80) and I couldn't be happier. I immediately lost 15 lbs of bike weight and it makes an amazing difference. Pounds of body weight are dropping too. The more I ride, the more I lose and the more I lose the more I want to ride. While no one will ever mistake me for Lance and I am resigned to never have a Whippet like road body, I'm really feeling better about myself.

I was worried about the leaning position and had brakes installed (only $25.00) on the top bar but after the first 50 miles I find myself on the hoods 90% of the time. It's nice to have the extra brakes but aclimating to the road position came quickly and naturally.

Since this is a major purchase, look ahead regarding the type of riding you'd like to do a year or two from now.

Best of luck!!!

[QUOTE=Stringrazor]HOLD THE PHONE! Are you telling me that once I buy a bike I'm gonna get GAS (Gear Acqusition Syndrome) for them like I have for music gear? I have to take my shoes off to count my guitars now. I'm DOOMED!

Same disease; different presentation.