[Burger in a Can]

Hi there! I've been reading this forum for a couple of days, and I am excited to find that there is such a great community of extra-large people here! At 6'2", 325 lbs, with size 14 EEEE feet, I wasn't even sure whether a bicycle could hold my weight or accomodate my size before I started reading all of your posts!

So I'm going to buy a decent bike for transportation, weight loss, and fun. I plan to check out the Specialized Hardrock Sport and other bikes in that general price range. It sounds like my local bike shop will be the most help for choosing a specific model, but do you guys have any tips?

 

[WTF-IDK]

welcome big guy.

I hear you on the foot thing. 13 EEEE myself.

I ride with Vans skater shoes and shin shredding flats.

 

[Burger in a Can]

Haha well, I just bought a bike. It's amazing how quickly it can happen!

The salesman at my local store was great, and with his help I actually ended up buying a hybrid rather than a mountain bike, so you guys will all probably think I'm lame.

I got a Specialized Globe Vienna. I tried out the hardrock and a canondale and a couple of other mountain bikes, and they just weren't comfortable enough. The salesman told me that the front suspension in this price range is a little crappy, and they just weren't really holding up to the force I was exerting. What's the point of a suspension that is always compressed? Haha.

The Specialized Globe fit great, feels solid, and will suit me just fine! I was happy to walk out of there having spent about half of what I was ready to spend! Here's a link to the stats on bikepedia: http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?ItemID=15682&Type=bike What do you think? Anything glaringly need to be upgraded?

Anyway, thanks again to all you clydesdales for inspiring me to get in the saddle.

 

[Fam Money]

Sweet looking bike! I wish I would have bought one of those for my reintroduction into biking instead of the Diamondback comfort bike with the shitty sus fork. I don't think anyone will give you grief for going with a hybrid. It is a MUST you buy a bike that is comfortable to you otherwise you will not ride it.

There are plenty of things to upgrade on the bike but I wouldn't bother just yet. Wait until things start breaking and you begin to figure out what you like and dislike about it.

I will say this: If you find you like biking, prepare to buy yourself another bike. I bought my $300 comfort bike in April and turned around and bought a $1000 MTB last month. Biking is addictive......and expensive

Good luck!.

 

[RidinginSF]

Sweet looking bike! I wish I would have bought one of those for my reintroduction into biking instead of the Diamondback comfort bike with the shitty sus fork. I don't think anyone will give you grief for going with a hybrid. It is a MUST you buy a bike that is comfortable to you otherwise you will not ride it.

There are plenty of things to upgrade on the bike but I wouldn't bother just yet. Wait until things start breaking and you begin to figure out what you like and dislike about it.

I will say this: If you find you like biking, prepare to buy yourself another bike. I bought my $300 comfort bike in April and turned around and bought a $1000 MTB last month. Biking is addictive......and expensive

Good luck!.

+1 with all the above!

Good Luck, have fun, break stuff...bike stuff, that is!

 

[14Stone]

so you guys will all probably think I'm lame.

No. Doesn't matter what you ride, just as long as you ride!

Anyway, thanks again to all you clydesdales for inspiring me to get in the saddle.

Don't thank us for inspiration, thank yourself for determination.

 

[Burger in a Can]

Thanks guys! I went out for 3 rides yesterday- it was so much fun! I definitely agree about comfort being important. I bought a crappy Wal-Mart mountain bike about 3 years ago and the damn thing was so uncomfortable, flexy, and unsteady. At the time I thought the problem was me- that I was too heavy and out of shape. Needless to say, I never rode the thing. My experience with this bike has shown me that it was actually the bicycle's fault! Anyway, thanks again.