I know you're into biking, but i'm hoping you know more about them then "just grabbed one from the store" since i remember you posting about a pretty nicely priced one.

Now since I'm a bigger guy, is there anything I need to worry about with say spending $300 on one that I plan to ride on city streets and a gravel bike path. I'd prefer not to look rediculous but don't know where to start looking, as my idea of a bike is bought at like walmart for $100 and probably would be terrible for someone trying to seriously exercise.

We have a few biking stores here but they're into the serious competition stuff here so like $3500 a bike and all for track use, then a few sports stores. Definatly don't want to order online though.

I use a old gary fisher bike i got when I was in high school a long time ago and have no problems, i reccomend Trek bikes, proalbey a mountain bike or a "hybrid" for city/gravel biking

My brother has a Trek hybrid type bike at home, and its p nice

Got more info about these as what they actually are? I just randomly google'd overweight bicycling and hybrids came up as being pretty good for what I'm looking at. Thinking 200-400 would be the price range I'm comfortable with, as I can fandangle the parents into helping for this just cause.

smocked is all over it... hybrids are built sturdy for street to trail type of riding
they're pretty good for almost all terains
also, if you can even go to like Dick's sporting goods or something and get a "comfort" bike - they focus a little more on a smooth comfy ride rather than more on the performance end. also, they're probably half the price

honestly though... if you have a bike shop anywhere near you - talk to them. bike shop guys love knowing everything about bikes and letting everyone know everyting about bikes. what i ended up doing was going to my bike shop to talk to the guy, he gave me all kinds of great info, then i shopped online. theres a few sites that have GROSSLY discounted rates is you feel like doing 20%ish of the bike assembly. i posed that scenario to the bike shop guy and he knocked $80 off of my bike

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/hybrid_bikes.htm

the site looks shitty, but i was in correspondence with them for a bit about a few of the bikes they were offering. they have some pretty amazing mark downs if you're willing to pull out the tool box

I love you. There is a dick's here, and I already checked out my local places

We have 3 in town, and all don't cater to anything but speed competiton, as my city has yearly bike marathon shits here. and that's what they're there for.

the main difference you're looking at when you go from comfort to hybrid is what the frame is made of.

typically the comfort type bikes will have a steel frame which adds a little durability whereas the hybrids will be some sort of lighter weight aluminum or carbon or something.

you would probably be best with a comfort bike with front and seat suspension. dont pay attention to the saddle, you can always replace it a wider/more comfy seat for a few dollars

What's the difference in weight support between the 2. I'm at 255 right now, which from looking up stuff isn't a concern at all to most bikes. There's also no chance I'll gain weight again, so shouln't be an issue. There's almost no trails here and little for offroad at all minus the gravel on the actual bike path.

So don't think I need something crazy for suspension unless that's just a standard thing. I haven't ridden a bike since I was like 13 which is almost 10 years now. Sorry if it's a dumb question

as far as weight support goes, theres not much of a difference if any. the main difference between the two is the pricing - the lighter, the more expensive. my bike is some aluminum alloy blah blah and i can literally grab it with one hand and carry it around if i wanted to.

the seatpost suspension is more of a comfort thing than anything, most comfort bikes have that just to smooth out your ride in general.

wide load seat cushion

no joke, man
when i started riding my bike my ass fucking killed me from riding on a seat like this -


you would be surprised how much shit like that didnt bug you when you were 12

This post has been edited by cardoors32 on Thu - Jul 16 2009 - 08:58:25

just walked 9 holes, and have to regain energy for ~ 4-5 hours of frolf later on.

I'm am just so tired. Would love a bike ride right now though