Big girl looking for bike to hold her goodies! Any suggestions on bikes 4me

Hello Ladies, I weigh 238 pounds am 5 feet 10 inches tall. Today I turned 47 years old, Hooray!! I decided to make the next 10 years healthier than the last. I've saved my $ now am ready to buy my first adult bike. Does anyone have any suggestions on a good bike for my size? Should I go mountain or racing? I plan to ride everyday and occasionally on the weekends. I live 2 miles from job & school. What's the deal with the different handle bars? After many years of being tide to my car, I purposely moved close to both school and work. My job has lockers,shower & rack, YIPPIE!!! No more excuse to drive and pollute the earth. I'm concerned because I'm a plus size lady, don't plan to stay there 4ever. Any suggestions on a good bike for me? Just moved to VA: totally loving VA! any ideas on bike clubs or groups would greatly be appreciated. Finding this forum has been a lifesaver.

Hi!

I don't have any bike suggestions for you, but I just wanted to welcome you to the forum. You have a wonderful outlook and are ready to do great things - just need the tools! I do know that a lot of ladies start with a hybrid bike before determining that they want a road bike. Mountain biking is great too, but unless you have good trails near where you live, there are more road biking alternatives most places. I am lucky enough to do both, and enjoy different aspects of both. Of course, I have four bikes, so that helps!

I hope some other gals here can offer you suggestions on specific bike models. The only advice I can offer is to go to your LBS and test ride as many bikes as you can and see which type/style feels right to you. And make sure to get a good fit. At your height, you probably won't need women's specific design, so you'll have lots of options.

Good luck, and keep on posting!!

Emily, just one state south :)

If you're looking to commute and bike for fitness, I would almost reccomend a mountain/hybrid bike. Each type definately has its pros and cons, the pros of the mtn bike being
*the strength of frame/fork/components
*width of the tires.
In my mind, it makes mountain bikes more adaptable.
They also tend to be a little cheaper (Specialized Hardrocks and Rockhoppers going for ~$450
However, they're less comfortable on long (and I mean long) rides, but should be alright for a commute of ~10 miles.
They're also not as fast and require more effort to move.

Road bikes, on the other hand (these are my perceptions... I don't actually own one)
*More expensive for a quality bike (generally, though you can find nice deals)
*Thinner tires may lead to less stability (though cross bikes can be equipped for wider tires, and tires with decent tread, so this is negligable)
*Sleeker, faster, lighter (generally...)

My bike was purchased to be an all-around-user. I couldn't fathom the idea of a bike that had to avoid pot holes or bumps/curbs/etc... and I wanted to be able to take on trails when I was capable of it. It's a '03 rockhopper hardtail, now with rack and trunk, and smooth tires, too. I can't *quite* keep up with roadies who are really cruising, but I do alright. :)

Hi!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

"I decided to make the next 10 years healthier than the last."

That's great to hear, and......it certainly can be done. At your height, you do have lots of options for bicycles. The most important thing is getting a bike "that fits you".......

Welcome to TE !! You will learn so much here! Please go introduce yourself on the "Getting to know you" thread.

Have a wonderful evening :)

Denise

Denise223 "At your height, you do have lots of options for bicycles."

yeah, I'm jealous. :mad:

I'm 5'1" and went full custom to get a great fit. Where you, you non-vertically challenged person you :p the world is your oyster, might not even need to look at WSD.

welcome to TE and here's to many happy miles, shopping and ride reports. We live through you, we love to shop for bikes....with other TE gals money :p Take us shopping with you.

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Originally Posted by aar80863

any ideas on bike clubs or groups would greatly be appreciated.

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Welcome to the area. One of the biggest, most active groups in the area is Potomac Pedalers. Also, many bike shops also organize group rides.

Here's my 2 cents...(since you asked!)

From your described situation I would say a hybrid bike might be a great choice for you to start out on and commute on. For one thing: really skinny road bike tires + heavier rider + typical commute pavement with potholes and broken glass= more flat tires to fix!

Hybrids have good sturdy commuting tires, sort of between small heavily knobbed mtn bike tires and way-skinny roadie/racing tires. They also have comfortable handlebar position for doing shorter rides and commutes. It takes racks and baskets and kickstands etc quite well too.

"Comfort/Cruiser" bikes sold to ladies may not be what you want if you start enjoying yourself and riding longer distances. They have cushy seats, can be heavy, with fewer gears for climbing hills. They are particularly good for flat neighborhoods where you are mostly using it for errands or riding with your kids.

Typical road bike crouched position may not be the most comfortable choice for a new rider commuting short distances. And if you are commuting, you may have to attach panniers or racks and such to carry clothes and laptops. Why get a racing bike for this purpose?

A hybrid bike can comfortably fill a variety of different riding situations, and if you get one that fits you well and is comfortable, you can still use it for different types of riding as you start becoming a better rider. It can handle some fairly long rides and does well on hills and has few flats.

Happy Birthday!
I agree with the suggestions about a hybrid bike. You might even find a used bike on craigslist or at a yard sale to get you started riding, and as you learn more about your style of riding and how you'll use a bike, you can put your money toward something new that will suit your situation.
Good on you for moving where you are so close to work! Please keep posting and let us know how your new life is progressing!

I agree with everyone who suggests starting with the hybrid bike. That is what I did. I want to mention some additional benefits and that is you will build muscle density faster on a hybrid because it is heavier than a road bike. My LBS told me that the 20 miles I pedal on my Trek Navigator 300 is equivalent to pedaling 40-50 miles on a road bike.

You move up to the road bike when you strongly desire to ride that 40-50 miles, not the mere 20 miles, and at higher speeds. If you are starting at base zero, it takes awhile to get your fitness level up there and for some people, they will always prefer their hybrid, but for others, they progress from the hybrid to the road bike when they really want to pedal more miles and are capable of doing so.

Darcy

Hi Darcy!

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Originally posted by Darcy: My LBS told me that the 20 miles I pedal on my Trek Navigator 300 is equivalent to pedaling 40-50 miles on a road bike.

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I can't believe this would be true. I have a hybrid as well..... When I ride 20 miles on my Gary Fisher Nirvana --- that's exactly what it is -- "20 miles". It's not equivalent to 40 or 50 miles -- it's equivalent to 20 miles!

I wonder why your lbs said that pedaling 20 miles on your Trek Navigator is equivalent to pedaling 40 - 50 miles, if you were on a road bike????

Does this sound right to anyone?

Denise

Would it be because you're pedalling harder?

It does sound extreme.

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Originally Posted by Denise223

Hi Darcy!



I can't believe this would be true. I have a hybrid as well..... When I ride 20 miles on my Gary Fisher Nirvana --- that's exactly what it is -- "20 miles". It's not equivalent to 40 or 50 miles -- it's equivalent to 20 miles!

I wonder why your lbs said that pedaling 20 miles on your Trek Navigator is equivalent to pedaling 40 - 50 miles, if you were on a road bike????

Does this sound right to anyone?

Denise

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Well, as a former Navigator owner, I'd say yes. It was a beast to pedal on the roads (and hills!) compared to my Jamis Quest. It has a fork also. I think I would classify it more as a comfort bike. I'm not sure how it compares to the Gary Fisher Nirvana. (When I first got it, it was heaven compared to Wal Mart bikes, though). And my Navigator got me started...

I sold it for a Trek 7.2fx which was lighter with no fork. It was more like a road bike than the Navigator, but definately a hybrid, and it works equally on roads or rail trails. I heartily recommend it. It's known as a "fitness" bike and now it's my commuter. You know what they say, you'll be wanting that great mountain or road bike when you decide what type of riding you will do, (because you will love riding and stick with it!) but I don't regret the 7.2fx purchase. I think it's a terrific bike to get started on and it starts in the low $400.

Okay, okay, before everyone starts cracking jokes about my bike not having a fork, I meant to say suspension fork.:o

My hybrid (Kona Dew) was a great purchase. $400, very user friendly, sturdy, willing, good (not great, but darn good) components. Very nice geometry. I can go fast on the road or slow in the dirt and commuting is very good with it. I even did a triathlon with it!

As I got into longer rides I knew I needed to get back onto a steel road bike, which I've done.

But I certainly have no regrets about my Kona Dew! My son will ride it until he outgrows it, then I'll take it back and use it as my commuter/wet weather/loaner bike again.

http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_ca...6&parentid=253

How much do you want to invest? This is my dream bike... right now I have an Xtracycle on a hybrid (Giant Nutra), and when I got it last February, suddenly I simply didn't have to drive, for weeks at a time. It just does everything - I've carried bookcases and crock pots and groceries and all kinds of stuff. It also announces "hey! there *is* a FUN alternative to polluting-commuting!" and four more of them have sprouted in my neighborhood since I got mine. It handles extra weight peachily, though I got a new back wheel with 36 spokes because I needed a new wheel anyway (the bike already had 17,000 miles on it); from the discussion groups, the frame holds up but with a heavy cargo load a light wheel would "taco."

Many of the "comfort" bikes are made to be comfortable for short rides... and they're honestly a lot harder to push around. Yes, the effort to push one 20 miles could push a racing bike twice as far. (I love switching from the Xtra to my Trek 7500FX... FLYING!!!) Many hybrids are a really good compromise between comfort and efficiency.

http://www.xtracycle.com/images/images_big/breezer.jpg

I have been considering turning the Kona into a Kona Xtra someday.

Welcome to TE. :) You have received some wonderful advice. I wish I was as tall as you. I suppose it is too late for me to have a growth spurt. :p
Enjoy bike shopping, it is a lot of fun and addicting. Happy Belated Birthday!

Happy birthday and GOOD for you! You seem to have the perfect setup to start bike-commuting--manageable distance, plus lockers, showers, rack at work--what else could you ask for? Oh yeah, a bike.

As someone who did NOT start out on a hybrid, I'd suggest seeing if you can find a touring bike to start on. Touring bikes are road bikes, not hybrids, but they generally offer greater durability and comfort than road bikes that are built more for speed. The glitch is that most bike manufacturers offer lots of fast bikes and hybrid bikes and mountain bikes, but usually only one or two touring models, if that. So this will take a little research, but I think will be worth it in the long run. A good tourer will take you through your commute on the weekdays, into fitness rides on the weekends, and even into beginning club rides.

Do some reading, research, and educate yourself so you can shop wisely. Make sure you go to a shop that will spend some time fitting you properly.

And definitely post back and let us know what you get and how you're doing. Welcome aboard!

Ive been meaning to ask the ladies of the forum this very same question myself, so I can only offer advice of the don't-do-what-I-did variety. I am not quite as tall as you are and am a bit heavier, and had experienced a problem with spokes breaking on my DiamondBack hybrid once I began consistently riding more than 75 miles per week. I'm guessing that means a road bike would be out of the question- in my case anyway. The first repair shop assured me that my weight was not an issue since it was a hybrid bike, and hybrid bikes are supposedly designed to withstand tremendous forces. Perhaps they were being diplomatic. The second time it happened, I limped back to a bike shop quite luckily located near the trail I was riding and was told that I needed a much more sturdy wheel, and they produced a nice hand built, double walled mountain bike wheel and popped that sucker on right then and there. I've ridden 500 miles on it with nary a problem. So definitely spend a little extra making sure your back wheel is nice and sturdy.

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Originally Posted by uforgot

Okay, okay, before everyone starts cracking jokes about my bike not having a fork, I meant to say suspension fork.:o

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As I was reading I was trying to visualize what a bike would look like without a fork and thought "Whoaaaaa pretty amazing, I've got to surf, find and take a look at one of these contraptions" :D Thanks for the clarification - saved much web time :p

I have a Trek 4500 WSD mountain bike. I really love my bike, and it fits me well and it gets the job done.

One thing though...It developed a click in the bottom bracket. Every time my right foot went over the top, a couple of clicks. I took it to the LBS and he took it apart. He said there was 2-3 tablespoons of water in my bottom bracket.

WHa...??

He said, "This bike's been left out in the rain a lot."

Uh. No.

We did get caught in a rainstorm when the bikes were on the rack, though. So kept the bike and he did something to the bottom bracket and I couldn't hear the click anymore and I took the bike to New Mexico.

About halfway down La Bajada Hill (the old one, not the one on the freeway), here comes the click again. :P

Here's the confession:

I think I'm too heavy for my bike. I weigh about 195. I think the increased pressure of my weight hitting rocks hard and bouncing over basalt is straining the bottom bracket and knocking it out of whack.

Now I can't really blame Trek for not making a mountain bike (a WSD bike, mind you) to handle a 195 lb. 44-year-old woman cranking around ancient petroglyphs. Heck, most people don't believe I even CAN do that. But I wish I had taken into consideration my weight versus my bike.

I hope you do, too.

Karen

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

I have been considering turning the Kona into a Kona Xtra someday.

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I'd like to do the same to my Sirrus. Someday I'll be able to afford a road bike, and then the pavement bike can become the SuperSirrus.

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Originally Posted by Denise223

Hi Darcy!



I can't believe this would be true. I have a hybrid as well..... When I ride 20 miles on my Gary Fisher Nirvana --- that's exactly what it is -- "20 miles". It's not equivalent to 40 or 50 miles -- it's equivalent to 20 miles!

I wonder why your lbs said that pedaling 20 miles on your Trek Navigator is equivalent to pedaling 40 - 50 miles, if you were on a road bike????

Does this sound right to anyone?

Denise

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Hi Denise, it is like what others said. My Navigator is real heavy, and the tires are wide. Not only that, I have mud guards on it, a back rack and a pack. It was a good bike on which to start, and I put 1300 miles on the bike this summer. However, it is time for me to move on up and this week the bike shop is selling me a Pilot 5.2 WSD in pearl pink. It is quite fatiguing for me to pedal the Navigator over 20 miles, and I am having to adapt my diet to it, which is causing me some difficulties. I think the comfort hybrid bikes are a good starting bike for a lot of females; it made me love biking as much as I did when I was younger. I believe the LBS when they told me that pedaling the Navigator 20 miles is equivalent to pedaling a road bike 40-50 miles, because I really acquired a lot of muscle density this summer and I went down two clothing sizes. Didn't lose much weight though.

Darcy

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Originally Posted by eclectic

As I was reading I was trying to visualize what a bike would look like without a fork and thought "Whoaaaaa pretty amazing, I've got to surf, find and take a look at one of these contraptions" :D Thanks for the clarification - saved much web time :p

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Yeah, yeah, I knew I wouldn't get away with that one...

Hiya,

I'm the same weight and several inches shorter than you (5'5), been riding a Trek hybrid for years. I regularly go on 40ish mile rides these days. I did start breaking rear spokes this year, partly due to the crappiness of my wheels, partly due to my weight. So I got a higher end rear wheel, and have had no more spoke problems.

For commuting and relatively short rides (under 40 miles), I think a hybrid is the way to go. Mine has been very, very good to me! I have back problems as well as carpal tunnel that makes my hands hurt, so I like the upright position. I'm going to buy a road bike in the spring, and am interested to see if I can tolerate a more hunched-over position.

Have fun!

-Amy

As I was reading I was trying to visualize what a bike would look like without a fork and thought "Whoaaaaa pretty amazing, I've got to surf, find and take a look at one of these contraptions" Thanks for the clarification - saved much web time
_____

It's called a unicylce -- not a good starter bike!!!

Welcome to cycling - how about an update? _____________

Lauren...a unicycle is missing a lot of things, but a fork isn't one of them!

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Originally Posted by DarcyInOregon

I agree with everyone who suggests starting with the hybrid bike. That is what I did. I want to mention some additional benefits and that is you will build muscle density faster on a hybrid because it is heavier than a road bike. My LBS told me that the 20 miles I pedal on my Trek Navigator 300 is equivalent to pedaling 40-50 miles on a road bike.


Darcy

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This seems to be a bit extreme to me as well. My Raleigh c700 is an aluminum hybrid and although i can't sustain high speeds as well or climb quite as fast while riding it, i wouldn't say that i was working more than 2x as hard while riding it. Maybe 20% more; so 50 miles on the road bike would be equivalent to 40 on the hybrid. And that might even be a stretch!

Hmmmm- when I rode my unicycle I always thought I was riding over the back wheel rather than the front one! :D

But I guess you're right - just hope the new rider who started this thread got off to a good start.

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Originally Posted by mimitabby

This seems to be a bit extreme to me as well. My Raleigh c700 is an aluminum hybrid and although i can't sustain high speeds as well or climb quite as fast while riding it, i wouldn't say that i was working more than 2x as hard while riding it. Maybe 20% more; so 50 miles on the road bike would be equivalent to 40 on the hybrid. And that might even be a stretch!

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Here is a photo of the Trek Navigator that I had. I looked at the Raleigh c700 on the Raleigh website and it isn't even close to the beast that the Navigator is. I now have a Trek 7.2fx which is very similar in style to your Raleigh, and Trek calls it a "fitness" bike. Let me tell you, that Navigator was a ton heavier, had huge tires and that big suspension fork made it even less hill friendly. I couldn't believe the difference between the fx and the Navigator. I really think the Navigator should be classified as a comfort bike. This year's model even has that weird step through design that has become so popular on the Electra bikes. I also have a Jamis road bike, and I'm gonna go on record as believing the stats the lbs gave her. I've been there and ridden them. If I were to give advice on someone just starting, I'd say get the Navigator type if you are just riding around town, riding trails, stopping at a store, etc, and get the Raleigh c700 or Trex 7.2fx if you want to ride more than 20 miles on the road and then do some rails to trails.

Seems that each company's definition of hybrid varies considerably!

Check out Spokes, Etc. right there in downtown Vienna. I've found them incredibly helpful. I too am a fairly new rider (about a year and a half) and also tall and heavy. I bought a road bike from the get-go because I knew I wanted to ride long distance and started training for a century from the very first day I bought it. That's not to say a road bike is best for you. I don't know enough about the different kinds of bikes to give you any advice there.

I will, however, echo what some others have said -- I, too, kept breaking spokes on my rear wheel. When I broke the third one in a 10-day period, I took it back to Spokes, Etc. and told them my problem. They, too, were kind enough not to tell me it was because I was too fat. They just said that bike (Specialized Sequoia) didn't come with very good wheels. They replaced my rear wheel with a sturdier one, and I haven't had a single problem since. (Now, watch, I'll break a spoke on my next ride after saying that).

And, since you're in Vienna, you probably already know about the W&OD trail -- a wonderful, wonderful place to bike, regardless of if you have a hybrid, mountain or road bike. 45 miles of nice, smooth pavement for riding!

Hi, and welcome to the forum! (is that an echo???)
I too am fairly tall (5'9") and heavier than I'd like to be (about 192lbs when I (re-)started biking, about 10 less now). I started out on a "comfort bike", a Giant Se..something or other, Sedona? Sierra? Oneathose. Boy was she ever heavy! Just ask Trek420 who lifted her onto a car-top rack once! But for commuting around town and getting in shape initially, she did the job. And she was cheap. When I decided I could afford it, I traded her in and upgraded to a Trek "fitness bike". This is still a hybrid, but muuuuuch lighter weight and with a somewhat more forward-leaning sitting position (i.e. slightly more aerodynamic). Between those two, I also have an older Trek 7000 (steel hybrid) but didn't have it with me last year when I did all that biking. The 7000 is now my bad-weather bike (or will be when I get a decent saddle on it). The new faster, lighter, sleeker 7.6 will be for long rides (wheeeee :D) and good-weather commutes. I may even put studded tires on the 7000 and try winter commuting this year :eek: .

The most important thing with all these bikes was how they felt when I test rode them -- how they fit, whether I was comfortable with the gear range, whether I was comfortable with the seating angle. I can't crouch double like racers do, because I wear an ostomy bag. Sitting pretty much straight up is more comfortable and down leaves me less nervous about the bandage coming undone. And I'm lousy at hills, so I need some seriously low gears ... although a few high ones for speed on the flat road or a downhill are nice too.

Anyway, the conclusion is:
Look at hybrids. There's a whole range of them from "comfort" to nearly road bikes. Within that range, you just need to test ride them and find out what feels right. If it feels right you'll ride it, and that's what you're aiming for. :) Have fun!

Wow, I'm a similar weight and I've never broken a spoke. But I have a real hard time with the bike shops. I think they see an overweight woman, and they just don't want to help you or they have stereotypes about what kind of riding you're going to do.

I first rode a Bianchi Brava (loved it), but I got hit by a car and the bike frame was totaled. I now ride a Litespeed Capella and recently bought a comfort bike for commuting next spring.

My advice to you is to not worry about the brand but go in and try to find something you can ride comfortably to work as well as on weekends.

I'm taller, but I'm WAY HEAVIER (to the tune of 250 lbs these days) than that and haven't ever broken a spoke.... but my front wheel's needed truing a little more often than I like to admit.

I count myself lucky that the guys at the LBS where I bought my Sirrus were totally cool and made absolutely no judgements of me based on my appearance. I bought a hybrid that is on the "road" end of the spectrum, though she's a little bit heavy. 700 cc wheels have been fine once I learned that it really is crucial to check the pressure every few days. I use the Sirrus for exactly what it was made for - riding on the streets in town, commuting. It's a great bike.

Well we haven't heard a thing back from the new member who started this thread....I wonder if she ever got her bike?? I hope she found a good bike to "hold her goodies" as she put it! :o

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Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

Well we haven't heard a thing back from the new member who started this thread....I wonder if she ever got her bike?? I hope she found a good bike to "hold her goodies" as she put it! :o

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There are a few I wonder about. Remember Shasta? and mmelindas? melinda had some health problems and I wonder how that played out. Oh, and there was BamaKathy. All were really working hard to get fit. I wish they would come back and tell us how they are, and if they "fell off the wagon", come back and get some inspiration!

I am picking up cycling again, but this time I hope to build my miles up to a decent amount each week. My issue is that I have lost most of my flexibility due to age and 42 years w/type 1 diabetes and for that reason, i decided to buy a Marion San Rafael Ez Step. BUT, after two weeks with this bike, it is just not working. I was glad to read this thread as i have recently been looking at the trek 7.2 fx wsd. I feel this bike will allow me to enjoy more miles each week (than the San Rafael). Road bikes are not an option at this point. I am hoping that i can comfortably ride 30+ miles on the 7.2 fx in one ride, and ride 80 + miles a week. Any comments?? Thanks in advance! (I am 5'6" 180#)

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Originally Posted by NickiSue

I am picking up cycling again, but this time I hope to build my miles up to a decent amount each week. My issue is that I have lost most of my flexibility due to age and 42 years w/type 1 diabetes and for that reason, i decided to buy a Marion San Rafael Ez Step. BUT, after two weeks with this bike, it is just not working. I was glad to read this thread as i have recently been looking at the trek 7.2 fx wsd. I feel this bike will allow me to enjoy more miles each week (than the San Rafael). Road bikes are not an option at this point. I am hoping that i can comfortably ride 30+ miles on the 7.2 fx in one ride, and ride 80 + miles a week. Any comments?? Thanks in advance! (I am 5'6" 180#)

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There's also the Specialized Sirrus which you might want to test ride. It comes in WSD, too, which you may or may not need based on your proportions. I test rode one last year and was impressed:

http://www.buzzillions.com/reviews/m...sirrus-reviews

Test ride as many bikes as you can. The main thing is that you're comfortable. Once you get that figured out, you'll be able to meet those goals. I ride 100 miles per week, usually 20 miles at a time, and I still have rest days and time to do other things.

Flexibility can come back with a little effort, and people on this forum have made great progress managing diabetes with cycling, so you're making a good decision to give this a try.

You may also want to start your own thread, since this one is really old, and you're not really a big girl. ;)

I weigh 130 and recently broke a spoke in 1+ month old Easton wheels. Needless to say I sent them back!! Luckily they had a guarantee! Prior to this I had never broken a single one in almost 3 years riding.

Redrhodie, Thank you for your response. I will find out where i can see the sirrus and test ride. I did a quick 10 miles today on the san rafael and liked it a bit more, but there is just something that holds me back...from committing. I will start my own thread after i do a bit more homework. 100 miles a week, what a wonderful number! Someday i hope to share that number! Funny, I saw the date as october and neglected to notice the year! lol.