Polliwog, I am SO glad to have found your post! And so many others in the same boat!! I bought my bike last year, most I have EVER spent on a bike! But it was definately worth it. My big thing was comfort, because if you aren't comfortable, you aren't going to ride it. I love it! I too need to lose about 100lbs, and I think it is great that there are others here to share their experiences, good and bad with!