Quote Originally Posted by kat_h View Post
I'm 100kg (220lbs), so probably more than most riders (and their paniers.)
Hi Kat

When I first started riding at the end of October 2005 I was about 115kg
My first bike was an Avanti Black Thunder (mountain bike)
My first road bike was a Scorpio RA

When I first started racing in April 2006 I weighed 112kg.
I began racing on the Scorpio, but my partner had bought me a Giant TCR2 in March as the Scorpio frame was a tad big for me and I raced on that and passed the Scorpio onto my son.

In November 2006 I weighed about 108kg and my partner bought me a women's specific race bike - an EMC2 Femmetape road bike, which is my road race bike. My Giant TCR2 is now set up specifically as my time trial bike.

As of the start of this year I weigh 99kg, and hope to be down to 90kg by the end of the year (this will make it easier to get up hills).

I guess what I am trying to say is that most bikes will handle girls our size with no problem. Frames that have weight restrictions will say so. The others who have already responded are saying the same thing - your weight should pose no probs unless you decide for an uber-lightweight frame for racing - and you have already stated that you don't want to race (at this point ).

The only issue I have had problems with are wheels (a point Eden has already mentioned).
My partner bought me a beautiful set of Grammo Vipers for my birthday last year, but they have a weight limit of 90kg on them and my weight loss is soooo slow and steady (like the proverbial tortoise) that I still can't ride them However, he uses my Grammos in time trials and I use his tri-spokes, and all is sweet.

Enjoy your shopping - hunting for the right bike is so much fun.