too fat to bicycle? 300 lbs?!

[Fredwina]

I've also been plus 300 too.
keep on trying something (adjust the handlebars, buy a 'bent)
And remeber, you're on a journey of a thousand miles, and you've taken you first step

[calico]

Wow, I am really impressed with the wonderful, supportive, and knowledgeable answers! Thank you all.

My Nishiki has more of a mountain-bike type frame and straight-across handlebars. The only change is that I did replace the big nubbly tires with smoother road tires. I wouldn't mind putting some money into upgrading it, if we can find a workable solution. Maybe I will print out a picture of ClockworkOrange's bike and show it to them. I am such a n00b when it comes to this! haha

I am intrigued by recumbents, but I cannot find a single bike shop in my area which stocks them. At one point I was calling bike shops in other counties with no luck. Shops are happy to special order one if I pay a non-refundable deposit, but nobody had one I could try. I wouldn't know how to tell if it fits me, and it's hard for me to risk $1000+ on something that will just make me hurt in a different body part. Any ideas? I'm willing to even drive a few hours (Delaware? Philly? Baltimore?), if I found a good shop with several recumbents in stock.

[ny biker]

Can you tell us where you live? We might be able to direct you to a good shop or two.

[Fredwina]

There's mt airy outside of baltimore: http://www.bike123.com/
and jerset bents http://www.jerseybents.com/
You may can to ask around to see if anyone has one you can test ride before making the leap.
a couple of more sites
I have a Bacchetta (http://www.bacchettabikes.com/dealers/locations.asp) ,and MomOnBike has a Sun (if I remember correctly)
http://www.sunbicycles.com/sun/index.html
another popular brand of 'bents is Rans http://www.ransbikes.com/default.htm
Change the stem would be much cheaper

[Becky]

I am intrigued by recumbents, but I cannot find a single bike shop in my area which stocks them. At one point I was calling bike shops in other counties with no luck. Shops are happy to special order one if I pay a non-refundable deposit, but nobody had one I could try. I wouldn't know how to tell if it fits me, and it's hard for me to risk $1000+ on something that will just make me hurt in a different body part. Any ideas? I'm willing to even drive a few hours (Delaware? Philly? Baltimore?), if I found a good shop with several recumbents in stock.

What about Seaford Cycling and Fitness in Seaford, Delaware? http://www.bikesnbents.com/products.html

I know absolutely nothing about this shop except that they're one of the few in this area that has recumbents listed on their website. Might be worth a phone call to see what they have in stock..... Also, no sales tax here in Delaware

[LeakyDuck]

calico I second MonOnBike's recommendation for a recumbent. Two years ago I was 250+, suffering from high blood pressure and have a lot of ballance problems. I bought my self a nice mixte and started riding again. After falling off the bike 3 times in 3 weeks I decided that any benefit that I was getting from riding the bike would soon be offset by a trip to the doctor. I tried a recumbent and it was love. My husband and I have gone thru several since. For starters I would recommend a Short Wheel Base with a 20" front wheel. You want the SWB because it is easier to ride in traffic and a small front wheel will allow you to put your feet down easier when you stop. I am down to 199 and meds have decreased. I can now ride a standard bike again if I am careful when stopping (as that was where I kept falling over). I love my "Bents" but the mixte will fit on the front of the bus when I need to travel that way.

BUY A BIKE AND RIDE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cataboo]

These are the wheels that I just got for my surly:

http://cgi.ebay.com/09-Shimano-XT-36...742.m153.l1262

They're 36 holes on an XT hub, so they should be bombproof. I'm hoping.

[lauraelmore1033]

2 guage spokes? Mine are 4, so I'm guessing the smaller number means thicker. Boy, those do look to be bombproof!

[Cataboo]

I don't know, according to Sheldon brown, 2.0 gauge should be 2 mm spokes - so yours should be 4 mm spokes and thicker:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_g.html


Are yours bladed though?

[lauraelmore1033]

ok. I guess they looked much thicker than mine in the picture. Almost like pencils.

[Fontinalis]

I went from 335 to 260, within just a little over a year, and I'm in an area where you can only bike about 6 months out of the year (the rest of the year, I do laps in a public pool). I have a commuter's bike, dutch style, with an upright sitting position. NO pain on the wrists, shoulders, or back. Or anywhere else for that matter. It has 7 speeds. You know, when you shop for a bike, you are actually shopping for a bike shop. Because you need good people who know their stuff, and who will do everything in their power to outfit your with a ride that is perfect FOR YOU. If your 300 lbs call for beefier tires, they'll advise you on it. I do believe that if you can't find a decent bike shop around your area, it is worth travelling to one. I do all my errands by bike. And I commute to work every day when weather permits. I am having a blast! This is just pure sheer FUN FUN FUN! And the pounds are dropping faster then I can keep track. I wish there was more 'heavy' bikers out there, that we would have a 'critical mass' (no pun intended). When there will be all kinds of bikers on the paths - young, old, big, small, tall, short, etc. - it will have a huge impact, everybody will feel that it is possible for them too. Hang in there, and don't get discourage. It calls for perseverance and courage. But there is such a huge reward, if only the pure joy of riding!