Good for you for sticking with it and asking your questions outright.

Disclaimer: I am a pretty lightweight rider so I don't know much about wheel strength and the like. But my bet is that unless you're really above 300 lbs (I can't remember from the other thread) it's not going to be super big concern. Maybe you'll have to get your wheels trued more often than the average Joe. But you might also lose a bit of weight sooner than later if you stick to that bike. And if it's a problem then you can deal with it when it arises.

I have had a Trek 7.1 fx and now have a Trek 7.2 fx. (Well, still have the 7.1 but it needs to be scrapped because the frame was bent in an accident.) I love both.

I have ridden an Electra bike on my wedding day, it was the bride's limousine. (The groom had his own limousine, a Norco beach cruiser very similar to the Electra.) I drool all over them when I see them. But I would not buy one. While they are gorgeous and fun to ride, they really belong to the boardwalk by the beach, and their weight makes it a big (discouraging) challenge to go up hills. (There I was, a pretty fit cyclist, in my wedding dress on this lovely Electra, trying to go up a 2% incline for only 100 meters, and thinking: how will it look in the pictures if I have to get off the bike and push it up the "hill"? I made it up, thankfully!)

Sure an Electra bike would get you started for a little bit, but I think it would be quite limiting in a number of ways. A hybrid of the style of the 7.2 will work well for a number of different functions (commuting to work, errands, fun rides, even long rides up to 3-4 hours long). I have a lightweight road bike but I use my 7.2 a lot.

Don't worry about how "small" it looks. There's plenty of bike in there for you.

Of course you should check out other bikes. And don't be afraid of trying the non-WSD bikes, too. My two Treks have been of the regular type. Unless you plan to go on trails in the woods, I'm sure a hybrid bike (with slimmer, light-threaded tires) will be great for you.

Keep us posted! I can't wait to hear more about your cycling adventures!