Fat and Unfit - How to Start Biking?

[TigerMom]

As long as REI has a certified fitter, I think that it is fine to get a bike from there. However, as far as I know, REI does not seem to have as knowledgeable of bike salesman as the local bike shop. Feel free to have the TE forum disagree with me.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[laura*]

Internal hub sounds good. I don't think I want too many gears as it seems confusing - the last bike I rode only had three!

Internal gears aren't necessarily a panacea. If something goes wrong, they'll be more expensive to repair. You also might not notice a problem until it turns into a major repair.

With a 3 speed internal hub, you'd also be at the mercy of the bike designer: The three gears might be hard, difficult, and impossible! If you get a bike with more speeds, then you can hang out in the easier gears if needed.

If you want simplicity, I'd recommend a bike with 8 (or 7, or 9) speeds: One chainring up front, and then multiple cogs in back.

As long as REI has a certified fitter, I think that it is fine to get a bike from there. However, as far as I know, REI does not seem to have as knowledgeable of bike salesman as the local bike shop. Feel free to have the TE forum disagree with me.

Elsewhere it has been suggested to not think of REI as a bike shop. Instead, it is a store that also happens to sell bikes. It might actually be a very good place for Jude to get a bike - most of their customers are probably casual riders.

[Irulan]

Elsewhere it has been suggested to not think of REI as a bike shop. Instead, it is a store that also happens to sell bikes. It might actually be a very good place for Jude to get a bike - most of their customers are probably casual riders.

Make sure you get someone from the bike department to help you. They do have shop guys there. You just don't want someone from kayaks who is filling in in the bike department.