Need Advice on Tough Hybrid Bike

Darwa

Please help me scale the astoundingly complex mountain of choosing a bicycle.

Basically, I want to to get fitter and the only exercise that takes my fancy is riding a bicycle.

I'm 5'9" with a 29" leg, and (here's the problem) I weigh 22.5 stone (143kg). Now, please don't imagine that I'm build like a beach ball. I used to enter strongman competitions, and my chest is still 6 inches larger than my waist. Relaxed muscle, they call it

Anyway, I'm looking to spend as little as possible on a hybrid bicycle in case I simply don't 'get on' with it. I say hybrid as it'll be mostly used on roads, with a little light off-road to fit in with my hobby of wildlife photography. If I find cycling as much fun as I did in my youth, then I'll be willing to pay out more.

It doesn't matter if the bike is new or second hand, but it does need to be predominantly black and deliverable.

If you're unfamiliar with any specific models that would suit me, please tell me what to look for. I've been told double rims, steel frame, and 700c wheels, but that's about it. Asking local (Cambridge) dealers for help has proven confusing as they gave conflicting advice. One suggested the Rockrider 5.0 from Decathlon, but that seems a bit 'too' cheap if you know what I mean.

jonny_trousers

Sounds like you should maybe look at a cyclocross bike given your weight and cycling desires. That way when you finally realise you want to be a proper roadie, as we all ultimately do, you still have a great do-it-all bike in reserve. A secondhand Specialized?

Monty Dog

For your initial needs, strength and durability is key and suggest you're looking at something to only last 12-18 months - expect the bike to take a fair beating as you develop your fitness, particularly the wheels. I would stick to a rigid frame and forks if you're mainly riding on the road. Upgrading your wheels to a stronger, lighter pair would be my key tip. As you develop your fitness and hopefully as your weight comes down, then you can carefully select a bike more suited to your longer-term needs.

MichaelW

Most midrange, major-brand frames are strong enough; steel, aluminium, they can all cope with your weight. The weak point is always in the wheels.
You need a tough, touring-grade 36 spoke wheel. Standard 32 spoke wheels are marginal for a big fella and any fancy spoke pattern to be avoided. Touring wheels benefit from high-end spokes with a fat section (butted) at the spoke hole. Plain spokes will still work so dont fret the issue but nothing less than 36 will do.
Double walled rims may help but any tough, hybrid rim in a box section will do. Cheaper ones often have more metal and are stronger.
Suspension is a moot point. Most hybrids have sus forks, they are hard to avoid. Low end ones are not all that good but seem to work. The main advantage for you would be that they protect the bike and wheels from heavy impact should you hit a bump hard. You really don't need suspension for "comfort" on Cambridgeshire lanes and trails.
Wider tyres would be useful, at least 38mm, to provide some impact protection. This is pretty much the std width for hybrid tyres.

Get the right size bike. If buying used ensure that there is no crash damage (usually a wrinkled paintwork section at the front of the top tube), that the transmission has plenty of life (no sharks, fin teeth) and get a bike that was reasonably good/midrange when new. Expect to spend a bit on new chain/tyres/cables.

A bike is useful for errands, shopping etc so will pay for itself in un-used car miles or bus tickets.

notnot

I was lighter (and weedier ) than you at the time, but I used an old hand touring bike when I was getting started with cycling. I got a 2nd hand steel raleigh, which is heavy but comfortable and sturdy on the roads (manages fine on decent trails, though you'd want something chunkier for 'proper' off road riding). Something like this could be a good cheap option - I had plenty of change from £100 - while you're getting fit and getting back into cycling? Some of the 'negatives' with this type of bike - e.g. a heavy steel frame - could actually be useful for you in giving you a nice tough bike.

MichaelW wrote:

A bike is useful for errands, shopping etc so will pay for itself in un-used car miles or bus tickets.

Indeed - I've held onto my Raleigh mainly for use going to the supermarket and back. Saves me a fortune in buses/delivery charges!

Darwa

Thank you very much for all your wonderful replies. I'll admit that I was nervous about asking for help, but you guys have been great and made me feel very welcome. Thank you.

What I'm leaning towards is buying either the Rockrider 5.0 http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-50-mens-id_8202062.html or the Riverside 1 http://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-1-mens-id_8202744.html and maybe putting on some stronger wheels. Navigating the second hand market is completely baffling me. If this bike (or my enthusiasm) lasts a couple of months, then I'll happily pay out for something better.

At my level, would I really notice the difference between 26" and 28" wheels? I understand the science behind it, but wouldn't mind a practical opinion.