A new bike...

get a cyclocross bike, bit tougher...

specialised tricross
kona jake

that sort of thing, and check if there is a weight limit.


In fact, your best bet would be to build your own/get one built for you. At 20 stone you'll need much stronger wheels than you'll usually get so that is a much better plan. Something like a Planet-X uncle john frameset with steel forks would be a good starting point.

fuzzynavel wrote:

Stick with the old mountain bike until you lose another 2-3 stones then you will have your pick of the bikes that you want. Training using a mountain bike is harder due to increased rolling resistance and weight so may be better for you in the long run.

you know how I hate to disagree with you fuzzy

but a heavier bike doesn't make it a better workout (unless you did the exact same route at the exact same speed). In my experience, heavier bikes just put more pressure on the knees. A heavier bike might be harder to get up a hill, but you could still get the same intensity of workout on a light bike, by simply riding faster.

otherwise the pro's would train with 30kg bikes and rucksacks filled with bricks.

If you put 300w(lets say) through the pedals, it doesn't matter what bike you're riding, you're still getting a 300w workout. It's just that one bike will go faster than the other.

The only way a heavier bike is "harder", is when going uphill, the minimum force required to get up a hill will be higher. So you can't hide on hills.

it doesn't mean we should all ride Steel bikes up mountains at 2 mph.... when we can just ride our normal bikes on the flat at 30mph.

oceanblue, I think flat bars would actually give you less room and less hand positions, things that you want as a beginner. I don't know why anyone rides a flat bar on the road. If you like the upright position, you can get that on a drop bar bike anyway by riding on the tops. Also a drop bar bike will spread your weight more evenly than a flat bar bike.

You could always get a track bike, add some strong wheels and a couple of brakes, that would be very strong (although it would be fixed or single speed).

Is there anything wrong with your current bike? It seems to have worked well, even when you were heavier. How about asking the wife to save that money until you really need to get another bike? As you mentioned, in the current financial climate, do you need to spend that money now, or could saving it (and possibly adding more) be better for the next year or so?

But if you were going to get a bike I think an urban bike might be best. Something you could add mudguards and possibly a rack to so that you can get out when it is wet or just to the shops to pick up a few things. And spend some money on getting the clothing etc to allow you to go out no matter how cold or wet it is.

meagain wrote:

"flat bars would actually give you less room and less hand positions,"

Not with bar ends they don't!

" I don't know why anyone rides a flat bar on the road."

More USEABLE hand positions - and invariably better braking.

" Also a drop bar bike will spread your weight more evenly than a flat bar bike."

Eh? What?

Bar ends add one extra hand position, you might as well get drop bars if you;re gonna do that.

more useable? nonsense, there is one or two hand positions. Drops give you 4 or 5. Brakes may be better, but that's a small point when compared with all the negatives imo.

A drop bar puts you further forward (when on hoods and drops), so will take some weight off the back wheel and put it on the front.

and lets not forget the "aerodynamics of a brick" that you get with a flat bar.

"Bar ends add one extra hand position, "

Two at least I reckon - so that's 4 in total. Cannot see how drops give MORE even including the DROP itself - which if one observes MOST riders are rearely if ever used anyway!

"Brakes may be better, but that's a small point" wishing to remain alive, I consider that the most important point - not "small"!

"A drop bar puts you further forward (when on hoods and drops), so will take some weight off the back wheel and put it on the front." and also on to your arms and neck - not ideal for everyone!

Seeing as MOST folk rarely use the drop, "aerodynamics" of little relevance in the real world of every-day cycling/cyclists. In two of the multitude of claimed positions the aerodynamics are identical to a comparably set up flat bar. Yes, before you tell me, flats wider - better controla nd better open lung breathing. Drops are an historical accident.

Obviously for racing they are in general better (and they LOOK better on some bikes), but that is not relevant for 99% of riders.

well done sir

I'm a stone behind you but determined to catch up fast!

Being doing a fair bit of reading and visiting LBS for getting a 1st road bike. got a bit less money than you for budget, but most have suggested to me something like Giant Defy 4 (shame i'm a month late for the better deals on the SCRs). you could probably go up to the 3 or 2.

They told me it's definitely going to handle my weight bar hitting big potholes and kerbs (but that'll damage bike even for the skinnies) and is one of the most comfortable road bikes so more forgiving of my current physical fitness than a lot of other bikes.

only issues are that parts will wear out faster cos of added weight on it and will need probably need to service it more regularly than a lighter rider.

not an expert though so please correct me if i'm wrong!

One vote? I'd got for a Planet-X Kaffenback. Robust enough to take some trail riding, enough space for mudguards to get you through the winter, choice of drops or flat bars (my preference would be for drops but I can see why you might prefer flat bars if that's what you're used to).