Help urgently needed!

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Hello everyone!

My name's Fin, I'm from Belfast and I'm here first and foremost to ask for advice and guidance. I'm a very big lad who needs to get fit, and I've decided that buying a bike would be the best way forward. However, I've looked everywhere for information and not found what I need to know, so that's why I've decided to sign up here.

It would appear that my best course of action would be to purchase a hybrid/urban bike. I thought I needed a bike with a strong frame to carry my weight (300+ lbs) and thick tyres, because whenever I got on a bike the tyres would go flat to the floor! However, having visited one or two bike shops so far, it seems also that the number and quality of spokes on the wheel is also important.

I'm kinda worried that if I go to one of the big bike shops such as H**f**ds I'll not get the sort of informed help that I need to buy the right bike, but conversely, the attitude in the specialist shops I've visited seemed a little stand-offish.

So there we are. I'd be very grateful for any help that anyone here can provide. Thanks in anticipation

Fin
 
Hello and welcome.

Depends on what you plan to do with it really. Commute? Ride trails? Cover serious road miles? Tour? More info please.
 
OP
OP
Heavy Traffic

Heavy Traffic

Member
Hello, thanks for messaging. I just want to get fit at first, lots of pounds to shed, so I reckon I'll just be doing a lot of park riding, street riding, a few miles there and back just to get started for now, nothing too serious.
 

Maylian

Veteran
Location
Bristol
When I started cycling again I got a good quality second hand hybrid bike. I weighed in at about 23 stone so similar to you maybe and I had no issue with the standard wheels it came with. I don't think it's going to be a massive issue with just cycling around a park and normal streets at first and you should find that at the beginning the weight will come off quickly.

I'm sure others may have more detailed suggestions but I would think standard wheels on most bikes should be reasonable enough. I would suggest a hybrid bike to start out with myself since its good at doing all the things you're suggesting doing and will still be good when your fitness increases and you do even more.
 
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Maylian
That's good to know, thanks very much! I'm hoping to get started soon because walking is just so boring!!
 

Raging Squirrel

Well-Known Member
Location
North West
hiya mate

I'm 25 stone and I've just got a Boardman Hybrid Comp. The limits on most bikes are 120kg plus baggage, but the overall weight limit is 160kg. According to Cycling Plus magazine, any Giant bikes will take excess weight and do not have a limit. The tyres on my Boardman have been fine, the spokes are all solid and the wheels are buckle free.
 
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Squirrel
I was looking at Boardmans while I was doing my research; if thats doing the job for you, that's good to know. I'm grateful for your input, thanks very much!
 
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Will do!
 

Tiberius Baltar

Active Member
Location
Liverpool
Welcome to the forum. You will find lots of friendly and helpful people on here (plus a few divs who will try and wind you up)

Im on the large side myself mate (rugby playing taxi driver) and to be honest as long as you size the frame up properly and treat the bike with respect (no on and off kerbs all day long) then you will be fine. I would avoid Halfords because I have found that the selection of frame sizes seems to be limited and if I had listened to the fella working there then I would be riding around on a frame that was way too small for me.
If you wanna take the strain off the back tyre you can always opt for a seat post with suspension in it (lots about). I would stay away from suspension for the moment though because you dont want to be bobbing down the road like a nodding dog!

Most importantly get the bike get out and get those pounds flying off you (your thighs are gonna burn like hell but they will be HUGE in two months)! :welcome:
 
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Magic, Tiberius!
I appreciate you taking the time to pass on your info. I'm gonna put this all together before I make a decision. I don't want to buy a cheap bike that will let me down, which is why I was already thinking about avoiding the big chain stores (forgive the pun!) However, a lot of suppliers here in N Ireland seem to carry only a limited range or even just one brand, a bit like the way music shops are going!

Looking forward to getting the weight off but I don't want thighs like that German bloke Forstemann!!!!
Cheers
 

Tiberius Baltar

Active Member
Location
Liverpool
What you may be best doing is sizing yourself up in your local bike shop to get some decent advice and then try your local ads to see whats about used wise but if push comes to shove you could start on a cheap second hand solid framed mountain bike or hybrid and pay your local dealer weekly for a shiny new expensive christmas present which you will be svelt enough to look after and enjoy as a reward for your inevitable weight loss and fitness boost!

Cycling is a personal lifestyle choice. Whether you want to dress like a power ranger and eat miles like sweets or you want to scream down a muddy forest track and defy death and broken bones or you want to travel and see the world and meet people its up to you.

Just make sure when your on your bike its fun and your smiling. :thumbsup:
 

summerdays

Cycling in the sun
Location
Bristol
I meant the CRC stores since he is in Belfast. (Well I'm assuming he is in Belfast - or the one at Doagh if outside Belfast). It is far better to buy from a shop especially when you can take it back for a free six-week check normally and as you say you can try the bike to see how it feels.
 
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