any atot bicycle aficionados?

[nageov3t]

fat guy on a little bike... was that a chris farley sketch?

anyways, I've been trying to lose weight and I've been doing pretty good with the whole not eating shitty food thing, but lack of exercise has always really killed me. seems like for the past 4 years, I've either worked too much, worked hours that were too odd, or just had too long of a commute to devote any serious, regular time to getting exercise.

with that in mind as I've been looking for a new place to live (my current commute is a hellish 50 miles each way during rush hour), I put in an application yesterday on an apartment that's 3 miles away from work. I'm thinking I could start riding my bike to/from work, at least as long as the weather holds up.

but I don't really know where to begin when looking for a bike. I need something pretty durable for daily commuting but solid enough to hold 250 lbs without a problem, at least till I lose more weight (already down about 75 pounds from where I was when I graduated college)... I went browsing through a local bike shop, but it seemed like all they had were really light, aluminum bikes designed for racing. not that I wouldn't be going fast, but it's not exactly my top concern, and those road bikes make my back hurt just looking at them. lol.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I would suggest a mountain bike with slick tires(to replace the big fat knobby tires). An angled handle bar stem will help keep you seated upright on the bike to make it more comfortable. Check in again with your local bike shop, they've most likely fitted someone in your same situation.

 

[KMc]

Well, different shops will have different specialties, so you might want to try another shop in town. Doesn't sound like you are going to be out dirt riding, so a true mountain bike might not be right for you either. There are a lot of different "hybrid" type bikes on the market that offer more comfortable upright riding styles with lighter weight, more efficient frames/components for primarily road riding.

Examples:
Trek FX or 7000 series hybrids
Specialized Sirrus, etc.

Just about every major brand offers something of this type.

 

[imported_Imp]

Just bought my first bike a month ago (having a blast and it's blasting my wallet). Anyways, from the sounds of it, you want a comfort, hybrid or basic mountain. Not sure what your budget it, but check out the Trek Navigator 50 or others in that series. Think they're comforts, and are very reasonably priced (start at ~$200). That or go to Canadian Tire (US equivalent is...Costco/Wal-mart). However, I strongly suggest you go to a bike shop if you aren't that bike saavy. The guy in the shop where I got mine managed to size me up by just looking at me; had to "special" build/order a 15" frame for my short ass. Getting the right size real matters, especially for comfort and confidence.

If the store's you're at are only selling aluminum road bikes, go somewhere else.

 

[Johnlee]

Only old school BMX here.

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: Johnlee
Only old school BMX here.

Not to thread jack, but what is with the popularity of BMX-race bikes nowadays? There are a lot of people in my town who ride BMX bikes on the road with the handle bars 4 feet up. I understand kids/teens having fun on them (I know I would), but there are 30/40 year olds are commuting with them...

 

[senseamp]

If it's only 3 miles, I'd get a mountain bike. It's more resistance, which is better for weight loss, plus it's more comfy and sturdy and you can experiment with mountain biking too. Also, bike home for lunch too, to double up the exercise.
I was in your position. I started biking when I weighted 285, and went down to 235. It was mountain bike Specialized HardRock. I liked it. I did put slick tires on it at one point, but then put the knobbies back on because they didn't really bother me, and I like to go off road on weekends. Recently, my office relocated 9 miles away from my home, so I bought a road bike since my MTB is getting long in the tooth, but within 5 mile radius, I'd stick with MTB.

 

[Johnlee]

I don't know about COMMUTING on a bmx but sense has a good idea. Riding back home for lunch. What a great way to lose weight. Good luck bro.

 

[spacejamz]

i have always wondered about the people who bike to work...I assume you bring another set of clothes and 'freshen' up when you get to work, but during the hot summer months, is that enough?

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: Johnlee
I don't know about COMMUTING on a bmx but sense has a good idea. Riding back home for lunch. What a great way to lose weight. Good luck bro.

The downfall to that is that even a 3 mile bike ride can tear up a sizable portion of a lunch break... and depending on the weather might get him all stinky.

Maybe a short ride to a park with a packed lunch would be more relaxing?

My advice to the OP: Go to a bike shop and buy a bike. DO NOT go to a sporting goods store or a department store. A bike can slowly do some damage to you if they are not properly adjusted or set up for the conditions you will use it for... and are often poorly assembled.

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: spacejamz
i have always wondered about the people who bike to work...I assume you bring another set of clothes and 'freshen' up when you get to work, but during the hot summer months, is that enough?

yeah, my plan was to just bring a second set of cloths... but rumor has it, one of the powers that be wants to convert the first floor ladies room into a shower, on account of the fact that we've only got 1 female that works in this entire building.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I bought an older iron horse of e-bay 2 years ago to ride back and forth to work for about $100. My buddy just bought a Jamis about two months ago for $150 off craigslist and we have started doing some real mountain biking. Had my first good wreck today on a steep rooty/rocky downhill section. Was going to fast for my skill level and went over the bars and knocked my breath out pretty good. My ribs, knee, and wrist hurts so I'm starting to feel like a real rider . Anyway look on craigslist for a decent used one. You can do alot more with $200 that way.

 

[imported_Imp]

Oh right, another huge advantage of going to a mom & pop is tune ups. The place where I got mine has free tune ups for the first year and 1 free one after that. Especially good if you have no idea what to check for (like me)... And now is a good time since the biking season is kinda ending, unless you live in the south...