jas0n said:What bike would you recommend for a 24 Stone 6'2 guy wanting to get back
into regular cycling. Im aiming at a total of 30 mile round trip to work
and back a couple times a week and a longer weekend ride once ive some
fitness back in my legs.My overall fitness level isnt all that bad with gym and swimming, will
probably take me 3/4 few weeks to get back to what I need to do the
commute ...Current bike ... Raleigh Hybrid large red thing with 8 gears. Bought
from H*lfrods.Major need, 'more gears' as the undulating route of 15 miles was tough
on me and I am useless on hills - I just didnt have enough easy gears -
I could do 20 miles of fairly flat no trouble but this undulating route
was a little too much.Other need, Strength as im currently 24 stone and so bike needs to carry
me and a puncture kit!I quite like the Raleigh Hybrid thing and if it had more gears id stick
with it as it held up to my weight no problem but I struggled way too
much with the hills with its limited gears.
Number of options without changing your bike.
Change the rear cassette for a wider range one. A Shimano Megarange one
might help as it has normal gears plus one extra low one.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/v2_product_detail.asp?ProdID=5300002620
Replace the front chainring with a smaller one to lower the overall gearing
Get the bike shop to fit a cheap triple chainset at the front so you end
up with the full 24 speed (probably about £50)
If the bike suits you in everything but the gears all of these are
cheaper and better options than a new bike.
Tony