Originally posted by mjw_byrne
Don't let any of the comments get to you; no-one means them in a nasty way, but there is no point beating around the bush either, and 239lbs is simply a rather high weight in cycling terms, so you do have to exercise a little caution when buying a bike.
What sort of terrain will you ride on? You could go for a road bike but, as some have commented, your weight might be an issue. A hybrid will have a comfier riding position, probably tougher wheels, fatter tyres (hence more comfy and less puncture-prone - another factor to bear in mind for heavier riders) and better brakes than a road bike. A mountain bike will be tougher still, but if you just intend to ride on roads, that may be overkill.