nightofjoycafe wrote: ↑30 Jul 2023, 5:38pm
Well you sound like you're coming at it from a good place.
Just try not to have a fixed idea of what a bike should be.
Consider your first one as a gateway bike, don't spend a fortune, nothing too flash, and all easily replaceable bits.
Personally, whatever you go for, I'd pay a bit extra and get puncture resistant tyres & tubes fitted.
First puncture you get can really knock the wind out of your sails, so lets do everything possible to prevent that. Solid, sponge type tyres made a brief comeback in the 90s, but i think they died off again. Could be worth looking into.
Also consider getting some of the co2 sealant cans. Then if you do get a flat, you just stick the can adapter over the tube's valve and it inflates it and fills the hole to get you home.
Easy - easy - easy - that's what you want this experience to be.
You're absolutely right that I want it to be easy, so I appreciate the tip on tyres.
After my last post, I weighed myself for the first time in a few months. I was shocked and it's upset me that I've somehow put on so much since I last weighed myself. I'm about 21st now. I had reached 19 but knew I'd put at least some on, but to see 21 on the scales is a shock.
I know how to lose it, I don't need advice on that and I'll start again tomorrow morning with my walking. I have been walking between 8 and 9 miles around 3 or 4 times a week, with shorter walks while doing other stuff on the other days. My eating has got worse recently but I'm working on that. I do actually feel fitter than I ever have before, and can even power it up hills on my feet without much trouble. That's partly why I think I'd manage a bike quite well - It's just the weight limit that's the problem now.
Maybe I'll make a plan to reach a certain weight then treat myself to a bike.
Thanks for the tips, they'll be really helpful. With all the research I've done already, I thought that a Carrera Subway 1 or 2 would be about right for me. Not too costly but rigid enough and the right sort of handlebars to keep me fairly upright. I could add a better saddle and look into the tyres as you suggested.