Looking for advice: Starting my cycling journey at 170kg (375 lbs) on a budget in Lisbon, Portugal
Hey everyone,
I’m looking to get into cycling to get active, build up my cardio, and enjoy the outdoors. I live in Lisbon, Portugal, and I currently weigh 170 kg (around 375 lbs).
I've been looking around online, but I'm hitting a wall. Almost every standard bike I find has a weight limit listed around 100kg to 120kg. I know there are specialized heavy-duty bikes out there, but they are completely out of my budget right now. I really need an affordable way to get rolling.
Someone suggested to me that instead of buying an expensive specialty bike, I could get a budget-friendly hybrid with a solid steel frame (like the Decathlon Riverside 120) and just immediately swap out the tires for something heavy-duty.
I wanted to check with the community here to see what you think:
For anyone who started out at a similar weight, what bike did you actually start on?
Does the strategy of buying a sturdy, budget steel bike and upgrading the wheels/tires actually hold up in the real world?
Are there any specific budget models available here in Europe that you’d recommend for a rider my size?
To start, I'm just planning on hitting the flat, paved bike paths along the river here in Lisbon, so I don't need anything built for crazy mountain trails or steep hills yet.
Really appreciate any advice, gear recommendations, or tips you can throw my way!