Recommend a bike for my DH - he's a bit on a bigger side...

[FabFiona]

Wasn't sure where to post this, but figured general health is good enough.

My DH is looking for a bike so he and our son can go for rides. We have moved to an area that has excellent bike paths.

He's about 100 kg so he's not small. He wants to be able to put a seat on the back of the bike for Mitchell. He will only be a weekend rider so it doesn't have to be professional standards (and price!).

Any brand or shop recommendations?

Cheers,
Fiona

[misty]

Any kind of adult bike should be fine. I would suggest a standard adult mountain bike (like you might get from Kmart) for the purposes you are suggesting, especially if he hasn't been riding for quite a while. The other thing I would suggest is to go and buy a extra wide seat (I call them 'fat bum seats', because they are alot more comfortable for my fat bum) and swap them over - it will make the ride alot more comfortable. You may need to pick up the wide seat from a bike shop, I am not sure whether the larger department stores have them as a general stock item.

[luna moth]

Don't buy a Kmart bike brand new. They are weak and badly built.

I would say to go for a MTB hybrid, buy a good brand second hand. You'll pay about the same price as a brand new Kmart piece but you'll get a better ride, and it's a good way to get to know particular brands without spending the big bucks. If you go the full-blown MTB you don't get as much space for the seat. You do get the suspension and chunky tyres, which add weight and friction, so make your ride a bit tougher but much more comfy.

Bike forums are a good place to buy secondhand, also trading post, ebay, and even cash converters.

[Nai]

Go to see Paul at Velo Cycles in Nicholson St, Brunswick and tell him I sent you - he is a good friend and knows a lot about bikes, and deals mainly with commuters and family bikes now.