I do not recommend getting a fake suspension mountain bike. The suspension is not designed for larger folks, known as "Clydesdales" or "Clydes" in the mountain bike world.
I think 300 dollars will be tight for new, If you go to about $450 you will be able to get a new mountain bike with double wall rims, and adjustable stem (the thing that connects the handlebars to the bike)and a helmet and bike lock. I would suggest all Clydes get a mirror for the right hand side of the handlebars, so when riding on road you can see the cars approaching from behind. If you are riding at night, you will need front and rear lights.
Have a look at the following bike.
The CELL MTX-1 City Mountain Bike http://www.cellbikes.com.au/p_10_CELL__MTX1_CITY_MOUNTAIN_BIKE__Need_To_Exercise_Looking_To_Get_Fit
Adjustable stem means you can change the angle of the handlebars so you are more upright, not holding your upper body up so much on your hands.
Strong rims are important, however Clyde rated rims are very expensive, more than your bike budget just for the wheels. I use the rims which came with Barry, they are similar spec'd to the ones on the cell bike I have linked to, you just need to take the wheels to a bike shop and have them trued (spokes adjusted to make the wheel uniformly round again) every once in a while and costs about 35 dollars. Pauly maybe able to true them for you if you ask him nicely.
I found the pedals that come with all budget bikes are crap. I spent 25 dollars on some BMX pedals for my 2ee feet. You can get them cheaper at Kmart or big w.
I have concerns about suggesting a mountain bike for you. Even with the adjustable stem, the geometry will make it painful for you to ride until you get stronger. The forks on the bike I have linked to do not lock out, and may not be sufficiently able to stop you bottoming them out or bouncing around when you lean over the front to go up hill. We are differently shaped, I hold most of my weight in front of me, most of your weight is behind you, your riding experience will be different from mine.
If you get a cheap bike and decide the bicycling thing is really for you, save up and buy a comfort bike. A comfort bike means you are more upright, lower stand over height, feet usually forward of the seat post. If I had the money Tam I would buy you a Barry bike as Barry is a comfortable ride on the flat.
What ever you buy, the first month of riding will hurt.
I am going to write a bigger post about bicycles for large people on my journal, maybe not today as there is a lot of research to do.
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I do not recommend getting a fake suspension mountain bike. The suspension is not designed for larger folks, known as "Clydesdales" or "Clydes" in the mountain bike world.
I think 300 dollars will be tight for new, If you go to about $450 you will be able to get a new mountain bike with double wall rims, and adjustable stem (the thing that connects the handlebars to the bike)and a helmet and bike lock. I would suggest all Clydes get a mirror for the right hand side of the handlebars, so when riding on road you can see the cars approaching from behind. If you are riding
at night, you will need front and rear lights.
Have a look at the following bike.
The CELL MTX-1 City Mountain Bike
http://www.cellbikes.com.au/p_10_CELL__MTX1_CITY_MOUNTAIN_BIKE__Need_To_Exercise_Looking_To_Get_Fit
Adjustable stem means you can change the angle of the handlebars so you are more upright, not holding your upper body up so much on your hands.
Strong rims are important, however Clyde rated rims are very expensive, more than your bike budget just for the wheels. I use the rims which came with Barry, they are similar spec'd to the ones on the cell bike I have linked to, you just need to take the wheels to a bike shop and have them trued (spokes adjusted to make the wheel uniformly round again) every once in a while and costs about 35 dollars. Pauly maybe able to true them for you if you ask him nicely.
I found the pedals that come with all budget bikes are crap. I spent 25 dollars on some BMX pedals for my 2ee feet. You can get them cheaper at Kmart or big w.
I have concerns about suggesting a mountain bike for you. Even with the adjustable stem, the geometry will make it painful for you to ride until you get stronger. The forks on the bike I have linked to do not lock out, and may not be sufficiently able to stop you bottoming them out or bouncing around when you lean over the front to go up hill.
We are differently shaped, I hold most of my weight in front of me, most of your weight is behind you, your riding experience will be different from mine.
If you get a cheap bike and decide the bicycling thing is really for you, save up and buy a comfort bike. A comfort bike means you are more upright, lower stand over height, feet usually forward of the seat post. If I had the money Tam I would buy you a Barry bike as Barry is a comfortable ride on the flat.
What ever you buy, the first month of riding will hurt.
I am going to write a bigger post about bicycles for large people on my journal, maybe not today as there is a lot of research to do.