Lotta good advice in this thread. And as already stated.. One of THE most important considerations for health, comfort, and longevity of this new endeavor is how the bike fits you... Not only height of frame but also the height of the tires, seat, and handlebars in relation to your body type. Length of the frame is also equally important because although seat and handlebars are adjustable, doing so will also change the overall geometry of your body placement. Angles are also very much at play here. You want to be able to have full comfortable extension and rotation of your feet, knees, legs, hands arms, back, shoulders, etc, etc. to maximize efficiency and dexterity, thus minimizing potential for fatigue and injury.
BTW regarding your inquiry... Yes you can modify wheels, spokes, hubs, tires at any point but don't get caught up in those things right now. Custom wheels or heavier gauge spokes are always an option if you find that you're tweaking your rims out of true but I suggest that you cross that bridge if you ever come to it. A properly built and trued wheel-set will accommodate a good deal of weight. And this is where buying from a reputable dealer ( that also has a reputable tech/ mechanic on site) can really be beneficial.
Also be sure to understand that the right bike for you does not necessarily mean the absolute most comfortable ride in terms of "plush". You're not looking for a sofa to flop down into at the end of the day. You instead need to be in the mindset similar to the level of comfort like a power-tool or work boots.
One of the biggest issues that I faced when I would fit people to bicycles was to get them into the mindset that when one leg was at the bottom of the crank/ sprocket rotation that they needed to feel that full extension of that appendage. People that haven't ridden much or at all seem to feel more comfortable when testing out bikes, to keep a slight bend in the knee and ankle when at the bottom of the crank rotation and that's a huge no-no. You need to be fully extending for the benefit of your muscles and joints. The same consideration should be given ( although not quite as critical) to your upper-body regarding your butt, back, shoulder, and arm extension from the seat to the handlebars.
These factors when occurring properly, will greatly increase your enjoyment as well as your control, dexterity, and muscular and respiratory efficiency long-term.
Something that depending on where you ride, weather conditions, etc... you may also want to consider is hydration. This may not be a huge factor is riding short distances in urban settings but beyond that it's not a bad idea to consider a CamelBak type option OR a frame-mounted cage type of bottle holder. If you opt for frame-mounted then the bike doesn't necessarily need to have the bottle cage installed at the time you buy the bike, but you need to look and see if the frame has the bolsters to at some point install a cage. These will typically be on the down tube or seat tube portion of the frame. And in some instances a bicycle will actually have two sets for two bottles. Just something to keep in mind if you think you might want hydration on board.
Lastly... Don't get caught up too much in accessorizing or buying upgrades until you've had a chance to really get some miles under your belt. One of the things that a lot of people want to immediately change out when they purchase a new bike is getting a new seat. And while factory seats can indeed be a corner-cutting item, I suggest in most cases to see if you can adapt or settle into that factory seat. Give it a chance although your butt may be somewhat sore or uncomfortable for the first few outings.
Anyway... ride before you buy. And if you're able.. ride again before you make that final decision.
BTW regarding your inquiry... Yes you can modify wheels, spokes, hubs, tires at any point but don't get caught up in those things right now. Custom wheels or heavier gauge spokes are always an option if you find that you're tweaking your rims out of true but I suggest that you cross that bridge if you ever come to it. A properly built and trued wheel-set will accommodate a good deal of weight. And this is where buying from a reputable dealer ( that also has a reputable tech/ mechanic on site) can really be beneficial.
Also be sure to understand that the right bike for you does not necessarily mean the absolute most comfortable ride in terms of "plush". You're not looking for a sofa to flop down into at the end of the day. You instead need to be in the mindset similar to the level of comfort like a power-tool or work boots.
One of the biggest issues that I faced when I would fit people to bicycles was to get them into the mindset that when one leg was at the bottom of the crank/ sprocket rotation that they needed to feel that full extension of that appendage. People that haven't ridden much or at all seem to feel more comfortable when testing out bikes, to keep a slight bend in the knee and ankle when at the bottom of the crank rotation and that's a huge no-no. You need to be fully extending for the benefit of your muscles and joints. The same consideration should be given ( although not quite as critical) to your upper-body regarding your butt, back, shoulder, and arm extension from the seat to the handlebars.
These factors when occurring properly, will greatly increase your enjoyment as well as your control, dexterity, and muscular and respiratory efficiency long-term.
Something that depending on where you ride, weather conditions, etc... you may also want to consider is hydration. This may not be a huge factor is riding short distances in urban settings but beyond that it's not a bad idea to consider a CamelBak type option OR a frame-mounted cage type of bottle holder. If you opt for frame-mounted then the bike doesn't necessarily need to have the bottle cage installed at the time you buy the bike, but you need to look and see if the frame has the bolsters to at some point install a cage. These will typically be on the down tube or seat tube portion of the frame. And in some instances a bicycle will actually have two sets for two bottles. Just something to keep in mind if you think you might want hydration on board.
Lastly... Don't get caught up too much in accessorizing or buying upgrades until you've had a chance to really get some miles under your belt. One of the things that a lot of people want to immediately change out when they purchase a new bike is getting a new seat. And while factory seats can indeed be a corner-cutting item, I suggest in most cases to see if you can adapt or settle into that factory seat. Give it a chance although your butt may be somewhat sore or uncomfortable for the first few outings.
Anyway... ride before you buy. And if you're able.. ride again before you make that final decision.
