Please help me find a suitable Bicycle (2)

pfpf

also posted over in the Arms but the mighty Quasar suggested i could post here too.


hello.

i honestly couldnt see a more relevant board for this post, so here goes.

total 100% newbie on the subject so please, no techie jargon without an explanation of what you're on about

having not ridden a bike for maybe 20 years, last week we went to Centre Parcs and i hired a bike. having thoroughly enjoyed my few days of riding i have decided to look into getting myself a bike mainly for excercise but also for fun and local commuting.

the model i used last week was a Mongoose Rockadile and i found it totally enjoyable to ride/use.

i think it may have been this one: http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86628 or possibly the 2007 version that Evans have at £159

i spoke to a "sales advisor" today and he suggested that a "specialised - Hardrock" model may be a good choice.

he thought i would need a "large" frame based on my height/leg.

heres some info:

i am just under 6' tall
carrying a fair amount of weight which is the main reason for buying a bike.
will be riding mainly on normal roads but also some light offroad, tracks etc.
have no knowledge of bikes.
have a budget of £300 which ideally will include the extras i know i will need (lights/helmet etc).

having done a small amount of reading so far i have found as an alternative to mountian bikes there are also hybrids so am also trying to find if a mountain bike type hybrid would be more suitable/comfortable for my needs.

i am looking for any advice/suggestions/recomendations at this stage, basically any info to get me started - i am quite happy to then read up/research for myself - i just need a starting point and some tips.

thanks in advance and if anyone can help or needs additional info to help further just post up.

thank you.

pfpf.