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As someone who has commuted in London at your weight and above I would say don't worry too much about the bike being tough enough, nearly everything from a reputable brand will be able to cope.
I rode around on a second hand aluminium Langster for a 3 years before it was killed by a car reversing into it when it was parked, so aluminium, steel etc will be fine.I would suggest having a look at CX bikes as well, with a set of road tyres you should be able to go fast enough to have fun, and the more fun you have the more you will ride.
It will also have drop bars (tops and hoods are perfectly comfortable and let you tuck in a bit to go downhill).
I've never ridden a road bike with disc brakes so I don't know if they are much better or will let you feel more confident, I have had no issues stopping on calipers or mini-Vs.
I don't know how strong stock wheels will be on most OTP bikes, but if a wheel is designed for skinny fuckers to smash around off road it should cope alright with the odd pothole for you or I. I've had a lot of joy with the basic wheels from v-sprint.For a commuter bike you could do a lot worse than a Pompino, mine has been great, put up with a lot of abuse and a very lax maintenance schedule with no complaints.
If in doubt, go to evans, test ride all the bikes, then buy whichever puts the biggest grin on your face off the internet.
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I'd definitely look for a cyclocross bike if you can find one, probably second hand for that kind of money.
I rode a tricross for a while until it got stolen, whilst its not the most glamorous of bikes, you can raise the bar with a few spacers, get decent mudguards on there, 28 or even 32c tyres will feel really fast compared to whatever kind of mountain bikes he has ridden in the past.
Also mini v-brakes do give you the confidence that you can actually stop when you need to.If your mate is comfortable, reasonably dry, and feels like he is making good progress he is more likely to keep the commute up, rather than sack it off as being too much like hard work.
FWIW i was a bit bigger that your mate when i started commuting in London.
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I'm 6'4" with a 33/34" inseam and this is roughly how my xl pompino looks with a 100mm stem.
Not a great photo, and still a work in progress, but you get a rough idea of how much seatpost etc.
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Damn tagzumped, well done to Ben and Oliver.
I really must learn how to upload pictures without going home and switching on my computer first.
Still, nice afternoon to explore Hackney and the Lea, even if some of the pave sections would put Paris - Roubaix to shame.
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Have you seen what a mess they have made that pub. Worked on charlotte st for years one of my favorite pubs.so sad to see as it is now.
No i've not been past in a while, beer list on the website looks alright, if a little bit obvious.
I wonder if they ever fixed the massive holes in the floorboards? things like that really give a pub character. -
Ahh, Fitzrovia is a lovely part of the world.
Very interesting to see the draft house, my first student job when i moved up to London was at the Northumberland Arms, as it was called back then.
Also the only job i've ever been sacked from. -
Bollocks to it.
Still at least the new tag looks pretty interesting, even if i have no idea where it is. -
Damn, wish i'd checked this thread before i left work last night.
The massive cock is on a little alley called Cock Hill, between Middlesex Street and New street. I don't know which came first though, the chicken or the street name.I this the doorway is the back door/fire exit for the Marco Pierre White steakhouse.
Not sure about the new tag yet, but i fancy a quick spin so off to google i think.
I honestly don't know what most manufacturers put as their guidelines for rider weight so I don't know if they are too conservative. My only real point was that if you are buying a regular (not super lightweight race bike, or a brompton with a really long seat post etc.) bike, from a reputable company, you probably don't need to worry about it being strong enough.
Just concentrate on getting the right bike for you and the riding you want to do.
From experience don't get a mountain bike though, a road/touring/cx type bike will feel so much faster for the same effort. The more you enjoy your ride the more you will ride, the more you ride the easier/faster and more fun it is.