[Jeff O]

Since there are a quorum (me, Dafreeze and Mark S) already discussing the benefits of cycling, I thought a thread was required.

Discuss

[Jeff O]

I'll start:

Mark S., you mentioned your $700 Schwinn was too noisy to watch TV, so you had to use MP3's.

While my rim mag trainer is not perfect, it is way quiet enough to listen to whatever you like. In fact, I have a couple of DVD's I use to train with - Spinervals - that REALLY make you sweat. (And Spinervals 6.0 has 5 hot chicks in it!)

I think I paid $125 for mine, so they have gone up. Of course, now is not the time to buy, since Spring is almost here. But if you shop around, Dafreeze, I'm sure you can get below $200. There are about 2 dozen online bike stores that I've used, and I bet one of them has one from last year they might want to blow out.

The best thing about trainers is, if you purchase only a single bike (I of course have 4), you can use the bike indoors on the trainer and outdoors on the road / trails.

I have friends that HAVE to use the same bike for everything, so they have 1 frame that is pretty strong, road wheels, cross country wheels, and then a different rear deraileur for cyclo cross or racing.

I have a single setup for the road, one for mountain biking, and one for the trainer. The 4th bike is in the garage and goes in the back of the CRV when I do road trips near state parks.

[Jeff O]

Part Deux

WHY IS RIDING MY TRAINER INDOORS SO MUCH DIFFERENT THEN RIDING OUTDOORS

Quick story - I have a friend, Laura, who is a private trainer and teaches spinning classes at a couple local health clubs. She is in excellent shape, 10 times as good as me, but she can never keep up with me on the roads. So the question is - why can she out exercise me indoors, but cannot ride her bike in my class (the last year we trained together, 2 summers ago, she averaged 15mph while I was doing 18-19mph for 40+ mile rides)?

My theory is there are 3 reasons - Wind, Gravity, and knowing how to shift.

Wind - there are some very specific methods to beat the wind. Obviously you cannot learn or practice these indoors. And there is almost ALWAYS wind.

Gravity - on the trainer they "simulate" hills by having you go to a higher gear, turn the intensity up on your trainer, and stand up. These do not give a true indication of the effects of gravity. It has everything to do with the next topic, gearing.

Gearing - there are 2 different kinds of cyclists - spinners and mashers. Spinners calculate the intensity of the terrain and maintain a constant, higher level of cadence (rounds per minute). Mashers keep the gears as high as they can stand. Both can be successful - Lance Armstrong is a spinner, Jan Ullrich and Thor Hushvod are mashers, and all have won many a race, or placed high in the standings.

Working out indoors you have to really pay attention to what your outdoor style is. Over time I've developed that my optimum cadence is 93 rpm (Lance Armstrong is 105). Indoors I rarely can keep this cadence, and have to work very hard. But I can go do a 5 hour ride and keep it nearly immaculately. My thought is that it has something to do with muscle memory and momentum.

On the stationary the bike obviously does not move forward and has minimal side to side movement. Outdoors you are propelled forward and have free lateral movement. So outdoors your muscles can move to their fullest potential, on the trainer it is like working out with rubber bands connecting your extremities (legs, arms).

Just a theory.

[Jeff O]

2009 Trainer Schedule

I'm off to ride in the basement. I'm up to 3 rides per week, 16-18 miles per ride.

[Jeff O]

Minoura Rim Trainer less than $200.

I'm sure they got some coupons here, too, that would get you at least another 10% off.

Bicycle stores make deals all the time. I'm off to ride mine right now, so I can't do a deeper dive, but I'm sure there's a good deal out there waiting to be had.

https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/item/11191/

[Jeff O]

One last post.

The one I have is a Hyper Rim Trainer with remote.

The remote is really not necessary, as I NEVER change the intensity during a training. In fact, the remote clip broke, so next time I lube the chain I'm going to reroute the cable to that it ISN'T on my handlebars. You can always just set the intensity (mine has 5 levels) at the beginning of your training session, and even take a short break to increase it mid workout if that's important to you.

[bobkat]

Hey Jeff O, I have found that cycling does not work my abs like running does. I ride a Schwinn aluminum 7 speed cruiser[comfort is an issue not speed]. In a previous thread you mentioned that your abs were suffering, I always found that jogging worked my abs also, but not as much as targeted exercise. I actually found that I could do everything better when I was jogging 5 miles a day.

I was a masher now more of a spinner.

[dafreeze]

Thank's a lot Jeff. I just looked at it and was about to write them with a couple questions but decided to ask you first.

I'd read some reviews on it from the first link you'd posted and one mentions to ensure you get at least one extra drive belt when you order, as one will eventually be needed and this author says he went 3 months of pulling strings via a bike tech bud before he could get one. Have you had any trouble in this regard?

The other is about you not using the remote load changer. I've only ridden a stationary bike for my annual physicals, and the unloading ability to cool down I just assumed was desirable. Also assumed you'd want to vary your resistance to perhaps simulate a changing terrain workout. But you don't use it. Thought that was interesting.

[dafreeze]

Originally Posted by bobkat

...when I was jogging 5 miles a day...

How long's it been since you've done that?

[Poppatwang]

I'm looking for an "old man" bike this spring. Can't ride the drops anymore due to shoulder/neck issues it seems to aggravate. I've got a Bianchi San Remo now. Thinking about a pothole basher like the Milano.

[Jukebox]

I've got an old 12 speed that I have been riding a little bit, but I have been thinking of getting an new mountain bike for both the tar and dirt roads. I live about 5 miles from work so it would be a good work out for an old man like me.

[Jeff O]

Originally Posted by dafreeze

Thank's a lot Jeff. I just looked at it and was about to write them with a couple questions but decided to ask you first.

I'd read some reviews on it from the first link you'd posted and one mentions to ensure you get at least one extra drive belt when you order, as one will eventually be needed and this author says he went 3 months of pulling strings via a bike tech bud before he could get one. Have you had any trouble in this regard?

The other is about you not using the remote load changer. I've only ridden a stationary bike for my annual physicals, and the unloading ability to cool down I just assumed was desirable. Also assumed you'd want to vary your resistance to perhaps simulate a changing terrain workout. But you don't use it. Thought that was interesting.

I don't believe my unit has a belt of any kind. You change the tension by changing the gears. They change the resistance quite enough for me.

I'll double check on the belt when I get home.

[ruger9]

I rode ride, mountain bike, and run.

Of the 3, I prefer mountain biking... but only with buds. I'm not big on mountain biking solo. It's more a social activity to me.

Road riding & running are SOLO Zen-like activities to me (altho I do go on group rides, really cool.)

I absolutely positively under no circumstances will use a trainer or a treadmill. It's just not for me. Personally, I find something very "fake" about it. Yes, you're getting a workout, while I'm sitting on my couch since I won't ride when it's 7 degrees outside!- but I hate hate hate it. Music doesn't help, and I would never watch TV while exercising- I'm trying to get in touch with my mind & body, not a reality show! Besides being boring, I feel no connection to nature, or my body for that matter. Hard for me to explain, I just can't stand the machines.

So, I run all winter (outside), and dream about riding when the temps start to rise. Every spring, riding is a fresh new thing for me.

If I lived somewhere with nicer weather year-round, I would most definitely ride year-round.

[guitarfarm]

Originally Posted by Jeff O

... I have a friend, Laura, who is a private trainer and teaches spinning classes at a couple local health clubs. She is in excellent shape....

I'm going to need to see pictures of this friend, Laura, before I can attest to the benefits of cycling. Total nudity is not needed, but scantily clad would be prefered.

In other words, this thread is worthless without pictures!

[hawkins]

A fellow bike geek here. I need to get on my trainer while it is cold outside, but I end up going to the gym instead. PS--can't wait for this year's TDF.

[EdgeOfQuarrel]

I do this every weekend.it's about 40-50 kms with some nice big hills over the headlands between beaches.
No joke i've got some dirt jumper mountain bike that had been repainted hemi orange so i dunno what it is.probably something from Kmart to be honest but it does the job.

[Jeff O]

25-30 Miles on a Mountain Bike is a damn good workout! I take an old mountain bike with me on business trips, and last year there was a 15 mile paved bike path, so I did 30 miles both days I was there.

I'd love to ride along a coast like that, too. Right along the Ocean. MAN !!!!

We got big inland lakes, but I'd love to live on the ocean, especially for riding.

[dafreeze]

Juke, Poppa, references to you, hence me, being old are actually kind of inspirational. Part of my drive here is my realization a while back of my mortality. Another is the fact that, as was suggested by another in a similar post that my pecs are now morphing into furry manboobs.

And Poppa, your avatar.....it frightens me.

Jeff!!!

Your affability is showing.

[Synchro]

Originally Posted by Jeff O

Part Deux

WHY IS RIDING MY TRAINER INDOORS SO MUCH DIFFERENT THEN RIDING OUTDOORS

Quick story - I have a friend, Laura, who is a private trainer and teaches spinning classes at a couple local health clubs. She is in excellent shape, 10 times as good as me, but she can never keep up with me on the roads. So the question is - why can she out exercise me indoors, but cannot ride her bike in my class (the last year we trained together, 2 summers ago, she averaged 15mph while I was doing 18-19mph for 40+ mile rides)?

My theory is there are 3 reasons - Wind, Gravity, and knowing how to shift.

Wind - there are some very specific methods to beat the wind. Obviously you cannot learn or practice these indoors. And there is almost ALWAYS wind.

Gravity - on the trainer they "simulate" hills by having you go to a higher gear, turn the intensity up on your trainer, and stand up. These do not give a true indication of the effects of gravity. It has everything to do with the next topic, gearing.

Gearing - there are 2 different kinds of cyclists - spinners and mashers. Spinners calculate the intensity of the terrain and maintain a constant, higher level of cadence (rounds per minute). Mashers keep the gears as high as they can stand. Both can be successful - Lance Armstrong is a spinner, Jan Ullrich and Thor Hushvod are mashers, and all have won many a race, or placed high in the standings.

Working out indoors you have to really pay attention to what your outdoor style is. Over time I've developed that my optimum cadence is 93 rpm (Lance Armstrong is 105). Indoors I rarely can keep this cadence, and have to work very hard. But I can go do a 5 hour ride and keep it nearly immaculately. My thought is that it has something to do with muscle memory and momentum.

On the stationary the bike obviously does not move forward and has minimal side to side movement. Outdoors you are propelled forward and have free lateral movement. So outdoors your muscles can move to their fullest potential, on the trainer it is like working out with rubber bands connecting your extremities (legs, arms).

Just a theory.

Good observations. One other factor that comes readily to mind is the fact that under most real world conditions bike riding is anything but constant, it varies literally from second to second. There's no coasting on an indoor bike but there are no mini hills or micro hills either.

I guess I'm both a spinner and a masher but it's probably 60:40 in favor of masher. I do believe in using the gears and trying to keep the RPMs up but at times I find it easier to just push harder and keep going.

[EdgeOfQuarrel]

Originally Posted by Jeff O

paved bike path,

pavements for *******