Any cyclists here?

So my lifestyle has become pretty sedentary since my kid was born but lately I've able to get out on my own for a several hours a week. I don't exercise much but I've been thinking about biking since I used to love it back when I was younger. I have a couple questions for any OT members that are into this:

1.) How good of a workout is biking? Assuming I stick to the trails near my house at a good speed? I've only ever biked for pleasure so I don't know.

2.) What is a good brand of bike and how much should I be looking to spend to make sure it won't fall apart on me? I bought a $50 bike from Target several years ago but it was almost unusable. The chain would fall of constantly, the gears would grind regardless of how I positioned them, etc. A friend at work told me $300-$400 and that Trek was a good brand.

MODS: I can't tell if this is bordering on a blog post or not, I feel that it is topic of discussion but if not I will move it there.

So my lifestyle has become pretty sedentary since my kid was born but lately I've able to get out on my own for a several hours a week. I don't exercise much but I've been thinking about biking since I used to love it back when I was younger. I have a couple questions for any OT members that are into this:

1.) How good of a workout is biking? Assuming I stick to the trails near my house at a good speed? I've only ever biked for pleasure so I don't know.

2.) What is a good brand of bike and how much should I be looking to spend to make sure it won't fall apart on me? I bought a $50 bike from Target several years ago but it was almost unusable. The chain would fall of constantly, the gears would grind regardless of how I positioned them, etc. A friend at work told me $300-$400 and that Trek was a good brand.

MODS: I can't tell if this is bordering on a blog post or not, I feel that it is topic of discussion but if not I will move it there.

Atmanix

I do a lot of mountain biking. The trails around me (Southern Utah) are an amazing workout as long as you push yourself. The best part about it for me though is it's FUN. I hate working out just to workout or to exercise just to exercise and burn calories, but I Mountain bike to have fun and on the side I get some exercise in. I would agree with your friend that buying a $300-$400 bike is good for starting out. If you get way into it you'll want to look at others at a higher price.

Also biking I think is as good as any workout as long as you push yourself as you would in other activities. I know it's not as hard on your body as running is.

I thought this was going to be a motorcycle thread:( I haven't ridden a bike in years.

Every time I hear the phrase "It's just like riding a bike", I get a sick feeling in my stomach. Apparently I've done the impossible; I've forgotten how to :o

hey im actually love road cycling. I use it to get to everywhere i go as i dont have a car. It can be quite the workout depending on the hills and wind conditions. A good beginnear road bike should be no less than $1000 and trek is considered a good brand. A really good brand to look for is gianttarunramesh

I ride about 9 miles a day. I've been doing it for a month now and it is great. I feel a lot better. I kinda need a new bike. I want to get a Specialized Crosstrail:

I never biked without my training wheels. Damn gameboy

[QUOTE="tarunramesh"]hey im actually love road cycling. I use it to get to everywhere i go as i dont have a car. It can be quite the workout depending on the hills and wind conditions. A good beginnear road bike should be no less than $1000 and trek is considered a good brand. A really good brand to look for is giantJandurin

Yes, I should have been more specific. I have no intention of spending $1000+ on a bike either. I just want something I can take out for an hour each day up/down the paths near my house to get some exercise and scenery.

[QUOTE="Jandurin"][QUOTE="tarunramesh"]hey im actually love road cycling. I use it to get to everywhere i go as i dont have a car. It can be quite the workout depending on the hills and wind conditions. A good beginnear road bike should be no less than $1000 and trek is considered a good brand. A really good brand to look for is giantAtmanix

Yes, I should have been more specific. I have no intention of spending $1000+ on a bike either. I just want something I can take out for an hour each day up/down the paths near my house to get some exercise and scenery.

I ride about 9 miles a day. I've been doing it for a month now and it is great. I feel a lot better. I kinda need a new bike. I want to get a Specialized Crosstrail:

rragnaar

Did you have weight to lose or anything? I'm curious about the health benefits compared to something like... jogging.

I thought this was going to actually be about bikers. You should change the title to read 'cyclists'.

[QUOTE="rragnaar"]

I ride about 9 miles a day. I've been doing it for a month now and it is great. I feel a lot better. I kinda need a new bike. I want to get a Specialized Crosstrail:

Atmanix

Did you have weight to lose or anything? I'm curious about the health benefits compared to something like... jogging.

I thought this was going to actually be about bikers. You should change the title to read 'cyclists'.

Pirate700

bik·er

–noun1.apersonwhoridesabicycle,motorcycle,ormotorbike,esp.incompetitionorasahobby

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

I thought this was going to actually be about bikers. You should change the title to read 'cyclists'.

Atmanix

bik·er

–noun1.apersonwhoridesabicycle,motorcycle,ormotorbike,esp.incompetitionorasahobby

:lol: Come on dude, most people consider bikers, motorcycle riders. Cyclists are more specific.

Pirate700

[QUOTE="Atmanix"]

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

I thought this was going to actually be about bikers. You should change the title to read 'cyclists'.

Pirate700

bik·er

–noun1.apersonwhoridesabicycle,motorcycle,ormotorbike,esp.incompetitionorasahobby

Man, I'm being serious. I live in MN and they are everywhere. Everyone refers to them as "bikers".

I'll change it though since you're not the first one to comment :|

:lol: Come on dude, most people consider bikers, motorcycle riders. Cyclists are more specific.

Pirate700

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]:lol: Come on dude, most people consider bikers, motorcycle riders. Cyclists are more specific.

rragnaar

I have to admit, the bikers (cyclists for Pirate) here are one of my pet peeves. We also have very liberal laws surrounding them and they take full advantage of them. Taking up entire lanes at 7am when people are trying to get to work. Cutting out in front of your car, darting inbetween cars, riding full speed down the center of the sidewalk... etc.

It can be a great workout. I commute to work when it's not too hot (about 7 miles each way). I don't know anything about mountain bikes though. You should probably cross-train as well, in order to get a complete workout. Lifting weights is a good compliment to cycling.Engrish_Major

That's a good idea. I can lift weights in my house so I wouldn't need to skip out on parental duties.

[QUOTE="rragnaar"]

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]:lol: Come on dude, most people consider bikers, motorcycle riders. Cyclists are more specific.

Atmanix

I have to admit, the bikers (cyclists for Pirate) here are one of my pet peeves. We also have very liberal laws surrounding them and they take full advantage of them. Taking up entire lanes at 7am when people are trying to get to work. Cutting out in front of your car, darting inbetween cars, riding full speed down the center of the sidewalk... etc.

That's a good idea. I can lift weights in my house so I wouldn't need to skip out on parental duties.

My friend has a Gary Fisher that he paid more for than i did for my car. The last time i was over at his house he had dirty clothes hanging on it. :lol:

[QUOTE="Atmanix"]

[QUOTE="rragnaar"] I guess it depends on where you live. Boise is a big bicycle town, so when I hear 'biker', I think of cyclists... although we've got our fair share of the other kind of bikers too. I was surprised to hear that my town has the most liberal bike laws in the country the other day. I don't have to stop for stop signs or red lights as long as I deem that the coast is clear. Cars have to share the roads with us, and we're allowed to ride on sidewalks too. It is a little weird. I wasn't expecting drivers to be courteous to me at all, but they are so used to bikes on the road that you almost have the right of way wherever you go because everyone slows down to let you through.

rragnaar

I have to admit, the bikers (cyclists for Pirate) here are one of my pet peeves. We also have very liberal laws surrounding them and they take full advantage of them. Taking up entire lanes at 7am when people are trying to get to work. Cutting out in front of your car, darting inbetween cars, riding full speed down the center of the sidewalk... etc.

:lol: Nice. My office is about 15 miles away and I have to dress up fairly nice, otherwise I'd probably consider biking their too since there is a side-street that goes all the way there. That would be a great workout I think, except in the winter of course.

[QUOTE="Atmanix"]

That's a good idea. I can lift weights in my house so I wouldn't need to skip out on parental duties.

Engrish_Major

I thought for a long time people considered sit-ups to be dangerous. Is that no longer the case? I used to do them all the time until someone told me I could hurt myself.

I think cycling can provide decent exercise depending upon your cadence, speed, wind direction, and route incline. I'd say that on flats you'd have to cycle pretty fast and for a good distance to get any worthwhile exercise. Steep, uphill climbs are always good fun for the legs.

Trek is a solid brand (my first road bike was a Trek), but possibly more expensive than a similar component spec'd Giant. A friend of mine had a Specialized and didn't have any complaints.

:lol: Nice. My office is about 15 miles away and I have to dress up fairly nice, otherwise I'd probably consider biking their too since there is a side-street that goes all the way there. That would be a great workout I think, except in the winter of course.

I thought for a long time people considered sit-ups to be dangerous. Is that no longer the case? I used to do them all the time until someone told me I could hurt myself.

I payed about 350 for a nice Trek ... great bike, great brand. Biking is an excellent workout - although I myself prefer running biking is much easier on the knees.Meinhard1

[QUOTE="Atmanix"]

:lol: Nice. My office is about 15 miles away and I have to dress up fairly nice, otherwise I'd probably consider biking their too since there is a side-street that goes all the way there. That would be a great workout I think, except in the winter of course.

Engrish_Major

Minnesota. I suppose I could try it but I'd be worried about hitting ice.

[QUOTE="Atmanix"]

I thought for a long time people considered sit-ups to be dangerous. Is that no longer the case? I used to do them all the time until someone told me I could hurt myself.

Engrish_Major

Hmmm... you may be onto something. I haven't heard of this.

I guess, in addendum, maybe trying the leg-lift thingy at the end of this article? At my gym, there's also a rotating ab machine that doesn't stress your back. Also push ups are good I guess.

Man, everything's bad for you somehow, isn't it? :?

[QUOTE="Atmanix"]

I thought for a long time people considered sit-ups to be dangerous. Is that no longer the case? I used to do them all the time until someone told me I could hurt myself.

Engrish_Major

I'll start doing those again then. I didn't need to work out for the longest time since I worked hard manual labor every day, but now I need it.

[QUOTE="Meinhard1"]I payed about 350 for a nice Trek ... great bike, great brand. Biking is an excellent workout - although I myself prefer running biking is much easier on the knees.Engrish_Major

Yeah, running/jogging doesn't work out well for me. I have something wrong with my feet/ankles. I've tried getting it looked at but they usually just shrug and tell me to get arch supports, which don't work.

I'll start doing those again then. I didn't need to work out for the longest time since I worked hard manual labor every day, but now I need it.

[QUOTE="Atmanix"]

I'll start doing those again then. I didn't need to work out for the longest time since I worked hard manual labor every day, but now I need it.

Engrish_Major

Ughhhh... damnit.

Well, I'm glad you know now at least haha.