http://sweat365.com/forum/ Forums Topic: Bike Type For XTraining Work en Sat, 18 May 2013 19:31:42 +0000 http://sweat365.com/forum/topic/625#post-2671 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:29:20 +0000 abbott38 2671@http://sweat365.com/forum/ <p>Ended up with a Schwinn hybrid. Simple, entry level hybrid (inexpensive - Target special) that seemed nice and smooth for the first ride. Stopped in and had my local shop check it over and give it a thumbs up to go. Their only suggestion was to get myself some proper shoes and related pedals/clips (sorry hate butchering terms that are new to me). Should serve my purpose for now and we'll see how things progress. </p> http://sweat365.com/forum/topic/625#post-2670 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:29:35 +0000 abbott38 2670@http://sweat365.com/forum/ <p>Thanks for the detailed reply, it is appreciated. The comfortable mile ranges you included are very helpful.</p> <p>The current bike has too many issues between gears, breaks and rust to fix up and with it having been free, no worries on replacing it.</p> <p>As a youth I use to do bike messenger work in NYC while in HS and 25-50 miles a day was the norm on an old Raleigh 10 speed. This is where the interest in a road bike comes from.</p> <p>Hybrid comes to interest because of the comfort factor it implied and currently I am probably planning on keeping the daily mileage no more than 20 and would only go 10 if I use it to commute.</p> <p>Now the factor of what-if I want to go 30-50 or more as my legs get even stronger between the running and biking. Guess if I go entry level hybrid and get hooked, adding a road bike later would be ok. Guess it depends on needing new running shoes every 3 months vs 4-5 and the wife not complaining about a perceived new sport when it is truly for cross training.</p> <p>Headed out to look today, will let you know what I end up with. </p> http://sweat365.com/forum/topic/625#post-2669 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:21:33 +0000 Brad Hefta-Gaub 2669@http://sweat365.com/forum/ <p>This is a great question... you'll probably get very different answers from different people... but I'll take my stab at giving you my opinion.</p> <p>Note: I am biased, because I own 5 different bikes. :)</p> <p>First of all, I would say that if you don't plan on become a big road cyclist, and you mostly want to be a runner, and aren't super excited about the idea of riding your bike, then I'd get the cheapest bike that you feel comfortable on. Now, that's the key, and the big question, comfort.</p> <p>Here's the interesting little thing about bikes... every bike is designed to be the most comfortable bike possible for the specific purpose of the bike... but if you go use that bike for some other purpose, then it will work fine, but won't be as comfortable.</p> <p>1) Road bikes - these are designed to go long distances (more than 20 miles... maybe as much as 100 or 200 miles) on the road. Some are lighter, some are stiffer, some absorb more shock or less, but they're all designed to have your body in an efficient position that is still comfortable for long distance road riding.</p> <p>2) Moutain bike - these are designed to go up and down hills, usually trails, not on a road. You can ride a mountain bike on a road, and you can ride a road bike on a moutain, but it's much easier if you use the right one.</p> <p>3) Triathlon bike - these are most like road bikes, but their designed to reduce the strain on your leg muscles associated with running, and force you to use other muscles to ride the bike, so that you can jump off of them and run the foot race portion of your triathlon. Again, you can ride these bikes anywhere, but their not as comfortable if you don't have to run after your ride.</p> <p>4) Hybrids - these are designed to be ridden on the road (rarely on a trail) but not for long distances. These are perfect commuter bikes. They're intended for shorter rides (less then 20 miles, definitely less than 50 miles). They are heavier, and often have gearing ratios like a mountain bike, but they're also much more comfortable to ride if you're wearing normal street clothes.</p> <p>Depending on your goals, you might want a hybrid bike, but you might also fall in love with cycling and decide you want a road bike, so you can start participating in duathlons or triathlons.</p> <p>One good solution might be to fix up your old mountain bike on the cheap, add some road tires to it so it will be a little more road riding appropriate, and ride that for a while as you start out... if you fall in love with riding, then maybe you'll want to buy a road bike.</p> <p>Good luck! And please keep us posted! </p> http://sweat365.com/forum/topic/625#post-2668 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:49:47 +0000 abbott38 2668@http://sweat365.com/forum/ <p>My doctor told me I need to cross train because running will break me if I don't. He said biking was a good option. I currently have an old mountain bike that needs to be replaced. My question is will a hybrid or a road bike be better for "city" rides and workouts to complement my running training? Thanks for any thoughts/opinions on this.</p> <p>(Add'l info - currently training for my first marathon. Went from 200 miles in 2007 to 1000 miles of running in 2008 and less than 50 miles of biking because the current bike has major issues) </p>