Recumbent exercise bike question

[kelownagirl]

I bought a recumbent exercise bike before I started riding a road bike. Now it's sitting in my basement and I didn't use it much last winter because I really wanted the "feel" of riding my road bike. I was able to use an old used trainer last winter but it's broken now and I'm not sure I really want to buy a new one.

So here's my question: If I want to ride indoors in the winter to maintain and improve my road bike "muscles", can I do that on a recumbent exercise bike? I realize that it's still good for me as far as fitness goes but I'm more interested in specific improvement. Does it build the same muscles? (or close enough to be significantly useful?) Or should I spend more bucks and buy a trainer? Or should I try to trade this exercise bike in for an upright model?

Help.

Thanks.

[lauraelmore1033]

I don't know if it's just me, but I have the hardest time getting my heartrate up into the aerobic zone on my recumbant exercise bike. I end up having to put an insane amount of tension on and then my knees hurt. Sometimes I will work my arms with light weights over my head, but that doesn't really translate to anything you would do on the road. I bought a trainer this year and some spinerval dvds instead of dealing with the exercise bike. Anybody in the puget sound area want a recumbant exercise bike?

[Zen]

i don't think an exercise bike of any type (except for spin) is gonna do it for you, KG. You're too advanced. How about an elliptical trainer? Do you have a gym nearby? You could get a trial membership and try out different things.

[kelownagirl]

i don't think an exercise bike of any type (except for spin) is gonna do it for you, KG. You're too advanced. How about an elliptical trainer? Do you have a gym nearby? You could get a trial membership and try out different things.

Aw shucks Zen... I wish. Yeah, actually I just found out that school district employees can get a half price monthly membership at our local gym. They have spin classes there too.

I just hate to see this expensive machine sitting in my basement. Maybe I'll do the gym thing and just make myself use the bike in the basement when I need some cardio and I'm too lazy to go out. I dream about having a workout room setup like yours... Sigh.