Quote Originally Posted by pooks View Post
I probably should get a HRM. It just looks like it would drive me crazy, fastened around me like that.

There's no doubt in my mind that I need a new bike. I'm just weighing all sorts of things, and I've gotten mixed messages on the benefits of an easier ride, that's all. It just seems logical that working harder will burn more calories. I won't intentionally be buying a heavy bike, mind you, just to burn more!
As I said, you'll probably use the same amount of energy. If you maintained a speed, say 12 mph on the heavy bike, you are correct - you'll use less calories on the lighter bike to maintain that speed - it will be easier. But, if you're used to a certain amount of effort, the new bike, at that same effort, will go faster. Given the same output of energy, you'll just go faster on the new bike. So, you can burn the same, if not more calories on the new bike, because you'll go faster!