Pooks, I resumed my cycling with a heavy hybrid comfort bike. Within 5 months I purchased my road bike. Sure, the comfort bike is fun to ride, and yes, it requires a lot of energy to pedal it. However, the heavier the bike, the more limited you will be on how you can bike, and the more limitations you have the less miles you will ride.

Here is the difference between the comfort bike and the road bike, and it has nothing to do with your question about calories.

With the comfort bike, it was a tool to use to gain fitness.

With the road bike, I finish a ride and I exult in my prowess. I exclaim, 'I AM THE WOMAN!" Since I ride almost every day, I am empowering myself constantly.

Yes, that is the difference, and it is a signifciant difference - all mental. With the road bike, my successes give me self-affirmation which permeate into all other aspects of my life, and it makes me a confident self-assured woman.

Darcy