heavier bike + saddle time

[Eden]

I think that only works if they are completely equal in all other ways except for weight and they did the walk in the same amount of time. If she does the walk slower she will be getting less of a cardio workout and actually burning fewer calories.

I ran it through a calculator - numbers are round and low to keep it easy..
I'm assuming Bailey and his aunt weighed each 100 lbs, he put a 5 lb backpack on her and they walk the same distance.
if they walk the same speed she will obviously burn more calories. But if she goes slower she burns fewer calories even over the same distance

Him 100 lbs runs at 5.2 mph for 26 min, burns 187 calories and gets a higher level cardio workout, her 105 lbs walks at 3.5 mph for 38 min burns 128 calories. Both have covered the same distance, but he gets the better workout even though she has the extra weight.

Now the other way - say you are going he same speed, but doing less time - more low numbers for ease of use.
Assuming you weigh 100 lbs and your light bike weighs 20 lbs and you ride for 1/2 hour you would burn 230 calories if we assume the heavier bike is really twice as heavy for a total of 140 lbs and ride for 15 min you only burn 134 calories. The lighter bike with the longer workout still probably comes out to the better workout unless you up the amount of time you are spending on the heavier one.

How exactly the second example relates to cardio, I'm not entirely sure - you likely are getting a slightly better cardio workout for the time you are on the heavier bike (you'd have to monitor your hr to really find out), but because you are doing it much less the overall effect is probably diminished???

[GLC1968]

For the example Sundial gave, I assumed that Baily and his aunt were walking together (over the same distance) and therefore were going the same speed. His aunt put forth more effort because she was carrying more weight.

If you have limited time for your workout, taking the heavier bike and riding it the same speed (for example: a 15 mile loop on your lunch hour), would give you a better workout.

[Eden]

For the example Sundial gave, I assumed that Baily and his aunt were walking together (over the same distance) and therefore were going the same speed. His aunt put forth more effort because she was carrying more weight.

If you have limited time for your workout, taking the heavier bike and riding it the same speed (for example: a 15 mile loop on your lunch hour), would give you a better workout.

Indeed - if all other factors are equal, then heavier will be a better workout, but the original question was about wether a heavier bike for less time was equal or better to a lighter bike for twice the amount of time. To keep everything else equal, I think you would have to do a great deal of monitoring. It's very easy to just slow down when you are carrying more weight....

[sundial]

Sorry Eden, I didn't see your calculation on the first page. That makes sense.

So I'm still better off riding longer with a lower heart rate than riding shorter with a higher heart rate. Right?

[GLC1968]

Sundial - what you are looking with those numbers are essentially two different types of workouts. One is more intense and shorter, the other is less intense and longer. Both have benefits and should be part of a comprehensive plan. Is one better than the other? That depends on your goals.

For most people, the best results come from variety - so both would be better than one or the other. Yay, more excuse to ride!

By the way, there are volumes written on the most effective form of cardio for weight loss, calorie burning, CV improvement, etc. Even the experts don't agree. Honestly, the best answer is that the BEST workout is the one you will do most consistently.

[canonsue]

I would strap on a heart monitor and try your experiment and report back. It would be interesting just to see what the results would be. I would try it, but I only have one bike.

-Sue

[Eden]

Still wrapping my head all the way around this one. So it does sound like you are working harder on the heavier bike and that is good. If the time you spend on the bike is the same, its just the distance that changes and you are seeing your hr higher then you are likely getting a better workout.

In the end it doesn't have as much to do with the bike as it does with good monitoring and adjusting your workout.... I can get the same workout with any of my bikes, the only variation will be the distance covered. The gearing is a bit lower on my heavier bike, so I'm probably not getting any more workout in that respect.

If you have a reason to go less distance, but want a harder workout use the heavier bike. For example I can get a good workout on my commute, which is a set distance by using a heavier bike. If I were to use a lighter bike then I'd have to find extra distance to make up the time (my workouts are all set by time) - With the heavier bike I can still do the workout, but since its slower it takes the requisite amount of time. If you are doing a lot of stop and go, then the heavier bike may be the best choice. For me at least, with the lighter bike it takes longer to get up to the amount of effort I need. If its stop and go, I may not be able to get in enough hard efforts on the lighter bike.

[RoadRaven]

Hi Eden

We're posting at the same time!

In the end it doesn't have as much to do with the bike as it does with good monitoring and adjusting your workout.... I can get the same workout with any of my bikes, the only variation will be the distance covered. The gearing is a bit lower on my heavier bike, so I'm probably not getting any more workout in that respect.

If you have a reason to go less distance, but want a harder workout use the heavier bike.

Yup, what I was trying to say. Heavier kit = harder workout (as long as you push yourself in the same way and don't just tootle. You have to monitor how you feel/ how your body responds)

LOL... when I started riding I thought you just hopped on your bike and rode - turns out it's quite scientific and mathematical!

[sundial]

If you have a reason to go less distance, but want a harder workout use the heavier bike. For example I can get a good workout on my commute, which is a set distance by using a heavier bike. If I were to use a lighter bike then I'd have to find extra distance to make up the time (my workouts are all set by time) - With the heavier bike I can still do the workout, but since its slower it takes the requisite amount of time.

See, that's what I'm doing. I'm using the heavy commuter bike to squeeze in a good workout in less time. I use the lighter bike for longer, faster rides.

And I did notice that when I rode the mtb often, I didn't see that much of a change in strength or endurance on the road bike. The speed was the only thing that changed.

This is an interesting discussion and thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[indysteel]

I would strap on a heart monitor and try your experiment and report back. It would be interesting just to see what the results would be. I would try it, but I only have one bike.

-Sue

Granted, I'm no expert on any of this, but it seems to me that heartrate only tells part of the story. Wattage, along with heartrate, would tell a fuller story.

Just because you're riding a lighter bike doesn't mean you're using less energy/strength. Doesn't it depend on what gear you're using--assuming you're on a relatively flat road?

It takes less energy to ride a lighter bike than a heavier bike at the same speed but that doesn't prevent you from working harder on the lighter bike. Just up your speed, lower year gear and/or increase your cadence. By the same token, riding a heavy bike does not--in itself--guarantee a tougher workout or one that uses significantly more strength. You still have to push yourself.