Conference noted::bicycle

    	Well, you have the bikes, so...
    
    	Windtrainers are boring, although I have one and use it in the
    	winter.
    
    	Scott

    yes, boring but better than an exercycle
    
    There are a comment or two in note 149.
    (90+, really)
    
    ed

    I've noticed a lot of ad's in the classified notesfile for exercise
    bicycles. I have a friend who is a plumber and he says that he sees a
    lot of exercise bicycles in basements. This is an indication to me that
    many people don't like exercise bicycles.
    
    The exercise bicycle that I now have originally belonged to my
    girlfriend's mother, then it was moved to her sister's place, then to
    her place, then back to her sister's place, and finally to my place.
    The only person who got any exercise out of it was my girlfriend's
    brother, he had to move the bike from house to house.
    
    This is just a warning that you might not like using the windtrainer.
    Maybe try to find one used or possibly rent an exercise bicycle to see
    if you will like doing this type of exercise.
    
    	Marty Sasaki

re  boring

	rollers are generally less boring - than fixed wind trainers
		(sometimes it can be downright  "exciting" ?)

	R

    wind trainers are not good for your front forks . they tend to knock
    them off alignments from you moving side to side  .
    
    rollers are scary at first but if you and your wife are adventurous 
    its worth a try , some brands have a magnetic or fan resistance 
    addons for more load , I personally have a hard time staying on for 
    over 1/2 hr.
    
    look at the schwinn airdyne it combines rowing and biking while using
    wind resistance as your load , it also cools you during the duration.
    ( overheating is a major cause why indoor training is not enjoyable )
    they cost aprox. $650 but a used one can be picked up for at least
    1/2 the original price.
    
    Regards 
    Ed S.

    Rollers are also less stressful on the bike frame that you
    lock into a wind trainer, and you can get fans and magneto
    resistance attachments for the rollers.
    
    Yes, rollers ARE boring, but a lot less so than a wind
    trainer that torques your good bike frame, and they do help
    you maintain your balance and riding form, especially if you
    turn a nice high cadence while you're riding.
    
    	/Harry

Regarding the original question. To buy a wind trainer or 
an exercise bike???

Here are some questions you need to ask yourself.

Where are you going to exercise?

If you are going to exercise with kids(-4yrs) near by think about
using an enclosed training unit. Something the kids can't put a finger 
into. A spinning wheel seem to atract little ones like moths to a light.


How quiet does it have to be?

Are you in an apartment or some place where the noise is a concern?
Then look at getting a magnetic resistence unit or shop around for a
quality unit that is quiet.

If two people are using it how easy is it to adjust for size?

Swapping bikes on a wind trainer is a real pain BUT if you want to 
get into the same position that you use when riding it's about the only 
way. Most exercise bikes riding positions are very different from
your riding style on a real bike. Something to think about if you
are looking for a winter tool for staying in bike shape rather than 
a generic calorie burning device.

My own opinion is...

If you are looking for a tool to burn calories, get something that burns
the most amount of calories while still being fun to do.

There are exercise bikes that have handles that move back and forth to 
give the upper body a workout. 

If you want to supplement your bike riding then go with a windtrainer.


Tom

    Thank you all for your input.

    re: -1

>If you are looking for a tool to burn calories, get something that burns
>the most amount of calories while still being fun to do.

    Any other suggestions for a generic calorie burner?  Ski machines?
    Thanks 
    Phil        

    I wasn't going to enter this one, guess I just can't resist..
    
>>If you are looking for a tool to burn calories, get something that burns
>>the most amount of calories while still being fun to do.
>
>    Any other suggestions for a generic calorie burner?  Ski machines?
    
    Well I'm not looking to burn calories (yet), just get some basic
    Cardio-vascular fitness going.  The basic problem I find is boredom
    leading to reduced effort.  So I chop and change.  If you'd asked me 
    3 weeks ago I'd have said the step-climbers, this week its the rowing
    machines which have an additional advantage of a breeze to cool you
    down.  Basically things which have figures to look at are better than
    those without...
    

     Good news... You can't get participate in cardiovascular conditioning
    without burning calories. That's just the way the human machinary's
    built - Aint we lucky?
    
       Chip

    Point taken.  But where did that 6 extra kilos (thats about 14 pounds
    in `old money') come from :-)
    
    Seriously, In talking to some people (and based on a posting you put in
    Chip) It appears that fat-burning is optimal at heartrates of 140 (ish)
    and I'm doing 1 hour sessions at 163.  Based on this I assume that I
    should loose to loose a lot of weight in march/april when I plan to do
    long steady miles...                    

    
    Well, yes, as apparently everybody knows (since even I have heard
    this :-)), AT-zone metabolism burns sugars/carbohydrates, whereas
    lower efforts tend to burn fats.  Your 163bpm sessions should do 
    a lot for your intensity but won't necessarily whittle away the
    pounds.

     And, of course, remember the ole' deposit/withdrawel rule...
    
     "What you deposit cannot exceed what you withdraw" or you get slapped
     with a service charge (kilo/lb).
    
       Chip

    Gee, does that mean I've gotta give up beer ?  Or just pizzas ?

    
     SACRELIGE! Never, never, never.... It isn't necessary unless you're
    a real glutton (I am but I think I have a million mile an hour
    metabolism)...
    
      Chip

    I'm finding XC skiing is my current preferred fitness activity, plus
    it's immensely enjoyable, but I don't know about weight loss. When we
    came back this afternoon we were famished and promptly demolished a 
    cooked chicken and a load of beer...
    
    
    Rod

	I agree with you Rod, XC skiing is very funny, specially on days
	like yesterday with a dark blue sky and sun all day.

	I think it's a very complet sport and a good way to complete the
	condition for a cyclist. A good manner to strengthen the legs is
	the skating technique. But it's not a easy thing to coordinate.
	You also need a special ski, fixation and shoes. Nevertheless I
	tried it, and I can tell you that it's a great feeling when you
	ski-skate at about 25 km/h. 

	Norbert

Hi Norbert, I was thinking about trying the skating technique soon. One
can hire the skis and boots fairly cheaply. It looks quite skilful, so I
expect I'll make a fool of myself. Do you think that trying ice-skating
first would be a good preparation for ski-skating?


Rod

	
	Rod, I am not sure whether ice-skating would help sinc I never tried.
	But it's also a exercise of balance, so it might be useful. The 
	mouvement and the technique are fairly similar; skis are just a bit
	longer !

	Good luck

	Norbert

    	You might also check into roller-blading.
    
    	Probably not a very good indoor "stationary" activity though.
    
    	P.S. It's usually not good advice for anyone to take a generic
    	number like "140", and begin exercising using it as your target.
    	I ain't no doctor, and I don't have the formula here, but most
    	individuals should try to decide what their own target heart-
    	rate is, and use that number. I think it's something like 75%
    	of your max heart rate, where your body will derive the most
    	benefit. As in, burn the most oxygen?
    
    	There are other more informed notes in this conference on that
    	subject. Consult them, not me (I tend to babble...)