Cycling fitness & what bike?
Discussion
Bit of background......
I race BMX....when I'm not injured, currently trying to get back after my last 'off' which resulted in breaking both elbows.
The winter race series starts in just over a weeks time and although I feel physically fit due to doing quite a bit of road miles while injured I'm facing a bit of a 'bottle' issue at the moment but this just requires me to MTFU.
But anyway, like I say I've been doing some road miles on a clunky old fully rigid Cannondale MTB which has seen better days, not been going that far, I usually do the same 20 mile loop, and combined with removing myself from the working classes I've dropped about a stone in 2 months.
I thought the logical thing to do was to Lycra myself up and get a roadie to up my road mile distance and retire the ageing MTB, I only ever use it on the road and never really gelled with the whole MTB scene, but recently I've started doing long (well long for the type of bike) rides on the BMX, usually about a 15 mile loop that takes in a few good riding spots.
The question is what is actually giving the 'best' workout?
Pedalling a light as a feather roadie 50 odd miles or pushing a lightish single speed (44/16) BMX 15 miles?
When I'm out on the bike the Mamils come sailing past me but who's actually doing the most work and as the BMX racing is the main goal spending all the time on the one bike is good for the skills.
I had considered a fixie/single speed but that seems to be the worst of both worlds, the main advantages of the BMX are being able to ride the BMX facilities at the 4 corners of my loop, on a fixie it's just pedalling.....but then I have to remember the rules and n+1 but I seem to be talking myself out of buying a new bike....
I race BMX....when I'm not injured, currently trying to get back after my last 'off' which resulted in breaking both elbows.
The winter race series starts in just over a weeks time and although I feel physically fit due to doing quite a bit of road miles while injured I'm facing a bit of a 'bottle' issue at the moment but this just requires me to MTFU.
But anyway, like I say I've been doing some road miles on a clunky old fully rigid Cannondale MTB which has seen better days, not been going that far, I usually do the same 20 mile loop, and combined with removing myself from the working classes I've dropped about a stone in 2 months.
I thought the logical thing to do was to Lycra myself up and get a roadie to up my road mile distance and retire the ageing MTB, I only ever use it on the road and never really gelled with the whole MTB scene, but recently I've started doing long (well long for the type of bike) rides on the BMX, usually about a 15 mile loop that takes in a few good riding spots.
The question is what is actually giving the 'best' workout?
Pedalling a light as a feather roadie 50 odd miles or pushing a lightish single speed (44/16) BMX 15 miles?
When I'm out on the bike the Mamils come sailing past me but who's actually doing the most work and as the BMX racing is the main goal spending all the time on the one bike is good for the skills.
I had considered a fixie/single speed but that seems to be the worst of both worlds, the main advantages of the BMX are being able to ride the BMX facilities at the 4 corners of my loop, on a fixie it's just pedalling.....but then I have to remember the rules and n+1 but I seem to be talking myself out of buying a new bike....
Gizmoish said:
but are you training for outright power, or aerobic endurance?
Bit of both really.BMX racing is an explosive power sport, all over in under a minute and can be won or lost in the first 50 meters but also need to increase my stamina and recover times, and just could do with being 'a bit fitter'.
I'm actually in awe of you for doing 15 milers on a bmx, do the same distance on a roadie in the same gear ratio and just the geometery will reduce your effort, that's an insane bike to do miles on...
I'll let the more seriously versed PH give you the accurate answer but I'd say stick some slicks on the rigid MTB, pump them up hard and enjoy the best of both worlds, you'll have more weight to pull uphills but also a lower ratio to deal with it should you choose.
I'll let the more seriously versed PH give you the accurate answer but I'd say stick some slicks on the rigid MTB, pump them up hard and enjoy the best of both worlds, you'll have more weight to pull uphills but also a lower ratio to deal with it should you choose.
Jayfish said:
I'm actually in awe of you for doing 15 milers on a bmx
Cheers, according to Mapmyride yesterday's ride was actually 17.09 miles :-)A few weeks ago a few BMXers did a sponsored ride from Brixton to Brighton, think that's just over 50 miles, now that would have been a challenge!
to be honest, its well worth heading down to your nearest velodrome and having a word with the coaches... quite a few bmxers (incl Sir Chris and Jamie Staff) made the jump to track cycling and i wouldnt be surprised if the track drills wouldnt come in useful the other way round given Shaznae Reade was part of the womens team sprint for a while.
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