Getting into Cycling / loosing weight
Getting into Cycling / loosing weight
Hello
I am tryimg to get into cycling to lose weight, and I also love it in genral.
But firstly what I want to ask is what type of bicycle should I get? A mountain bike or a road bike?
Not sure if this helps but my height and weight are:
HEIGHT: 5.9 FEET / 1.8 metres
WEIGHT: 16.2 stone / 103kg
I'm also wondering about the season change and are yiu able to adapt to the conditions of the weather?
Every bit of information is helpfull
Thank you
I am tryimg to get into cycling to lose weight, and I also love it in genral.
But firstly what I want to ask is what type of bicycle should I get? A mountain bike or a road bike?
Not sure if this helps but my height and weight are:
HEIGHT: 5.9 FEET / 1.8 metres
WEIGHT: 16.2 stone / 103kg
I'm also wondering about the season change and are yiu able to adapt to the conditions of the weather?
Every bit of information is helpfull
Thank you
Re: Getting into Cycling / loosing weight
You could get a Mtb if you intend to go off road, but, you need to be really fit to do that in winter. Fit new tyres on it with a smooth centre and nobbles at the side, that will make it easier to ride on road. Having done what you are doing some years ago cycling makes only a small difference to weight loss. 2 hours will shift up to 1/3 of a lb. Its diet that makes the real difference. Cutting down the carbs is by far the most effective method to loose weight.
Al
Al
Reuse, recycle, thus do your bit to save the planet.... Get stuff at auctions, Dump, Charity Shops, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Car Boots. Choose an Old House, and a Banger ..... And cycle as often as you can......
Re: Getting into Cycling / loosing weight
Hybrids are often considered the safe choice for someone who hasn't done a lot of cycling recently. They will be fine on road and on reasonably surfaced tracks. You only need an MTB when on very rough tracks, and you are not likely to do that. Road race bikes are a bit extreme for a beginner. You would probably find them too uncomfortable.
To get you up steep hills you want a small chain ring at the front (34 teeth is too many, so look for less) and a big one at the back (32 teeth or more).
Suspension is an unnecessary weight and an extra thing to maintain if you are riding mainly on road or smooth tracks.
Don't expect cycling to take the weight off on its own, but it will help. Calorie intake is still very important. I think you are right to focus on a form of exercise that you like doing anyway. You are more likely to stick with it.
Good luck.
To get you up steep hills you want a small chain ring at the front (34 teeth is too many, so look for less) and a big one at the back (32 teeth or more).
Suspension is an unnecessary weight and an extra thing to maintain if you are riding mainly on road or smooth tracks.
Don't expect cycling to take the weight off on its own, but it will help. Calorie intake is still very important. I think you are right to focus on a form of exercise that you like doing anyway. You are more likely to stick with it.
Good luck.
-
- Posts: 89
- Joined: 22 Jul 2016, 12:38pm
Re: Getting into Cycling / loosing weight
I can only speak from my experience. I took up cycling 18 months ago. I'm 66, weighed 95 kilos, and I'm 5ft 10.
I wanted to loose weight, but soon found out ( and it's not rocket science), that it really all comes down to calories in, calories out. For a male, I think the balance lies around 2500 calories per day. Take in less than 2500 and you will loose weight, consume more and you will gain weight.
So, I took up cycling, which initially I found damm hard work ,but I perservered. Hills that were once " walked up", now I ride up. I used to do 15 miles and get exhausted,but as I got fitter and lost weight, the cycling became easier, the hills less daunting ,and the whole experience became enjoyable.
Today I cycle around 15O miles a week, have met loads of friends, know places that I never knew before, and I have lost over 30 kilos in weight. Was it all due to cycling ? No, a combination of ,counting calories, getting out on my bike, and just plain enjoying myself.
As Nike says, Just Do It !!!!!!!!
I wanted to loose weight, but soon found out ( and it's not rocket science), that it really all comes down to calories in, calories out. For a male, I think the balance lies around 2500 calories per day. Take in less than 2500 and you will loose weight, consume more and you will gain weight.
So, I took up cycling, which initially I found damm hard work ,but I perservered. Hills that were once " walked up", now I ride up. I used to do 15 miles and get exhausted,but as I got fitter and lost weight, the cycling became easier, the hills less daunting ,and the whole experience became enjoyable.
Today I cycle around 15O miles a week, have met loads of friends, know places that I never knew before, and I have lost over 30 kilos in weight. Was it all due to cycling ? No, a combination of ,counting calories, getting out on my bike, and just plain enjoying myself.
As Nike says, Just Do It !!!!!!!!
Re: Getting into Cycling / loosing weight
When I started cycling (a few years ago) I was confused by the "types" of bike. I spent quite some time not finding what I was after under the "categories" on web sites. Have you narrowed things down to either an MTB or a Road bike. I ended-up going for a Cyclocross bike (more of a do-it-all bike rather than a top cyclocross bike). Have you looked at and rejected touring bikes ?
You have not identified the type of cycling you expect to be doing e.g. commute to and from work 5 days a week or evening/weekends leisure rides or speed trials with a local club, etc. I'd expect your choice of bike to depend on the use you are intending for it.
Ian
You have not identified the type of cycling you expect to be doing e.g. commute to and from work 5 days a week or evening/weekends leisure rides or speed trials with a local club, etc. I'd expect your choice of bike to depend on the use you are intending for it.
Ian
Re: Getting into Cycling / loosing weight
Agree. It all depends on what type of riding you want to do -
on road, off-road, mixture of both, canal towpaths?
Do you plan on riding alone or in a group?
Do you need/want to carry any luggage?
Are you interested in going fast or happy to just potter about?
Commuting or just leisure riding or both?
Answers to these questions will point you towards a particular type of bike.
on road, off-road, mixture of both, canal towpaths?
Do you plan on riding alone or in a group?
Do you need/want to carry any luggage?
Are you interested in going fast or happy to just potter about?
Commuting or just leisure riding or both?
Answers to these questions will point you towards a particular type of bike.
Sherwood CC and Notts CTC.
A cart horse trapped in the body of a man.
http://www.jogler2009.blogspot.com
A cart horse trapped in the body of a man.
http://www.jogler2009.blogspot.com
Re: Getting into Cycling / loosing weight
Most road bikes are usually designed up to 115-125kg so that won't be a problem. It's only the ultra lightweight race aimed ones that tend to be limited to 100kg.
As for which bike, depends where you want to go riding. A mtb with proper suspension is only really useful if you're intending on going on proper mtb trails (or equivalent unmarked off road routes), a mtb with rubbish suspension is just going to be a pig to ride.
If you're not doing that then you're probably best off with a more relaxed road bike with clearance for wider tyres and fittings for proper mudguards etc. There are a whole host of sub categories that sit here and will have names including audax, endurance, cyclo cross, adventure/gravel, tourers etc, without knowing where (and for what purpose, eg commute as well?) you're intending on cycling it's hard to recommended beyond that.
If you'd prefer flat bars then look at some of the hybrid/fitness bikes available. Avoid those with suspension though, as above, cheap suspension is a waste of money and even good suspension isn't really useful outside of 'technical' mtb stuff. (I'd say needed but cyclo-cross races and videos like road bike party demonstrate you don't really need suspension even on that if you have ridiculous skills!)
As for which bike, depends where you want to go riding. A mtb with proper suspension is only really useful if you're intending on going on proper mtb trails (or equivalent unmarked off road routes), a mtb with rubbish suspension is just going to be a pig to ride.
If you're not doing that then you're probably best off with a more relaxed road bike with clearance for wider tyres and fittings for proper mudguards etc. There are a whole host of sub categories that sit here and will have names including audax, endurance, cyclo cross, adventure/gravel, tourers etc, without knowing where (and for what purpose, eg commute as well?) you're intending on cycling it's hard to recommended beyond that.
If you'd prefer flat bars then look at some of the hybrid/fitness bikes available. Avoid those with suspension though, as above, cheap suspension is a waste of money and even good suspension isn't really useful outside of 'technical' mtb stuff. (I'd say needed but cyclo-cross races and videos like road bike party demonstrate you don't really need suspension even on that if you have ridiculous skills!)
The contents of this post, unless otherwise stated, are opinions of the author and may actually be complete codswallop
Re: Getting into Cycling / loosing weight
Hi
If one of your main reasons for wanting to cycle is to loose weight, I would say that how often and how far you cycle is far more important than the bike itself, unless you are immediately planning to go for for long road journeys when a road/tourer is warranted, or long off road when an MTB is best.
For the majority of trips up to 20-30 miles, then virtually any bike will get you there and back. What I would strongly recommend is that you cycle regularly, for example commuting. There is nothing like cycling short-moderate distances twice a day to build up your stamina. With increased stamina, longer rides become easier and more enjoyable and at that point you can decide what kind of cycling you prefer and treat yourself to a really good bike(s) for that mode of riding. Until then, I wouldn't worry to much about the bike, though as has been said before, a hybrid is a good all-rounder, as is a tourer.
Cheers
If one of your main reasons for wanting to cycle is to loose weight, I would say that how often and how far you cycle is far more important than the bike itself, unless you are immediately planning to go for for long road journeys when a road/tourer is warranted, or long off road when an MTB is best.
For the majority of trips up to 20-30 miles, then virtually any bike will get you there and back. What I would strongly recommend is that you cycle regularly, for example commuting. There is nothing like cycling short-moderate distances twice a day to build up your stamina. With increased stamina, longer rides become easier and more enjoyable and at that point you can decide what kind of cycling you prefer and treat yourself to a really good bike(s) for that mode of riding. Until then, I wouldn't worry to much about the bike, though as has been said before, a hybrid is a good all-rounder, as is a tourer.
Cheers
geomannie
Re: Getting into Cycling / loosing weight
Well done on deciding to lose weight and choosing cycling to help. The unfortunate news is that cycling will only help if it is done on a regular basis, like a daily commute. Riding once or twice a week won't really help, even if you do ride a long distance.
Re: Getting into Cycling / loosing weight
As others have said, the touring bike is for many people a better choice for multi-purpose use than the hybrid. A touring bike is comfortable, designed to carry stuff and (fitted with sturdy, low-pressure tyres c.35mm wide) versatile enough for mixed terrain. Whether for commuting, embarking on round-the-world expeditions or just pottering around the lanes and cycleways, there's a lot to be said for the touring bike.
Re: Getting into Cycling / loosing weight
Cycling burns calories, it isn't a precise science and we're all different, but if you keep your intake at the same level and burn more you will lose weight. Then it gets complicated, riding hard will burn a lot more, but it's a lot harder to do without fuelling it with carbs and it's very easy to take in more than you've expended. Riding at a pace where you don't feel your body demanding extra fuel, also burns calories, just not at a very high rate and a cafe stop can easily wipe out an afternoons riding. What cycling is good for, like all exercise, is keeping you trim while the weight comes off, helping ensure you lose fat rather than muscle mass.
What worked for me was a careful diet and at least four rides a week, two long easy and two shorter higher intensity. I lost an average of 1.7kg a week over a period of 3 months. Though it took me a few months to find what worked for me. I couldn't have done it with just the cycling but I have no doubt it helped.
What worked for me was a careful diet and at least four rides a week, two long easy and two shorter higher intensity. I lost an average of 1.7kg a week over a period of 3 months. Though it took me a few months to find what worked for me. I couldn't have done it with just the cycling but I have no doubt it helped.
Re: Getting into Cycling / loosing weight
The obvious answer is it depends on whether you want to ride on road or off road.
If you're hesitating between the two, I imagine you're thinking about on-road. In that case, you have to decide whether you want the aggressive position you tend to be forced into on a road bike. I'm 5'11" and nearly 14st, so taller and lighter than you (that's merely an observation ) and I find I knee myself in the guts sometimes when I'm down in the drops, so I'm not convinced a drop-bar full-on road bike is your best option.
I'd be inclined towards a road-oriented hybrid. Specifically one that has no suspension - rigid fork, but allows you to sit reasonably upright to avoid the aforementioned kneeing yourself in the guts issue
You will, if you are willing to do a good 50-100 miles a week, find yourself losing some weight, but it will plateau, because your appetite will rise as your metabolism starts to notice you're using more calories.
If you're hesitating between the two, I imagine you're thinking about on-road. In that case, you have to decide whether you want the aggressive position you tend to be forced into on a road bike. I'm 5'11" and nearly 14st, so taller and lighter than you (that's merely an observation ) and I find I knee myself in the guts sometimes when I'm down in the drops, so I'm not convinced a drop-bar full-on road bike is your best option.
I'd be inclined towards a road-oriented hybrid. Specifically one that has no suspension - rigid fork, but allows you to sit reasonably upright to avoid the aforementioned kneeing yourself in the guts issue
You will, if you are willing to do a good 50-100 miles a week, find yourself losing some weight, but it will plateau, because your appetite will rise as your metabolism starts to notice you're using more calories.
Re: Getting into Cycling / loosing weight
Roadster wrote:As others have said, the touring bike is for many people a better choice for multi-purpose use than the hybrid.
It's hard to see where the line between tourer and hybrid is drawn. The continental style trekking bike would easily get classified as a hybrid in the UK, yet is the most popular type of bike used for touring.
Rather than the label a bike has, far better to start with a list of requirements and find a bike that doesn't compromise them too much. My first decent bike was a Cannondale Hybrid, after a few yeas on cheap MTBs it was a complete revelation that cycling could be so much fun and as easy. A couple of decades later I started with a blank sheet of paper and had a bike built to match my usage, I was a bit surprised how similar to that hybrid it turned out. Hybrids tend to have gained a bad name because there’s been plenty of bad hybrids made, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the idea.
Re: Getting into Cycling / loosing weight
PH wrote:It's hard to see where the line between tourer and hybrid is drawn.
I agree, and that's why I don't particularly like the term "hybrid": it's too vague and can mean anything from a mountain bike with narrow wheels/tyres to a straight-handlebar road bike with wide ones. A bike is more usefully labelled by its purpose than by its description.
I also agree that regular exercise taken on a bike does not ensure rapid weight loss but does enable one's calorie intake to be converted into muscle rather than fat. Moreover, it will vastly improve one's lung capacity, cardio-vascular system and overall health and fitness - provided, of course, that you ride within your current physical limits and build up gradually over time.
Re: Getting into Cycling / loosing weight
freeflow wrote:Well done on deciding to lose weight and choosing cycling to help. The unfortunate news is that cycling will only help if it is done on a regular basis, like a daily commute. Riding once or twice a week won't really help, even if you do ride a long distance.
I find the opposite. I've never been 'overweight' but in terms of the up to stone and a bit of flab I can and usually do carry it's only mixing in intense or extended once or twice a week exercise that really puts a dent in it. Daily moderate exercise doesn't really have much impact for me, with or without it I will lose weight with weekly long cycle rides (or medium but more intense mtb sessions) and gain it without.
People vary greatly in how they respond to exercise there's no one solution.
Regarding tourers it's with noting that full tourers tend to be designed to be ridden loaded (front and back), they can handle a bit funny when unladen.
The contents of this post, unless otherwise stated, are opinions of the author and may actually be complete codswallop