Training on Cheap Bike

Am a believer in "overload" since I also mix my cycling with weight training.
Training on a heavy bike gives your body some sort of overload which I believe eventually adds more strength to your muscles.

I have often seen guys with expensive and state of the art bikes but their bodies don't look "state of the art"... big bellies and sagging muscles.

It should be sufficiently similar to whatever you're racing on. However, is it worth the $1600 investment? I can understand if you have a $5000 frame that you don't wanna snap. What kind of bike do you race on?

Most of the people I know just use their old bikes (if they have one) as a training bike or a bike to use in bad weather/conditions such as a Roubaix race. I really wouldn't recommend getting a brand new bike just for the purpose of training.

And besides, you don't need a heavy bike to make training harder...you can just carry extra water bottles or a weighted sack.

There is the "overload" theory but there is also the "you should train how you race" theory.

That doesn't mean riding everywhere like a maniac, but it does mean, in part, getting used to your equipment and knowing how to use it to its potential. You can't do that if you spend the vast majority of time riding a different machine.

The only way to get both on a budget is to buy a low end model from the same company that you purchased the race machine from and ensure that the geometry, handlebars, saddle, pedals and levers are the same.

I've toyed with the idea of a training bike, but all it would be is a carbon copy of the bike that I use now with training wheels and tyres and similar components. So instead I just use one bike and have different wheels.

Cheap carbon bikes aren't that much of a handicap. Any bike under 19 lbs is still pretty competitive.

Here are some inexpensive carbon bikes you can look into. Felt F5, Specialized Tarmac Elite, Trek Madone 4.5 and 4.7, and Scott CR1 Team. The Felt has a very traditional geometry, while the others are basically traditional road racing geometry with slightly extended head tubes. In "normal" sizes (58 or smaller), they all weigh in from 17.5 to 19 lbs.

While some critics will disparage one or more of these bikes, I will go out on a limb and say they're all good. You just might like one more than the rest.

[lang=bg]Its good suggetion for the new comer. i think its good idea.if you Want to learn to any bike or vehicle so you just use to cheap bike I have a experience it. that's way I am telling.[/lang]

Joseph Tsui said:

Is it a good idea to train on a beginner, cheap, "heavy" bike?
I am thinking of buying a full carbon road bike between $1285 and $1600 as my training bike and general group riding (not for racing). Any suggestions?

I wouldn't say it's going to be any more effective from a cycling training standpoint than riding on a lighter, more expensive, racing bike. You can easily replicate any additional training stress (real or perceived) on a lighter bike versus a heavier bike.

I train and race on 3 different bikes because I enjoy the variety, 2 of them moreso than the third as I desire to save my more expensive race bike for special occasions and keep the 'wear and tear' to a minimum.

That said, I do employ overload principles in my general conditioning - I wear ankle weights frequently and a 40lb weight vest on occasion. This is not for any cycling benefit but more calorie burning when I'm not on the bike.

but lets say i am doing group ride on a relatively heavy bike, that means i am working harder to keep up with other riders.

On group rides you really won't be doing that much more work. Weight only makes a big difference when you're racing...3 pounds of bike weight might make you gain a handful of places...

Joseph Tsui said:

but lets say i am doing group ride on a relatively heavy bike, that means i am working harder to keep up with other riders.

Just ride in a bigger gear (smaller cog in back) than you normally would...

Quoted post said:

but lets say i am doing group ride on a relatively heavy bike, that means i am working harder to keep up with other riders.

Quoted post said:

Weight only makes a big difference when you're racing...

Only if you are going up a steep hill for the entire bunch ride/race. The biggest power sapper is air resistance and by sitting in the bunch you are already saving quite a bit of energy (ie: bludging).

The guys in the bunch that do the most work are the guys on the front. Take a few turns there at speed and you'll know what training is!

A training bike is just that: a training bike. It is there to spare your race bike from the bulk of wear and tear. The only reason pros have training machines is so they can get trashed while the race machine is locked up at the team service course, and kept clean for racing only. The frame on both bikes is the same, and the differences are only found in the wheels and tyres and perhaps some lower level components (to save money). The weight differences are minimal and, in any case, have almost no effect.

"Overloading" in endurance sports means more time at a specified intensity or upping resistance (intensity). Or, using a shorter recovery time between work durations (ie, decreasing rest time in interval training).

Adding weight to the bicycle/rider system doesn't add significant resistance until you are working against gravity (ie, climbing). The best part about cycling is that the resistance is built-in: it's called wind resistance😉 Simply trying to ride faster should create enough resistance to have an effective training effect😎

No need to ride a heavier bike for "training" purposes.