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Any attachments to make pedaling more difficult?

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Any attachments to make pedaling more difficult?

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Old 03-30-17, 05:15 PM
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Any attachments to make pedaling more difficult?

My bike wheel wore out. It wobbled. It was more work that it should be to pedal. I replaced it with a new one. That's much easier to pedal.

I don't mind the Superman feeling of my leg muscles being plenty strong for pedaling. That's going to fade if the muscles aren't used though. And I do notice the muscles are being fatigued in a different way. It's easier to pedal, so I'm probably on a higher/harder gear pedaling now.

If I wanted to make it more difficult to pedal again for the purpose of pushing those leg muscles a bit while I'm doing my normal riding.... Is there an attachment or something I could use on the bike that would do that? I went a long time with that extra 10% or whatever amount of work pedaling. I did notice it sometimes, but mostly it was hidden in my normal commute riding.

Is there anything I could add on my bike that would recreate that, make it harder to pedal?

I remembered an old exercise bike having an attachment like this that regulated the amount of work needed to pedal.
https://images1.americanlisted.com/nl...d_30658103.jpg

Would there be anything like that a normal bike? Except I've got splash guards over my wheels so this would quite work.
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Old 03-30-17, 05:15 PM
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The shifter
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Old 03-30-17, 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by bikerbobbbb

If I wanted to make it more difficult to pedal again for the purpose of pushing those leg muscles a bit while I'm doing my normal riding.... Is there an attachment or something I could use on the bike that would do that? I went a long time with that extra 10% or whatever amount of work pedaling. I did notice it sometimes, but mostly it was hidden in my normal commute riding.
Swap the rider for one that pedals faster.
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Old 03-30-17, 05:20 PM
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You could just put a big ass chainring on it.
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Old 03-30-17, 05:21 PM
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Old 03-30-17, 05:24 PM
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Add weight and seek out hills? Look at the weather forecast to plan for headwinds? Adjust your brakes to drag?

I do find that commuting on my 40+ lb bike (when loaded) sure helps mu speed on recreational rides.
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Old 03-30-17, 05:33 PM
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A rack with panniers and a good lock will make you pedal harder for sure.

New York Fahgettaboudit Mini
Product weight: 4.55 lbs (2.06 kgs)
Get 2 of these locks.
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Old 03-30-17, 05:42 PM
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hills. and in general best/most efficient technique is not to push hard on the pedals slowly, but to push less hard and pedal faster. it will build up your muscles just as well.

if you commute, try to go a little faster everyday, going faster takes more power the faster you go.

otherwise it is basically making what is supposed to be an efficient machine, less efficient is pretty....not sure the right word lame is close.
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Old 03-30-17, 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by bikerbobbbb
My bike wheel wore out. It wobbled. It was more work that it should be to pedal. I replaced it with a new one. That's much easier to pedal.

I don't mind the Superman feeling of my leg muscles being plenty strong for pedaling. That's going to fade if the muscles aren't used though. And I do notice the muscles are being fatigued in a different way. It's easier to pedal, so I'm probably on a higher/harder gear pedaling now.

If I wanted to make it more difficult to pedal again for the purpose of pushing those leg muscles a bit while I'm doing my normal riding.... Is there an attachment or something I could use on the bike that would do that? I went a long time with that extra 10% or whatever amount of work pedaling. I did notice it sometimes, but mostly it was hidden in my normal commute riding.

Is there anything I could add on my bike that would recreate that, make it harder to pedal?

I remembered an old exercise bike having an attachment like this that regulated the amount of work needed to pedal.
https://images1.americanlisted.com/nl...d_30658103.jpg

Would there be anything like that a normal bike? Except I've got splash guards over my wheels so this would quite work.
Just reinstall the old wheel -- solved.
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Old 03-30-17, 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by bikerbobbbb
Is there anything I could add on my bike that would make it harder to pedal?
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Old 03-30-17, 06:12 PM
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I find dragging an old car tire works.
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Old 03-30-17, 06:27 PM
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Rocks + Backpack.

or just pedal with one leg.
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Old 03-30-17, 06:35 PM
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Just use the cable adjuster on your brake levers to take up the slack between your pads and rims. Bam. Adjustable tensioner, just like a spin bike.
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Old 03-30-17, 06:35 PM
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Trailer and a couple kids
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Old 03-30-17, 06:37 PM
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Ankle weights

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Old 03-30-17, 06:38 PM
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Hills and head wind.

Squats in the gym, or a series of 5+ 1 minute intervals with air squats in your home. (done' properly- don't hurt yourself). Do as many air squats in a minute as you can, and see how many times you can repeat that with, say, 15 - 30 seconds in between. Lengthen the time and/or number to progress. Learn to pace yourself so you can barely, only with maximum effort, match the first set with the last.

Weighted or unweighted lunges too (again, properly!)
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Old 03-30-17, 07:40 PM
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Pistol squats.
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Old 03-30-17, 07:41 PM
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Here you go .
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Old 03-30-17, 08:20 PM
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Use thorn-resistant tubes.
You won't have flats. You'll also feel like dragging a stone.

Bontrager Thorn Resistant Tube (700c, 36mm Presta Valve) - www.trekbicyclesuperstore.com
27" x 1.125-1.25, 700 x 28-32C Weigth: 380g
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Old 03-30-17, 08:50 PM
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Oh, man did you really want to ask this question or did you want to see some clever answers?

So, there is more weight and more friction. More friction can be further divided into mechanical friction and aerodynamic friction.

Adding weight and friction is relatively easy. It is usually lowering weight and friction that we all worry about.

I had a neighbor who wanted to use his old bike to get a little cardio-vascular exersize. He wanted me to look the bike over before he started this. It was an older but sturdy bike. Perhaps a Schwinn. The wheels were straight. The brakes worked. I probably adjusted his seat and told him to go to the LBS and get a set of tires.

He went and came back a few hundred dollars lighter. The LBS did a good job selling. However, you don't need a great bike to get the heart and blood flowing.

So, get an old clunker. Make sure you have fenders, ehem, mudgaurds, so that you can ride more often.

If that is not enough, I like the idea of the thorn resistant tubes and the parachute.

Some of the tractor guys put anti-freeze in their tires rather than buying wheel weights. I bet that would work well. It is best to remove the schrader valve to get the water/anti-freeze in the tube.

Boy, this could be fun (as long as I am not the one pedaling).
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Old 03-30-17, 08:59 PM
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Just tighten down the brake calipers all the way.
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Old 03-30-17, 09:13 PM
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Just pedal faster. Increasing your speed by 10% takes ~30% more power. No need for any special gadgets.
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Old 03-31-17, 01:20 AM
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F'ing TROLL
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Old 03-31-17, 04:26 AM
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What you really need is an attachment to your keyboard that prevents inane posts. It's too bad you can't think of better ways to occupy your time and waste that of others on the forum.
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Old 03-31-17, 05:09 AM
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