SpokeApe

While walking "The Sk-Whirl" (my Shep/Lab Mix...also known as the best dog in the WORLD!!) at the park today I noticed a woman riding around the entire park loop (walking trail) while standing and pedaling. Never sitting down and never coasting.
Has anyone tried this?
This looked like a novel idea and something I would like to try as a alt. form of exercise.
Here is the catch.......
This well toned lady might have tipped the scales at 120lbs, not much of a strain on ye olde cranks.
I, on the other hand, position the needle at a waifish and demure 260lbs.
Not wanting to explain what happened 3-4 times in an emergency room and then 15-20 times to friends, family and fellow workers when the pedal snaps off I found this on a GOOGLE search:
https://bicyclesports.us/schwinn_heav..._workhorse.htm
Would this be a good choice for this endeavor??
It resembles a beefed up version of what she was pumping on.
Just a thought.
SpokeApe

rideorglide

Nice looking bike.
You'd get all the workout you ever need riding that up a hill.

It would be a shame to ride it only indoors. That thing needs to be outside and treated to some rough roads and rough handling!

Now, post a pic of the dog!

(Mine's a Lab-Collie-Shep mix and loves to run along with the bike.)

SpokeApe

By no means would it stay INDOORS!!!
........absolute blasphemy..........
I must have come across as unclear.
It would be outside as often as my legs would allow it.
Looked like she was getting a good workout.
I'd be on the same track pedaling, just slightly slower than her, if at all possible...
SpokeApe
p.s.
As far as the Sk-Whirl goes............

Best and cheapest ($30 pound pup) dog (don't tell her I called her that!!) I've ever owned (don't tell her that either!!)
SpokeApe

Tom Stormcrowe

Yeah, that's just an industrial bike. Basically a cruiser is all. Worksman makes a similar one, of equal quality, by the way and is 100% US Made

Air

Actually, someone just wrote up a review of the Worksman (similar idea, different company).

SpokeApe

So "no dice" on it being more of a substantial build?
I just figured with it being heavy duty on the frame and spokes so might be the BB and cranks.
SpokeApe.
p.s.
-10 points to both of you for not referencing the beauty of The Sk-Whirl!!

Tom Stormcrowe

I just figured it went without saying that you have a beautiful dog She looks like a real sweetheart

StephenH

There is a Worksman bike that is similar, and also one made by Husky. The one in the picture there may be a Husky in disguise, for that matter.

These bikes use a forged steel crank, but I don't know that it's any different from the forged steel crank used on other cruiser-type bicycles. The pedals I think are fairly standard, too. Some of these parts are just outsourced to other manufacturers, so they can show up on different brands.

The Worksman model I have is geared fairly low. Before I got it, I was riding my mountain bike around in high gear, and that'll work your thighs for sure. I don't know that you'd gain that much by standing; you'd work your legs somewhat more but not necessarily your heart and lungs. Anyway, with the Worksman, I've gone from slow and hard pedaling to fast and easy pedaling, with emphasis on the fast. Either way, I'm getting some pretty good exercise, and mostly just going about as fast as I can go everywhere I go.

Watch the frame size. If you have a chance to test ride one, that would be very helpful.

SpokeApe

Thanks Tom, I was just goofin around.
She saw your post and agrees with you, by the way.
(As a side note, how goes the shoulder?)
I was just reading your post Air eluded to, Stephen.
So your saying I would still have to look for stronger cranks and peds?
SpokeApe
p.s.
The smooth shaven leg ISN"T MINE!!

Mr. Beanz

Riding without sitting has been a training tech for a long time. I've heard of some riders removing the saddle so that they have no choice but to stand.

flip18436572

Is there a reason the bike you currently are using can't be used to work out more?

Spend $80.00 on a Heart Rate Monitor and pay attention to it and work out according to your heart rate.

Askel

I tried that once after I broke my seat.

Never again.

Mr. Beanz

OUCH!

flip18436572

Askel, I remember that picture from advrider. Have you told the whole story here????

andymac

You don't need to buy a bike with a tough sounding name to stand up and pedal, just get a BMX cruiser, that is what they are designed for.
I race a Norco Speed Metal 24 inch wheel cruiser and am a little over 6'6" and weigh 230, there are a few other guys around my area that outweigh me that also race cruiser class our bodies break more than our bikes. These bikes are simple and durable, they are meant to be pedaled standing and are built to take some pretty hard landings. The 3 piece cranks that come on the stock BMX cruiser bikes are strong enough for most riders and can easily be replaced with near bullet proof ones if they do not prove up to the task. They are loads of fun to zoom around on and hard enough to pedal while seated that you will be inspired to stand. There are some non-race versions, like the Haro X24 Backtrail that would be well suited to the task or you could just look around for a used race bike. As an added bonus you could take it to your local BMX track and do a few laps!

SpokeApe

Mr. Beans-
Thanks for the input, but no saddle.....I hope the seat post came off with it!!
Flip-
I thought of that too a heart rate monitor, but the bike I have now is the reason I'm looking for another. It got me back into riding but not as one would say "top "O" the line". I would definitely be worried abt aggressively standing and pedaling.
Askel-
Just use this line, "YEAH! But you should see the other guy!!" Of course, it looks like he attacked you with a garden hand rake or some Freddie Kruger glove so just say you ran him over with your car.
Andymac-
I don't care if it is called the "Flufferpuff2K" as long as it keeps my stuff attached where it is supposed to be and not damaged or swollen. I'll check out the bike you mentioned as well as that bike style. This won't be my only bike and for the price I thought this one would handle the stress of this type of workout better. Thanks!
SpokeApe

SpokeApe

OK.......
Checked out the Norco Speed Metal and while a great idea, I think I need something, lets just say LARGER!
LoL!!
I'd look like a 37yo trained white Ape on that lil thing!
On the other hand (as Randy Travis would say) could I put those cranks on a larger bike frame?
They do look reery, reery strong!
If I could get a set from Nashbar could I install them on my Mongoose Alta MTB?
I am going to switch it over to a SS and I was told the kit for that is abt $20 I could just have them throw in a set of these cranks....hmmm?...hmmm?
Anyone?
SokeApe

andymac

The BMX Cruiser bikes are not small, they are low. Mine has almost a 22 inch top tube, a long BMX stem, 6 inch rise bars and 180mm cranks, it only feels small if you try to sit down, which is what you were trying to avoid. Friends who have commented on how small it looks have tried to ride it and most find out that it is actually too big for them, they are all stretched out and bob up and down because the cranks are too long for them.
In addition, I have been assured by my 8 year old son that I look way more like a 43 year old spider monkey than a trained ape.


Little chance that Nashbar would carry this sort of crank, you could take a look on Dans Comp, they are one of the bigger online BMX suppliers. Don't be tempted by the lower priced ones that say "Expert", that refers to a frame size for kids race bikes and they usually have a 110 lb weight limit. As for them fitting? They probably would if you got the "Euro" bottom bracket style, that is what the standard cartridge bottom brackets are referred to in the BMX world. You may be better off just finding a single ring downhill style mountain bike crankset though, something like the Truvativ Holzfeller DH Crank.

If you are going single speed you will also need to factor in a chain tensioner, on a BMX you can just slide the rear wheel back in the dropouts to get the chain tension you want. On a "regular" mountain bike the dropouts are vertical so you need something to take up the slack in the chain.

StephenH

I'm not saying you'd need to beef up the crank on that bicycle- just that the cranks on a lot of run-of-the-mill bikes might work fine for that, too.

flip18436572

You don't have to stand and pedal to increase your heart rate, or to work your aerobic heart rate zone. Change your gearing and put your cadence in the 90 RPM range and see where your heart rate is. Work it a little more if you have to and increase your speed. I rarely stand on my bike to ride and I can get my heart rate over 160 on some hills. On flats, when I just push myself, I can easily reach 130. You don't have to have the best bike or the strongest bike to increase your heart rate to get a good work out.