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"stationary" bike dangers

Old 12-08-07, 08:10 PM
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"stationary" bike dangers

There are TWO threads here about fall from "stationary" bikes.
I have questions:

1. If you fall off it and drag it to the floor, is it correct to still refer to said bike as stationary?

2. Is it really that much harder to ride while not actually going anywhere than I was previously aware of?

3. Considering the dangers involved, how bad would it be for me to wear a helmet when riding one?

4. Should I rack up a few thousand more road miles before I consider taking on a stationary bike?
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Old 12-08-07, 08:37 PM
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I'm wondering how large of a conspiracy there is among stationary bike manufacturers, hiding the fact that hundreds of thousands of people are being injured on them.

And who knows how many fatalies!

Oh the humanity!
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Old 12-08-07, 10:45 PM
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I looked at my current trainer odometer and see that I have over 4000 miles on it. I thought I knew it pretty well but I will approach it with much more caution in the future!
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Old 12-09-07, 03:34 AM
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I have taken a look at the bylaws and unless the membership votes to the contrary, there will be no memberships in Club Tombay given for falling off a stationary bike either clipped or unclipped!

A proper video may......only may not for sure......qualify you for membership in the Johnson memorial cycling club.
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Old 12-09-07, 04:50 AM
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Danger: Riders may die of boredom!
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Old 12-09-07, 07:24 AM
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Originally Posted by cccorlew
There are TWO threads here about fall from "stationary" bikes.
I have questions:

1. If you fall off it and drag it to the floor, is it correct to still refer to said bike as stationary?
Yes, this would still be the correct term. That is, assuming the said fall didn't occur on a hill, afterwhich the rider, bike and trainer slide 200 yards downhill.

2. Is it really that much harder to ride while not actually going anywhere than I was previously aware of?
Beyond a shadow of a doubt this is the hardest riding you'll ever experience. Think about it, when was the last time you heard a pro rider sing the praises of his or her trainer. No, given the choice, even the pros would rather to TTs, sprints, and mountain pass climbs. Just thinking about riding a trainer seperates the serious "hard-core" riders from the casual riders.

3. Considering the dangers involved, how bad would it be for me to wear a helmet when riding one?
For some of us, it's a good idea to wear a helmet when engaged in any physical activity. However, due to the stationary nature of the activity, you'll have no wind to help keep your body temperature in check. So, you need to mount a small battery powered fan on top of the helmet to keep you cool.

4. Should I rack up a few thousand more road miles before I consider taking on a stationary bike?
That would be my recommendation. And even then, I'd encourage you to hire a professional coach to make sure you're doing it correctly. It's important to remember that a trainer is not a toy. It's a serious bit of training equipment only used by the most skilled and dedicated riders.
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Old 12-09-07, 07:59 AM
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Originally Posted by RockyMtnMerlin
I looked at my current trainer odometer and see that I have over 4000 miles on it. I thought I knew it pretty well but I will approach it with much more caution in the future!
Suggest you either check the calibration of your odometer or the way your trainer is mounted. In a spirited standing sprint, I may occasionally cause my trainer to move a fraction of an inch. I can't imagine how to move one a yard, much less 4000 miles.
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Old 12-09-07, 09:32 AM
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Manufacturers should have a warning label on the stationary trainer pointing out the potential risks. I know I appreciate the warning on my Starbucks cup that the coffee is hot.
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Old 12-09-07, 09:46 AM
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Oh my! I hadn't even begun to think of what could happen if two dangers (Will Robinson should be mentioned here) are brought together. If you were on your stationary bike and someone brought you a cup of Starbuck's coffee why.....why.....it could be like a matter/antimatter collision.
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Old 12-09-07, 11:48 AM
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this whole thread is scary! And of course if you wear spandex while riding your stationary thats dangerous (three) I'm thinking they need to do a recall and send them all back to wherever they come from
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Old 12-09-07, 03:57 PM
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There's something very unnatural about a stationary bike.

I don't read stories about people having stationary cars or boats in their houses for using in the winter.

Now excuse whilst I go to use my stationary skateboard.
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Old 12-09-07, 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted by rodrigaj
Danger: Riders may die of boredom!
Amen, bro.
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Old 12-09-07, 04:04 PM
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And I suppose falls off stationary bikes are always called Arte Johnson falls, huh.........
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Old 12-09-07, 04:18 PM
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I find "riding” a “stationary” bike much more difficult than riding out on the road. I have always had difficulty maintaining a track stand for very long.

-Spoke
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Old 12-10-07, 05:51 AM
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I use mine for a W/U workout. If I hoope on a bike on the road, I can't seem to wait to get moving, On a stationary, I 12-18 minutes and I'm ready to Roll!!!!

Sure eliminated alot of leg problems.
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Old 12-10-07, 08:38 AM
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Originally Posted by rodrigaj
Danger: Riders may die of boredom!
This kid has managed to make it a little less boring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIVh-JUNyQs
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Old 12-10-07, 09:15 AM
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Originally Posted by maddmaxx
I have taken a look at the bylaws and unless the membership votes to the contrary, there will be no memberships in Club Tombay given for falling off a stationary bike either clipped or unclipped!

A proper video may......only may not for sure......qualify you for membership in the Johnson memorial cycling club.
I was clipped in when I fell.

Incidentally, do I get bonus points with Club Tombay if I am listening to Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin at the time of the fall?

https://www.maurice-ravel.net/tombeau.htm
 
Old 12-10-07, 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by cccorlew
There are TWO threads here about fall from "stationary" bikes.
I have questions:

1. If you fall off it and drag it to the floor, is it correct to still refer to said bike as stationary?

2. Is it really that much harder to ride while not actually going anywhere than I was previously aware of?

3. Considering the dangers involved, how bad would it be for me to wear a helmet when riding one?

4. Should I rack up a few thousand more road miles before I consider taking on a stationary bike?
you're right to be worried...many years ago Sears Canada was forced to recall a couple of their stationary bike models...apparently the seat post wore through the seat, causing some injuries...

...a helmet would not have helped
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Old 12-10-07, 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by jm01
you're right to be worried...many years ago Sears Canada was forced to recall a couple of their stationary bike models...apparently the seat post wore through the seat, causing some injuries...

...a helmet would not have helped
...a cup might have.

Back to topic....
I have a friend who was doing some training for the Hou-Austin MS150 and some how managed to break his leg... it happened close enough to the ride that the cast wasn't off in time.
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Old 12-11-07, 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by maddmaxx
I have taken a look at the bylaws and unless the membership votes to the contrary, there will be no memberships in Club Tombay given for falling off a stationary bike either clipped or unclipped!
I believe it does lay the groundwork for future consideration as a Darwin Award candidate.
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Old 12-11-07, 05:13 PM
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In the last couple of days on this board, I've learned that if I am going to ride a stationary bike, then I should purchase a Nutty Buddy.
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Old 12-11-07, 06:23 PM
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I knew there was a reason that I gave up riding on my stationary / exercize bike. little did I know I was saving face....maybe literally.
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Old 12-11-07, 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by swan652
I believe it does lay the groundwork for future consideration as a Darwin Award candidate.
Thanks. I suppose between falling off the spin bike and riding home 4 miles at night without a working headlight I've become the Darwin Award poster child.
 
Old 12-11-07, 10:41 PM
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Perhaps you guys have better balance than I but I find these daunting:
https://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?p...jor=3&minor=11
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Old 12-11-07, 11:05 PM
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. . . and you can't draft on a stationary either!
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