Originally Posted by
livedarklions
That may be, but I still think it's a gross overstatement to suggest that it's "great" for upper body strength when almost any other form of exercise is probably better for that one thing. To be clear, that's not a quibble with what you wrote, I'm saying that assuing what you wrote is true, the OP went too far.
I know I get a small amount of upper body benefit from the huge number of miles I ride, but I don't think it's any more than I would get just walking.
I would agree with you. Like I said, I think it's probably "great" for toning what you have. But I would hardly consider it a strength exercise. And I think even the toning part would require some effort. I do know that my arms feel it the day after a long ride where I spend a lot of time standing and mashing.