Exercise bike for training for a sportive

friedpizzainbatter

I recently came off a mountain bike taking full hit on my hand, typically I can't put much weight on the palm (the sore bit means it's difficult (and I've been advised not to) ride my road bike, the doctor tells me it could be like this for 4-6 weeks at least depending on x-rays I'm getting tomorrow, maybe longer. I'm signed up to do the Etape Caledonia in May and hoping that my hand is ok for that. Is it possible to train for a sportive mainly using an upright type exercise bike? Is there a big difference between one of these and an indoor/spin bike for training? Thanks for any advice.

slowbike

First off - it'll be better than sitting on your arse doing nothing ... you're working your heart and lungs as much as your legs ...

I'd be concerned about position on the exercise bike - they tend to be very upright - the muscle groups used may be slightly different than on a road bike, and in anycase you'll not be exercising your core as much.

But, as it's a sportive and not a race then just about anything you do to keep your fitness up will be helpful

bigmat

A lot of exercise bikes are horrible to do any meaningful training on - big wide saddles, upright position, somehow manage to feel nothing like riding a bike. If you can find a gym with a Wattbike, use that. Spin bikes are pretty good but try and do your own thing as well as / instead of classes. Alternatively, why not buy a turbo trainer? The issue with your hand is more likely to be the risk of bumping it (potholes etc) rather than the position? You could just set your own bike up and grind out the miles that wat.

napoleond

Get a turbo. That way you are actually training in the right position.

craker

Go for a run... great time of year for it anyway.

friedpizzainbatter

Thanks. I was hovering on a DKN exercise bike, which would probably have p1ssed me off after not long. Now, after reading all your advice, looking at the Tacx Vortex, which looks quite good. Anyone got any experience of it?

AK_jnr

Hi,

I came off mid jan on to both hands. After 2 sets of x rays and an MRI my left was fine after 3 weeks but I just got the all clear on my right scaphoid at the weekend.
I put some tri bars on my bike for turbo sessions so there was no pressure on my hands/wrists and mixed it up with plenty of running.

bahzob

As above, a turbo is a good investment not just for now but also long term. It can be used during winter when the weather is pants.

Also if you want to do some hard threshold+ intervals (which really should be done at least once per week even for sportives) they are easier (and safer) to do on a turbo where you can just concentrate on giving it your max not road conditions.

Cant say about Tacx but can say Kurt Kinetic road machine is built like a tank, very smooth and very quiet.

diy

Maybe get some TT/Aero clip ons for your bike/turbo and train resting on your elbows. Make sure you keep your head up while training in aero position indoors as you forget to look at the road when indoors and it doesn't take long for your lats/traps and other smaller muscles to go off. One way to do this, is if you are watching training vids, keep the screen up high so you have to look up as if you would riding on the road.

4 weeks of training upright and your neck will die, when you go back to road riding.

prawny

Dunno about that Tacx but I had a Sirius a couple of years ago and it was pretty bloomin good.

friedpizzainbatter

Thanks for all the advice. I went for the Tacx Vortex, I also got some aero bars as that is a good idea as well. My hand starts aching and swelling up a couple of hours later if I spend too long on the handlebars even when it's on the trainer. The aero bars have sorted that out.
V impressed with the Tacx so far, can control resistance and check stats on my iphone, was a bit gutted though as I tried to sync to my ipad to get workouts and videos and discovered my ipad 2 is too old.
Had to do a bit of setup to get comfortable as my knees were bouncing of my stomach, but flipped the stem and it's a bit more comfortable. It'll take a bit of getting used to, as I don't seem to have as much power on the aero bars. Good training though, have managed two runs on it and a lot less depressed as a result.
Have it in front of the telly in my lounge to try and keep my head up, as it's very easy to relax it and look at your feet in the aero position.

AK_jnr

I had only used tri bars a couple of times previously so found it quite uncomfortable on the turbo to start with, but it has done wonders for my flexibility and power in an aero position now Im back on the road without them.

napoleond

Great to hear you got sorted.