Help a clueless beginner!

shawlaw67

Hey, how is everyone doing?

I suffered a torn mcl/meniscus in my left knee in the past year, subsequently I gained a few extra pounds while I was confined to limited movement and am looking to get that lean body back, but unfortunately I don't feel too comfortable engaging in what used to be my cardio workouts (soccer, basketball, long distance running) just yet. My knee specialists recommended biking, so here I am. Here is my dilemma however...

There is a bike trail that leads directly to the beach next to my house so that works out perfectly for me. I am in the market for a bicycle, but I am not sure if I should go with a mountain bike, or a road bike. The trail is a fully paved road for runners and bikers. I am mostly interested in being able to build my leg muscles, quads, calfs, hamstrings, etc; while also burning fat.

I know nothing about bicycles, but it seems to me that road bikes have more of a gliding effect and due to the lightness of the frame, I wouldn't be engaging my muscles too much, while the sturdier mountain bike seems to need a bit more of a push to get somewhere. Before my injury I was an avid participant in amateur adult basketball, soccer, and flag football leagues so I really am looking for whatever will push me the most and will get me back on track the quickest. So what do you recommend I go with, a mountain or road bike?

Thanks a lot, everyone!

cyco2

If you cannot make your mind up then go for something in between which is a cross bike. With fat slicks on light weight, long wheel base then later on narrow slicks you'll find it a very comfortable, fast and versatile bike. Off road they are very good with a set of nobblies on.

mikpem

As above, a cyclocross bike is the best answer. All it takes is a change of the tyres and you can switch between a very capable trail riding/off road bike to a fast enough road bike.

JayKosta

If you expect most of your riding to be on that 'bike trail' then investigate whether it has a 'speed limit' (due to walkers, children, etc.) and whether it has any noticeable hills.
Also if the regular roads around you are basically flat, then a plain old single speed coaster brake bike with wide tires will work fine - just get a comfortable saddle and a suitable length of water pipe to use for a seatpost.
Doing this will be very inexpensive (buy used), and will let you learn whether you enjoy cycling enough to make a 'proper' bike worthwhile. And the single speed will still be fine for the bike trail and beach.
I use my single speed (with fenders) primarily in the early Spring when the roads have a lot of dirt and debris from Winter. I've also used it for 1-day 100 mile rides that weren't too hilly.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

diy

The view that MTBs are harder to push is wrong, they normally have lower gearing so actually can be easier to push. You can put slicks on a mountain bike and they wont be much slower than a road bike on the type of path you are talking about. Also the deeper tyres and possible front suspension may take some of the impact out from an injury perspective.

I have TT, Road, Hard tail and Full sus MTBs. When I go away and can only take one bike its normally the Hard tail that I take. I can ride it on the tarmac and still go fairly quick, but I can't ride my road bikes on the trial.

Since your primary goal is exercise, speed isn't really the issue. a half decent hard tail (front suspension only) MTB with some fast rolling tyres will be a good do it all bike.

Of course weight loss is all about diet, its not very easy to do it with exercise.