Bookgirl

I decided on the Electra Cruiser 7D, 7 speed because based on my research it will handle my weight without modifications, I really want to sit upright, the price point is nice and honestly, I LOVE the way it looks so much. It makes me happy just thinking about this cute little bike. So I'm not really looking to be talked into something different. But I do want to know if I'm going to get a good workout out of it. As much as I would just walking around the neighborhood or on a treadmill? I know it won't be like doing a 60 min cardio class like I did pre-kid. But if it'll be equal to or greater than walking around the block for 45 min a day, I'm good with that. The LBS guy (who was so nice) mentioned how this wouldn't be the bike for me if I wanted to start doing 10 miles a day...but why? what happens at 10 miles, do the wheels fly off? My goal is to work up to 45 min/day but that could take a bit as I haven't worked out in awhile.

GerryinHouston

You go up a steep enough hill and your 60 min cardio class will feel like playing with children. Especially on an Electra Cruiser. The bike is good for it. The question is whether you are!

10-12 mi. is a limit frequently met by people. It's nothing on the bike that flies off. Your derriere flies off...

Seriously now. Look at the Electra as a beginner's bike, a fun bike, that will get you fairly painlessly to a certain level of fitness.

Once you do 8-12 mi. without even thinking about it, you will want to do more. 8-12 mi. will not lose you weight. 20+ on a routine basis will.

The problem is that the upright position transmits all the shocks through your derriere up the spine. Thump thump thump. Something that you don't think much on a short ride becomes painful, like Chinese Water Torture. Your tailbone HURTS!

At that stage, you will seek bikes with more aggressive stance, seek these thin saddles that you can't conceive why people ride on them and who knows, one day you may be grinding gravel on a 29er, doing single track or flashing through on a road bike.

Don't hurry this process. If you do, you will likely fail. A road bike with the skinny saddle 2-3" above the handlebars will serve to disappoint you from biking at present. On the Electra, you will feel like you are riding a cloud.

Good luck!

mthorste

I had a Electra Townie 7D for about a year and rode up to 50 miles on a single ride and while it is not the most efficient way to ride those 50 miles, it works for me who like you needs something that will support my weight while trying to lose. I have lost over 80lbs since last June combining a health modified diet and riding 4 to 5 times a week. You need to get your heart rate up if you want to see results so a leisurely ride around the block probably won't get it done. I now have an Electra Townie 21D but plan on upgrading again next year when I've dropped another 75 to 80lbs to a road bike as an award for losing the weight. Good luck and stick with it. If you like the bike you'll ride it more!

TrojanHorse

This

rgconner

Anything is better than nothing. Cycling is about as low of impact (on joints) exercise as you can get... swimming being the lowest.

So a great choice to start putting more workout than walking. Typically riding will get you easily into the mid 100s, while walking is generally low 100s.

This bike will either:

1. Last you forever because you don't take it past 45 min of riding.
2. Last until you decide to get serious and go longer distances.

Either way, you win!

Btw, you don't have to give up cute for functionality, Rivendall makes a near copy of that bike with serious riding ability. And then there is Retrotec, which makes a step through design that can do 100 miles, or go gravel roads, or even go off road. Retrotec is fully hand built, one at time by one guy, built to your taste.


A serious step up in price for both, so I am not suggesting you change your mind now, just wanted to give you a taste of what is in the art of the possible.

SunDog70

But which color did you choose?!?!

Bookgirl

blue192

I have seen this "electric bikes do not give exercise" argument before. My response to someone asking this question is to just remember that you need to input power in order for the electric motor to give a boost. This will let you go further and faster but you still get a decent workout based on time ridden. Come to think of it I was looking at one of these but decided on a different electric bike.

jhoblho

The bike that you like is the bike you will ride. I bought a Bionx kit to fit on a Montague folder two years ago. I have put less that 150 miles on it, as it is a bad fit and my hands go numb in less than 10 miles. I've gained significant weight in those past two years, so now I'm trying to improve this bike before considering others- Jones H Bar handlebars for hopefully a more upright position, a more comfortable seat, etc.
The pedal assist is so nice, but the base bike has to be comfortable for you. If you like the ride, you will use the bike. If you don't, you won't

BTW- I get exercise on this bike- just because you have pedal assist doesn't mean that you will not work. You will enjoy the work you are doing more, though.

Brooke1687

Khb

Seems like a bit off topic (but I agree with those that say, buy what your like, ride more .

But on this side topic:
Is e-cycling good exercise? | ScienceNordic
Quikbytes:Same Great Workout, Just Faster and More Fun

For me, the ebike makes it practical to bike daily (winter, summer, meetings, shopping). Yes, it's slightly less of a workout ... but the time delta is enough to make it happen a *lot* more often; Indeed, I gave up my car entirely (about 19 months back).

Sudovoodoo80

I have an Electra Amsterdam 3 speed, no problem to do 20+ miles on it. Where these lay-back style frames struggle is large hills, because you can't get out of the saddle to push hard. But if you don't plan to tackle large hills, you should be just fine on an electra and yes it will give you a good work out. I like the fact that I can touch the ground with a flat foot while in the saddle of the electra, makes it excellent for the crowded boardwalks at the shore where you might have to dodge lots of obstacles like kids and walkers and tourists. Also an excellent rail trail rider.

squirtdad

it is required that you post a pic of the new bike when you get your hands on it

Milton Keynes

Exactly. It's said that you need 30 minutes of heart-pumping exercise a day for it to be beneficial (excluding rest days, of course), so don't think a few short rides around the neighborhood will make a huge difference. I built myself up to 10 miles a day which takes me just under 45 minutes. It must be having an effect because a few years ago I had borderline high blood pressure, and I had it checked a couple days ago and it was nearly perfect.

Also, don't think that you can outride a bad diet. Use bicycling in conjunction with a healthy diet and you'll really notice the pounds dropping off. But if you don't change your diet, you're not going to notice much difference. Even riding 10 miles a day and longer rides on weekends, if I eat the wrong foods or eat too much I see it on the scales.

So while I think the 7D is a good beginner bike, you'll likely eventually want to "upgrade" to a good road bike or hybrid or something as you start losing weight, getting toned, and riding longer distances.

StephenH

I'm assuming the "Electra" bike, is not an "Electric" bike, which is throwing some confusion in those posts above.

A bicycle is an efficiency-improving machine. If you care to, you can pedal slowly around on level ground and probably get less exercise than if you were walking. That's not a bicycle problem, that's a riding-style problem. So ride however far and fast you need to get a good workout, get your heart rate up, etc. I think sometimes people have the idea that cycling is "easy exercise", but if you make it easy, you also don't get the benefit, either.

I rode my Worksman cruiser for a couple of years. It was a good reliable bike. I started riding about 10 miles a day on it, and gradually increased that. Longest ride I did was 131 miles. If you do a lot of riding, you'll want to upgrade to something else at some point, but a bike of that style won't keep you from riding far. For longer rides, comfort becomes more critical, and you may find issues with saddle comfort or hand numbness or something like that, that doesn't happen at 10 miles.

Piperflyer

cyclist2000

Electra makes both regular and e-bikes, I think that the OP is talking about a non-electric bike. The Cruiser 7D is a non-electric bike.

This bike should work fine for you. Enjoy the new ride.

fitlerbend

I rode one for a couple of years before I wanted to go faster and further. Excellent bike for "getting back in to it".

JReade

I'm glad you feel the need to defend your choices, however Electra 7D is a regular ol pedal bike.

blue192

I know it is a regular bike but that message was meant for skype to someone else. Bloody windows 10 mouse issues I am having as of late clicking on wrong things etc.