Dean V

Or you could take more turns on the front.
Or you could ride with a faster group.

Seattle Forrest

He was trying to make a funny. I LOL'd.

AlmostTrick

Right, but that's not what this thread is about. Riding a heavier bike the same distance or speed as a lighter one will take more effort... And therefore build more strength/endurance. I get it that it's not the approved way to increase strength, but it will increase it nonetheless.

Carbonfiberboy 

I captain a mixed tandem. The all-up weight is about 315 lbs. Works great for increasing both strength and endurance. Best thing evah. The problem with this 30 lb. bike business is that it's too little extra weight to really make a difference. A real reason would be if the heavier bike were vastly more comfortable or had some other advantage that would make it more fun to ride. Doubtful. You'll get more training out of a bike which encourages hard efforts, whatever the weight. Our tandem definitely encourages hard efforts, especially on group rides with singles.

I think the biggest difference that a much heavier bike makes is during acceleration. Takes a lot of muscle to accelerate a 300 lb. bike. It's noticeable . . .

philbob57

I ride heavier so I can get home in case of flat or mechanical problem - tools, spare tube, phone in a handlebar bag, rear rack, lock, computer (well, I can get home without that), pump. Maybe a sandwich. Keys, water, glasses and sunglasses so I can see clearly, mirror.... My Reynolds 531 bike with aluminum parts weighs in at 31+ lbs as I ride it. I expect the bike itself is 25 lbs or less.

I'm not worried. Instead of taking weight off the bike, I've taken it off myself. I've been riding since 2013. If I had taken the weight off the bike instead of myself, the bike would weigh -5 lbs. I've gone back to my weight in 1999, I think. Now, if I could figure a way to get years off my body....

ThermionicScott 

That's the assumption the OP is making, but without data showing that he is in fact travelling the same speeds and distances as before at higher wattages, it will always be suspect. If he had a group to keep up with, that would be one thing...

OP, you know that you can just put regular pedals on a road bike and ride it in regular clothes, right?

jordanair45

I just gain wait

BillyD

Agreed. It all depends on what you want, there are both apples and oranges involved here.

I don't think there is any question that regularly pushing extra weight will make you a stronger rider. That may or may not translate to the gains roadies appreciate most, like greater distance, endurance and speed. In fact I would wager that the best ways to work on distance and endurance is to actually work out with lighter bikes, practicing distance and endurance. However if its speed you value most then I believe for most people a heavier bike will produce better results.

Wooderson

I would think the "practicing" part of your theory is the most important, and the weight of the bike really doesn't matter, within reason.

On to the original question: I just bought a new road bike, my old one was fairly nice, and weighed 18lbs 0oz. My new road bike weighs 20lbs 4oz. I've ridden it for three weeks on all of my regular routes, and I can definitely feel the additional weight on the climbs. It's not in my head, it's noticeable and it's material. But I am getting used to it. It's becoming my new 'normal'. And I do think riding this heavier bike will make me a little stronger since I do ride with groups, and have to climb at the same rate as before with a heavier bike. Those 'intervals' are about 10% more intense than they were last month.
I didn't buy this bike because it was heavier to get more training benefit, but I think that's the outcome. I also plan to reduce the weight of this bike by ~1.5lbs in the coming year by replacing the boat anchor stock wheelset and maybe the crankset.

guadzilla

Dont you lose mod privileges if you reply to a zombie thread?

Asking for a friend...

Bah Humbug

If you have a set amount of time to ride, and your ability to ride at a certain speed is hampered by safety conditions, riding a heavier bike with more durable tires and no aero bits will let you hit that safe speed with more watts and get a bigger workout in your timeframe. That’s been my approach in the mornings.

seypat

Every bike I ride is a heavy bike...........because I'm riding it.

BillyD

If only it were that easy. Please, tell the world of my struggle.

Oh wait, i see some men getting out of a black van. Gotta go.

FaithTerry

Have u ever tested a stenabolic? This is a product that u should use with caution.

littleArnold

I ride a trek hybrid fx2 aluminum bike and a schwinn steel mountain bike. The mountain bike is much slower and wears me out a lot more than a hybrid on paths that have a lot of hills. My legs will be worn out more after a day on the mountain bike. I also will feel more winded on the mountain bike. I can go a lot faster on my hybrid putting less effort into the ride and will be less winded, I dont poop out so easily, my legs dont get as sore, and climbing hills is way easier on my hybrid.

I dont ride the heavier mnt bike to build endurance, just ride it more on days it rained so I save wear and tear on my hybrid.