I want to buy a bicycle but the only one that I think is going to be comfortable is a beach cruiser. Is this good to use for exercise?

Proactive not reactive!!
222/211/165

I have nooooooooo idea. I know you can switch out seats. I think you can cover them with lamb's wool covers too.

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
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Atkins-3/14/03
174/144/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

If being comfortable means you will use it, then, yes, it will be good for exercise! Sure, maybe you would burn more calories on a high-end racing bike or mountain bike (or maybe not), but if you don't enjoy doing it, you WON'T, and then you'll burn no calories at all.

The best exercise is always the one that you will do.

Laurelyn

LC Links

Suenos - I don't know what a beach cruiser is, but from personal experience, test out each bike before buying. A reputable bike shop will work with you to find that one that is best for you, and the frame size that fits your body. A bike that fits you should be a pleasure to ride and very comfortable, whether it is a road bike, a hybrid or a mountain bike.

Again, from personal experience, get the narrowest seat you can possibly tolerate (even if you think, there is no way), and make sure to have your seat adjusted by a professional at the bike shop. March in there and tell them you are not leaving until the bike fits perfectly and you are comfortable. Let me explain:

1) a narrow seat presents less surface area. Seems counterintuitive, but the less surface area you have to sit on the less sore your butt will be - trust me, this really is true. The first summer I started riding my bike again, I had one of those gel seat covers - painful. My bottom never did adjust and it was not pleasant to bike. Threw the darn thing away, and within three days, bottom was no longer sore, and I could knock off back to back 50 mile rides with no soreness whatsoever.
2) If the seat of your bike is not adjusted properly tilt wise, you may put undo stress on your back and hips, or you may experience lingering numbness in the nether regions (my numbness lasted for three months - NOT FUN). If the seat is not adjusted properly height wise, you can end up grinding your knees if too low, or rocking from side to side and grinding your butt bones into the seat (if too high).

Please don't let this scare you off from buying and using a bike. I love bike riding more than anything - it is truly an activity that anyone can do, it adjusts itself to your own pace and fitness level. And it is FUN! I started riding again in order to participate in a charity ride (least year, year 3 of my participation, I raised $5,583 for the Dana Farber Cancedr Institute - I was one of 3,700 riders - altogether we raised $16 million this year). I never thought I would enjoy it so much. But, each April, I'm back on my bike, getting ready for the summer biking season. It's just great.

Enjoy, and keep us posted about what you end up doing. Sorry post is so long.

Jen
175/129/120