What muscles does bike ridding work?

Question

What muscles does bike ridding work?

Answer 1

Mostly the hip,quads,hamstring, and  gluts see the you tube video. The more important thing is the way you use them.  You want to pedal easily at a higher cadence rather then slow and mashing on the pedals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SyLSEnYP...

http://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/hum...

Answer 2

Calves are not worked as much during cycling as you would when you are running.  Triathlon bikes (when set-up properly) are designed to minimize the use of your RUNNING MUSCLES so that you can get off that bike after a few hours of hard riding and begin running without suffering the consequences.

If you really wanted to know what muscles are used most when cycling, you should run on a regular basis then go on a long bike ride after staying away from the bike for atleast 3 months.  The sore muscles are the dominant muscle groups used for cycling.  I learned this differently that running uses different muscles because I am mostly a cyclist and then I went running after not running for months.  The next day, my calves (ankles mostly) and my hip flexor muscles were sore.

I do know that when I am cycling I use mostly my glutes (buttocks), my thighs (quads and hamstrings) to the point of lactic acid build-up (the burning sensation) when I am riding fast.  I rarely feel anything in my calves.  You might use minimal upper-body strength to support yourself on that bike for longer rides and also when you sprint or ride uphill (because you are pulling your bike to counter the effort into your pedals).  

Cycling and running work similar muscle groups differently.  In cycling your thighs and glutes will go through a more intense workout compared to when you are running (your calves will be worked harder).

Lance Armstrong is now running marathons and he says running is much more difficult than cycling.  He also said his calves were getting worked much more through running than when he is cycling.  He is one of the best in cycling but he routinely finishes 26.2 miles with above average runners that are not professionals.  There are atleast a hundred people finishing ahead of him in most major marathons.  He gets atleast a few dozen people shaking his hand afterwards probably because these runners are so happy they finished ahead of the great Lance Armstrong.  Lance Armstrong is still more fit than these people in terms of VO2 max and lactic acid threshold.  He is just more of a cyclist through experience and training then he is a runner.

Answer 3

Lance Armstrong was also the top junior triathlete in the country before he switched to only cycling.  So he might know a little about running too.

Answer 4

Gluts

Quads

Calves

Abs