Recumbent Exercise Bicycles

Do adult three-wheel bikes give people the same degree of fitness as two-wheel bikes?

I recently bought an adult three-wheel bicycle, and I am wondering if using one will burn an amount of calories comparable to a two-wheel bike.

Public Comments

1. Maybe even more as there are 3 wheels to provide resistance.
2. Probably more as it's heavier and harder to pump up hills. It's more comfortable so you might find yourself riding it longer and burning even more cals.
3. Bicycles have 2 wheels. The problem with adult size tricycles is weight, most of them are heavy and slow, not suitable for long rides to improve fitness. There are high quality lightweight tricycles, but they are extremely expensive, much more than an equivalent quality bicycle. In order to become fit, one has to ride for extended periods of time, a couple of times around the block won't do the job. If you are trying to become more fit, the limited range of most adult tricycles will make your training rides quite boring. In addition, the larger size and slower speeds of tricycles makes them tricky to ride on the road outside of quiet streets. Your tricycles is fine for doing errands close to home, but it is unlikely that it would be a very good training tool.
4. I wouldn't think so you are limited to one gear, one you reach top speed that is about it. You can always put more weight in your basket.