"Bike Specific" Muscle Activation on Spin Bikes

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Are the same bike specific muscles activated on a spin bike and on the road bike if both are setup the same?

[Mark McM]

Maybe, maybe not, depending on the nature of the load (inertia, damping, etc.). Even on a bike, muscle activation time/intensity can vary significantly, depending on the situation. Muscle activation will be different when riding up a steep climb in a low gear compared to riding on the flats in a big gear. Muscle activation on the spin bike will probably be determined largely by the inertia of the flywheel and effective gear ratio, plus what ever drag load the spin bike uses.

Other smaller differences may come from the spin bike's lack of being able to lean and steer - when we pedal a bike, we may slightly rock side to side, or subtle pull on the handlebar. The spin bike's lack of leaning and steering, and the lack of needing to keep it balanced and going in a straight line, may result in some subtle changes in pedaling technique.