Do you get as much exercise from a comfort bike as a "fitness" bike?

I'm upgrading from a lousy little Huffy to a "real bike." (shopping in the $400 range) The original goal was to find a bike that let me sit more upright, and I've found a comfort bike that is, in fact, really comfortable and upright. However, several salespeople have told me that you don't get as much of a workout on a comfort bike as you do on other bikes because not as many muscles are utilized. (one salesperson disagreed)

I'm not planning on racing, but I am trying for a cardio workout, muscle toning, and calorie burning. Is the comfort bike a bad fit for me? I bike 30 to 90 minutes at a time at least 3 days a week, if that matters.

Yes, these sales people were in actual bike shops.

I have seen bikes categorized as "fitness" in several stores. In my limited understanding, they seem to fit on the road bike side of hybrid bikes.

It depends on your rate of speed. Lots of bicycle riders who have comfort bikes coast alot. That is bad for exerisize. Try to keep those legs moving at a high rate then recover then speed up again. Going up hill also is good for fitness. I have a comfort bike and I ride around 2hours once a week. I always lose at least two pounds. listen to some good music and pump those legs to the speed of the beat. Also standup pedal when going up hills that will really tire you out. When you buy a bike just test drive a bunch and get the one you want you can always buy another one next year and trade in the one you got. Thats what I do.

As for the part regarding utilization of more muscles (due to bar height, seat height, and position of bottom bracket), I'm in agreement with the response you received from "several salespeople."

For cardio workout and burning calories, you can achieve that (with varying results) from any bike. You just don't work the same muscles (at all or to the same degree) with all bikes.

If you need the cushy ride and fully upright position of a comfort bike, then that's what you should get.

I doubt the shops are trying to push fitness bikes. It sounds like the salespeople gave their honest opinion. Besides, the bulk of shops I've seen have a surplus of comfort bikes ready for new homes.

All bicycles are "fitness" bikes when ever you push yourself hard enough to get you pulse above 120. You have a great fitness plan. That will do all you want it to do. Sign up for free at www.presidentschallenge.org and they will keep track of your progress and assign you points towards awards for your efforts. The comfort bike is a great chioce. If you get "hooked" into cycling you can always get a lighter bike later as you get more sophisticated about bikes.

"Fitness Bike"? Boy, that's a new one.

Glad to hear you're wising up and ditching the Huffy. And I wouldn't put too much stock into what those "salespeople" said. Was that in a bike shop? A REAL bike shop? If all you're going for is cadio, a comfort/hybrid will be just fine. Just make sure you get fitted for the right size and reach, and a decent saddle (I ride a Brooks B66 Champion but that's an $80 saddle). Good grips and gloves will help, too. And a water bottle (or two).

You are correct the fitness bike is more like the road bikes but with a more upright sitting position. They tend to have the smaller tires as compared to the comfort bikes. The comfort bikes are just as good on the road but not quite as efficient but the comfort bike would be better on bike paths.
You should get the one you like, I don't think the fitness bike is any better then the comfort bike as far as exercise goes. The sales people may have been pushing the fitness bikes.

That new bike is going to feel like a million dollars compared to that old Huffy, but I still have mine. ENJOY