stationary bike. good investment?

my gym membership ended this month and i don't want to renew it but i do want to have some cardio equippment at home. treadmill is my absolute favourite cause i feel it shakes my booty really well, but they are so expenisive that i don't think i can afford it. stationary bikes are cheaper but i'm hesitating. i don't know if they are a good cardio workout and i also don't want to build up my thighs cause i'm a pear anyway so bigger thighs are the last thing i want. any pros and cons? thanks

Well, cycling really focuses on using the thighs.
And if you increase the resistance then you can really feel your thighs working.
I like being able to work out while sitting down because i get faint running sometimes.
But if you don't want something that's going to focus on your thighs, maybe its just not for you??

But then doesn't running focus on your leg muscles much the same?

I'm not sure about the technical sides of muscle gain though so i'm not sure.

:) I like it though.

All I know is that I LOVED my exercise bike when I had it!

Cycling is an awesome workout, but why not just buy a regular bike? You'll get to see some scenery and get a free and environmentally friendly mode of transportation, and still get the same benefits. In fact, you might even get more - outside you have to deal with headwinds and cross-winds, as well as hills.

Either way though, biking's a great idea. :) I'm just inordinately fond of fresh air. 

How cheap is a stationary bike? I was looking at walmart yesterday at the treadmills and they start at 198.00...for the little ones.

I got a Nice Recumbant stamina 4755 from walmart at $109 has heart rate, calories burned, distance meter, and time meter on it.. All digital.. Really nice one.. I like the back support of the recumbants.

thanks for the replies!

squash -- you inspired me to make a new commitment - bring my regular bike from my grandma's and ride whenevr i go somewhere :) i did that everyday when i was still in uni, but now, well, need to dress nicely and usualy commute by bus + it's raining straight for the second week here but, yep, i'm returning to my regular bike. and i'll get a stationary one in autumn

layla -- as sid said, the stationary bikes are around 100 $

Honestly, I think splurging for a treadmill or elliptical machine (my favorite) would be better than a bike, if you are able to. If not, you can always make do with the best you have and you'll have very strong, athletic looking legs.

i was looking on craigslist.com and sometimes ppl will be trying to get rid of their exercise equipment because they don't use it. Maybe you can find a treadmill for sale on there! I found one in my area that
s only 3 years old for 50$

i got mine at canadian tire on sale for $120, its got the meters and calories burned on it, speed & distance..

when i used it all the time it was great, i played bideo games at the same time. because i got kinda bored, or put on a tv show you like works too.

good cardio, you just have to bike a bit faster :]

Honestly...skip the bike and use your money for an elliptical machine.

You can always head outdoors to achieve what a treadmill does and I think as far as training goes, you just aren't going to see the kind of results with a bike that you will with an elliptical.

If you already have a regular bike, you can get equipment that will convert it to a stationary bike.  It's called a "trainer."

That way you can ride outside or stay inside if the weather is bad.  :D