Two feet of snow and ice along with freezing rain do not make for ideal outdoor riding conditions and I’m currently waiting for my new cycling trainer to arrive after the shipping was delayed for the holidays. In the meantime, I’ve pulled the front fork off of an old single speed Huffy I had lying around gathering dust with the intent of using it as a (temporary) makeshift recumbent exercise bike. I’m looking for any suggestions on how to increase the resistance against my pedaling.
I’m not looking to ride this bike outdoors. I stopped using the bike when I was ten years old and in the intervening thirteen years, I’ve grown quite a bit. 
I should have mentioned earlier. The bike has the type of brake that you have to put reverse pressure on to lock up the rear wheel. (Coaster brake?)
Laredo P
March 17, 2010 at 8:20 pm
OOOOOOOOOOOH!!! COASTER BRAKE!!! umm, if this is a stationary bike than just find wayes to make the wheel heavier… you can take your tubes out and fill the tires with sand or water or something maybe lol… maybe even concrete… or the easier, less messy and probably more sensible way is to just add friction (Like Bob said) with generators and such OR just change the gearing… maybe somehow attach it to one of those inclining treadmills or something? lol idk… borrow someone elses rig til your new one comes in… hit the gym… maybe somehow attatch an old metal fan blade to the back so that you have to pedal to get it going… might be tough but will probably give you resistance lol GOODLUCK, MA DUDE!
Bob A
March 17, 2010 at 8:40 pm
You can adjust the brake pads to rub on the rim or put one of those bicycle generator/light things that rub against the side wall.
blazingpedals
March 17, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Ride around pulling a lawn roller filled with 100 pounds of water. Make sure it’s secured to your rear rack or it’ll run you over when you try to stop.
Edit: the easiest way to get more resistance on a single-speed would be to ride up hills.