Cycling Relationships: An Empirical Typology and its Implications for Relational Functioning

Cycling relationships are typically defined as committed romantic partnerships that have dissolved and reunited at least once in their history. These couples are relatively common and of growing empirical interest. However, prior research has yielded inconsistent findings about cycling relationships due, in part, to operationalizations that treat them as a homogeneous category, potentially obscuring meaningful variation in how different types of cycling relationships operate. To explore this possibility, the current work applied a two-step cluster analysis to individuals reporting on a current or previous cycling relationship ( n = 261) and compared the emergent groups against each other and to a non-cycling sample ( n = 161) on various relationship and individual characteristics. Three clusters emerged with qualitatively different profiles: A “Deliberate” other-seeking group reported no contact with the cycling partner during long splits wherein they actively sought alternative partnerships. An “Exclusive” cluster evidenced short splits, frequent communication with their cycling partner but without physical intimacy, no other-seeking, and the highest levels of relational certainty. Lastly, a cluster of “Uncertain” other-seekers reported short splits comprising outreaches to alternative partners despite continued sexual intimacy and contact with their cycling partner during splits. This final group had the highest levels of uncertainty and the most dysfunctional relationships. They largely drove observed cycler versus non-cycler differences. Psychological aggression was the only variable that differentiated all three cycling groups from non-cyclers. Our findings suggest that cycling reflects qualitatively distinct relational configurations and that prevailing operationalizations may obscure theoretically consequential heterogeneity within this population.