Best Indoor Cycle Bikes
Top 10 Buying Guide
Our Recommendations
In a hurry? Here are the best products at a glance.
In a hurry? Here are the best products at a glance.
Do you want to start an exercise routine, but hate the idea of going to the gym? Or maybe you’re already a cyclist, but want to stay in top condition even when the weather makes biking unrealistic? If you love class (or the idea of class), then an indoor stationary bike might be a good fit. They’ve come a long way from the rattling, wobbling indoor bikes of yesteryear: these modern machines are easy to use and quiet. The best stationary bikes offer excellent quality and value, and that’s what this review is about! We know there are a lot of options out there, so we tried to narrow it down by researching twenty stationary bikes to find the best indoor cycle models for home use. After lots of pedaling and panting, we have the results: a list of the best indoor cycling bike options around. If this is your first time shopping for a stationary bike, take a look at the following specs, which will be included in each indoor cycle review. Things like the flywheel weight and an LCD screen are important parts of whether an indoor bike will work for you and your budget.
Flywheel -The flywheel creates momentum as you ride out on your indoor cycling adventure. Heavier flywheels offer a more stable and realistic feel but can be harder to get started since you have to push harder to get going. We tracked down the flywheel weights of the different indoor cycles we found so you would have an idea of the difficulty and “real bike” feel of each option.
Adjustable Seat - This is pretty straight-forward: being able to move the seat around makes an indoor cycle ideal for a range of heights and body types. Most modern indoor cycles have seats that can be adjusted horizontally (fore and aft) as well as vertically (up and down). Some bikes also have handlebars that are adjustable to some degree for an even better fit.
LCD Screen - An LCD screen is a great feature for displaying your workout performance and information, although it tends to drive up the price of the machine. Some are backlit while others are not. Some are larger and can display all of this information at once (your speed, distance, and time, for instance), while others are smaller and can only show one item at a time.
User Weight Capacity - The indoor cycles on our list can handle user weights from 250 to 300 pounds. This guideline is important to follow for your safety as well as the integrity of the bike (and to keep the warranty valid). Higher weight capacities are a good feature for people who are a little heavier and combined with heavier bike weights, you can get a smooth and stable ride.
Dimensions - The size of an indoor bike affects how easy it is to put together and to store. Width and length are especially important if you want to store your bike in a closet or similar area when you aren’t using it. However, people who are built taller or broader may prefer bikes that are set up to be wider and taller, because they’ll be more comfortable than narrower bikes.
Product Weight - We found indoor cycles as light as 69 pounds, all the way up to 140 pounds. While weight alone doesn’t determine the stability of a stationary bike, you may want a heavier bike for vigorous workouts, or a lightweight model to make it easy to transport from one place to another. Compare the overall weight to the flywheel weight to get an idea of how heavy the frame is.
We’re finally here. Somewhere in this list is the best stationary bike for your needs, whether it’s heavy-duty and laden with features or focused on simplicity to just get the job done. Most likely, your ideal choice will either be the premium top pick or the affordable budget pick. Some of the bikes come with heart rate monitoring sensor pads that work in conjunction with the LCD screen and your exercise program to keep your heart rate within a certain zone. Other bikes just have a solid flywheel and basic controls to get you started. Whatever you’re looking for, these stationary bikes cover a range of budgets and fitness needs. Happy cycling!
Samantha Dewitt
Expert Researcher and Writer
Samantha Dewitt is a lead researcher and writer for GeekWrapped, writing under a pen name. She gets excited about pet, baby, and science products and has over 12 years of experience.
Article last updated on:
September 30, 2019
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