Buying guide for best exercise bikes
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There’s nothing as invigorating as a good bike ride. You’re zipping along an open path, the breeze flowing by you, a pleasant burn in your legs, your every breath full and fresh. Until you hit a pebble. Or a pot hole. Or a jogger cuts across you. Or a car honks at you for no good reason.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little bit of the exhilaration of a bike ride, without the outside world literally getting in your way? You can, with a good exercise bike.
Sure, there’s no replicating the sunshine on your shoulders or the wind in your helmet. But there are no obstacles either. Just you and your machine: pedals, handlebars and pure clean effort. The best exercise bikes let you get a great cardiovascular workout in the convenience of your own home easily and affordably.
Whether you want to bliss out to your personal soundtrack, play a biking video or participate in an online spin class, we’ve got you covered. Our editors have rounded up a collection of the best exercise bikes we’ve seen, led by the top-quality Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike. We’ve also put together a brief guide on what to look for when considering your own exercise bike.
Expert Tip
Warm up for 5 minutes by first pedaling at an easy pace. This creates blood flow to muscles that are not yet warmed and increases your core temperature.
BestReviews Fitness Expert
Editors' picks
Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike
Connected & Versatile
Bike Weight: 112 lb | Resistance: Magnetic | Display: Backlit LCD | Max Rider Weight: 330 lb | Subscription: No
Bring Schwinn’s cycling reputation off the road and into your living room with this Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike that's fully compatible with popular workout apps. During testing, we loved how easy it was to access all the classes from Peloton and Zwift as well as other apps without being locked into one app or technology. We were also impressed by how quiet it was and that setup took only 30 minutes with the included tools.
You can customize its magnetic resistance to your preference with the conveniently located twist knob and monitor your heart rate with its included Bluetooth armband. It includes a backlit LCD display, two water bottle holders and two 3-pound dumbbells that hang from a built-in cradle below its handlebars.
It lacks some of the smart integrations that other bikes at this price point include, but its racing seat and SPD clip pedals make it a great option for biking enthusiasts looking to stay in shape over the winter.
Peloton Indoor Stationary Exercise Bike
Customer Favorite
Bike Weight: 178 | Resistance: Magnetic | Display: HD touchscreen | Max Rider Weight: 297 | Subscription: Yes
No exercise bike roundup would be complete without an entry from Peloton, the company that made staying cardio-fit a social media sensation. The Peloton Indoor Stationary Exercise Bike is compact and loaded with tech including a built-in camera, microphone, stereo speakers, 24-inch HD touchscreen, Bluetooth compatibility and delta-compatible pedals for maximum cycling efficiency.
Getting the most out of Peloton’s bike requires All-Access membership to their app, which isn’t cheap. But with thousands of workouts to choose from, ranging from intense calorie burns to mindful yoga and stretching, this cycle has everything it needs to become the foundation of your fitness routine and lifestyle.
Merach S26 Exercise Bike
Sturdy & Dependable
Bike Weight: 62 lb | Resistance: Magnetic| Display: LED | Max Rider Weight: 300 lb | Subscription: No
The Merach S26 Exercise Bike won’t dazzle you with a lot of bells and whistles, but it’s a solid, sturdy bike that will give you a good workout and keep your fitness goals on track. Despite its wallet-friendly price, it also has a few convenient extras.
The Merach S26 has a solid-welded alloy steel frame that’s designed to support up to 300 pounds, so most people can ride it without issue. It uses a magnetic-resistance system that’s as quiet as 25 decibels, softer than a whisper, with an inertia-enhanced flywheel and ABS pulleys for smooth, responsive operation. Its seat adjusts to fit a height range from 4’8” to 6’2”, with adjustable two-way handles and toe cages.
Bluetooth functionality allows the Merach S26 to connect to various fitness apps, including Apple Health, so you can track your workout length and intensity day to day. While it lacks a built-in display or media system, it does come with a tablet holder, dual water bottle holders and even a dumbbell rack for weight training while biking.
Yosuda Pro Magnetic Exercise Bike
Customer Favorite
Bike Weight: 86 lb | Resistance: Magnetic | Display: LCD | Max Rider Weight: 350 lb | Subscription: No
Arriving 85% preassembled, the Yosuda Pro Magnetic Exercise Bike is easy to put together and a cinch to use. We love the backlit LCD display that lets you monitor distance, time and calories, and you can connect to its fitness app to partake in virtual courses and riding challenges from your tablet, phone or TV to help you stay motivated.
You won’t get any annoying wobbling with the Yosuda Pro Magnetic Exercise Bike, either. It was built to last with a frame made of thick commercial-grade steel, making it sturdy and able to support up to 350 pounds. The 35-pound flywheel guarantees the smoothest pedaling, and 100 micro-adjustable magnetic resistance levels let you precisely customize your workout.
It has some excellent features for comfort and safety as well. For one, the handlebars have a nonslip coating to help you have a secure grip. The toe-caged pedals with adjustable straps ensure your feet stay in place, and the cushioned seat is oversized for a more comfortable workout. The magnetic drive system is whisper-quiet, too, so you can exercise early in the morning or late at night without waking up anyone in your household.
Merach S38 Magnetic Exercise Bike
Simple Yet Solid
Bike Weight: 58 lb | Resistance: Magnetic | Display: Backlit LCD | Max Rider Weight: 300 lb | Subscription: No
With a magnetic flywheel and solid build, the Merach S38 Magnetic Exercise Bike should appeal to anyone who wants a well-built everyday exercise bike for the home.
The Merach S38 bike boasts a steel alloy frame with 4-millimeter-thick walls, and it’s engineered to be stable and supportive with a top capacity of 300 pounds. The seat is designed for added comfort, with a ventilation groove and high-density foam intended to relieve and avoid pressure during use; it can be angled forward or back for added comfort during long rides.
The S38 has a steel flywheel with 16 levels of resistance and a quiet 25-decibel operating noise level. A basic but informative display lets you track duration, distance and other metrics, and it can sync with health apps on your smartphone. Overall, anyone who wants to get fit and stay fit should feel confident using this exercise bike.
Expert Tip
Proper seat height is very important for preventing injury and maximizing a great workout. If your hips are rocking while pedaling, your seat is too high. If you are bending your knees beyond 10 degrees, your seat is too low. Excessive hip movement and knee bend can lead to lower back, hip, and knee pain.
BestReviews Fitness Expert
How we tested
After researching what each exercise bike offers, we tested the Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike to see how it did in the following areas.
Ease of use
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Setup: We timed the entire setup process, from attaching the pedals, handlebars and seat to the frame to adding the console and media tray with the included tools.
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Comfort: We noted whether the seat was comfortable while riding and whether the water bottle holder was conveniently located.
Quality
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Appearance: We evaluated the bike’s aesthetic appeal and whether it would take up a lot of floor space.
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Pedals: We tested the cages that come with the pedals (for riding with regular tennis shoes) as well as the clips for clip-in cycling shoes.
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Noise: We evaluated how quiet it was while pedaling and whether it would disturb others in the room.
Advanced features
What to know before buying an exercise bike
Types of exercise bikes
Let's take a look at the most common types of exercise bikes and their main features.
Upright exercise bikes
- Upright exercise bikes are the standard type of stationary bike most users are familiar with.
- Users sit in an upright position, not crouched forward like on a road bike.
- Resistance is created using friction pads, magnets or electromagnetic induction, so the feel of pedaling is slightly different from riding a regular bike.
- Upright exercise bikes tend to be the most affordable type of exercise bike, with some basic models priced under $100.
Spinning bikes
- Also known as indoor-cycling bikes, spinning bikes give you the experience closest to riding a regular road bike.
- The handlebars on spinning bikes are lower, so you have to crouch forward while using them. This makes it easier to lift yourself out of the saddle for a more intense workout.
- The weighted flywheel keeps turning with inertia when you stop pedaling, so it feels more like riding a regular bicycle.
Recumbent exercise bikes
- The seats of recumbent exercise bikes are reclined and have backs. They're much more comfortable for long workouts and for those who suffer from lower back pain.
- A recumbent exercise bike can come with the same kind of enclosed flywheel as an upright bike or a weighted flywheel like a spinning bike.
- Due to their size and extra parts, recumbent exercise bikes generally cost more than upright exercise bikes and spinning bikes.
Air bikes
- Air bikes use a fan to provide wind resistance. They often have moving handlebars.
- Wind resistance increases as you push harder or pedal faster.
- Air bikes are well-suited for HIIT workouts and spin classes.
- Their fan makes them notably louder than other exercise bikes.
The flywheel
Most, but not all, exercise bikes use a flywheel. The flywheel is a rotating mechanism that stores rotational energy. Its inertia keeps it spinning, making for a smoother, more consistent pedaling experience. The heavier the flywheel, the more inertia it has, which can feel smoother than lighter flywheels. A good flywheel provides enough inertia for smooth motion and a consistent pedal stroke. Air bikes and some super-compact bikes are examples of non-flywheel designs.
Display
Even low-cost exercise bikes usually have an LCD display that shows certain measurements, such as your heart rate, speed, distance traveled and how long you've been pedaling.
Mid-level and premium bikes feature full-color screens capable of displaying health data, streamed content and guided workouts.
One of the key stats that higher-end bike displays can keep track of is cadence. Cadence measures how fast the pedals are turning, measured in revolutions per minute (rpm). Cadence plays a big part in advanced and subscription workouts.
Look for a bike with a clear and easy-to-use display, as you don't want to be struggling to figure it out while you're sweating away. Backlit LCDs and LEDs can be more enjoyable to use than plain LCDs.
Heart rate monitor
Many bikes come with a heart rate monitor. These can be electrodes on the handles, or an armband you can wear. It's important to keep an eye on your heart rate during exercise because you may gain more benefits at higher training zones.
Some people with detailed exercise plans know the optimum heart rate they must reach to meet their goals. For these people, an accurate monitor is vital to keeping the heart rate in the desired range.
Resistance
Exercise bikes have various methods of generating resistance. Each has its own pros and cons.
- Friction resistance is the least expensive and simplest, but it generates noise and requires periodic replacement of pads
- Magnetic resistance is common and popular. It’s quiet, smooth, and easy to maintain.
- Electromagnetic resistance is electronically controlled and can be found on high-end models.
- Air resistance uses fans to create more resistance with more effort. Loud.
For a home machine, it’s good to have a bike with multiple levels of resistance you can set. Bikes can have as few as five to as many as a hundred resistance levels, depending on their resistance method. The lower the resistance, the easier to pedal, but the less of a workout you’ll have.
Programs
High-end exercise bikes tend to come with preset programs to boost your workout. These programs automatically change the resistance of your cycle. For example, a program might start at low resistance and build up to medium resistance before going back to low resistance.
Programs are great if you're not clear on how to build your exercise routine or if you find it hard to push yourself without encouragement. An exercise bike with a wide range of programs will suit people at a variety of fitness levels.
Subscriptions
Some exercise bikes, such as those from Peloton, are subscription-oriented and connected equipment. They work best and offer their full features only if you pay a regular subscription fee to use them. Subscription-based exercise bikes are popular for their community feel, motivational trainers, and varied programs.
It’s important to remember that subscriptions are a recurring cost in addition to the purchase price of the bike. You may still be able to use one of these bikes without a subscription, but their features or metrics may be limited.
Adjustability
Everyone’s bodies are different, so it’s important that exercise bikes be able to adjust to fit the needs of its users.
- The seats and handlebars should be adjustable to take into account different heights. Most exercise bikes are adjustable to fit people from 4 to 7 feet in height.
- Inseam length is a great specification to know. If a bike has an inseam length range, you can better adjust it to your leg length.
- Seat and handlebar depth, or the distance between the seat and handlebars, should also be adjustable.
- It helps grip and traction to have adjustable straps or cages on the pedals.
Weight limit
All exercise bikes have a maximum weight limit, so check to make sure you don't exceed it.
In most cases, the weight limit is between 220 and 350 pounds. Recumbent bikes sometimes have higher weight limits.
Tips for using an exercise bike
- If you're short on space, a folding exercise bike is ideal. You can fold it up and store it when it's not in use.
- Many people find it easier to stay motivated when listening to music or watching TV while cycling. Some exercise bikes even have speakers and audio input, allowing you to listen to music from your smartphone, tablet or other device.
- Keep children away from exercise bikes without safety locks. Curious fingers could get trapped in several moving parts.
- Stay hydrated when working out on your exercise bike. This will help prevent muscle cramps and dehydration. A water bottle holder on an exercise bike is highly convenient.
- Double-check that your exercise bike is stable before riding. During a serious workout, some bikes may wobble or fall over if not situated properly.
- Monitor the amount of pressure on your hands when gripping the handlebars. If it’s too much, adjust your body so your weight is on your legs.
Expert TIp
If your indoor bike’s set up allows, occasionally get off the seat to use different lower-body muscles and provide any necessary relief from the pressure on your glute muscles caused by sitting and pedaling for an extended period of time.
BestReviews Fitness Expert
FAQ
Q. How much does an exercise bike cost?
A. Exercise bikes span a huge price range. Whatever type you prefer, no-frills options can be purchased for as little as $100 to $200. However, bikes at this level come with significant sacrifices to their features, build quality and comfort. If you have the willpower to keep up with a very basic, self-guided workout plan, you can save a lot of money.
However, if you’re looking for a well-made cycle that will keep you interested, grow with your workout journey and inspire you to jump on time and time again, expect to pay between $400 and $800. Bikes in this range are made to last and allow for a great deal of customization.
Those in search of a premium exercise bike will find offerings from major manufacturers to suit their needs from $800 to $1,300. Cycles at this level will include Bluetooth technology, HD touchscreen displays, stereo sound and the ability to engage with a wealth of workout programs via app subscriptions.
Q. What kind of exercise bike is best if I'm recovering from an injury?
A. Recumbent bikes require riders to use fewer muscle groups, and they're more comfortable to sit on, so many people find them the gentlest type of exercise bike to use when recovering from an injury. However, you should check with your doctor before starting an exercise routine after an injury.
Q. Can I use a separate heart rate monitor on my exercise bike?
A. If getting an accurate heart rate reading during your workout is vital and your chosen exercise bike has a poor-quality heart rate monitor or none at all, don't worry. You can use a heart rate monitor of your choosing to get a better reading. The only inconvenience is that you'd have to look at the display on the heart rate monitor, as it wouldn’t show up on your exercise bike's LCD display.
Q. Can cycling be my only form of exercise?
A. Cycling is a great form of cardiovascular exercise, which is important for your health. However, most experts recommend you do some strength training in addition to cardiovascular exercise to keep your body in tip-top condition. This doesn't mean you have to start pumping iron at the gym if you don’t want to. Forms of exercise where you work with your body weight, such as yoga and Pilates, count as strength training.
Our expertise
Judd NeSmith, NASM-CPT, PES, is the founder of Serious Fitness, established in Boulder, CO in 2003. Judd created Serious Fitness to specialize in 1-on-1 personal training and has logged more than 25,000 hours of helping individuals achieve optimum fitness.
Jmar Gambol is a writer and product tester for BestReviews. He has written almost 200 articles and buying guides, as well as tested products as varied as coffee presses, robot vacuums, laptops and smartphones.
Derek Walborn has written countless buying guides for BestReviews on everything from tools to fitness to cameras. He enjoys helping consumers find the best products to make their lives better.
