Buying an exercise bike? You have a lot of choices - some you probably don't even know about.
This exercise bike buying guide will tell you what you need to know before buying so you can find the best bike for you.
Buying Stationary Bikes - Question #1
1) What Type of Bike Do You Want?
You have several options here.
A) Recumbent Bikes
Recumbent bikes are the newer exercise bikes on the market with the chair-like or bucket seats.
Your body is placed in a semi reclining position and your legs angle out in front of you to reach the pedals instead of hanging down as on an upright bike.
B) Upright Bikes
These are also called "Stationary bikes" although this term is now becoming a catch-all term for both upright and recumbent bikes. These are the traditional exercise bikes that have been around for years and are similar in form to traditional outdoor bikes.
An offshoot of the standard upright bike is the 'Dual Action' Stationary bike like the Schwinn Airdyne. These bikes have movable bars or levers on arm handles to incorporate your upper body into the workout.
They tend to use air resistance instead of magnetic resistance. The harder you pedal, the more resistance you get - so you never top out on your resistance.
They can be windy - which can keep you cool - but it can also be a bit loud and blow your papers or light objects around.
Know what you want before you start comparing different exercise bikes. Recumbent bikes tend to feel more comfortable. However if you're an avid outdoor cyclist, you cay prefer the feel of an upright.
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Exercise Bike Buying Guide - Question #2
2) What's Your Budget?
The next thing you need to decide is your budget.
There are really 3 price categories with stationary bikes:
1) Under $500
2) Between $500 - 1000
3) $1000 +
Under $500: While there are some average exercise bikes under $500, don't expect to get a top quality machine for this price. If you don't plan on using your exercise cycle much or if you're on a strict budget, this may be a good price point for you. Probably the best brand in this category are the Schwinn models.
Between $500 - $1000: You can usually get a very solid, quality exercise bike for your home in this category.
Most exercise bikes here offer a smooth ride, magnetic resistance and more sophisticated consoles that give you feedback on your workout. You should also expect several built-in workout programs, foot straps and heart rate monitors. Strong brands in this category include Livestrong and Nordic Track.
$1000 +: These exercise bikes are either the cream of the crop for the advanced home exerciser or they are commercial grade for the health club. Examples of bikes in this category include spinners and commercial bikes like Sole and Life Cycle.
Always remember that with exercise bikes - in general - you get what you pay for so try to spend the most that you can and get a quality machine that will last you.
These are really the 2 most important features to decide on: the type of bike and the price you can afford. Here are a few more features you should know about when buying an exercise bike.
There are several different types of resistance you'll find in your exercise bike
1) Direct Tension - offers you a manual adjustment of resistance
2) Air - resistance is provided by pedaling against the airflow of a fan blade (found on dual action bikes)
3) Magnetic Resistance - this is the most sophisticated type of resistance allowing magnetic currents to create and track the resistance. It generally allows for a greater variety of workout levels.
Magnetic resistance is generally viewed as the best option since it tends to be quieter and provides a more even feel when pedalling.
- Workout Programs / Console
Most exercise bikes give you information on speed, distance travelled, and time of the workout. The more sophisticated you go, you'll also find things like total calories and fat burned, resistance level, heart rate and program mode.
You can also get exercise bikes with numerous preprogrammed workouts and information storage as well as iFit compatibility and iPod docks with speakers.
The higher end bikes also usually have backlit consoles - which you really want because they help you see your workout stats more clearly. Non-backlit consoles can be hard to read.
It really depends on your personal preferences whether you choose a bike with 10 preset programs and an ultra high tech computer display or one with just a simple display.
However, keep in mind that in general, the higher priced bikes have more sophisticated options.
Exercise Bikes come with a variety of warranties from 90 days to lifetime warranties on different parts of the bike. For example, parts and labor may be covered for 6 months, electronics for 1 year and the frame for a lifetime.
In general keep in mind that a longer warranty is indicative of a higher quality machine.
This is another factor that gets better, the higher up in price you go. Higher end bikes usually have more comfortable ergonomic design (i.e. foot pedals lower than your seat, easy seat adjustments)
The seat design is also important, especially with recumbent bikes. Higher quality bikes usually have some type of lumbar support and comfortable padded seats which can also adjust based on your height.
So those are a few things to look at before buying an exercise bike. Unlike treadmills, ellipticals or home gyms, bikes are relatively easier to buy. Make sure you go with a good brand that fits in your budget and choose a design that you like best.
For the latest brand and bike reviews, visit our Exercise Bike Reviews page. For a listing of the higest rated exercise bikes, visit our Best Buys page.
