Which exercise bike should I buy?

A guide to the finding which type of exercise bike you should choose

There is now a confusingly large range of exercise bikes available. So you may be wondering what the differences are? And, more importantly, which type of exercise bike is best for you, you purpose and your circumstances?

Below you’ll find a description of the different types with an example of one of the most popular models at the time of writing (November 2015). Hover over the image for details and up-to-date price.

The two main types are based on seating position, with other variants on how they work:

The layout, which affects how you sit
The method of resistance used.

Upright Bike vs Recumbent Bike

The most basic question is whether you want to sit as you do on a traditional bicycle, with the pedals vertically below, or sit in a reclined position with the pedals in front of you.

Indoor Upright Bike

e.g. Ultrasport F-Bike 200B Exercise Bike

If you’re used to a normal bike, you’ll probably prefer an upright type, which probably gives a harder workout than a recumbent type, but is less comfortable for some people.

This is one of the most popular but to help decide which is the best upright exercise bike for you, click here

Spinning bikes

e.g. JLL IC200 PRO Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike

Spinning bikes are a special type of upright bike in which a flywheel is used so the pedals will continue rotating if you stop pedalling, so you can’t ‘freewheel’ like you can on a normal road bike or traditional exercise bike.

This tends to produce a higher intensity workout than ordinary upright exercise bikes. They often use an air-based method of resistance so the harder you pedal, the resistance level is automatically increased. This type of bike arguably provides the toughest workout.

For more info on choosing a good spin bike, see this post

Recumbent Bike or semi-recumbent bike

e.g. JLL RE200 Recumbent Exercise Bike

If you suffer from back problems, or knee problems, or find sitting on an upright bike uncomfortable, you may prefer the recumbent or semi recumbent type.
The sitting position of recumbent bikes is similar to sitting in a chair, with both arms and legs in front of you. Recumbent bikes are also useful for people who are very overweight or who are recovery from injury.

What’s the difference between recumbent and semi-recumbent:

In theory, with recumbent bikes, the seating position is more reclined (like a lounger) whereas with semi-recumbent it’s more upright (like a chair). In practice, the distinction sometimes seems a little blurred as far as exercise bikes go.

Mini/desk exercise bikes / Pedal Exercisers

e.g. Ultrasport Mini Bike

If time or expense is even more of an issue than it is for most people, you could try one of these. It consists, essentially, of the pedal part of an exercise bike which you can use from any normal chair, such as a desk chair, so you can use it while working, or even a comfortable reclining chair or sofa, so you can use it while relaxing (if that’s not a contradiction!) It is a simpler mechanism and hence a lot cheaper.

2-in-1 exercise bikes

e.g. VIAVITO Setry 2 in 1 Elliptical Trainer & Exercise Bike

These are exercise bikes which also double as elliptical trainers, so the pedals are larger, platform style rather than traditional bicycle style pedals.

Resistance method

The way the bike provides an adjustable resistance to your pedalling falls into 3 categories:

Mechanical (friction) resistance

Magnetic resistance

Air resistance

Mechanical/Friction resistance bikes

Mechanical resistance consists of pads pressing against a flywheel, much as brake pads use friction pads pressing against the wheel rim on a traditional bike. This is simple to adjust and are often used in Spinning Bikes.

Magnetic resistance bikes

Tis is the most popular type of resistance for exercise bikes. Magnets are near the flywheel slow its movement. The magnetic braking effect can be increased or reduced by adjusting the setting, which makes it easy to vary resistance levels, and they are generally quiet.

More expensive types use electro-magnets which are electrically-powered and their strength is adjustable.

Air resistance bikes

Air resistance: these have fan blades and are based on the simple fact that the faster you pedal, the more resistance there is and that such resistance is exponential.

Turbo Trainers

e.g. Sportneer Turbo Trainer

Cyclists who would prefer to use their own bicycle can buy a special stand, called a ‘trainer’ (or sometimes ‘turbo trainer’ – really a misnomer, as there is no turbo).

More expensive versions exist which even allow the sideways movement of riding on the road.

Conclusion – which type of exercise bike to buy

This should give you the information you need to decide which type of exercise bike to buy.
Now, you’ll want to narrow your options depending on your aims, your budget, the amount of space you have etc.

Click the links above to articles with more information on each type.

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