What’s the best Spin Bike?
No products found.If you want to challenge yourself with an effective workout which can approximate more closely a good ride on a road bike, a spin bike is arguably the best choice. You can read more about benefits of a spinning bike and the difference between a spin bike and an upright exercise bike here. But if you’ve already decided it’s what you want, you’ll be wondering what’s the best spin bike to buy.
So having decided to buy a spin bike, which one should you get?
As usual, it depends largely on your budget. The lower end Spin bikes can be a little dearer than lower end upright exercise bikes; beyond that the prices climb into the thousands but there is something decent in all ranges and I have selected some of the best-selling and high-reviewed ones for comparison. Once you’ve decided which to go for, just click on the model.
Most of these machines require some assembly and if you consider that that is beyond you and has prevented you buying then you may welcome the option of paying extra for included expert assembly.
What to look for in a Spin bike?
- Flywheel weight: Generally the heavier the better, for a spin bike.
- Build quality: Does it feel sturdy and will it stand up to heavy use?
- Technology: Does it display workout information, heart-rate data, or interact with other technologies?
Best Budget Spin Bike
WeRSports® Exercise Bike Aerobic Training Cycle
One of the things which defines a spin bike is a weighty flywheel and, at this price, the 13Kg flywheel of the WeRSports bike is a decent weight.
The bike itself has a heavy duty frame and is a sturdy machine. especially at this price.
There is a 5-function/6 mode monitor – Heart Rate, Speed, Calories Burned, Time, Distance + a Scan mode which rotates through the other functions.
There’s a felt pad emergency brake, which is useful when you have a heavy flywheel which doesn’t automatically stop when you stop pedalling.
There is a wide range of adjustment for both the seat and the non-slip handlebar and, if you’re taller or shorter than average, having something that suits you is probably an most important point.
The aluminium pedals have toe cages as befits a good spin bike used for an intensive workout.
As would be expected, there are transport wheels.
It is a popular machine with high ratings, so those who have bought and used it are generally happy.
Assembled Dimensions: L 108 x W 53 x H 124cm
Item weight: 38 Kg.
Max user weight: 120Kg | 18st 12lbs
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Best Mid-Price Spin Bikes
JLL IC Series
Table could not be displayed. Table could not be displayed.JLL are a well-established and respected fitness company with exercise equipment in most categories.
The IC Series includes a number of spin bikes at various price points in the mid-range so it makes sense to group them together here.
The JLL IC Spin Bikes are alloy steel frame bikes, direct belt drive. (The description on Amazon of the IC300 is confusing – it says it’s chain drive in one place and belt drive in another but I believe all of them are belt-driven).
They all have 3-piece crank pedals and either a 6 or 7 function display. The weight of the flywheel increases with price and, unsurprisingly, the bike weight gets heavier too with the exception of the 350 Pro, which is lighter than the 300 despite having heavier flywheel.
The resistance method is either magnetic or friction. See details below.
Hi-end Spin Bike
Concept2 BikeErg with PM5 Monitor
No products found.The Concept 2 brand is mostly known for the industry standard indoor rowing machine but they also make a high quality indoor exercise bike.
Lighter
It is aluminium so a little lighter (31Kg / 68lbs) than similar size steel frame bike which makes it easier to assemble and easier to move while having commercial standard construction.
Flywheel
Some spin bikes have pedals which are fixed to the flywheel so that, if you stop pedalling, the flywheel would keep the pedals turning. The Concept2 has a ‘clutched’ flywheel which means that, even though it keeps turning, you can ‘coast’ with stationary pedals to catch a breather, then continuing pedalling when ready.
Data
As with the Concept2 rowing machine, one of its features is the reliable data (which is why that is used for indoor rowing competitions).
Part of that is due to wireless bluetooth compatibility for heart-rate monitors and apps. It also has ANT+ compatibility. (What is ANT+? – https://www.thisisant.com/consumer/ant-101/what-is-ant)
This allows you to track workouts and sync wirelessly to the Concept2 online logbook via a free app, ErgData and other 3rd party apps such as Zwift.
The LCD display includes distance, time and intervals. You can save workout data to a USB drive.
Adjustment
There’s a quick and easy to use ratchet system for adjustment of seat and handlebars, avoiding the use of tools.
For the super-fussy, you can even change the supplied handlebars, saddle and even pedals, for your own due to the use of standard bike parts.
Worth the money?
If you’re serious about improving your health and fitness whether for High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), or recovery and rehab from injury and everything in between, this is a machine worth real consideration.
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Conclusion
Buying a spin bike is like buying other exercise bikes – there are bound to be differences as you go up the price scale.
But, whereas that sometimes translates to more gadgets, this is not the case here where the more expensive machines are just belt a bit better, until you get to the Concept2, when you do also get more features.
And that’s the thing about spinning bikes – their main job is to give you a really good workout and, whatever your budget, you’ll find something here that does just that.
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Last update on 2024-11-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API