What’s the Best Upright Exercise Bike?

Upright Bikes comparison

Assuming that you’ve decided to buy an upright exercise bike, either because that’s what you already knew what you wanted, or having read Which type of exercise bike should I buy?,  the next question is – what’s the best upright exercise bike for you?

Here we look at the most popular and highly regarded models within different price ranges. We will concentrate mainly on the less expensive end of the market, where competition is most. We may look in more detail at the most exclusive machines in the future, but in the meantime , we will include some links to popular higher end upright bikes for you to peruse.

N.B. One common complaint about many bikes, no matter how good the reviews are, is that the seats are uncomfortable. The solution is to add a gel seat cover. I’ve left a link to one below.

The bikes in this section tend towards lightweight, folding machines. 

For something a bit more substantial, take a look at Spin bikes, here.

 Budget Upright Exercise Bikes – Under £200

The number of machines in this price bracket seems to have exploded recently, which should mean you can get a good machine without taking out another mortgage, even if they’re relatively basic, which is what you’d expect.

 

Ultrasport F-Bike Exercise Bike

This has been one of the most popular exercise bike sold on Amazon for some time, which takes some doing and what the F-Bike does is all the basics well:

• It is compact and also folds up, which is what many of those on a tight budget and a tight space will require
• It Is considered by users to be stable for its size and weight
• The maximum user weight is a reasonable 100Kg
• It is also quiet enough to be used while watching TV
• There are pulse sensors on the handlebars, and a pulse readout on the LCD display, which also shows time, calories, speed, and distance

It’s not easy to retain a nearly 5 star rating when there are over a lot of reviews, and this machine has over 18,000 of them! The reason is that it does what it is supposed to do – and does it well – for not too much money.

Dimensions: 32 x 17 x 44 in (80.5 x 43.5 x 112 cm)
Folded: 18 x 19 x 52 in (45 x 47 x 132.5 cm)
Weight: approx. 40 lbs (18 kg)

There is also a version with a backrest. For more info or to buy the Ultrasport F-Bike Exercise Bike, you can click the links below:

If, for some reason, the Ultrasport F-bike doesn’t appeal – or if it becomes unavailable – here’s an alternative:

Upright exercise bikes under £300

XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Exercise Bike

A little more upmarket price-wise but, in many ways, very similar to the F-bike (or, at least, the version with the seat) is the Xterra FB350 Folding Exercise bike. the seat gives it a semi-recumbent feel but the position is still pretty upright.

The Xterra is s a little more substantial but not massively, given the price difference.
The FB350 has 8 levels of resistance simply selected with the large dial tension knob.

The many positive reviews suggest those who have paid the asking price consider it worth it, but I can understand that many will also conclude that it makes the F-bike look like a very good deal.

High end upright exercise bikes

NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle

If you’re after a premium exercise bike with a more engaging interactive experience, you might consider a Nordic Track exercise bike.

The NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle uses iFit and includes 30 days membership.

The screen is not just a digital display with some numbers on it like the budget options have, but a 22” HD interactive Touchscreen display on a 360º rotatable mount.

The interactive rides have scenes from all over the world.

There are 24 magnetic resistance levels and incline matching from -10% to +20%

Max user weight is 150Kg | 330lbs | 23.5st

Warranties:
2 year parts and labour
5 year frame

Dimensions:
L: 89cm x W: 56cm x H:160 cm

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