Best Indoor Cycling Bikes: Shape up as you Stream
Recycled air, huge crowds, costs—there are many reasons to hate the gym. Whatever your reason for ditching the gym, it’s probably the best decision you’ll ever make. That is if you still love working out and would want a better alternative. Indoor cycling bikes are that alternative. They are easy to operate, work efficiently and doesn’t involve any outdoor activities.
How do Cycling Bikes work?
Cycling bikes are stationary devices designed for cardio training. They are popular in many modern gyms but you can also purchase one for your home workout sessions. A typical spinning bike consists of a frame, a seat, hand bars, stands, pedals, a weighted wheel, and other parts.
Designed to mimic tour de France road bikes, fixed bikes come with knobs for adjusting resistance and weight. With a slight push of the knob, the bike suddenly feels like pushing a rock uphill. If you begin to wear out, a quick change in resistance make cycling easy instantly.
The best indoor cycling bikes can help you lose weight faster than any alternative. So, if losing weight and staying fit is part of your goals this year, consider buying a spinning bike.
Important Features
What should you look for in Cycling Bikes?
Cycling bikes are created to holding your weight and quick cycling motion. The weighted flywheel attached behind the front legs helps you change resistance and pedal at comfortable speeds. The seat can be uncomfortable and the gear knobs may be tighter than you would want. Before you make a purchase, here are all the things to keep in check
Frame
Like a road bike, a spinning bike should have a strong and steady frame. Its legs should be stable and durable. It’s hard to know how stable a frame is when buying a bike on the Internet. Pay extra attention to bike descriptions and read reviews to affirm what the seller says.
Drive Systems
The bikes come with either a belt or chain drive system. Chains are noisier and best suited for road bikes. Pick a belt system and you will forever enjoy silent morning exercises as you watch your TV. Belt systems require less maintenance also, making them more cost-effective in the long run.
Flywheel Weight and adjustments
Most flywheels are capped at 18kgs. Depending on your experience riding a spinning wheel and strength, the weight may feel low or high. Buy a bike with a heavier weight if you are good at cycling and pick a lighter flywheel if you fancy light cycling.
Brakes
Indoor bikes brake in different ways. The most basic bikes have braking systems made from fabric pads. Standard bikes have leather made systems while the best bike uses magnetic braking. The differences in these systems go down to durability.
Fabric pads wear out quickly if you cycle regularly. Leather is more durable and a better alternative to fabric. Magnetic braking systems work silently and offer better braking. They are more expensive though.
Resistance adjustment
Many modern indoor bikes come with the option to adjust resistance at the push of a knob. That means less reliance on brakes and more focus on cycling. Resistance is enabled by either magnetic systems or belt drives. The bikes become difficult to cycle as the system move closer to the flyweight wheel. The reverse is also true.
Comfort
Indoor bike seats can be uncomfortable. But since they are not a part of the bikes, you can always change them. What is more difficult to change yet impactful to your comfort are the hand bars. Ensure you can adjust their aft and fore angles to reduce back strains as you pedal.
LCD Monitor
A good indoor bike should have a monitor that displays your workout data. From your calorie count to speed covered, numbers are what motivates you to exercise more. Make sure you can record the data through an SD card or it transfers the data to a mobile app for better management.
Top-Rated Brands
The best Cycling Bikes?
Cycling bikes are easy to operate but making the right purchase can be difficult. We have a list of the best indoor bikes in 2019, their features, strengths, and weaknesses.
Merax Deluxe Cycling Bike
In an industry where bikes look dull and lifeless, Merax Deluxe stands out with its stunning curves and edges. Its black and red or blue colors are eye-catching while its frame looks sturdy and durable. The bike is 41" x 21.3" length by weight and has an adjustable height of between 42 and 48 inches.
At the bottom of its legs are small wheels meant for easy transportation. Its seat is adjustable both vertically and horizontally while its flyweight handles up to 330 pounds of weight.
Pros
- Beautiful colors and overall design
- Strong metal frame
- Sturdy wheels for easy transportation
- Comes with a monitor to record workout data
Cons
- Handlebar feels uncomfortable to some
L Now D600
Like Merax Deluxe, the L Now D600 is a design masterpiece. Its frame and connected parts come in curved designs and dark blue and white colors that bring out style. Its handlebar is raised for comfort while the saddle is large and adjustable for the same reasons.
The bike comes with an LCD monitor, a flywheel that weighs 22 pounds, a smartphone holder and the ability to handle up to 400 pounds of weight.
Pros
- Lightweight, sturdy and strong
- Great design
- Comfortable
- Includes a fitness meter
- Quiet operation and easy to maintain
Cons
- Fitness tracking data not always accurate
YOSUDA Indoor Bike
YOSUDA packs a heavyweight 43-pound flywheel designed to support up to 300 pounds of weight. The bike uses a belt drive system to keep its operations quiet. Its saddle is large and padded for comfort while the handlebar takes a raised designed to help reduce back strains. The bike is 40” x 22” x 45”, making it a great bike for medium sized people.
Pros
- Strong build with a quiet belt drive
- Has wheels for easy maneuvering and an iPad holder
- Both its saddle and handlebar are adjustable for personalized comfort
- Comes with a multifunctional monitor
Cons
- Not suited for anyone over 6’2
PYHIGH S2
Following the trend of many modern indoor bikes, PYHIGH 2 comes with an LCD monitor to track your fitness. It also comes with a bottle holder and toe-cages for convenience. To more serious features, the bike has a 28.5-pound flywheel and a maximum weight capacity of 275 pounds. It uses a silent belt drive and has adjustable handlebar and saddle for your comfort.
Pros
- Steel frame with abrasion resistant paint for durability
- Highly comfortable saddle and an adjustable handlebar
- Features an exercise meter
- Has transport wheels included
- Best rated
Cons
- Shows speed and distance in Km/h system only
ANCHEER
Designed for maximum comfort, almost every feature on this bike is adjustable. From the handlebar to the flywheel, ANCHEER suits all kinds of people. Its flywheel weighs 49 pounds and is powered by a silent belt drive for maximum silence. Adjusting resistance is as easy as pushing a knob while braking systems are equally smooth.
Pros
- Lots of adjustable parts to customize it for comfort
- Strong and steady to support over 300 pounds
- Features strap pedals to keep your feet in place
- Provides value for money
Cons
- Has low weight support of 220 pounds (100kgs)
HARISON SPIN BIKE
The HARISON spin bike is an affordable device fitted with all the convenience features you would want. From an iPad holder to a free water bottle, and an adjustable saddle to a customizable handle, you can tweak the bike for your satisfaction.
Pros
- Equipped with an LCD monitor to monitor 6+ activities
- Beautiful design made of strong steel
- Compact and adjustable seat
Cons
- Expensive
JOROTO Bike
JOROTO bikes come in three designs: X1s, X3, and X5. The X1s is the most popular among them probably because it has all the features people look for in an indoor bike. Its flywheel weighs 35 pounds and can support users with a maximum of 280 pounds. Its seat is large and adjustable and so is the handle.
Pros
- Adjustable seat and handlebar
- Comes with steady wheels for easy transportation
- Supported by one year warranty
Cons
- Not suited for large people
Sunny Health & Fitness Bike
Designed to suit short and tall people alike, this bike has a maximum height of 48.5 inches. Its flywheel is average in weight at 20 pounds while its frame is steel-made for best durability. The bike supports a maximum weight of 275 pounds and has both an adjustable seat and handle.
- Low priced
- Strong and stable frame
- Adjustable seat and handlebar
- Has wheels for easy transportation
Cons
- No LCD monitor to track your fitness data
- No water or iPad holder
Cycling Bikes Resistance Explained
The challenge for cycling indoor bikes is to make the heavy flywheel spin. For more challenging exercises, some bikes use magnets and other friction mechanisms to make pedaling more difficult. You can make the adjustments at a push of a button to increase or decrease resistance for your comfort.
Losing the extra Weight with Cycling Bikes
Riding an indoor bike can help you lose between 400 and 600 calories per hour. Depending on the resistance you apply to the bike and your weight, you can lose up to 800 calories. For maximum fat burn, vary the pace and difficulty from time to time. Split your workouts into small sessions and improve on your resistance exercises.
Differences between Spin Bikes and Stationary Bikes
Spin bikes allow you to stand as you pedal while stationary bikes can’t. The ability to stand helps you work out more muscles in your body. Spin bikes also tend to have heavier flywheels which helps you burn more calories and are stronger overall.
Setting Up a Cycling Bike
Most cycling bikes come with instructions on how to set them up. But for a guide, set up the backside fast. For the seat, use your hips to determine where you should place it. Sit on the saddle to feel its comfort level and adjust it if necessary. Make sure to leave some knee space. Also, adjust the handle up or down to make it comfortable and to prevent back strains.
To Conclude
Indoor cycling bikes are a great option for the bike fan with little time to cycle outdoors. They are also ideal for anyone who wants to lose weight but hates the gym. But before you purchase one, ensure it has all the parts featured above and provides great value at its cost.
