If you want to exercise but you don’t have the time or environment to do it outside, then the first piece of exercise equipment you’ll buy for your home is an exercise bike.
Exercise bikes are easy to use and because you can usually set the effort level you don’t have to be very fit to start. It’s not only great for cardio exercise, but also for burning fat and building muscle in your legs and core. Because it’s such a popular exercise item there are loads and loads of exercise bikes available on the market, so do your research or just read our post below about the best exercise bikes.
The Top Five Best Selling Exercise Bikes
Bestseller No.1
Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse
WEIGHT CAPACITY: Up to 300 lbs
SaleSaved: $50.99
$149.00
Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No.2
Sunny Health & Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike
Indoor cycling bike with 40-pound flywheel
SaleSaved: $333.01
$265.99 Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No.3
Body Rider Fan Bike
Dual-action handlebars engage an upper and lower body workout
SaleSaved: $190.00
$109.99 Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No.4
Exerpeutic 900XL Extended Capacity Recumbent Bike with Pulse
Recumbent stationary bike offers challenging cardiovascular workout while minimizing stress on your joints and back
SaleSaved: $60.00
$169.00 Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No.5
Stamina ATS Air Resistance Exercise Bike
InTouch Fitness Monitor lets you track speed, time, distance, and calories burned
SaleSaved: $28.00
$92.00 Buy on Amazon
It took quite a few dollars and many hours of testing and writing to get this 16 000+ word post done and in top-top shape. I appreciate any shares and comments!
The Best Exercise Bikes
Here are the exercise bikes already winning hearts in the home exercise community. If you have any suggestions for the list please comment at the end of this post.
Body Rider Fan Bike
1. I wanted a an exercise bike that also included the upper body workout. I liked the fan style bike I had used at a gym, so I went looking with all that in mind. Wow, is that a hard list to fill! Schwinn and………this. But am I happy with this one.
It went together easy enough, and had the tools to do so included with it. The quality and looks are better than I expected for the price. It has a plastic cover to hide most of the mechanics, and also the seat post. The petals are very nicely weighted to stay oriented correctly, with a good strap to hold your feet on. The tension adjustment is simple and effective. And the digital readout covers all the details (although I doubt the calorie burning count is accurate). I bought a gel seat cover, so I never tried the seat by itself. But with the cover, I found the comfort factor just fine. It’s not an overstuffed couch, but I see no reason to complain.
I have been using it for a month now, and it has performed flawlessly. It makes a noise on odd occasions, but it goes away, and nothing is coming loose yet. I highly recommend it, and especially for apartment use, or anywhere space is at a premium, as it doesn’t have a huge footprint.
2. Having once again confronted and acknowledged my need for a regular exercise program, I was convinced by a friend that an exercise bike offered the best combination of convenience and effectiveness. In the past, a treadmill in the bedroom proved to be best suited as a place to hang laundry and ironing on its way to the closet. A gym membership got off to a decent start, but it became easier and easier to find reasons to put off going because of the inconvenience and time lost by having to leave home, and the incessant din of TV sets.
The cost factor also took its toll. After researching available bikes, the Body Rider Fan Bike seemed to offer the most bang for the buck, $160 with free 2-day shipping at Amazon prime, but I had pretty modest expectations regarding quality and durability. My friend (who has one of the $600 jobs) warned me that it would probably fall apart soon.
I’ve only had the bike a few days, so this is a very preliminary review, but it was impressive right out of the box. The frame is heavy duty aluminum, with great looking welds where needed. While not a handyman, I have three children and seven grandchildren, which makes me a salty veteran of “Some Assembly Required” projects.
This was about the easiest to assemble of any such thing I’ve taken on. All the hardware is labeled, and the nuts, bolts and washers are on a sheet of cardboard, segregated into individual plastic blisters and labeled by name and number, to be opened and used in proper order. The necessary tools are also on the blister sheet. The directions are complete, well organized, well illustrated, and obviously written by someone whose American English is his/her first language.
Once assembled, everything worked right away. It confirmed my impression of quality engineering, construction, and finish, and it’s hard to see anything on it likely to fail. Now to see if I can stay motivated enough to try to wear it out.
3. I love this bike!! It it is a great machine for the price. I was looking for something to add to my exercise routine that wouldn’t cost too much just in case I didn’t use it as much as in planned on using it…I use it everyday for at least 20-30 mins a session.
The only hard part about this machine is assembling it…luckily my sister was around who can assemble anything. The bike however can be a little noisy but I keep it out in the back yard so I can enjoy an evening ride outdoors. If you are looking for a top quality machine I would not recommend this bike however I would recommend it for someone who is looking into getting into cycling and doesn’t want to spend too much money…I find I have a better work out if I start out just using my legs and not using the handle bars for a while, then switch to using both my legs and handle bars, then switch back to using just my legs…it brings the heart rate up and down and I really break a sweat.
The seat can be a little uncomfortable but I just placed a folded towel on it and it feels much better. If I keep up with this bike I plan on purchasing some top quality equipment…for now this is exactly what I wanted.
4. Not a long assembly process, so that’s good. I like the features of the electronic screen, telling me how many calories I’ve burnt and everything else…
Gotta say, my only negative feeling is regarding the comfort. You totally need to get used to this bike. The pedals are STRAIGHT down under the seat. This is just odd. Look (google image search if you’d like) at any other bike in the history of bikes. The pedals are down diagonally from the seat; making them roughly a few inches forward from the seat. This bike puts them literally right under you. Weird. And a little uncomfortable at first.
The seat is slanted forward too. Uncomfortable. I put a cushion on it so I wasn’t constantly readjusting back.
Other then that it’s nice so far, but it’s only been a day. We shall see.
5. I never ever leave a review for anything so I really must like this bike. It has such a small footprint and is pretty easy to put together. I was looking in craigslist for a used airdyne but wasn’t having much luck. I also thought that they were a little bulky so when I saw this bike I decided to take the plunge. Boy was it a good (lucky kind of?) decision.
I cap off my workout with 15 min on this bike and I’m sweating like a pig. Unless you are Andre the Giant this bike should be ok for average sized persons. I put on my hoodie and pump my arms and legs
I adjusted the tension so that I could work a little harder. This tires me out faster than the spin bike. I like training for speed and agility and this bike is what I wanted and at the perfect price. Are there better bikes out there? I don’t know but I’m not spending huge money on a Schwinn when I know for a fact that his bike provides the same type of tension during my workout.
Confidence Fitness Space Saving X Bike
1. I’m happy with the solidness and quality of this bike. It’s nothing fancy; just a basic exercise bike, but it gets the job done. I get bored easily on stationary bikes, and definitely prefer riding my real bike, but for two reasons, I bought this bike to have as a secondary form of exercise. The main reason is that I am a stay-at-home mother of two small children, so my freedom to take off on a bike ride isn’t always there.
The second reason is that I live in the Pacific Northwest, where winter doesn’t always bring optimal weather for riding outdoors. Instead of a long riding session, I prefer to get on this several times a day for very short spurts to get my heart rate going. It doesn’t take long with the tension set on a higher level! For the money, this is an incredible deal. It is well built, sturdy, easy to move around and it doesn’t take up too much space. I’m glad I didn’t spend hundreds of dollars more on a fancier bike. This one serves my purpose just fine.
2. It has been a month since I got this bike and I have ridden it almost every day. Everything is still steady. I needed something to add to my usual cardio in the evening when I come home and something that did not require extra effort and was convinient. It is small and I can watch TV while riding.
It is quiet,has good resistance and it fits my needs. It was easy to put together. I am 5 ft and the pedals fit me, no issues with seat adjustments and height. The seat is hard but after a while of consistent riding my behind has adjusted to it. It is a perfect addition to my daily exersice routine.
3. I recently bought this cycle because I don’t have space in the house for my huge elliptical machine, which unfortunately met its maker. This unit folds compactly and easily fits in my closet, and has a small footprint when used. It took me about 30 minutes to assemble and all the necessary tools are included.
My main concern was instability/wobbliness given its compact size, but it turned out to be quite stable. The cycle is quite solid and its simple design keeps potential malfunctions to a minimum. The seat is so-so, buying a gel seat cover is advisable. The computer is very basic and looks a bit flimsy, but since I use it only to track time, it’s good enough for me. I wouldn’t really trust its distance and (even less) its calorie count. The handle can be a bit awkward for those that like a low grip on a bike, but certainly nothing one can’t get used to.
The resistance seems to work just fine – I’ve just worked my way up to a 3 and it’s pretty hard, don’t think I’ll ever make it up to 10. The pedal action is smooth and the whole unit is comfortable enough for long workouts.
For the price, I don’t think you can find anything better. Time will tell if its durable, but my first impressions are very good.
4. This is probably the best online purchase I’ve made over the past 5 years. This bike is compact, simple, and can’t be beat for the price.
Detractors will say it doesn’t have enough resistance. This may be true if you’re a cycling enthusiast, but for regular joes like myself the resistance is more than adequate. It has 8 resistance settings and I usually work out at a 4 or 5.
I’m very happy with the stability and simplicity of this bike, and have been recommending it to any of my friends who are looking for a way to exercise without paying costly gym fees.
UPDATE: After about 6 months of using the bike non-stop it started to “skip” a little bit. I took it apart and it turns out the belt had grooves on it that were either wearing down or completely stripped. I searched and searched online for a replacement but it’s a specialty belt, made just for this bike as far as I can tell. I contacted Confidence to ask about buying a replacement belt. They asked me to send them pictures of the belt, I did, and they said they’d send a replacement. A few days later I recieved a WHOLE NEW BIKE for free! I would have been happy with just the belt, but this is good too. So I guess you could say it’s a slightly flawed product, but amazing customer service.
5. I read a lot of reviews and this bike seemed to be just right for what I wanted. However, I was nervous about assembly and construction. After my online hunting, I ended up finding one locally. I purchased it used at a discount and I cannot believe how great it is. I am a fairly hefty person I think and it has held my weight just fine.
I also bicycle regularly and was concerned that even though I am a bit out of shape that this might not give me enough work out. However, on only setting 3 I am getting a great aerobic workout for about 30 minutes a day. Loving it. I also purchased the TKO mini trampoline here through Amazon to compliment and vary my workout routine. Loving them both. And as an aside, consider getting an actual bike basket for the front of the bike. Works wonders for holding remotes, etc. Love the space saving design too. Enjoy the ride!
Marcy Recumbent Mag Cycle
1. I purchased this bike because of the positive reviews and low price. I was disappointed when it arrived, because I could not even complete the first step of assembly due to a bent piece of the main frame (basically everything but the seat, the computer, and the stabilizing posts). I called the company for a replacement part, which arrived about 2 weeks later. Then, the real headache started.
The part that they sent bore no resemblance whatsoever to the main frame. I called to resolve the matter, and was informed that they would only replace the component of the part which was damaged, not the entire frame. Now, that might seem to make sense, but if you saw the labyrinth of pulleys, washers, etc., on the inside, you would understand just how unreasonable this request was. I received a damaged unit and have to completely take the bike apart, and put it back together around the new frame with no instructions whatsoever.
I invited my handiest friend over to help me and we made great progress until the time to remove the pedals came. They were held on by bolts that were so flat that we did not have the proper tool to remove them, and so tight that no amount of effort caused them to budge. Customer “service” said that I would have to return or exchange the bike because they would not do anything further to help me. Return shipping would have cost as much as or more than the bike itself, so I was pretty p.o.ed that I was the proud owner of a $150 pile of metal.
Luckily, my friend was able to bend the defective part into shape enough that we were able to put the parts that we had taken off and put on the new part back on and reassemble the bike into something useable. If you purchase this bike, I hope that the pieces are all perfect, because Marcy’s customer service is a joke and returns are unreasonable over the mail for something so heavy.
2. The Marcy Recumbent Mag exercise bike arrived an a battered box, so I was a little worried that the bike itself might be damaged – this was not the case. Assembly was fairly straightforward. If you have your own allen wrenches, get ‘em – the provided allen wrench serves double duty as a screwdriver with the driver head on the long end, and many of the allen nuts are in tight spots so there was no spinning the wrench all the way around. Mounting the digital display was a bit of a head scratcher until I figured out that the metal mount plate on the bike slid up into the back of the display.
The bike is surprisingly quiet and smooth when in use. No bells and whistles on this baby – you adjust the resistance manually and have to dismount to adjust the seat distance. That’s ok by me, I just ride it to get my heart rate up and burn some calories – but if you’re looking to train for a triathlon, you may want to look elsewhere for something more sophisticated (and with more resistance).
I set up a stand fan by the TV to simulate a breeze as I peddle, which makes riding quite comfortable. The display shows distance in kilometers, time, and estimated calories burned. It also has an odometer that, oddly enough, measures mileage in standard miles. Actually, I wish the distance meter was in miles too (hey, I’m American – it’s what I’m used to), but there doesn’t seem to be an option to change the mode.
I’ve been using this bike quite a bit – at least twice a week, usually three or four times – and I actually enjoy riding it. It’s a pretty darn good exercise bike for the money.
3. This bike was very easy to assemble. It took about 1.25 hours to assemble. All of the parts fit as they should. I have been using the bike for about 2 months and have not had any issues with the bike. The bike itself makes zero noise. The only sounds are my breathing. I have been impressed with the bike so far. I was surprised at the level of resistance I had to start with the first time I used the bike. I set it on 8 as the resistance did not seem like it was sufficient. About 2 minutes into the first ride, I had to reduce the resistance to 2.
I could not complete a mile with the setting on 8. I have since worked myself up to a setting of 3 the first half of my exercise session and finish the last half on 4 or sometimes 5. I usually ride the bike for 40 – 45 minutes. It is great being able to do this indoors. I had been riding a real bicycle. Temperature or any other weather conditions have been removed from the decision whether to do cardio or not. The computer says I have peddled 10 to 11 miles each workout, depending on how long I was on the bike. The accuracy of the electronics is the only unknown. I have to assume it is giving me correct distance, speed information. I have been very happy with the bike and use it every other day. I would recommend this to my friends.
4. I was a bit wary of assembling my purchase by myself; however, after a false start and only a couple of body contortions, I was able to assemble the bike by myself with the tools provided. The bike is sturdy, quiet and doesn’t take up a lot of space in my apartment. The reason I didn’t rate this product 5 stars is because of the absence of clearly written directions and the fact that I would have a serious complaint if I were shorter (I’m 5’3?) since I probably wouldn’t be able to reach the pedals-I have the seat pushed as far forward as the base allows and still would like to push the seat closer.
It would be better if it was able to be adjusted for below average height females. I don’t have the tools necessary to drill holes in the metal base and would worry about the stability of the base if I had to do that, anyway. Depite these small issues, I would recommend this bike as worth the price.
5. I am so pleased with this Marcy recumbent exercise bike. I wasn’t sure I’d use a bike so I bought a well-reviewed but low cost model. Amazon Prime, I love you, too.
My husband is a genius when it comes to building things so I can’t say if it was easy or hard. And the computer is not all that useful but once I realized I can just zero out the calorie counter and go for 200 or 300 or whatever, well, that’s all I really need.
I was also wondering where I’d put this item. I figured it’d have to go out on the deck. But it’s actually VERY elegant and it blends right into my decor in front of my fireplace, even looks good, believe it or not!
The seat is very comfortable, more than some chairs I own. It is so easy to “mount”, nothing scary or skillful required. I love this aspect, makes keeping up with my daily routing easy.
The ride itself is very pleasant, smooth and adjustable in various ways.
I turn on the TV, set myself down, grab some hand weights to add some challenge, and in half an hour I’ve got a good sweat and feel deserving of a big hunk of watermelon. I could even read a book, I am sure.
For this 56 year old, slightly overweight lady, this was a wonderful purchase.
6. My spouse and I were looking to invest in an exercise machine that was not too loud nor too expensive and something that we use do indoors. After some research, I came across this machine and ordered one. The shipping was super fast, it was delivered within a week. The assembly was pretty straight forward and the instructions suggested two people work on it and it did help although, I’m pretty sure if you are really handy you could assemble this by yourself.
The machine is super quiet. We wanted a quiet machine that did not disturb the neighbors downstairs from us. I can cycle and not worry about waking up the spouse while I do my early morning workout. It is perfect for small spaces as well. We have it set up in our living room so that we can cycle while watching the television. It also has some wheels on it, if you need to move it. The computer system is pretty basic, it shows the distance, time, calories burned, etc.
The quality is quite impressive, the materials used do not feel flimsy at all. The chair and backrest are very comfortable and the hand grips on the bars feel like they will last.
This is my first ever review on Amazon and I am so pleased with this product that I had to leave a review. I’m very satisfied with this purchase and I find myself actually looking forward to using this exercise machine.
7. This bike has been in my possession for about five months, and I think it’s great. Last year I injured my ankle and it took an absurd amount of time to get my problem addressed and have surgery(oh, medical industry). During that time of inactivity, of course, I gained weight and got out of shape. I’m a runner and avid hiker, but I needed a low-impact way to exercise that wouldn’t aggravate my condition at the time(peroneal tendons dislocating), and it worked very well for that.
Now that I’ve gone through surgery and a cast and a CAM boot, this bike has also proven very useful as part of my physical therapy routine, to help build strength and muscle mass again. Putting the bike together was fairly easy and my mother and I were able to figure it out in about an hour and a half, not counting the time it took to lay everything out.
The only actual con is that it’s a real pain to adjust. My mother and father like to use the bike sometimes, too; my father is over six feet, my mother is about 5’4?, and I’m roughly in the middle, at 5’9?. The “computer” can be a tad glitchy (the time won’t reset sometimes), but it’s not that big of a deal. Obviously, neither of these things matter enough to me that I want to take off a star. I think this little bike is a great bargain.
Schwinn A10 Upright Bike Reviews
1?I purchased this stationary bike after breaking my ankle; my doctor told me my best option for exercise was riding a stationery bike in an air cast. I wasn’t about to hobble to the gym to do this, so I decided getting a bike for my house was the solution. I’ve used it for about two weeks and feel that, for the relatively low price, this is a good deal and turned out to be just what I was looking for.
It was easy to assemble, has a pretty basic programming interface, and despite being surprisingly light and taking up relatively little space, it’s really solid to ride.
I do wish that it would register my heart rate monitor rather than having to grip the sides, and it could use a few more varied course programs. The built-in fan is not very effective, so I set up a fan in front of the bike – problem solved!
Besides that, I like it a lot and am surprised at how much I actually ride it. I figured I’d hate it and would end up hanging clothing on it. But it has gotten a lot of use.
If you’re looking for an affordable, not-too-sophisticated cardio option for your home, I’d recommend this model.
2?Gone are the days of the old, single-speed exercise bike. Schwinn has produced a state-of-the-art exercise bike that brings the best of the features you’re used to from the gym into your home exercise regimen.
The A10 upright bike has a computer-controlled, magnetic eddy-current resistance system with a durable belt drive motor. That means it operates quietly, smoothly, and with resistance that you can set. There’s no dragging, no speeding up and slowing down. It’s a consistent work-out and ride.
Like bikes at the gym, it offers eight different resistance levels, 11 different workout programs, and an LCD console to help you monitor your workout progress along the route. In addition, there’s a readout for your time, rpm, speed, calories, watts, and distance. There’s also a position for your hands where you can get a pulse and heart-rate read-out.
The seat height, shoe straps, and T-knob handlebars are all adjustable, making it easy for multiple family members to use the bike. Both myself and my 10-year-old daughter have enjoyed using the bike.
Other features include: a padded seat, integrated leveling feet for stability, a water bottle holder, and a small fan on the console to blow cool air on the rider. The dimensions of the bike are 20 by 53 x 40, so it fits into smaller spaces. It will support a maximum weight up to 275 pounds.
The features that both my daughter and I like the best are the customizable workout programs for fat-burning or strength-building, the digital readout to keep track of your progress, and the fan for keeping cool. The bike offers a stable, consistent exercise experience. The bike seems well-built and able to stand up to the workouts.
One downside, is that the bike doesn’t come with an adapter power-supply. Instead, it operates with D-size batteries. The adapter is sold separately. I would recommend that Schwinn include the adapter with the bike.
3?One of the parts that you use when assembling the bike is a cable that runs from the console down through the neck into the base of the bike. The cable that came with my bike was defective, and had to be the most cheap and fragile-looking thing I’ve ever seen. However when I called Nautilus (which owns the Schwinn name, i.e. there is no real Schwinn company), they immediately sent me a new cable, and this one, while still cheap and crappy-looking, was functional. The bike has worked beautifully ever since. So while I worry about durability of the interior parts, basically I’m quite happy with the bike. I agree with the person who said that the lowest resistance level is kind of hard (even though I have been riding a non-electronic old fashioned stationary bike for awhile and thought I was at least minimally fit), but you get used to it.
4?This is my first ever review for Amazon so bear with me. I never review things because I usually don’t care enough to, but I think I am going to start now. Anyway…A little background. I am a male in my mid-20?s. I currently workout in a gym and was looking for something for my home on my off-days so I could get in some cardio without having to go to the gym.
I purchased this item on January 19, 2011. It arrived, via UPS, 2 days later in a big box which was surprisingly in really good shape. Awesome. The assembly was very simple, even as a 1 person job. 20 minutes later stood before me a fully assembled bike. I placed my brand new batteries in the console and hopped on the bike. Nothing. Hmm… I disassembled the top portion of the bike to reveal the wiring that went from the console to the gears down by the pedals. The wires were in good shape but the colors of the wire from the console were opposite of the ones coming from the gears (seems to be a very common problem). After reading about this problem from others online, I called the Customer Service department.
They were nothing but helpful. The first time I called I explained my problem and was sent a new wire. 10 business days later it had arrived, (It came Fed-Ex from I think OR and I’m in NJ – still no excuse for taking that long, but I digress.) I plugged that baby in, reassembled, hopped on the bike again…NOTHING. OK let me call Customer Service again. On February 7, 2011 I called the CS Dept…again. Once again, I had no problem with them. This time I told the guy that the wire didn’t work. He said that he would send me a new console. Awesome. But they are on back order right now and would not be receiving them until the end of February. Not awesome. Now I just play the waiting game.
Well, what can I say. Today is February 22, 2011, more than a month later, and I have yet to use this product. I am giving 1 star for now until I have a chance to use the bike and will re-review after. My suggestion to those that are thinking about buying this is…don’t. It is too much of a hassle to deal with the back and forth. Not worth it.
5?I like this bike. I did have a small problem, but Amazon resolved it quickly. After putting the bike together, I discovered that there was a defect with the console/cable. I was getting an “E2? error. I had read that other customers had this problem and that the replacement console/cable was not in stock and would take about 2 months to receive. Instead of calling Schwinn and waiting months to receive replacement parts, I contacted Amazon and they immediately exchanged the bike. I received my bike the next day. The replacement works just fine. I have been using this bike just about everyday for about a month and I am very happy with its performance. The exercise programs are just right for me. It doesn’t take up much space, its easy to operate and it is very quiet. I use it with the Bike-O-Vision biking videos which makes exercising fun. I have gone from a 20 minute bike ride to a 60 minute bike ride.
There are a couple of things that I don’t particularly like about the bike, however, these things in my opinion, do not take away from the bikes performance. The first problem is that the digital display is not large/bold enough to see while you are riding. If it was larger or bolder that would be great and the second problem is that the seat is a little hard. I can go about 20 minutes before my bottom starts to hurt. I suggest purchasing a padded seat cover or get creative and make your own padding (that’s what I did). Other than that I like the bike, and would recommend it to anyone who wants to workout at home but have a limited budget. I think it is a good bike for the price.
6?I rarely if ever write a review, but this bike has been a giant doorstop since it was delivered.
The electronic console which ships with this bike is cheap. (Don’t take my word for it, just do a search “Schwinn A-10 E-2 error”)
In order to fix this problem you need to contact Schwinn customer service and they will send you out a new one. Not a big deal right? However the average wait for Schwinn customer services is 45 mins to an hour (Also well documented on-line) and to no surprise the part is back ordered 3 weeks.
So I wait on the phone for 55mins to speak to a customer service rep (who was very helpful) and wait 3 weeks for the parts to arrive. And ??? The replacement console doesn’t work either.
Now I frustrated and figured I’d return it, but it only has a 45 day return window. I order in the beginning of Dec as a Christmas gift didn’t put it together till the 1st week January when I discovered the problem.
Aside from the console not working it looks nice.
Stay clear of this product
7?I got this bike to use 2-4 times a week for cardio training. I exercise regularly outside of this (olympic style lifting and rock climbing mostly) and found that the lower to moderate levels were a good place for me to start. I half expected the lower levels to be too easy (I’ve found this in other bikes) but was quite happy to find that they worked great and I had room to grow with this bike. The highest levels feel a little stiff but I’m not sure if that’s because I’m not strong enough or because it’s just not smooth. It could be either.
Pros: I like using the programed circuits and like that you can adjust them based on your strength level. Keeps track of your time/speed/all that data stuff. seems to be holding up to semi regular use (now that it’s warmer I do some of my cardio outside as well so it gets less use) The straps on the peddles are a nice touch. Seat Height adjustments are easy to use. My boyfriend and I both use it and it takes us seconds to adjust it. My cat really likes the seat.
Cons: The fan “works” but it isn’t strong enough to actually do anything. The seat is okay. I’ve been a lot of very uncomfortable seats. This isn’t one of them, but I’ve been on much more comfortable ones as well. The “new” wonderful HR monitor is actually in a very uncomfortable position (at least for me). I have an HR monitor so it doesn’t bother me one bit but for some it might.
8?The Schwinn A10 Exercise Bike is both easy to assemble and easy to use. While it has its faults, I think it’s a pretty good bike. It has an adjustable seat, a heart-rate monitor, and a small built-in fan. The bike comes with 6 preset course options, with the ability to change the time and level of resistance for each one. Or you can go the manual route and choose a resistance and bike for any length of time you choose. The bike runs on 4 D batteries, or you can purchase an optional power adapter to plug the bike directly into an outlet (I can’t find this on Amazon, but it is on the Schwinn site).
This is a fairly standard bike, but here are a few pros and cons to consider:
Pros: -It is fairly light-weight and incredibly easy to assemble. I took me less than 10 minutes to put it together, and I’ve had no problem moving it around. -The seat height is easy to adjust, which is useful if more than one person will be using the bike. -The water bottle holder is conveniently placed and holds most standard water bottles. -It’s extremely quiet, something that’s important if you don’t want to disturb your roommates or neighbors with early/late exercising, or if you plan to watch tv while riding.
Cons: -The seat is extremely uncomfortable. I can’t ride it without additional padding. -After years of using a recumbent bike, the upright is definitely harder on my back. -The pedals are so low that my feet drag on the ground if I don’t keep them perfectly level. -There is a ledge to rest books or magazines on, but I have to lean much too far forward to be able to actually read anything on it, so it isn’t useful to me.
If you’re looking for an upright exercise bike, I think this is a good option for most people. However, I’ll probably revert back to a recumbent bike for my next purchase, since they’re so much more comfortable.
9?I’ve had this bike for roughly 3 months now. I’ve used it an average of 6 days a week and 20 minutes a day since the day I got it.
Bicycle Assembly – Overall easy to assemble.
Resistance – I was relatively impressed, the resistance settings work well.
Programs – The programs are pretty basic, but they do exactly what I am looking for. And of course you can adjust the level of resistance for each program.
Overall I am happy with my purchase at the price point. The only thing I would have liked would have been it’s ability to track my progress. The seat is uncomfortable, but that is easily taken care of. I would reccomend this product overall.
10?PROS -Easy to follow instructions for set-up -Programs and levels are challenging -Quiet -Water bottle holder and book rest
CONS -Fan is useless (I didn’t care about it anyways) -Numbers on display are not large
NOTE -I’ve had my bike for about a month and batteries are still working -Make sure you tighten up all the nuts and bolts after your first ride to avoid “clicking” when you ride.
Stamina 15-0120 InStride Cycle XL
1. I’m very pleased with this. It’s an amazing value for $36.
It is extremely sturdy. I was thinking it might be bendable lightweight aluminum, but I doubt that I could dent this with a sledgehammer. And while it is easy to move around, it is not a piece of lightweight junk.
It is easy to assemble.
The instructions looked daunting, but the nuts and bolts are all identical, and it rapidly became apparent that each leg gets attached to the main piece at three places, a t bolt screws into the top for tension control, the timer slips on, and presto, you’re done.
Let me address a few things I read in the reviews that had me a bit worried before I bought it:
It does not slide for me on carpet. I spoke to their customer service, and the lady there said she places hers against a wall to prevent sliding.
There is a slight jerk in each revolution, but pushing down on the pedals with slightly more force than you might think you need fixes that. So it doesn’t have the complete Zen quality of a real exercise bike, but what the heck, it’s $36.
I asked her about squeaking, and she said two things. One is you can add oil by unscrewing the t bolt, adding oil, then putting the t bolt back, and the other is that sometimes if the bike has been used long enough, you will have to dial back the tension via the t bolt as it does tighten up and may squeak.
I find that the bolt does control the tension well. It is not all or nothing, imho.
The size is very convenient, you can put it in the bottom of a closet easily.
This is a really excellent product for non-jocks who want to get in better shape, the elderly, etc.
2. I purchased this product as a replacement for the basic pedal exerciser model, which broke after about a year of use. This is much sturdier than the old one. A great benefit is that it slides far less on my hardwood floor. The timer is pretty cheap and nothing fancy, but, let’s face it, if this is your primary piece of exercise equipment, that is exactly what you need. The size is also quite convenient for hiding it away when it’s not in use.
I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to be able to do some exercise while watching TV, but doesn’t want to put the time and money into getting more complex exercise equipment for their living room.
3. I bought one of these from my local Joe’s sports center. It does assemble easily and is very light.
I am not complaining about the jerky range of motion / the difficulty of setting resistance (as one other reviewer put it, frictionless or impossible), because these are usual characteristics of friction resistant cycles. The cycle aspect is not bad.
What makes this machine a bad choice for casual under-desk use is the gripping feet– or lack thereof. The black rubber pads on each leg are not secured in any way; I’d use it for about five-ten minutes, and then suddenly one would spin, I’d lose friction, and the whole thing would slide forward. The constant having to adjust the gripping feet and jury rig the whole system (I tried putting 12lb handweights on the front legs, and that did help a bit) meant that it was frustrating to use. A steady pace would always be interrupted by the spin-and-slide.
If you have a frustrating piece of gym equipment, you aren’t going to use it. It’s ineffectual and high maintenance.
This could be a good purchase for you if you know what to expect from a friction resistance cycle and have a way to secure it, or if you plan to use it on top of a desk for arm work only. DO NOT BUY for casual, under-desk use.
4. Next to my treadmill I wanted something that flexed/worked my knees a bit — like a bicycle would, without having to commit to a full stationary bike. Using this unit does not feel like full-on cycling because the range of motion just isn’t wide enough, but it does the trick and is exactly what I was looking for and expected, and the price is right.
Unless you’re completely sedentary I can’t imagine you’d ever work up a sweat or breathe too hard, but it will slightly increase your heart rate and circulation, and you can definitely feel it in your calves and thighs after just a few minutes of pedaling. On a linoleum, tile or coated wood floor — anything with some “tack” — the unit does not move around at all, but on slick carpeting or bare wood floors expect movement.
Unless you have a high working surface or are of short stature, I can’t imagine pedaling on this under a desk. It took all of 10 minutes to assemble (no tools needed), functions quietly and smoothly, and stores easily. I haven’t used it to work arms/shoulders as I have free weights and exercise bands for such things, but can imagine it would be good for the sedentary/elderly; there’s also a two-sided flyer included that offers suggested routines. I knocked off a star because of a few claims.
It won’t provide a serious cardiovascular workout, nor is it a major calorie-burner. And though perfectly functional, the “electric progress monitor” is merely a timer of stopwatch variety and not connected to the unit in any way but for display. But overall this unit is a nice supplement to other exercise equipment when space is at a premium.
5. This is a great product, especially if you’re looking for a quick and mild workout. . . maybe to improve your heart or just gain some flexibility, or boost your energy some. I use this in conjunction with other more aggressive workout equipment and I LOVE it!
The downsides are 1. You have to add weight to it, or place it in between the chair/furniture you’re sitting on and another heavy piece of furniture otherwise you will flip the rubber feet constantly, making it slide all over the place and slide out from under your feet. 2. You cannot wear shoes while using this product because your shoes will rub on the legs and flip the machine and/or rubber feet as well.
I found a way to make this simple piece of equipment work for me and I just love it! I think it’s worth the little hassle considering the GREAT price and GREAT compact size and GREAT workout without the high cost!!! I highly recommend this product!!!
6. Product looks fine, assembly was easy as could be, but once we got it set up… It was unlike any other bike type THING I’ve ever used. The only thing it has in common is that it has pedals.
As someone else mentioned, the resistance is either nothing or stuck. If you manage, somehow, to get it to the resistance you want, you’ll pedal along just fine for a bit and then just suddenly get stuck. Probably once every thirty seconds. So you’re starting to get into your set routine pace and then it locks up and you have to get it all set back up. Reason I say you have to get “set back up” is because it will not stay put.
They might as well have put oil on the feet instead of rubber for how much it moves around. Chances are, if you are using it at work and you have a chair with wheels, you’ll be moving backwards if you can find a position for the bike to stay in and not move from. I’ve found myself *holding onto* my desk to keep from moving backwards while using this.
I’m sure there are other similar, light-weight products on the market. Save yourself from wanting to strangle someone and just buy one of those. They’re more than bound to be better than this piece of junk.
7. I work in an environment where we are chained to computer monitors and phone headsets most of the day. While there are many great things about my job, the total lack of physical activity is not one of them. So, we got together and purchased this item, which we can prop discreetly in our cubicles and pedal away at while typing or talking on the phone.
(We have the advantage of a setup that allows us to raise or lower our keyboards and move our monitors a bit, so we can prop the Stamina against the cubicle wall and go to town. It’s not like it’s a huge workout or anything, but then again we don’t want anyone to hear us panting! And, because most of us are wearing headsets, we aren’t really bothered by the little squeaks others have described).
It is just enough exercise to get your heart pumping a little, and make you feel less sluggish. Each of us probably uses it for a half-hour to an hour a day, and when we’re done we just set it in a central location and whoever feels like it can take their turn. So, yeah…Low-tech,slightly squeaky (just reach down and adjust the knob), little resistance, but great for our pruposes!
8. Everyone’s claim that this cycle squeeks horribly is true. I’m average weight for a 35 yr old male and I can peddle it while working on the computer with no resistance (no squeek) and you’ll get your heart rate up a little bit. I’ve found that buying one of those exercise rubber bands (the flat wide kind for rehabilitation) and tie one end of a 7-8? strip to a pedal and fit the other end inside the end cap on the tube and repeat for the other pedal, that it actually adds some decent resistance without any squeek.
You can buy the bands on amazon for like 6 bucks. The resistance isn’t going to substitute for your spin class or anything but if you’re just sitting at your desk for hours pedaling, it makes a difference. Really you can’t beat the price so with this little modification its well worth it. You might as well throw that little tension screw it comes with out the window.
9. I bought this to sit under my desk at work, so I could get a tiny bit of supplemental exercise during endless conference calls, etc. It works as expected.
It seems to be well built and is absolutely silent – so nobody outside my office can hear what I’m up to! The only sounds are my pants rubbing against eachother and a very faint clicking from the pedal straps.
My only complaint is that the knob to increase resistance is very difficult to turn and doesn’t do much to increase resistance. (No, I’m not a weakling, and no, I don’t have the threads crossed.)
It is very stable and rarely moves much at all on the low-pile carpet in my office. I use my standard desk chair – which reclines. I end up in more or all a recombinant position. I think I am going to try attaching a bungee cord from the leg of my chair to the unit, so my chair stops rolling backwards away from my feet.
The onboard computer is useless. It is simply a timer operated by pushing a button to start and stop – hold to reset. It does not count revolutions, or have any interface with the unit at all.
10. I wanted a small stationary bike to keep under my desk at work. At first it was a bit noisy after about 20-30 mins of biking, but after spraying with WD-40 and learning to reduce the tension I found I could bike all day. Depending upon my work day I bike anywhere from an hour a day to 6 or 7 while working. The bike has had a few issues one of the pedals now slides off and the caps on the sides where the pedals connect slip off (easy to put back in place though), but I’ve had it for 9 months now with heavy usage. I plan to replace shortly with another one. For my purposes – this bike fits the bill.
Note if you want to use in the office (most desks are just slightly too low. Since I have a large monitor I found I was able to slide a little back from the desk and bike pretty well. It only took a couple weeks of knee bumping on the edge of the desk to master my technique and I’ve gotten quite proficient at typing from this pushed back position. I recommend trying it out your tired of sitting still all day at work. Even at low resistance your still burning more calories than you would sitting still.
York C102 Cycle
1. I purchased this bike just after Christmas, in order to ‘fight the flab’, and was pleased when it arrived really quickly – within a couple of days.
It’s a solid, well made machine, and the instructions and tools provided were all present and correct, making assembly easy – though you may find having the help of a friend to assist is useful.
The resistance levels offer a good range, making it suitable for both beginners and people who are already reasonably fit.
The programmes allow targets for time / distance / calorie / and pulse levels to be set.
Overall its a bike that should be a useful exercise tool for a long time, with enough features so you don’t get bored.
2. My wife recently underwent a hip replacement, under the NHS, which was a complete success. Recovery after the operation involved exercises, regular walking and physiotherapy at the hospital, where an exercise cycle was used. She found this an enormous help, and although 72 years now, reminded her of her earlier days on a pedal cycle, which she always enjoyed.
We purchased the York cycle to continue the therapy and both use it daily for exercise. The cycle is adapted for 6 levels of exercise, and progress, and with a computerised readout on level