For fitness enthusiasts looking to bring the gym experience home, a Bike Exercise Machine is an invaluable piece of equipment. Offering a low-impact yet highly effective cardio workout, these machines are perfect for individuals of all fitness levels. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just beginning your fitness journey, finding the right bike exercise machine can significantly enhance your workout routine. This guide delves into some of the top contenders in the market, based on rigorous testing and performance evaluations.
The Bowflex VeloCore stands out as a robust and well-constructed bike exercise machine that provides a diverse range of workout and class options through its one-year membership to Jrny, Bowflex’s and Schwinn’s workout-streaming application, compatible with both iOS and Android. Available in 16-inch ($1,800) and 22-inch ($2,200) screen sizes, this bike introduces a unique feature: the ability to lean from side to side, mimicking the experience of riding a traditional bicycle.
While the lean mode is intended to add excitement to workouts, testers found they didn’t utilize it as frequently as anticipated. Mastering the lean function requires practice, aided by instructional videos provided by the bike, and the motion felt somewhat less intuitive compared to leaning into turns on a standard bike. The VeloCore compensates with fully adjustable seat and handlebars, and dual-sided pedals compatible with SPD cleats for cycling shoes or toe cages for regular sneakers. Its magnetic resistance system offers 100 levels, generally allowing for precise adjustments. However, the screen exhibited shaking at higher pedaling cadences, particularly when standing.
Despite enjoying the overall experience on the VeloCore, the workout content offered by the Jrny app ($20 monthly after the initial free year) was considered less compelling than other platforms. While the app provides on-demand, instructor-led video workouts both on and off the bike, they were described as adequate and informative but lacking the energy and intensity range found in platforms like Peloton. The VeloCore does offer connectivity to other apps such as Peloton and Zwift via external devices, but syncing the bike’s cadence monitor to the Peloton app proved unsuccessful in testing. For users who prefer entertainment during workouts, the VeloCore supports streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+ with separate subscriptions.
In 2022, testing of the Diamondback 510ic bike exercise machine (currently unavailable) was marred by initial quality control issues. The first unit received from Diamondback Fitness arrived with a defective motor. A replacement bike was subsequently sent, which also presented challenges with a malfunctioning revolutions-per-minute sensor, necessitating a replacement part.
The Echelon Connect Bike EX-5 bike exercise machine operates in conjunction with the user’s own tablet (mounted in a tablet holder), which connects to the Echelon Fit app ($39 per month for iOS and Android) via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It features dual-sided pedals and a display similar to the Peloton Bike, including a leaderboard. However, testers noted that the resistance knob felt less predictable compared to the Peloton Bike, making it difficult to ascertain if the displayed resistance level accurately reflected the actual pedaling resistance. Furthermore, resistance adjustment is disabled when the bike is not connected to the app and engaged in a class, significantly limiting its standalone functionality. While Echelon offers a comparable number of daily live classes to Peloton, and a larger on-demand library exceeding 3,000 workouts, the app organization is less intuitive, and the quality of rides, workouts, and instructors can be inconsistent.
The Echelon Connect Bike EX-5s, an upgraded version of the EX-5 bike exercise machine, incorporates a built-in screen for streaming Echelon’s workout content. While the bike provided a smooth ride during testing, the resistance was again found to be inconsistent, requiring significant knob adjustments with uncertain responsiveness. Handlebar wiggle was also noted. One tester mentioned feeling positioned too far forward, almost on top of the handlebars and screen, particularly in second and third riding positions due to the pedal placement. The Echelon home screen was described as cluttered, and the water-bottle holders were deemed subpar. Overall, the EX-5s did not meet expectations for its category.
The Keiser M3i bike exercise machine is praised for its elegant design, featuring V-shaped handlebars, sleek lines, and compatibility with various cycling and workout apps. Testing revealed seamless connectivity to the Keiser M Series app (iOS and Android), which tracks ride data and syncs with apps like Strava. The bike’s 24 resistance levels adjust smoothly via a lever and accommodate a wide range of user heights (4 feet 10 inches to 7 feet) and a high maximum weight capacity (350 pounds). Testers enjoyed using the M3i, including Peloton app classes accessed on the bike. However, the M3i may be best suited for serious road cyclists with intensive training goals due to its advanced features.
The Myx II Plus bike exercise machine is an enhanced iteration of the discontinued Myx Plus, previously tested and favored in 2020. A subscription to Beachbody On Demand Interactive (BODi, $39 per month) unlocks access to live and on-demand group classes. Initially offering Myx-branded workouts, the Myx II Plus now integrates with BODi. This comprehensive home-gym kit includes a Star Trac bike equipped with sensors for cadence, distance, and speed, along with a 21.5-inch tablet with improved sound and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. Additional equipment includes a large exercise mat, bike mat, resistance band, dumbbells, kettlebell, and foam roller. The Myx II (without the extra equipment) is also available. Testers appreciated the included equipment and its convenience. A Polar OH1 heart-rate monitor is included and recommended for every workout to personalize workout intensity based on heart rate. However, acclimating to heart-rate based workouts may take time, and losing or forgetting to charge the heart-rate monitor significantly impacts the Myx workout experience.
The NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike bike exercise machine features a 22-inch tablet displaying studio and scenic rides from iFit, NordicTrack’s subscription-based workout-streaming platform ($39/month family plan, $15/month individual plan). This feature-rich bike automatically adjusts resistance, incline, and decline during iFit rides. However, the screen experienced noticeable shaking during workouts of varying intensities, and the screen mount and handlebars felt unstable. A pedal detachment issue was reported on an initial test unit, and while a replacement bike resolved this, similar complaints were found online. The bike was perceived as large and cumbersome, making it the most difficult to move among tested models. Handlebar height adjustment was also challenging due to the screen’s size and weight.
The Sole SB900 bike exercise machine proved to be unremarkable in testing. Compared to top-rated models, the resistance felt vague, requiring extensive knob turning for noticeable changes. The safety break lever is separate from the resistance knob, unlike most bikes that combine these functions, which was deemed an unnecessary design choice. The device and water-bottle holders felt cheaply made, and the thin, inward-angled handlebars were uncomfortable and unhelpful. The LCD console requires separate USB charging. Testers summarized the SB900 as “fine” but not inspiring.
If dance-party style indoor-cycling classes are appealing, the SoulCycle At-Home Bike bike exercise machine might be a good fit. SoulCycle classes prioritize riding to the music beat over metric tracking. Access requires a $40-per-month subscription to the Equinox+ app, offering multiple fitness options. Off-bike workouts are not accessible on the bike’s screen and require a separate device. The solidly built and comfortable bike features a clear 21.5-inch touchscreen, though it was occasionally unresponsive and non-rotating. Dual-sided pedals accommodate SPD or Delta cleats, and adjustable handlebars allow for fit customization. Magnetic resistance was responsive and smooth. However, the SoulCycle experience is niche, emphasizing “beat match” percentage over traditional progress tracking, which may not satisfy all users.
The Yosuda Pro Indoor Cycling Bike L-010 bike exercise machine was disappointing due to its cheap construction. Testers disliked their experience on it, describing it as a “tin can.” The resistance response was poor, the flywheel was noisy, and the LCD screen was too dim to read easily.
Conclusion
Choosing the right bike exercise machine for your home gym depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget. This review provides a detailed comparison of several popular models, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses based on hands-on testing. Consider factors such as workout content, resistance adjustability, build quality, and additional features to make an informed decision and find the bike exercise machine that best supports your fitness goals.
