For fitness enthusiasts looking to bring the studio experience home, spin bikes offer a fantastic way to achieve a high-intensity, low-impact cardio workout. With a plethora of options available, choosing the best spin bike can feel overwhelming. We’ve rigorously tested some of the most popular models to help you find the perfect fit for your needs and budget. This guide dives into detailed reviews, helping you navigate features, performance, and overall value to make an informed decision and discover the best spin bike for your home gym.
Bowflex VeloCore: Innovative Leaning for Realistic Rides
The Bowflex VeloCore stands out in the crowded market of spin bikes with its unique lean feature. Available in two models, with a 16-inch screen ($1,800) and a larger 22-inch screen ($2,200), the VeloCore aims to mimic the feel of outdoor cycling by allowing riders to lean from side to side. This innovative design adds a new dimension to indoor cycling, potentially engaging core muscles more effectively and breaking the monotony of static spin bikes.
While the lean mode is an intriguing addition and offers instructional videos to get users acquainted, our testing revealed that it might not become an everyday feature for all riders. Mastering the lean takes practice, and the sensation, while novel, doesn’t entirely replicate the natural flow of turning on a road bike.
Beyond its signature lean, the Bowflex VeloCore is a well-constructed and sturdy bike. It offers a fully adjustable seat and handlebars, accommodating a wide range of body types. The dual-sided pedals are a welcome feature, offering compatibility with both SPD cleats for cycling shoes and toe cages for regular sneakers. With 100 levels of magnetic resistance, finding the right intensity for your workout is generally seamless. However, we observed that the screen can wobble at higher cadences, particularly when standing, which could be a minor distraction for some users.
The VeloCore integrates with Bowflex’s workout streaming app, Jrny, which is included for a year with purchase. After the first year, a subscription costs $20 per month. Jrny provides a variety of on-demand, instructor-led workouts, both on and off the bike. While the content is informative and adequate, it may lack the high-energy and diverse intensity levels found in platforms like Peloton. The bike does offer the flexibility to connect to other apps like Peloton and Zwift via a separate device, but we encountered issues syncing the VeloCore’s cadence monitor with the Peloton app. For entertainment during workouts, the VeloCore supports streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+, provided you have subscriptions.
Diamondback 510ic: Durability Concerns and Availability Issues
In 2022, we attempted to test the Diamondback 510ic. Unfortunately, our experience was marred by significant quality control issues. The first unit we received arrived with a broken motor. A replacement bike was sent, but it also presented problems with a malfunctioning revolutions-per-minute sensor, requiring a replacement part. Due to these repeated issues and current unavailability, we cannot recommend the Diamondback 510ic at this time.
Echelon Connect Bike EX-5 & EX-5s: App-Dependent Experience with Resistance Quirks
The Echelon Connect Bike EX-5 takes a different approach by utilizing your own tablet as the display. The tablet, placed in a holder, connects to the Echelon Fit app ($39 per month) via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This bike features dual-sided pedals and a display layout reminiscent of the Peloton Bike, including a leaderboard for competitive riders.
However, our testing revealed inconsistencies with the resistance knob compared to the Peloton Bike. The resistance adjustments felt unpredictable, making it difficult to ascertain if the displayed number accurately reflected the actual resistance level. A significant drawback is that resistance adjustment is disabled unless the bike is connected to the app and actively engaged in a class, severely limiting its standalone usability.
Echelon’s app offers a comparable number of daily live classes to Peloton, along with a substantial on-demand library boasting over 3,000 workouts for both on and off the bike. While the instructors are generally enthusiastic and some are highly competent, the overall app organization is less refined than Peloton’s, and the quality of rides and trainers can vary.
The Echelon Connect Bike EX-5s, an upgraded version, incorporates a built-in screen for streaming Echelon’s workouts. While the ride itself was smooth, the resistance issues persisted, feeling inconsistent and requiring excessive knob turning to perceive changes. Testers also noted wobbly handlebars and a pedal placement that felt too far forward, creating an awkward riding position in certain stances. The busy and cluttered home screen of the Echelon interface and subpar water bottle holders further detracted from the overall experience. Considering its price point, the Echelon EX-5s fell short of our expectations.
Keiser M3i: Premium Design and Versatile App Connectivity
The Keiser M3i distinguishes itself with a sleek, aesthetically pleasing design featuring V-shaped handlebars and clean lines. This bike prioritizes versatility in app connectivity, seamlessly integrating with the Keiser M Series app for ride tracking and syncing with other popular fitness apps like Strava.
The M3i’s 24 levels of resistance are adjusted smoothly via a lever, offering precise control. It boasts an impressive range of adjustability, accommodating riders from 4 feet 10 inches to 7 feet tall and supporting a maximum weight capacity of 350 pounds. We enjoyed our workouts on the M3i, particularly when using the Peloton app. However, its premium features and robust build may make it best suited for serious cyclists with dedicated training goals rather than casual home users.
Myx II Plus: Comprehensive Home Gym Kit with Heart Rate Focus
The Myx II Plus is positioned as a complete home gym solution, building upon the earlier Myx Plus model. It requires a subscription to Beachbody On Demand Interactive (BODi, $39 per month) for access to live and on-demand group classes. The Myx II Plus includes a Star Trac bike equipped with sensors for cadence, distance, and speed, along with a 21.5-inch tablet with enhanced audio and a front-facing camera.
Beyond the bike, the Myx II Plus package includes a generous array of accessories: a large exercise mat, a bike mat, resistance band, dumbbells, kettlebell, and foam roller. The Myx II is also available without the extra equipment. A Polar OH1 heart-rate monitor is included and encouraged for use during every workout, paired with the app. This heart-rate based training approach personalizes workouts based on effort levels and fitness, but requires users to be comfortable with heart rate monitoring to fully leverage its benefits.
NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike: Feature-Rich but Questionable Reliability
The NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike is packed with features, including a 22-inch tablet displaying iFit workouts (NordicTrack’s subscription platform, $39/month for family, $15/month individual). A standout feature is its automatic adjustment of resistance, incline, and decline during iFit rides, creating a more immersive and challenging workout experience.
However, despite its impressive feature set, the S22i exhibited notable screen shaking during rides of varying intensities, and the screen mount and handlebars felt unstable. We encountered a significant safety issue with our first test unit, where the left pedal detached mid-ride. While a replacement bike was provided, online reviews suggest similar pedal issues are not uncommon. The bike’s large and bulky design also made it cumbersome to move, and adjusting handlebar height proved difficult due to the screen’s weight and size.
Sole SB900: Undefined Resistance and Uninspired Design
The Sole SB900 offered a passable riding experience, but it failed to impress in our tests. Compared to top-rated bikes, the resistance felt vague and required excessive knob turning for noticeable changes. The placement of the safety break lever, separate from the resistance knob, seemed redundant. 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, an inconvenience compared to bikes with always-on displays. Overall, the Sole SB900 is a functional but unexciting option that lacks the refinement and engaging features of better spin bikes.
SoulCycle At-Home Bike: Music-Driven Classes for a Studio Vibe
For riders who prioritize rhythm-based workouts and a dance-party atmosphere, the SoulCycle At-Home Bike could be appealing. SoulCycle classes emphasize riding to the beat of music rather than strict metric tracking. Access to classes requires a $40-per-month subscription to the Equinox+ app, which includes other Equinox-affiliated fitness options. Off-bike workouts are not accessible on the bike’s screen and must be viewed on a separate device.
The bike itself is solidly built and comfortable, featuring a clear 21.5-inch touchscreen, although we noted occasional unresponsiveness. The screen does not rotate. Dual-sided pedals accommodate both SPD and Delta cleats, and adjustable handlebars offer fore and aft customization. The magnetic resistance is responsive and smooth. However, the SoulCycle experience is very specific, focusing on “beat match” percentage rather than traditional progress metrics, which may not satisfy all users.
Yosuda Pro Indoor Cycling Bike L-010: Budget Option with Compromises
The Yosuda Pro Indoor Cycling Bike L-010 represents a budget-friendly entry into the spin bike market, but our testing revealed significant compromises in quality and performance. Testers described it as feeling cheap and “tinny.” The resistance response was poor, the flywheel was noisy, and the LCD screen was so dim as to be barely readable. The Yosuda Pro L-010 is best avoided if you seek a reliable and enjoyable spin bike experience.
Conclusion: Choosing the Best Spin Bike for Your Needs
Selecting the best spin bike ultimately depends on individual priorities, budget, and workout preferences. The Bowflex VeloCore offers an innovative leaning feature and solid construction, though its workout content may not be as robust as some competitors. The Keiser M3i stands out for its premium design and versatile app compatibility, making it ideal for serious cyclists. The Myx II Plus provides a comprehensive home gym package with a focus on heart rate training. The SoulCycle At-Home Bike caters to those seeking music-driven, studio-style classes.
Bikes like the Echelon Connect EX-5 and NordicTrack S22i offer a range of features but come with caveats regarding resistance consistency or reliability. The Sole SB900 is a functional but uninspired mid-range option, while the Yosuda Pro L-010 represents a budget choice with significant compromises. The Diamondback 510ic is currently unavailable and presented quality concerns during our testing.
Carefully consider your workout style, desired features, and budget to determine which of these spin bikes best aligns with your fitness goals and home gym setup. Investing in a quality spin bike can transform your home workouts, providing an effective and engaging way to stay active.
