For those looking to bring the studio cycling experience into their homes, choosing the right exercise bike is crucial. With a plethora of options available, from budget-friendly models to high-end interactive bikes, it’s important to understand the features, benefits, and drawbacks of each to make an informed decision. This guide dives deep into a range of popular exercise bikes, providing a comprehensive overview to help you find the Recommended Exercise Bike that perfectly fits your fitness needs and goals.
Bowflex VeloCore: Innovative Leaning Feature with Robust Build
The Bowflex VeloCore stands out with its unique lean mode, allowing riders to move from side to side, mimicking the feel of outdoor cycling. This sturdy and well-made bike comes in two screen sizes (16-inch and 22-inch) and includes a one-year membership to JRNY, Bowflex’s workout streaming app.
While the lean feature is innovative, mastering it requires practice, and it might not feel as natural as real outdoor biking. The VeloCore offers full adjustability in seat and handlebars, dual-sided pedals for cycling shoes (SPD cleats) or sneakers, and 100 levels of magnetic resistance. The resistance is generally precise, although screen shaking can occur at higher cadences, especially when standing.
JRNY app content, while informative, may lack the high-energy and diverse intensity found in platforms like Peloton. However, the VeloCore is compatible with other apps like Peloton and Zwift via separate devices. It also supports streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+, offering entertainment during workouts.
Diamondback 510ic: Challenges in Quality Control
The Diamondback 510ic, while initially considered for testing, faced significant quality control issues. The first unit arrived with a broken motor, and the replacement bike had a malfunctioning RPM sensor, requiring a replacement part. These issues raise concerns about the reliability and quality assurance of the Diamondback 510ic as a recommended exercise bike.
Echelon Connect Bike EX-5 & EX-5s: App-Dependent Experience with Resistance Concerns
The Echelon Connect Bike EX-5 relies on your own tablet and the Echelon Fit app subscription. It features dual-sided pedals and a display similar to Peloton, including a leaderboard. However, the resistance knob’s unpredictability was a significant drawback in tests. Resistance adjustment is limited without app connectivity, hindering its standalone usability.
The Echelon app offers a comparable number of live and on-demand classes to Peloton, but its organization is less intuitive, and workout quality can be inconsistent. The upgraded Echelon Connect Bike EX-5s with a built-in screen also suffered from inconsistent resistance and wobbly handlebars during testing. Testers noted an awkward pedal placement, impacting rider positioning and comfort. The busy home screen and basic water bottle holders further detracted from the overall experience.
Keiser M3i: Premium Design and Connectivity for Serious Cyclists
The Keiser M3i is praised for its beautiful design, V-shaped handlebars, and seamless connectivity with various cycling and workout apps. It easily connects to the Keiser M Series app for ride tracking and syncs with apps like Strava. The bike offers 24 smooth resistance levels adjusted via a lever and accommodates a wide range of user heights and weights.
The Keiser M3i provides a pleasant riding experience, especially with apps like Peloton. Its robust features and connectivity make it particularly suitable as a recommended exercise bike for serious road cyclists with demanding training regimens.
Myx II Plus: Comprehensive Home Gym Kit with Heart Rate Focus
The Myx II Plus is a complete home gym package, featuring a Star Trac bike and a range of accessories. It includes a BODi (Beachbody On Demand Interactive) subscription for live and on-demand classes. This bike comes with a sensor for cadence, distance, and speed, a 21.5-inch tablet, and equipment extras like mats, resistance bands, dumbbells, a kettlebell, and a foam roller. The Myx II (without equipment) is also available.
A Polar OH1 heart rate monitor is included and encouraged for every workout, allowing for personalized intensity scaling. While effective, adapting to heart rate-based workouts may take time for new users, and losing or forgetting the monitor significantly impacts the Myx workout experience. The Myx II Plus provides a convenient all-in-one fitness solution for those seeking more than just an exercise bike.
NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike: Feature-Rich but with Durability Concerns
The NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike boasts a 22-inch tablet displaying iFit workout content, offering studio and scenic rides. It automatically adjusts resistance, incline, and decline during iFit sessions. However, the screen exhibited noticeable shaking during rides, and the overall bike felt unsteady.
Durability issues were evident, with a pedal falling off the first test unit. While a replacement was provided, similar pedal issues were reported by other users. The bike’s bulkiness made it difficult to move, and handlebar height adjustment was challenging due to the screen’s weight. Despite its feature-rich nature, the NordicTrack S22i raises concerns regarding build quality and stability, impacting its recommendation as a reliable exercise bike.
Sole SB900: Undefined Resistance and Basic Features
The Sole SB900, while not entirely disliked during testing, failed to impress compared to top picks. The resistance felt undefined, requiring significant knob turning for noticeable changes. The separate safety break lever, basic device and water bottle holders, and uncomfortable handlebars contributed to a less than ideal experience. The LCD console requires separate USB charging, adding inconvenience. Testers found it “fine” but not exciting, making it less desirable for home studio settings compared to more refined options.
SoulCycle At-Home Bike: Music-Driven Classes with Style Focus
The SoulCycle At-Home Bike caters to those who enjoy dance party-style indoor cycling classes centered around music rhythm. It requires an Equinox+ app subscription for classes that emphasize “beat match” over traditional metrics. Off-bike workouts are not accessible on the bike’s screen.
This solidly built and comfortable bike features a responsive touchscreen and adjustable handlebars. Magnetic resistance is smooth and responsive. However, the SoulCycle approach is niche, prioritizing rhythm over traditional progress tracking, which may not suit all users seeking a recommended exercise bike for data-driven fitness.
Yosuda Pro Indoor Cycling Bike L-010: Cheap Build and Poor Performance
The Yosuda Pro Indoor Cycling Bike L-010 disappointed testers with its cheap feel and subpar performance. The resistance was unresponsive, the flywheel noisy, and the LCD screen dim and difficult to read. These issues make the Yosuda Pro a less desirable option in the recommended exercise bike category, especially for users seeking a quality and enjoyable workout experience.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Recommended Exercise Bike
Selecting the best recommended exercise bike depends on individual priorities, from budget and features to workout preferences and space constraints. While some bikes offer innovative features and comprehensive workout platforms, others focus on simplicity and robust design. Carefully considering the pros and cons of each model, as outlined in these reviews, will guide you towards an exercise bike that effectively supports your fitness journey and provides an enjoyable and sustainable home workout experience.
