Best  exercise bikes of 2021 

The best exercise bikes allow you to reach your movement goals, up to your cardio, and get fitter from the comfort of your home. Whether you want to get healthier for the new year, you’re not quite ready to return to the gym, or the weather is putting you off heading to the park on your bike, an indoor exercise bike is a great home workout.

Even the most devout road warriors have days when the weather just isn’t cooperating enough for an outdoor workout. And, unfortunately, if you don’t have a stationary bike, you’re left scrambling for indoor exercise  Of course, a great exercise bike is (and should be) more than a plan B. Exercise bikes can help you stay consistent with your workouts and are a lower-impact form of cardio as biking takes the load off of your hips, knees, and ankles. But the best exercise bike for you depends on what you’re looking for.

Biking is one of the best forms of aerobic exercise. But if you live in a busy area or you frequently face bad weather, getting outside on a bike isn’t always an option. Using a stationary bike inside can provide you with the same benefits you would experience in the great outdoors.

The best exercise bikes serve incredible workouts without taking up as much room as a treadmill. Their low-impact nature means they’re easier on the knees too and come in particularly handy for getting in a heart-pumping cardio fix when the weather’s grim and grey outside.

Capable of providing a full-body workout with the right technique, a solid indoor exercise bike will get you fighting fit in no time. Before we jump into our list though, there are a few things to take into account.

And of course, there’s an exercise bike for every budget, so you can cycle at home no matter your price point — whether you can afford an expensive machine or you’re looking for good value.

Sunny health and  fitness indoor bike cycle

This sturdy, solid stationary bike from Sunny Health & Fitness has a steel frame and 49-pound weighted flywheel that can hold a maximum weight of 275 pounds. The seat can adjust to four settings and the caged pedals include clips to keep your feet in place. The leather band resistance system is designed to mimic the feel of a real road. While the bike doesn’t come with a screen, there is a bottle holder and assembly takes about 10 minutes.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight limit: 275 lbs.

Height range: In-seam 29-41”

Resistance: Micro-adjustable belt system….

We found it was a very sturdy bike, had nice large toe baskets, and offered a nice quiet ride. However, those who are a bit shorter may find the bike a bit uncomfortable, as we did. And, because there’s no display or guided fitness programs, you’ll have to be self-motivated to use it

A Spin-Style Model That Works With Regular Sneakers

 

The Schwinn IC3 is a great pick for spin die-hards, outdoor cyclists, and anyone looking to level up to speed, resistance, or endurance. The bike is anchored by a 40-pound flywheel on a belt drive for a smooth, quiet ride with nearly infinite resistance. Unlike models with wide, cushioned seats, the IC3 features a ventilated style seat that’s adjustable horizontally and vertically to ensure correct form. The pedals work with clip-in spin shoes, but can also be converted to toe cages for use with standard sneakers

The adjustable handlebars are padded for comfort and an oversized water bottle holder is within reach, so no need to reach down to grab a sip. You’ll also find an integrated media holder to easily mount a smartphone or small tablet to stream a workout, a playlist or whatever Netflix has you currently addicted to.

Peloton Bike+ review: the best exercise bike for those who can afford it

This Peloton Bike+ review is here to help you figure out if this high-profile fitness setup is right for you.

The Peloton Bike+ builds on the already popular, original Peloton Bike model by integrating a slightly larger 24-inch display. The magical thing here, however, is that it swivels around to liberate users’ daily exercise from the saddle and to the floor of their homes, opening them up to a whole new world of virtual, instructor-led workouts beyond the spin class.

There’s a good reason for this. Not only was Peloton in the right place at the right time, but it had the goods to back it up: a premium, high-quality piece of home gym equipment with a great quality streaming service to boot.

As a Peloton bike owner, what accessories do you need?

I’ve included some ideas below to hopefully help get you started. Skip ahead or read on for a brief backstory.

We bought our bike at a Peloton store here in Silicon Valley, one day before everything shut down due to COVID-19. We passed on most accessories. Aside from splurging on the Peloton branded bike mat and cycling shoes, we decided to buy stuff from other (i.e. cheaper) places.  Eventually, we made a game of it, promising only to buy an accessory here and there (biking shorts for instance) after we hit certain milestones, like completing 50 rides.

What are the best exercise bikes right now?

The best exercise bikes should be well-made, durable, and tough enough to withstand daily use. Our top overall choice for those on a budget is the Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Bike, which boasts a sturdy steel frame and 49-pound weighted flywheel. However, while it’s inexpensive, it’s lacking in extras, such as a display or coaching, so you need to be self-motivated.

The Peloton Bike+ is probably the best exercise bike you can buy and has attracted plenty of hype since its launch, part-way through the pandemic. But is the fuss justified, or have the gym-starved fitness nuts been too easy to please? This is what we’re here to find out.And if you want to make the most of your new Peloton bike.

The Stryde Bike is a budget-friendly

Before the pandemic disrupted my daily routine, I wasn’t a big at-home exerciser. I belonged to a gym down the street from my apartment, I loved attending yoga classes at my favorite studio, and I even ponied up for monthly ClassPass credits to attend a few boutique studio classes when I felt like it.

Stryde shipping, warranty, and returns

Here are the deets on Stryde’s company policies.

Shipping

Shipping is free but not the quickest. The bike will arrive in 1 to 2 weeks. Some reviewers complain that the wait was even longer, though.

Warranty

The bike comes with a 12-month limited warranty for parts, touch screen, and labor. The frame comes with a 5-year warranty.

Because the Stryde is pretty new, it’s tough to find customer reports on the warranty service, so you’re rolling the dice on whether they’ll honor it if you need replacements or repairs.