Exercise Bikes

ianeverton
ianeverton Posts: 231
edited January 2013 in Road buying advice
Just cannot get on with a turbo trainer or rollers, i work most of the day and do not get home until after dark so as much as I want a winter trainer bike I am now thinking that maybe I should go for an exercise bike.

Does anybody have one at home that they could recommend, don't really want to spend more than £300 but would go slightly higher if the right kit.

Have looked at the super duper Watt Bike which looks great but is the best part of £2,000.

All help would be greatly received.

Thanks !!

Comments

  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,096
    i can't see the typical exercise bike being even close to giving a better experience that a decent turbo+bike, the things usually have horrific saddles, bad bars and insufficient scope for correct adjustment

    if the dislike of the turbo is down to the 'feel', you might do better going for a fluid turbo with a *heavy* flywheel, these have much better road feel - kurt kinetic road machine is great, it's a world of difference from the turbo i used before, there's also their rock & roll version, which i haven't tried, but looks like it would be even better
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • smoggysteve
    smoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    Could get a spinning bike, although not got a computer they are great exercise. I use one from time to time at the gym at work if I cannot get out on the bike.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    +1 on the spin bike - but I'd try a class first and see if you like it.

    Normal exercise bikes are horrible with huge saddles.

    Or just get lights ?
  • nochekmate
    nochekmate Posts: 3,460
    ianeverton wrote:
    Just cannot get on with a turbo trainer or rollers, i work most of the day and do not get home until after dark so as much as I want a winter trainer bike I am now thinking that maybe I should go for an exercise bike.

    Does anybody have one at home that they could recommend, don't really want to spend more than £300 but would go slightly higher if the right kit.

    Have looked at the super duper Watt Bike which looks great but is the best part of £2,000.

    All help would be greatly received.

    Thanks !!

    Just not a good decision in my view as Sungod pointed out - riding the average exercise bike (and you will be buying at the budget end of things) is nothing like 'cycling'.
  • mhj999
    mhj999 Posts: 122
    +1 for spinning bike
    Sensa Giulia 105
  • t4tomo
    t4tomo Posts: 2,643
    Is there a difference between an exercise bike and a spinning bike, other than 5 years and branding / marketing speak?
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  • smoggysteve
    smoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    A spinning bike has a fixed fly-wheel on the front that has a variable brake to add resistance. There is no free hub so you have to slow down to stop or push an emergency stop button on the brake.

    As was mentioned, try a spinning class to get a feel for them, I think they are great exercise value. We have them in the gym at work and are used alot. There is no computer to tell you how far you have gone or calories burned etc but you get a better work out. Set to the resistance you feel comfortable with or a little more for effect and away you go.
  • turbo1191
    turbo1191 Posts: 501
    another here for a spinning bike..i go to spin classes at the gym but i used to have one at home. My house isnt 'really' big enough for one so i got rid of it. you could pick one up on ebay reasonably cheap.. just an example:

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Keiser-spin-b ... 1c2f12cd1d
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    Exercise bikes are ok, but not realistic. We've got a folding one in the cupboard so me and the mrs can get a quick workout if needed. Better than hauling your regular bike in front of the tv anyway, but not great for regular or extended training sessions.

    Spinning bikes are great, the ones at my gym did have basic distance computers too so they must be available.
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  • Spatulala
    Spatulala Posts: 291
    My local leisure centre (Exmouth) just got new Keiser spinning bikes. Trip, watts, cadence, time and resistance displayed. Still a basic lever to adjust resistance, but the display makes for a much better session.
  • smoggysteve
    smoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    Wow - the mob has spoken. Think this is the most convincing one sided thread I have seen for a while.

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aerobic-Training-Exercise-Fitness-Workout/dp/B0092DOEHG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357682147&sr=8-1

    Just as an example for the price more than anything.
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,096
    fwiw i'm away on business and have been using the keiser spinning bike in the hotel gym

    it's way better than an exercise bike, but the saddle is still awful, and i can't get the bars where i want them, plus i'm having to use trainers, with proper shoes it might be more tolerable, but in the gym i spend more time on the running machine, and i hate running

    moan moan moan

    if you just want to climb on and spin it's better than nothing, but i'll take the kurt any day of the week, it's dramatically better
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Spin bikes do vary in quality. I go to two clubs. One has nice bikes. The other has livestrong bikes and they're crap.
    Not a great ride and the bars aren't adjustable for reach. That Armstrong fella has a lot to answer for.
  • ianeverton
    ianeverton Posts: 231
    I was thinking of one of these when I said exercise bike, is this s spinning bike then, or similar ??

    http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/rac ... 676_p.html
  • nferrar
    nferrar Posts: 2,511
    I have a recumbent style exercise bike which actually works pretty well (it cost a grand though) and I can see it being especially useful if returning from say a collarbone break as you don't do any weight bearing on your hands. Thing is it's still dull as hell to use so need to sort out getting it sold soon.
  • mhj999
    mhj999 Posts: 122
    you can put MTB cleats on the reverse of the pedal on some spinning bikes too (on the other side to the toe cage). Many cyclists at my gym wear MTB shoes. Perhaps look for this if you are buying - makes a huge difference to the 'feel'. I think most have pretty good computers now too.
    Sensa Giulia 105
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    It's the tomahawk ones they've got at my gym, bars are adjustable for height a read, as is the seat, I think given enough time you could get a fairly good replication of the position on your real bike. I'd like one at home if I had a spare room.
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  • Artful_Codger
    Artful_Codger Posts: 24
    Take a look at the Kettler Giro GT (between £400-£500). It's fantastic. You can change to proper pedals and saddle. You can see their race models here, for example:

    http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/21- ... 05_0b.html
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    ianeverton wrote:
    I was thinking of one of these when I said exercise bike, is this s spinning bike then, or similar ??

    http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/rac ... 676_p.html

    I'd think it's similar. Probably too cheap to be decent and the bars arent adjustable for reach. I'd not bother with that one.
  • navrig
    navrig Posts: 1,352
    Don't buy an exercise bike. It will become the most expensive clothes hanger you will ever buy.

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