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The seat on this bike feels great, she says.
Photos courtesy of the brands / Catherine Clark
Its sturdy, large, and has plenty of cushion.
The seat also has ridges so that your bottom doesnt slide around."
“This bike responds quickly to adjustments!
Its very quiet while adjusting as well and the bike doesnt make any movements.
Its great for strengthening your lower body muscles, and improving balance, she adds.
Just so you know:One tester found it difficult to move the 192-pound piece of equipment without help.
It makes you feel like youre working out together versus getting started alone.
Otherwise, youll be free to use your bike the old-fashioned way.
But with the Peloton, what yourereallypaying for is world-class live and on-demand classes.
Our fave features:Our testers love the Bike+s Apple Watch integration.
(It doesnt hurt that this bike is quite a bit cheaper than Pelotons premium bike, too.)
Just so you know:Our testers say the bike seat is much smaller compared to other machines.
The EX-5 also has a relatively small footprint and barely makes a sound, thanks to its magnetic resistance.
The bike was as quiet as a mouse, one tester says.
This was a pretty good bike that was surprisingly easy to put together, says Hayes.
As your speed increases, so does the air drag, building up the workout intensity.
Plus, our tester says the bike delivers a killer full-body workout that scales to different fitness levels.
I was comfortable throughout my entire 30 minutes on the bike.
But the sturdy air bike holds up (our testers used it for two years without issues!).
Just so you know:The bikes monitor is Bluetooth-enabled to connect to your smartphone or tablet.
All you have to do is download the freeErgData app.
If youre after a more traditional, steady ride, you might want to consider another option.
Bluetooth connectivity also opens a world of apps and classes for coaching, competitions, and connected metrics.
Exercise bikes also offer a convenience thats hard to beat.
After all, if you dont like it, you wont use it, Schneider says.
(If youre wondering what those all mean, dont worrywe break it downin the section below.)
Each bike provides a very different exercise experience, says Schneider.
Some bikes have large monitors that can make the bike [heavy and] difficult to move.
So check that to consider the bikes design.
This feature is particularly beneficial if multiple people will be using the bike.
Bikes with magnetic resistance mechanisms are also quieter to use.
These preferences can help narrow down your options.
You get what you pay for, Qayed says.
She cautions to be wary of cheaper bikes that appear to have tons of features and tech.
As with most fitness machines, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
If youre a newbie and that all sounds like gibberish to you, dont worryyoure not alone.
To help paint a clearer picture, heres a breakdown of the different types of exercise bikes.
Indoor cycling bikes (aka spin bikes)
Want that studio-class intensity?
Spin bikes are my go-to for an immersive group fitness experience, says Hayes.
They’re built for both speed work and choreography.
The handlebars are generally closer to your frame, which keeps you vertical, as opposed to leaning forward.
The closer handle position also makes it more compact than other bike options.
Air bikes (aka fan bikes)
Air bikes are the powerhouses of the bunch, says Hayes.
The harder and faster you go, the more challenging the ride will be.
They’re brutal, but effective for conditioning work, he says.
Durability
When youre investing in a piece of fitness equipment, you want it to last.
Does it wobble or feel solid under pressure?
Weve got the answers to keep your rides steady and worry-free.
We look at dimensions, foldability, and whether its portable enough to shift across different floors.
High-tech features
Fancy features hold a lot of weight, but only if theyre easy to use.
To help you focus on your ride, not on troubleshooting your tech.
Its important to gradually work up to 30 minutes if youre starting from scratch, he advises.
Are you looking for your bike to help with cardio fitness, strength, or recovery?
Different bikes suit different needs.
In this roundup alone, youll see bikes priced anywhere from $300 to $2,000.
Theres plenty of options that offer great value at a lower price point.
