Exercise bikes - any recommendations

[Rick2468]

One of my close friends at my running club said he got a Peloton bike and he is speaking very highly of it. And now I am seriously considering getting one. Running is my main exercise, but with a bike I could use it when I can't run (due to injuries) or get on the bike whilst watching a football match and get 90 minutes of pedalling in.

The Peloton's are expensive, £1,500 or upward plus £25 a month subscription. It feels the sort of thing that could work out to be an excellent purchase, or a complete waste of money if I don't use it.

I would like to try a less expensive alternative, to see if I like it, and if I do I could pass the bike on and upgrade. I wondered if anyone had any recommendations for some good bikes, or whether you think Pelotons are worth it. I am in good shape and think I would use it 2 or 3 times a week, perhaps for 1 hour sessions. I like the idea of using Zwift or being able to link up to some kind of classes but it's not essential.

I read online about people preferring to use turbo trainers with their usual road bike, so any thoughts on that? Or any recommended exercise bike models?

I am flexible on budget and had £400 in my head, but willing to pay up to, say £800 (about 50% of the Peloton fee) if the extra money gets you a much better model. I don't need all the bells and whistles, but willing to pay extra for extra features or build quality that improve the workout. Fancy something fairly study that doesn't feel like it's going to fall over. Silent / quiet running is not a big requirement. I expect to use it whilst watching football mainly and I tuck myself into a corner of the house for that anyway!

[Jonestown]

In my experience exercise bikes end up being stuck in a corner and used as something to hang clothes, towels, dressing gowns etc on.

[Monaco]

1 would 100% use a turbo trainer as firstly you can use the bike outside if you want and there is free software like External Link/Members Only although you will need a compatible turbo.
I believe Peleton subs are quite costly.

[timsussex]

It depends on what sort of person you are - do you need an extra push ? Peleton or a gym provides that not least because you have forked out £25 a month !

If you just want to try an exercise bike there are lots available second hand - a high % of people cant get on with them so my advice is buy a secondhand one which you can sell on in a few months either because you didnt like it or want to upgrade

[badsin]

It's good you would want to exercise. I would suggest a nice road bike, get the fresh air, see some countryside and improve your fitness that way 

[mr.bluesky]

It's good you would want to exercise. I would suggest a nice road bike, get the fresh air, see some countryside and improve your fitness that way 

Likewise I use an exercise bike in the gym during the winter then use my mountain bike in the spring and summer when the weather is good. Even though gym bikes can be programmed its not the same as riding the real thing. Although inconsiderate car drivers and bloody pot holes don't make it so enjoyable nowdays.

[badsin]

I'm lucky, a few miles and I'm at the Trent & Mersey canal. This is effectively flat, mostly with decent surfaces and opportunity to link up with other nearby cycle tracks.
I don't go fast but can easily clock up 30+ miles in just a morning or afternoon. Take a drink, sandwiches etc. it's good for your soul (mental health) as well as physical health 

[PilotMan]

External Link/Members Only

[mr.bluesky]

Alternatively £99 from Argos, basic but you wouldn't have spent a lot of money if you don't use it much.
( unfortunately the lady doesn't come with it ) 

Hidden Image/Members Only

[Rick2468]

It's good you would want to exercise. I would suggest a nice road bike, get the fresh air, see some countryside and improve your fitness that way 

I hear you! I'm thinking this is for evenings. Like I said if there is a football match on, I thought it'd be great to get on the bike and watch the football. I go for long runs with my running club on Sunday mornings which is great. I do have  a group of friends who are cycling fanatics, I have been out with them but they go a little bit too fast for me, it kills me to keep up and I'm actually terrified that if I come off I'd have a few broken bones. And when there is a near miss with a car driver then it really shakes me up.

External Link/Members Only

This looks amazing and at the right price point. Can you vouch for this? I found a review online comparing it to Peloton, but it felt like I was reading a paid ad!

[PilotMan]

I hear you! I'm thinking this is for evenings. Like I said if there is a football match on, I thought it'd be great to get on the bike and watch the football. I go for long runs with my running club on Sunday mornings which is great. I do have  a group of friends who are cycling fanatics, I have been out with them but they go a little bit too fast for me, it kills me to keep up and I'm actually terrified that if I come off I'd have a few broken bones. And when there is a near miss with a car driver then it really shakes me up.

This looks amazing and at the right price point. Can you vouch for this? I found a review online comparing it to Peloton, but it felt like I was reading a paid ad!

It keeps coming up on my social feeds, I look at gym equipment and clothing a fair amount.

I can't vouch for it, but my research was positive, and I will buy one for my gym when my new house is built.

[sancho.panza]

I bought a Wahoo Kickr Core second hand before Christmas for £200 and have got it set up with my road bike and Zwift for winter training. I'm really pleased with the setup but when (please god) the weather improves I will be back out on the road.

[Rick2468]

It keeps coming up on my social feeds, I look at gym equipment and clothing a fair amount.

I can't vouch for it, but my research was positive, and I will buy one for my gym when my new house is built.

I've ordered it. Thanks again.

The research I did was positive as well and it just felt like a good price point. I got it for £450 from your link after signing up to the newsletter (which I will unsubscribe to!). I let my wife know I was getting it for courtesy (only been married 6 months) just in case she objected and she said she would love to use it too! It has dispatched so I might get it before the weekend. I really like the idea of watching a scenic bike ride on it whilst pedalling. But intend to try out a few things.

I text a friend from my running club who is in the know about these things and he thought it looked good. He said he had a Peloton for a few years and it was good but he said it was a closed environment and difficult to use 3rd party apps (which was news to me). He sold it a while ago and if he got another bike he said he would get something else.

[PilotMan]

I've ordered it. Thanks again.

The research I did was positive as well and it just felt like a good price point. I got it for £450 from your link after signing up to the newsletter (which I will unsubscribe to!). I let my wife know I was getting it for courtesy (only been married 6 months) just in case she objected and she said she would love to use it too! It has dispatched so I might get it before the weekend. I really like the idea of watching a scenic bike ride on it whilst pedalling. But intend to try out a few things.

I text a friend from my running club who is in the know about these things and he thought it looked good. He said he had a Peloton for a few years and it was good but he said it was a closed environment and difficult to use 3rd party apps (which was news to me). He sold it a while ago and if he got another bike he said he would get something else.

I'll be really interested to hear how you get on with it.

I liked the fact that you aren't locked in to one manufacturers "ecosystem" and can stream other apps from you device.

[Rick2468]

I'll be really interested to hear how you get on with it.

I liked the fact that you aren't locked in to one manufacturers "ecosystem" and can stream other apps from you device.

The bike arrived yesterday, the day after I ordered it. Took me about an hour to setup, read online that it took others 30 minutes so I was just slow. But the instructions were straight forward and it looked great when all set up. I have Android phone and tablet and neither device had DisplayPort so I was able to connect them to the bike via bluetooth but I couldn't use screen mirroring. The screen mirroring was a big selling point for me, so I installed the Yesoul app on my laptop using a guide I found on YouTube and connected that way. So I have to put my laptop by the bike until I upgrade my phone or tablet. If you have iPhone or iPad I think it's easier based on what I've read.

I took my first ride on it this morning. Watched a video on YouTube of someone riding from the Millennium Dome down to the Thames Barrier. I was riding at just over 100W output and the video was 30 minutes long but I got tired so I finished after 20 minutes. I don't cycle much but I run 30km to 40km a week so I thought I could adapt but I could really feel the parts of my legs which were weak. I see this as a good thing though as the bike will complement my running nicely. I need to read up about what resistance level is recommended. I had it on quite a high setting because I wanted a challenge but I might have overdone it. It was thirsty work too!

It is very quiet, could just hear a slight woosh on each revolution of the pedals. If someone was watching TV or listening to music in the same room as you it would not bother them. I heard that Pelotons are more sturdy than the Yesoul, I can't compare but it certainly felt sturdy and I didn't think I would fall off at any point.

A potential issue is whether the bike is suitable for tall people. I'm average height and had the seat and handlebars on the max settings to get to a position that felt most natural to me. So if someone is, say, 6ft2 then it might feel too small. It might be that I haven't set it up well for my height so I will look into that over the weekend.

Thumbs up from me. Thanks again for the recommendation.

[PilotMan]

@rick2468

Sounds great, I'm pleased you're enjoying it so far.

I like the idea of watching a (free) POV video of someone cycling a scenic route.

I think the resistance settings are a matter of trial and error as to what suits you at the time, level of fitness, mood etc.

I'm 5'8", hopefully I'm not too tall for it 

[yandex]

Just to add - if you're planning on doing regular 30min+ sessions, it's well worth investing in a 'cheap', large fan.

You can get them online, or from some of the tool/DIY shops easily enough - search for metal floor fan, or industrial floor fan. I got mine for £40 and it was worth every penny. Otherwise you will end up sweating all over the bike and knackering any metal fixtures within weeks.

[Rick2468]

Just to add - if you're planning on doing regular 30min+ sessions, it's well worth investing in a 'cheap', large fan.

You can get them online, or from some of the tool/DIY shops easily enough - search for metal floor fan, or industrial floor fan. I got mine for £40 and it was worth every penny. Otherwise you will end up sweating all over the bike and knackering any metal fixtures within weeks.

That is a good shout. I started a session at 6am after a chilly night and I was very warm after 20 minutes. Warmed up much more than I do running (which I only do outside). Maybe a fan will add to the atmosphere if I am watching a video of someone riding along the coast.