Fathoms77

I'm looking for some advice from those who have experience with indoor exercise bikes.

First of all, I don't have a bike of my own and I don't want to ride on the road, so trainers might not be my best option. I spin 3 times a week to supplement free weights, rowing, and tennis. I'm 43 and I've worked hard over the years, losing weight and managing to drop my resting heart rate into the low 40s. I currently have an old Schwinn 130 but I want to upgrade because I'm taking the spinning more seriously now (I'm backing off on the rowing), and I'm on my third console for the bike as they keep failing after 6 months or so.

I want something durable that offers variety, but I don't like the idea of being forced into paying a monthly subscription. One of the big benefits of working out at home is so I can avoid gym fees, and doing something like Peloton or Echelon just feels like a gym membership tacked atop a very expensive piece of equipment. At the same time, I want something a little beyond my current bike, that has just the simple LCD display and a few basic workouts included.

I'm wondering if there's a good bike out there that offers at least some decent built-in workouts without forcing you to pay for an app, though the latter remains an option. I really don't want to pay Peloton prices and I was hoping to find something in the $1k range. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

spelger

whaoo bike. i think maybe tacx makes one too. expensive but very bike like, not spin bikes at all. after you get past the sticker shock and start riding it you likely won't be hanging your clothes on it.

Fathoms77

Oh, don't worry about that. No matter what I end up with, it will be used routinely and somewhat heavily. I'll look into those, thanks. I just want some variety without being forced to pay a subscription fee, that's all. If I can get that, I'm willing to pay a bit more out of the gate...

spelger

i don't have one of these bikes i mentioned but i do know a bit about them. no subscription to use them but they can be engaging with one. and since they follow the standard ANT+ protocol many subscribable applications like the favorite Zwift, SufferFest, Rouvy, TrainingPeaks, RGT to name a few will work with these machines. They are fully adjustable to fit your body. I knwo there are a few posters here that do have them. i'm sure they will chime in eventually.

-scott

PeteHski

I have a Wahoo Bike. Honestly I don't think it would be suitable for what the OP is looking for. For a start you really need a subscription app to make any proper use of it i.e. Zwift, Rouvy etc. It doesn't have its own console and it isn't a spin bike. It's a very realistic simulation of an outdoor bike. Finally it's very expensive, especially if you are just going to use it only for relatively simple spin sessions. Same goes for the Tacx Bike.

Peloton seems far more in line with what the OP is looking for, except for the subscription part. But it probably is worth it if you want quality gym style workouts to keep up the motivation long term. My experience with "built-in" console workouts is that they get stale very quickly.

Fathoms77

Yeah, I looked...those aren't really what I want. I didn't think they were THAT expensive, and I would have no idea if what I'm riding mimics the road feel, as I've never really done it (outside of a month I spent biking around Ireland a few years ago).

And while I never have any trouble with workout motivation, it's true that the built-in console workouts get pretty boring. Peloton is just so nuts in terms of price...but do ALL bikes with HD screens require app subscriptions to even give you a workout? Or are there some that at least let you do something with the screen (like a built-in console) without signing up for monthly stuff?

PeteHski

I'm slightly confused. So if you don't think a $3500 Wahoo Kickr Bike is too bad, then Peloton should be reasonable. The Peloton bike is something like $1500 and monthly app subscription of $12.99. Not cheap, but loads of class leading content for spin workouts.

But if you are looking for something with a standalone console and no subscription, then Matrix make some solid gym quality exercise bikes. We have a Matrix U50 bike, which is available with several different levels of console. There is also a cheaper U30 model. They have plenty of onboard workout options, but they are nowhere near as immersive as Peloton. The Technogym bike might be worth considering too. I believe this can be used standalone or with a subscription service.

Fathoms77

Ah, I didn't realize you could get a basic Peloton bike for $1500. And I was also being thrown by the app prices these places quote; they're often including a Family Membership (which I don't want), and those are $40/month. But the individual plans for things like iFit and Peloton are only $13-15/month.

So I think I'm narrowing things down...I like the idea of the Peloton for $1,500 also because they include setup in that price as a bonus. Only problem is those well-documented production issues they've been having...says 2-3 week wait at this point. Also considering the Nordic Track Commercial S22i Studio Cycle and the Pro-Form Studio Bike Pro 22; both are $1,300 and use iFit, where an individual plan is $15/month. Guess I'll go with one of these, but I'll keep researching.

PeteHski

Here's a very detailed review of the Peloton bike. This is the more expensive version, but there is a detailed comparison with the base model. The reviewer is a triathlete who specialises in reviewing smart bikes/trainers and related tech.
For what you are looking for I think the basic Peloton would be perfect. The plus model has more accurate power reporting and automatic resistance control, but those are not really necessary for spin classes.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2021/02/...th-review.html

Fathoms77

Thanks, much appreciated.

Only problem is I'm finding you have to pay the $40/month. The $13/month is only for the digital app, which my research says is really only for non-Peloton equipment. If you get one of their bikes, you have no choice but to use the All-Access Membership Plan, so I have to question if I want to stomach that $500/year...

I do like that the Nordictrack has a pretty fantastic warranty behind it and at $180/year for iFit, it's much more affordable. But you also don't get that full content experience you would on Peloton. I've got some thinking to do, that's for sure.

PeteHski

Ah I see now. Yeah that's pretty steep as an ongoing sub. I don't know anything about iFit other than it's been around for quite some time.

adamrice 

You need to clarify your goals better. If your goals are just overall fitness and calorie burning, then get a decent mag trainer and a beater bike to put on it. If you've got more specific goals (it sounds like you don't), get a smart trainer, a beater bike, and a tablet. You can get tablet holders that clamp onto the handlebar. This is my setup. I spent about $900 on it, not counting the tablet, which I already had. Used bikes are expensive right now, so your mileage will definitely vary.

Or get a "smart bike" like the Wahoo Bike (a smart bike is a smart trainer with a built-in bike)--I think there are four smart-bike options, all very expensive. Important to point out that a Peloton bike is not a smart bike, it's just an old-school stationary bike with a screen.

DC Rainmaker (mentioned above) has a useful buyer's guide for smart trainers. Also one for smart-trainer apps. I'm on Rouvy myself.

The benefit to a smart trainer or a smart bike is that they let you ride structured workouts, which are useful for targeted work on your FTP or VO2, and for managing your training load. If you don't have those goals, I think you're burning money unnecessarily.

In the world of smart trainers, it is frustrating that there aren't any controller apps that don't require a subscription (AFAICT), but Trainer Day subscriptions are at least inexpensive.

blacknbluebikes 

While I think Zwift is a fair deal, there's nothing stopping me from just getting a read off the Wahoo app and watching youtube videos of people climbing european mountains. Smart trainer, no subscription. Zwift lets me do a lot of stuff with workouts and it's more fun for me with it than without it.

PeteHski

This has already been discussed. I thought it was pretty clear what he was looking for and definitely not a smart bike or trainer.

Wildwood 

I am new to the invention of indoor cycling as a sport, with features that make it attractive. My daughter's family got a Nordic Track. Didn't ask the model name/#, but it has many features on the bike. And a big enough screen that my daughter also enjoys several non-cycling sessions by swiveling it toward an open area.


My only question about it is accuracy of Power in watts and perhaps the % inclination.
But I will accept it as 'truth' and feel good about the old engine's strength.

So two thumbs up on the NordicTrack with inclination +/-, fan,
only downside for me would be the lack of shifting my own gears.