The Best Cheap Exercise Bikes for Your Indoor Workouts

Busy roads, unpredictable weather, time constraints in your schedule—there are plenty of reasons why riding inside might sometimes be the safer or more convenient choice. If you’re looking to boost your mood and fitness through a quick indoor workout—without the crowded studio, overenthusiastic instructor, and blaring music that often accompanies a spin class—consider one of these cheap exercise bikes.

7 Best Cheap Exercise Bikes

The Expert: As a former bike messenger, bike tour leader, and writer for various bike publications, I’ve been asked to recommend a lot of bikes. Anticipating these queries, I’ve made a big effort to test as many hybrids and city bikes as I can—not only because they’re great for commuting, fitness, and fun, but also because these are the kinds of bikes that my non-bike-geeky friends and family are most interested in buying. I’ve also been using indoor stationary bikes for more than two decades, especially when the weather isn’t cooperating.

Before you start shopping for the best exercise bike for you, there are a few things you need to know first:

Proper Fit Matters, Even on a Stationary Bike

Just like with a regular bicycle, if you want the best experience on your indoor bike, it’s important to get the proper fit. Josh Taylor, a global brand ambassador for the online fitness site Spinning, recommends finding an indoor cycling bike that puts you in the same position as the bike you’re accustomed to riding outside. For example, if your daily rider is a road bike, look for an indoor cycling bike with a handlebar option that both incorporates a traditional bullhorn bar and mimics the hand-position options of drops and brake hoods. However, if you’re already used to taking studio classes, an indoor cycling bike with just the traditional bullhorn-style bar will work great, says Ben Sharp, power education specialist at Stages Cycling.

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Resistance Types: Fan vs. Flywheel

When you’re riding an outdoor bike, you’re mostly working against inertia as you pedal. In order to recreate that sensation and effort on a stationary bike, manufacturers have to simulate that resistance in some way. Most choose to use a fan or a flywheel (a weighted disc that spins as you pedal).

Flywheels work by storing inertia as they spin, and smoothing out the pedal stroke to eliminate that choppy up and down motion you’d otherwise experience. For most budget spin bikes, a heavier flywheel means a smoother ride, though some bikes opt for a superlight (8-pound) flywheel that maintains its inertia by spinning four times as fast instead. Since the pedals on spin bikes are fixed to the flywheel (no coasting), the smooth-moving mechanism helps keep your pedaling consistent. These bikes will usually have a knob or lever that allows you to adjust the resistance, making it harder or easier to pedal, independent of your cadence (how fast you’re spinning the pedals).

Fan-operated resistance bikes are a bit simpler: As you pedal, the fan blades are pushing against the air around the machine. Your cadence is directly related to the amount of effort required to push the pedals, meaning these bikes don’t allow you to spin at a fast cadence with low resistance, which can be nice for warming up or cooling down.

How We Selected

In addition to my own experience using these and similar models, I included recommendations from our test team—among which are spin instructors, Olympic-level cyclists, long-distance touring guides, and casual riders and racers—who test and evaluate hundreds of bikes each year. For the purpose of these reviews, we looked for cheap exercise bikes under $1,000 with enough resistance to provide a quality workout and enough adjustability to fit a variety of users. (If you’re more serious about your indoor workout and want a more lifelike cycling experience, check out our reviews of the Peloton, Wahoo Kickr Bike, and other high-end models.) We also consulted experts, trusted sources, and consumer reviews on Amazon, as well as company websites, to determine the best affordable stationary bikes. Here are seven we recommend.

BEST OVERALL

Cyclace Exercise Bike

BEST OVERALL

Cyclace Indoor Exercise Bike

BEST OVERALL

Cyclace Indoor Exercise Bike

Now 25% Off

$300 at Amazon

Pros

Cons

Key Specs

Flywheel36 lb.DriveFriction resistance, adjustableSize47.24 × 24.21 × 47.24 in.Weight86 lb.Max User Weight330 lb.

The Cyclace is a sturdy, stable indoor bike built with a steel frame on a wide base that the company claims can support riders up to 330 pounds. The latest model features a longer seatpost than the previous version that adjusts to accommodate riders from 5-foot-1 to 6-foot-5 (it also adjusts fore and aft to bring you closer to the handlebar). The 36-pound flywheel and belt-drive system (as opposed to a chain) offer a smooth, quiet ride, and are adjustable via a knob below the handlebar. The handlebar has many hand position options and is height-adjustable, allowing you to find a position that’s comfortable so you can ride longer. A handlebar-mounted LCD monitor tracks your time, speed, distance, estimated calories burned, and odometer (lifetime miles ridden); a media stand puts your devices front and center for you to watch videos or listen to music as you ride.

BEST EXERCISE BIKE UNDER $300

Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike

BEST EXERCISE BIKE UNDER $300

Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike

BEST EXERCISE BIKE UNDER $300

Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike

$260 at Amazon

Pros

Cons

Key Specs

Flywheel35 lb.DriveFriction resistance, adjustableDimensions40 x 22 x 45 in.Weight68 lb.Max User Weight270 lb.

This budget-priced, belt-driven bike operates a 35-pound flywheel that provides a smooth and quiet ride. The resistance is adjustable via a knob regardless of pedaling speed. It also has an emergency brake that stops the flywheel immediately, if necessary. According to Yosuda, the seat height adjusts to fit riders with inseams from 25 to 35 inches, and allows riders to adjust the handlebar height as well as the fore-aft alignment of the padded saddle. Using the single-button monitor, you can scroll through your time, speed, distance, and calories burned as you exercise. Just below the monitor is a platform for a phone or tablet. The heavy-duty steel frame is designed to provide stability and durability, but it’s easy to move if you tip it up onto the small wheels on the front edge.

BEST PELOTON-LIKE BIKE

Yesoul S3 Indoor Exercise Bike

BEST PELOTON-LIKE BIKE

Yesoul S3 Indoor Exercise Bike

BEST PELOTON-LIKE BIKE

Yesoul S3 Indoor Exercise Bike

Shop at Amazon

Pros

Cons

Key Specs

Flywheel16.5 lb.DriveMagnetic resistance, adjustableDimensions39.8 x 20.1 x 45.9 in.Weight79 lb.Max User Weight265 lb.

Besides being designed to look like an entry-level Peloton, the Yesoul S3’s biggest selling point is its Bluetooth connectivity, which pairs with the Yesoul Sports App (on both iOS and Android) and works with Zwift and other interactive training apps. All your workout data, including distance, time, calories burned, speed, heart rate, odometer, and cadence is tracked and easy to access. The bike has a quiet belt drive and magnetic resistance, with 100 levels that are easy to adjust by knob. With a height- and distance-adjustable seat and handlebar, the S3 is built to fit riders from 4-foot-9 to 6-foot-2—though riders at the higher end of that range and those with disproportionately longer legs might find the riding position to feel a bit “off.” The bike is easy to move on two small transport wheels, and it comes in both white and black models for a sleek, Peloton-like aesthetic.

SMOOTHEST PEDAL STROKE

Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Exercise Bike

SMOOTHEST PEDAL STROKE

Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Bike

SMOOTHEST PEDAL STROKE

Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Bike

Now 21% Off

$314 at Amazon

Pros

Cons

Key Specs

Flywheel49 lb.DriveFriction resistance, adjustableDimensions53.94 x 19.1 x 44.49 in.Weight113 lb.Max User Weight275 lb.

If you find the time passes more slowly with your data displayed right in your face, consider a monitor-less model like this Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Bike. With a heavy steel frame that supports riders weighing up to 275 pounds, the bike features a belt-driven 49-pound flywheel that has resistance that’s adjustable by a knob mounted on the top tube. The belt-drive system is quieter than a chain, requires less maintenance, and is more resistant to corrosion from sweat than a traditional chain. The nearly 20-pound difference in flywheel weight between this bike and the Yosuda above creates more inertia and is meant to increase real-world ride feel and a smoother pedal stroke. An emergency brake allows you to stop the pedals quickly, and pedal cages help keep your sneakers on the platforms for safety and efficient power output. The handlebar and seat adjust up and down, and you can position the seat more forward or back to your liking.

BEST FOR HEAVIER RIDERS

Vigbody Stationary Bike

BEST FOR HEAVIER RIDERS

Vigbody Stationary Bike

BEST FOR HEAVIER RIDERS

Vigbody Stationary Bike

Now 24% Off

$176 at Amazon

Pros

Cons

Key Specs

Flywheel24 lb.DriveFriction resistance, adjustableDimensions39 x 18.5 x 41.1 in.Weight72 lb.Max User Weight330 lb.

The Vigbody is another stable, supportive option. Like many of the bikes on this list, the 24-pound flywheel’s resistance is adjustable via a knob between the rider’s knees. The seat moves up and down, as well as fore and aft, and the feet screw in and out of the base to different levels so you can stabilize the bike on uneven flooring. It’s relatively easy to move—just tip it up on its front edge and two small wheels allow you to roll and stash it in a closet or spare room. The frame is powder-coated for rust and corrosion resistance, when you really work up a sweat. Vigbody claims the bike will support up to 330 pounds.

BEST FOR ZWIFT

Schwinn 170 Upright Bike

BEST FOR ZWIFT

Schwinn Fitness 170 Upright Bike

BEST FOR ZWIFT

Schwinn Fitness 170 Upright Bike

Now 21% Off

$550 at Dick’s Sporting Goods

Pros

Cons

Key Specs

Flywheel13 lb.DriveMagnetic resistance, 25 levelsDimensions41.3 x 21.4 x 55.6 in.Weight58.4 lb.Max User Weight300 lb.

With Bluetooth and USB connectivity to the Schwinn ConnectTM, Zwift, and MyFitnessPal apps, this stationary bike is a great option for interactive workouts—particularly if you want to work through pre-programmed sessions and track your progress over time. The bike has the standard DualTrack console shared by similar-level Schwinn and Nautilus products, which has two sharp, backlit LCD screens loaded with 29 workouts. Unlike many of the bikes on our list that adjust gradually in difficulty at the turn of a knob, this model has 25 preset levels of magnetic resistance, which provides a nice range in difficulty. The seat and handlebar adjust by height and angle to fit users from 4-foot-6 to 6-foot-6; however, as always, those at the far ends of the range might have more difficulty getting a comfortable fit. Ultimately, the bike is a solid package for the price—especially if you can catch one on sale for around $400.

FEATURE-PACKED CONNECTIVITY

Bowflex C6 Bike

FEATURE-PACKED CONNECTIVITY

Bowflex C6 Bike

FEATURE-PACKED CONNECTIVITY

Bowflex C6 Bike

$999 at Bowflex

Pros

Cons

Key Specs

Flywheel4 lb.DriveMagnetic resistance, 100 levelsDimensions48.7 x 21.2 x 51.8 in.Weight112 lb.Max User Weight330 lb.

This is one of our favorite stationary bikes because it has the most capability at a very reasonable price. The bike itself is high quality and very adjustable, but what makes it stand out is the Bluetooth connectivity. With the C6, you can connect with apps like Peloton, Zwift, and Schwinn Trainer to join community rides and track progress. The monitor displays time ridden, speed, mileage, heart rate, and resistance level. It doesn’t display wattage or precise RPMs (instead, it shows them on a scale); however, you can see all that data when connected to third-party training apps. The flywheel is smooth and heavy, and you can crank the resistance up very high—it has 100 incremental levels that adjust via a knob. For fans of running shoes, the C6 has toe cages; alternately, you can flip the pedals over and clip in with Shimano SPD cleats. Sneak in your workout any time of the day or night, because this thing is silent. It comes with a heart rate monitor you wear on your forearm and a pair of three-pound dumbbells so you can squeeze in a light upper-body workout, too.