Spin bikes have been quite the buzzword in recent gym trends. The overall intensity of breaking a sweat in gym spinning classes, the funky, upbeat work-out music that trainers use to pump up the session, and the intricacy of the machine itself – all these factors have summed up the current gym work-out revolution caused by spin bikes.
The key feature that separates spin bikes from other similar gym equipment is the signature flywheel. The massively heavy wheel on the front of the machine is separated from the pedals of the bike. This wheel spins along with your legs’ pedalling motion, giving you a replica feeling of riding a bike outdoors. The insanely heavy wheel creates resistance and momentum owing to its massive weight, and that is exactly what throws a work-out challenge to the spin bike fanatics!
One interesting fact to note about Spin Bikes is it’s naming history. The term “Spin Bike” has become quite synonymous with that of indoor bikes, even though the actual name is copyrighted by Mad Dogg Athletics. They were the first to make indoor biking work-out the most popular with their trademark lineup of exercise gym equipment – SPIN, Spinning, Spinner, and Spin Fitness.
However, now the term Spin Bike has become a household name that refers to indoor work-out bikes. Just keep in mind that when we talk about spin bikes, we don’t necessarily mean equipment from that specific company but want to include models from other manufacturers as well.
Enough about Spin bikes and its details. Let’s get to the point. Whether you’ve learned enough about spin bikes working mechanism or not, there are some core issues that you need to address when purchasing one. Especially if you’re under a tight budget, you need to know which specific features or factors are must-have in a spin bike.
With that in mind, we have brought you a curated list of the top 5 budget spin bikes available in the market. As a bonus, we have included a buyers’ guide at the end of the article to help you better understand our logic behind choosing these bikes as the best budget spin bikes. Without further ado, let’s jump right to it!
Best Budget Spin Bikes
5. Tribesigns Indoor Cycling Spinning Bike
Description:
Fit for any fitness enthusiast, the Tribesigns Indoor Cycling Spinning Bike is an absolute work-out machine if you want to tone your lower body muscles or improve your cardiovascular function. It’s super easy to operate and can help you burn calories with just a minimalistic session of 45 minutes each day. Whether you’re focusing on losing weight or building muscles, this spin bike serves it all.
Design & Quality:
Along with the massive weight capacity of 390 lbs. and durable flywheel, this spin bike is housed inside a sturdy steel frame. There is a built-in LCD monitor to record and display all work-out related data and stats. The overall geometry of the bike is great. As a bonus, the bike offers a silent operation mode too.
Features:
- Adjustable 6 KG Flywheel with up to 13 lbs. resistance
- Emergency Stop switch
- Real-time fitness stats update on the bike computer
- Three distinct riding styles
- Six-way adjustable handlebars, armrest, and seat
4. YOLEO Stationary Exercise Bike Indoor Cycling Bike
Description:
The YOLEO Stationary Exercise Bike Indoor Cycling Bike is a good choice for most riders since it is highly customizable and adjustable. You can set it up in almost any conformation so that it feels as natural as riding an actual bike outdoors. Even an emergency stop switch is incorporated within the magnetic flywheel to prevent any accidents from excessively fast spinning.
Design & Quality:
There is an ultraquiet belt drive to give you an effortless smooth riding experience. Although the bike offers a wide range of customizability options, it requires no additional maintenance to extend its overall longevity. The built-in monitor adds a nice touch in the innovation department of the spin bike.
Features:
- Adjustable belt with magnetic resistance flywheel
- Seat cushioned with ergonomic foam
- Six-way adjustable handlebar
- Toe-caged pedals with straps for a secure fit
- Transportation wheels for easy portability
3. Naspaluro Spin Bike
Description:
From the reliable manufacturers of gym equipment comes the Naspaluro Spin Bike with innovative features and a promise of top-notch spinning experience. You can use the spin bike with utter comfort whether you’re a beginner, an amateur, or a professional athlete. It’s well suited for all ages and difficulties. There is a nice tilt-and-store feature that lets you stow away the bike when not in use.
Design & Quality:
There are four distinct modes of operation in this bike – acceleration, climbing, cross-country, and uphill. Each mode has its own set of parameters to adjust the flywheel’s resistance and increase or decrease the difficulty. You can modify these settings using the notch on the side of the flywheel. The incorporated LCD monitor will display any changes made to the settings and help you keep track of your vital signs too.
Features:
- Additional holder to place your smartphone while you work out.
- 8KG Flywheel with infinite resistance
- Five-way adjustable seat and non-slip handlebar
- Toe-caged pedals with removable straps
- 24/7 customer support frommanufacturers
2. XS Sports SB500 Aerobic Indoor Training Exercise Bike
Description:
After years of experience in the gym equipment industry and massive RND efforts, the manufacturers came up with the perfect spin bike – the XS Sports SB500 Aerobic Indoor Training Exercise Bike. It’s made with utmost precision and the highest standards to give the user a comfortable work-out experience while not costing them too much.
Design & Quality:
There is a certain design aesthetic to this spin bike that makes it stand out from the rest. The fully upright aerobic bike looks sleek and stylish while offering the best of features. It is convenient to store as well. It’s suited for almost any user of any age or expertise. Everything about the bike,from the advanced LCD monitor down to the transportation wheels at the bottom, is designed after feedback and input from professional athletes and home exercise equipment experts.
Features:
- Bult-in LCD monitor
- Adjustable armrest and authentic pluton handlebar
- 15 KG flywheel
- Maximum weight capacity of 125 KG
- Overall dimensions of 112 x 48 x 105 centimeters
1. JLL IC200 PRO
Description:
Hailing from the best of the best under the budget spin bike category, the JLL IC200 PRO sweeps the market with its solid features. There’s nothing too excess when it comes to this bike. Every feature and parameter has been calibrated to utmost precision while not removing any of the essentials. There is even a company warranty from the manufacturers to ensure customer satisfaction.
Design & Quality:
With a stylish silver frame and sleek design aesthetics, the JLL IC200 PRO is also a winner in the design department. The advanced flywheel features an innovative Speed Increasing Mechanism to help the user get the best work-out experience. There are also built-in wheels on the bottom of the frame for easy portability.
Features:
- 18 KG flywheel with eight levels of magnetic resistance
- Overall dimensions of 117 x 60 x 125 centimeters
- Adjustable handlebars and seats
- Built-in LCD monitor
- One-year warranty from manufacturers
Important Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Budget Spin Bike
When choosing the best spin bike under a tight budget, the price point is a definitive factor. But that does not mean that you can leave out the rest and focus on that only. You need to consider some must-have features and characteristics before setting your mind about the best budget spin bike. Let’s dig in a bit deeper and see what makes a good spinning bike worth the money.
Resistance and Momentum of the Flywheel
The best spin bikes allow you to adjust the resistance and momentum of the flywheel according to preference. You should modify the resistance settings using a physical knob or lever on the side of the flywheel. Set it at a suitable level based on whether you are an amateur or an expert after consulting with a professional trainer.
Flywheels are designed in a way to store inertia and cause overall resistance to your pedal movement. By a general rule of thumb, having a bulkier flywheel will give you a smooth biking experience. But having a smooth experience might not be the best for you. Based on your work-out demands, you might need to switch to a lighter fan wheel and adjust your cadence.
Proper Form Factor& Rigidity
The frame’s overall stability and support is also a core issue to focus on when buying a spin bike. You need a heavy frame that holds you down when you take it for a spin. If the bike is frisky or ill-built, it might wobble, or worse, break down under pressure. That’s not something you would want in a spin bike. A good idea is to lay a grippy rubber mat on the floor before setting up your spin bike. This will help you gain more stability with lessprobability to slip and fall.
Another factor to look out for is the proper fit and form factor of the bike. There are many setups of a spin bike with differences in the flywheel position, handlebar shape, pedal height,etc. If you are an avid biker by nature, try to find a spin bike with a similar setup to your original bike. It will help you get accustomed to the equipment faster and with less effort.
Build Quality & Materials
Whether a bike will last long or not and whether it will endure excessive pressure depends on the type of materials used in manufacturing the spin bike. It would be best if you kept a lookout for heavy-duty materials in the construction of the bike.
Spin bikes made with industrial-grade steel frames can generally withstand up to 300 lbs. of weight. Although that’s not a rigid rating for a good bike, try to find a model that has reliable quality and good customer feedback.
Pedals & Belts
Most good spin bikes offer a suitable grip in the pedals so that you can keep your feet securely positioned during work-outs. Having a slippery pedal might cause you to displace your feet with pedaling and cause unwanted accidents. A good way to ensure secure pedaling is by using SPD clips along with specialized shoes that clip into the pedals.
The fanbelt used in rotating the flywheel using the pedals is also vital to the spin bike. No matter how much you take care of your gym equipment, this belt faces massive wear and tear when you indulge in a work-out. SO it’s best to choose a model that has top-quality belts in the flywheel. Some models tend to use a chain instead of belts, but those tend to fray or snap under pressure. It would be wise to avoid those all in all.
Seats & Handlebar
The seat of the bike is another issue. For many users, having the option to adjust the seat height is a necessity. You might need to bring the seat up or down based on your height and set it to a comfortable position before starting your work-out.
The same goes for the handlebar. Adjusting it back and forth before using the spin bike should be an option for any good spin bike. Additionally, if the seat or handlebar’s materials are too stiff or rigid, you could opt for installing foam padding or gel overlays. That will bring in much more comfort for your overall work-out experience.
Innovation and Features
As far as technology has come these days, you would want at least a touch of it in your spin bike. Many spin bikes offer numerous additional features and gadgets that will enhance your overall work-out experience.
Some advanced models of spin bikes allow you to connect your smartphone with it. This will help you keep track of your work-out sessions and let you monitor your stats. Some models have a built-in screen or LCD for such functions too. You can see how many calories you’ve burned or measure your work-out duration with such innovative features.
Bottom Line
Spin bikes are a great way to have a productive and helpful work-out at home. You can indulge in some fantastic gym routines in your room, even if you can’t make the time to regularly attend a gym class.
While spinning has its perks, choosing the right spin bike can be quite a herculean task. With so many models and variants out there, you can’t make an informed choice if you don’t have the right guidelines to help you. We have compiled this guide to help you achieve exactly that. We hope that along with our suggestion about the five best budget spin bikes, the buyer’s guide will help you choose one. Here’s to a great work-out!