How Do I Choose a Spin Bike?

The spin bike is great exercise equipment to crush some weight effectively. It can exactly induce the thrill of outdoor cycling. Hence, a great substitute for a bicycle when the weather is upset or you are homesick. Nowadays, fitness studios are more inclined to spin bikes since they can get you a remarkable change in a matter of a short time. So, if you have some major fitness goals then you should consider a spin bike. And to have the best spin bike in your possession you should first ask yourself How do I choose a spin bike.

Be its daily calorie burn, muscle toning, boosting endurance, or making your immune system healthier, there is no parallel of a spin bike. So, here, we have talked about the most important aspects of a spin bike that shouldn’t be missed at any cost. Alright, let’s get deep into it.

Flywheel:

Have you seen the single elevated wheel at the front of a spin bike? Yes, it is the flywheel. The weight of the flywheel will dictate how smooth and realistic your ride will be. Typically, the heavier flywheel, the smoother performance. Besides, it can mimic the rolling movement of road cycling.

We suggest you look for the flywheel weight around 40 lbs. or 14-20kg. if you are working out from home. Where commercial fitness gym has a spin bike with 60 lbs. flywheel. It is not only standard but initiates an effortless ride.

Avoid having lighter flywheels because they give you a bumpy and unstable workout experience. Try not to go below 35 lbs. You can try out different spin bikes and feel the difference. So, you can make an astute decision.

Resistance:

Resistance is something that pushes you to break the limit and sweat more while on the bike. You will come across 4 types of resistance namely cable resistance, manual screw resistance, and magnetic resistance.

The older spin bike features cable resistance and it is pretty basic, nothing but a cable spiraled around the flywheel. It can slip on a high resistance level or with usage for a long time. Besides, it can make annoying noises at high speed. So, we are not highly recommending it unless you want to try it.

If you are on a mid-budget then you may encounter a manual screw resistance. It offers direct resistance against the flywheel and mostly works like a gearing system. Such spin bike features a knob for adjustments which works similarly to an analog system.

Now, magnetic resistance is a fresh approach and is often found on expensive models. It is so far the effective method where strong magnets are used to apply resistance to the flywheel. Works silently and provide different variation. Plus, your spin bike won’t wear out easily. Minimum to zero maintenance is required.

Lastly, let me mention another resistance type and it is electromagnetic resistance. It uses a small hydraulic system to shift a magnet to exert resistance over the flywheel. You will find it quite rare in the market and if available then it will be overpriced.

Drive System:

It is a system that links the pedals to the flywheel. Here, you will get choices, either belt or chain. Let me give you a tip, always opt for a belt drive system. It is quieter, easier to maintain, and replace. Most home spin bikes also come with a belt drive system.

On the contrary, the chain drive system is annoying loud during high speeds. It can be tough to change and require more maintenance. However, spin bikes in fitness gyms feature a chain drive system. Because they don’t stretch like a belt over time and don’t cause a roughness during different rides. But a chain belt can be used extensively during simulated climbs and sprinting mode.

Brakes:

The braking system adds up to the difficulty of a spin bike. It makes the workout more challenging and initiates smooth management of higher resistance. Turning it you can increase or decrease the pedaling hardship. Fabric brake pads, leather brake pads, and magnetic braking are three common types of materials for brake pads. In entry-level spin bikes, you will find fabric brake pads but they can wear out faster.

If you go for the mid to expensive price range, you will find leather brake pads. It strikes a great balance between strength and cost.

Magnetic braking pads are the most effective ones. It makes no sound like the other ones as it has no physical contact. Plus, you will get wider ranges of resistance and maintenance is less required. The operation is smooth and allows to pull brake at the exact force required.

Frame and Legs:

Over time, a spin bike frame goes through lots of abuse. Keeping that in mind, most of them are constructed with solid material. So, the frame can withstand the torments and support you fully. No sweat is needed about it.

But the thing you should be more concerned about is the bike’s legs. In cheaper bike models you will find smaller and narrow legs. They can’t balance due to the unproportionate distribution of weight while exercising. So, it will wobble and can increase the risk of falling and injury. You need a spin bike with wider legs that stays rooted to the ground and stabilize you during your intense workout session.

So, next time you visit a cycle shop look for the frame’s leg is wide enough or not. Skip those with narrow legs if you are an overweight or taller person. For a balanced and effective ride, the act of wider legs is important.

Console Display:

Console display keeps track of your progress and lets you know how far you have come. Besides, some high ends exercise bike has a console with apps that has Live and on-demand classes. To give you a more realistic vibe, the spin bike usually doesn’t come with a console until now. If you go with high-tech monitors, they will be backlit and allow you to read in any lighting condition. Several workout stats such as speed, watt/power, RPM, distance, heart rate, and calories burnt, etc. are monitored. Some of the consoles come with chest straps to track heart rate. Besides, some advanced options like Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity give a quality experience. These can be used wirelessly on your phone so you enjoy a great ride.

Now, if you scale down your budget a bit then you will get a basic console with your spin bike. They are also known as low-tech monitors. Here, you will get a basic set of fitness statistics. No backlit screen, Bluetooth connectivity or chest straps, etc. But it can do somewhat of work for you.

Adjustability:

Adjustability in an exercise bike is crucial to find you real comfort and convenience while exercising. Mostly there are two scopes of adjustability in an exercise bike, seat, and handlebars. It eradicates the risk of long-term pain and injury. Seat height can be adjusted upper or lower depending on your inseam height. Besides, some bikes offer fore and aft movement for your size and desirable riding positions.

Now, handlebars can be adjusted to suit shorter or longer arm span and upper body. Getting the right reach can you help in easily maneuvering the bike. Besides, it keeps your shoulders and spine straight. For this, you need to make sure whether your spin bike has fixed handlebars or it allows free movement. Free movement provides accurate adjustments in millimeters and gives horizontal and vertical movement. So, you can work out at ease.

Bottle Holder:

When you work out, you sweat continuously and become tired. To replenish your body and to get energy, you need to drink water from time to time during the exercise. As a result, your spin bike should have a water bottle holder. It keeps you hydrated and fresh. Besides, you don’t have to skip the workout for a while to fetch some water. It will be nearby. Some spin bikes have dual bottle holders. I think it’s a great add-on. One can be used to hold towels or necessary items and the other can be used to hold a water bottle. Or you can use both the holder for water bottles. Drinking a large amount of water is important.

Pedals and Q-factor:

Budget-friendly spin bikes come with standard toe caged pedals. They are easy to use. Just slip your feet into the cage, strap it tightly and you are good to go. On the contrary, some expensive spin bikes feature dual pedals. One side is clipless which is also known as SPD pedals. It can be used with cycling shoes. Serious cyclists should consider it. While the other side of the pedal is strapped caged.

The latter one is versatile. It gives you the best of both world and ensure your feet are secured in a place. Plus, it has an advantage on your power and cadence. Also, it activates your hamstring as the pull motion is engaged when bringing the pedal back around.

Q-factor is the width measured from the outside of one crank arm to the outside of the opposite crank arm. Generally, lower Q factors replicate the exact experience of actual road cycling. Most indoor exercise bike features q factors of 155mm to 175mm. Some research suggests that narrower Q-factors are ergonomic and efficient. They allow a rider to exert more force on the pedals. Although some experts also opined greater Q factor is suitable for people with wider hips.

But for real road riding, the narrow Q factor is the best option.

Transporting Wheels:

Most spin bikes are made with heavy-duty material and the weighty flywheel makes it hard to move it from place to place. That’s why a spin bike with a transportation wheel at the front can be your savior. With it, you can transport your spin bike anywhere in your house or gym especially if you have limited storage space.

Budget:

A budget sets the tone for what quality spin bike you can get. Usually, the spin bike starts from $200 that goes up to $4000.

So, consider very well what you want to have in your spin bike and match it with the estimated money you have in your hands.

It will be a lifetime investment. Hence, I will suggest you spend a few more bucks to get the best product so it can go for the long run. And it is cliché to say but with a higher budget comes a better price.

Final Take on Spin Bike:

There you go.

A spin bike is the best exercise equipment when it comes to an effective workout. Those extra hours spent dripping the sweat on a spin bike definitely pay off. It makes you a better you. So, the thing is How do I choose a spin bike? Now that you know I hope you can figure it out in the best way.

Wish you luck.