11 popular exercise bikes that aren’t Peloton

Similar to ellipticals and treadmills, stationary bikes are a common home gym equipment that can motivate you to move, particularly in the era of fitness behemoths like Soul Cycle and Peloton. However, Peloton isn’t your only choice because of its history of equipment safety recalls.

We evaluated exercise bikes under $2,000 and spoke with professionals about crucial factors to invest in the finest bike for your needs in order to help you focus your search.

GO Ahead and SkipWhere to find the greatest exercise bikes, how to choose the best stationary bike for you, what about Peloton, and why should you trust NBC Select?

Selected.

Our top picks

• 

  Best overall

  Bowflex C6 Bike

  $799.00

  $999.00

  Bowflex

  Learn more
  

• 

  Best budget pick

  Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike

  $263.99

  $329.99

  Amazon

  Learn more
  

• 

  Best splurge

  Bowflex VeloCore Bike

  $999.00

  $1,799.00

  Bowflex

  Learn more
  

How we picked the best stationary bikes

Here are some important considerations that our experts advise making when you buy for a bike in order to locate one that meets your needs:

• 
  Weight
  
  : Exercise bikes typically have a weight limit for users our options can hold at least 270 pounds.
• 
  Price
  
  : A basic indoor bike will easily run you a few hundred dollars or more.
• 
  Adjustability
  
  : All of the bikes we recommend have either adjustable handlebars, seats (or a combination of the two) and resistance knobs. Keep in mind that unlike most of the higher-end models, budget stationary bikes don t typically list how many resistance levels they have.
• 
  Subscriptions and connectivity
  
  : Smart bikes may require monthly subscriptions, especially when it comes to on-demand training and cycling classes. They also include metric consoles and the capability to link your workouts to apps and social media.
• 
  Warranty
  
  : For higher-end exercise bikes, our experts recommend looking for at least a one-year warranty. Although many affordable bikes don t come with warranties at their price point, we re highlighting those that do.

Related

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Yes, you can find a good quality exercise bike under $500 these are the best

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The best exercise bikes to shop in 2024

High-rated, expert-recommended exercise bikes at a range of pricing points that follow our experts’ recommendations are listed below.

Budget-friendly stationary bikes

Best overall budget bike:

Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike

Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike

• Water bottle holder
• Adjustable handlebar

• Nothing to note at this time

The Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike features an iPad holder and an LCD panel to help you track your progress. The entire bike is covered by a three-month guarantee, and replacement parts are free for a year after purchase. Based on 22,100 customer evaluations, the bike has an average rating of 4.4 stars. Many of these reviews praise the bike’s ease of assembly and adjustment as well as its excellent pricing. The bike’s silent operation is another feature that reviews praise.

Weight limit: 270 pounds | Yes, digital monitorThree-month warranty

Best portable budget bike:

Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Exercise Bike

Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Exercise Bike

• Access to free SunnyFit app
• Easy to transport

• No digital monitor

This Sunny Health & Fitness model is a wonderful choice for anyone searching for a simple, adaptable exercise bike, even though it does not include an iPad holder or a digital monitor. To facilitate transportation, the bike is put on wheels. The business claims that it has a one-year warranty for the bike’s frame and a three-month warranty for its parts, and it has an average rating of 4.4 stars based on 6,458 customer reviews on Amazon.

Weight limit: 275 pounds | No digital monitorWarranty: 1 year for the frame; 3 months for the parts

Best adjustable budget bike:

Pooboo Magnetic Resistance Indoor Cycling Bike

Pooboo Magnetic Resistance Indoor Cycling Bike

• Silent wheel
• LCD monitor

• Monitor batteries not included

Among other stats, this indoor cycling bike’s LCD digital monitor records your time, speed, and distance traveled. The Pooboo has a tablet stand that you can use to hold your iPad or water bottle if you want to give it a boost. According to the brand, customers can receive free replacement components within a year of purchasing the bike, even though it does not come with a warranty. Based on 512 customer reviews, it has an average rating of 4.7 stars on Walmart.

330 pounds is the maximum weight; digital monitor: yes; no warranty

Best versatile budget bike:

Schwinn IC3 Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike

Schwinn IC3 Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike

• High weight limit
• Versatile pedals
• Water bottle holder

• May be noisy

According to Chicago-based certified personal trainer Eric Ridings, Schwinns are dependable and steady equipment with a hint of nostalgia. The IC3 fulfills its function as a high-quality, feature-rich bike at a more affordable price. Because of its twin pedals, the Schwinn IC3 Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike can accommodate both high-end clip-in shoes and standard sneakers. It also includes a tablet or water bottle holder and a digital LCD monitor. According to the brand, it has a five-year warranty that covers the frame, among other things, and it can support about 300 pounds more than the majority of bikes here.

300 pounds is the maximum weight. Digital monitor: yesFive-year frame warranty, two-year mechanical warranty, two-year electrical warranty, and one-year labor warranty

Best lightweight budget bike:

Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike

Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike

• Adjustable seat
• Recumbent design
• LCD extra features

• Static handlebars

According to Zach Moxham, a certified personal trainer at Physical Equilibrium in New York City, this Schwinn recumbent bike is the greatest choice for anyone who require a back rest when riding or who have restricted movement.

You may track your fitness goals and compete with other users using cycling applications like Explore the World and Zwift, which are compatible with this bike but require separate memberships. It has a curved seat that may go forward and backwards, but its handlebars are stationary because of its recumbent shape, which facilitates entry and exit. In addition, it has 13 training programs, 16 magnetic resistance levels, a Bluetooth-enabled heart rate monitor, and a 5.5-inch LCD display that can show programs, track goals, and more.

300 pounds is the maximum weight. Digital monitor: yesWarranty: 90 days (labor), 1 year (electrical), 2 years (components), and 10 years (frame).

Best adjustable bike:

Echelon Connect Bike EX-15

Echelon Connect Bike EX-15

• Adjustable seat
• Recumbent design

• Static handlebars

The Echelon and Peloton are as similar as they can be, with the main distinction being that the Echelon has 32 resistance levels while the Peloton has 100. The Echelon does not require special cycling cleats, but both provide an interactive experience with a variety of on-demand classes (membership sold separately). The firm claims that the racing-style seat is completely adjustable and that the handlebars of the bullhorn feature a built-in gadget mount. Additionally, the toe cages are completely adjustable.

If you want to expand your home gym, Echelon is a wonderful option because they also make treadmills and rowers, according to Ridings. They also sell trainers under their own brand. It’s a useful service if you have qualified teachers and riders connect with them.

Weight limit: 300 pounds | No digital monitorOne-year limited parts and labor warranty

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High-end stationary bikes

Here are some well-reviewed, high-quality stationary bikes under $2,000 if you’re searching for a smarter, more expensive model that is still less expensive than Peleton’s alternatives.

Best overall high-end bike:

Bowflex C6 Bike

Bowflex C6 Bike

• Lots of resistance options
• App membership
• Dumbbells included

• Nothing to note at this time

The Bowflex C6 Bike features a media holder for your phone or tablet in addition to a backlit LCD metric panel. With two water bottle holders (for those of us who become particularly thirsty when riding) and a knob that lets you select from 100 resistance levels, it’s an improvement over the less expensive exercise bikes.

A two-month free trial fitness membership to JRNY, Bowflex’s training app including trainer-led videos, is one of the bike’s extra features. (JRNY costs $20 per month or $149 per year when its trial period ends.) Along with a set of three-pound weights that slide into cradles at the front of the bike and a Bluetooth-enabled heart rate monitor, it also features dual-sided pedals that you can clip your riding shoes into or put your toes into. According to Ridings, people truly love the JRNY trail rides, and the Bowflex has the weights. It also looks sleek and contemporary. The appearance of the room matters to people.

The warranty is for ten years (frame), three years (mechanical), three years (electrical), and one year (labor). The maximum weight is 330 pounds. The resistance levels are 100. The membership period is one year.

Best with built-in tablet:

Bowflex VeloCore Bike

Bowflex VeloCore Bike

• Built-in tablet
• Bluetooth heart monitor
• Bluetooth speakers

• Shorter warranty

The Bowflex VeloCore Bike is your greatest option if you adore Bowflex yet are searching for a bike with an integrated tablet. If you want something larger and don’t mind spending an additional $400, you can replace the 16-inch console that comes with it with a 22-inch console. It features a knob that lets you access 100 resistance levels and two water bottle holders, just like the Bowflex C6. In addition, it provides a Bluetooth-enabled heart rate monitor, dual-sided pedals, three-pound dumbbells, and the same one-year JRNY exercise subscription. The VeloCore features a media rack and Bluetooth speakers, but its frame warranty is only two years, which is less than that of its siblings. Based on 1,027 reviews, it has an average rating of 4.8 stars on Bowflex.

The maximum weight is 325 pounds, the resistance levels are 100, the membership is one year, and the warranty is two years for the frame, two years for the mechanical, one year for the electrical, and one year for the labor.

Largest tablet display:

NordicTrack Commercial Studio S22i Cycle

NordicTrack Commercial Studio S22i Cycle

• Large display
• Long warranty
• Dual-sided pedals

• Nothing to note at this time

Our experts suggest NordicTrack stationary cycles since they have features like Bluetooth connectivity and picturesque rides that are comparable to those of the Peloton. The NordicTrack Commercial Studio S22i Cycle, which is also the most reasonably priced cycle with this feature, includes a huge, 22-inch touchscreen display that rotates 360 degrees, just like the Peloton cycle+. Dual-sided pedals, two water bottle holders, and a range of resistance levels (but only 24 compared to Bowflex’s 100 levels) are included.

The NordicTrack S22i cycle includes a pair of three-pound weights and a 30-day iFit Family Membership, which costs $15 per month after the trial period ends or $180 for the entire year. It offers a 10-year frame warranty, just like the Bowflex.

The maximum weight is 350 pounds, the resistance levels are 24, the membership is for 30 days, and the warranty is for 10 years (frame), 2 years (components), and 1 year (labor).

Highest resistance:

Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike

Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike

• App syncing
• Lots of resistance
• Heart-rate armband

• May make noise

Compared to the IC3, the IC4 is slightly more expensive and offers more functionality. The exercise bike which has a 4.7-star average rating from 807 reviews at Best Buy can be synced with other workout apps like Peloton and Zwift, so you can stream thousands of workout classes. It comes with a 40-pound flywheel, 100 levels of resistance and a set of included three-pound dumbbells that sit in an easy-to-reach cradle, according to the brand. It also has dual water bottle holders and an integrated media rack so it can hold your tablet, and a Bluetooth heart-rate armband is also included.

Maximum weight: 330 pounds |Resistance levels: 100 |Membership: 1-yearJRNYmembership |Warranty: 3 years (parts); 90 days (labor)

Best fan-type resistance bike:

Rogue Echo Bike

Rogue Echo Bike

• Adjustable seat
• Fan resistance

• No tablet included

This highly rated bike is a good option if you want a good quality bike without the bells and whistles of traditional high-end options: While it doesn t include a built-in tablet, it does offer a mounted LCD console to monitor distance, calories burned, heart rate and more. And instead of using magnetic resistance settings like many other higher-end bikes, the bike uses a fan to adjust resistance, which means the faster you pedal, the more resistance builds, according to the brand. The padded seat can also adjust to eight different height settings and five front-to-back settings for a more comfortable fit. Keep in mind, however, that the rubber-grip handles are welded directly to the bike s arms and can t be adjusted.

Maximum Weight: 350 pounds |Resistance levels: n/a |Warranty: 2 years

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How to shop for a stationary bike

The best stationary bike is the one you re most likely to use, according to Ridings: Whether that means a realistic price point or the prestige of getting the same gadgets your friends have, it always comes down to the system that fits you best and leads you to more exercise.

Serious riders should prepare for a hefty price tag (starting at $1,000) if they re looking for quality equipment, according toAngelina Palermo, a former professional cyclist and spokesperson forUSA Cyclinga non-profit group focused on cycling as a sport. That said, you don t need to spend almost $2,000 onPeloton s Bike Ultimate Package. If you know you are going to ride consistently, it makes all the sense in the world to invest in a more expensive bike and the no-interest financing many of them offer makes some of these expensive bikes more accessible, Ridings says.

Many of these needs may be met by relatively affordable options. Maybe you want to easily adjust the bike s resistance, move its handlebars or just need something quiet for nighttime sweats. It s often when you introduce screens, monitors and trackers as well as features allowing for social connectedness that prices climb significantly.

And don t overlook sprucing up your current stationary bike withspinning accessorieslike a padded, adjustable seat and easy-to-grip support handles, if those are the issue. An uncomfortable bike has the potential to affect your performance and form while you bike. In the long run, this could lead to unnecessary muscle strain and sustained injury, Ridings says.

What about Peloton?

On May 11, 2023, Peloton announced arecallof about 2.2 million of its popular exercise bikes due to safety concerns over the seat post on its PL-01 models, which were sold from January 2018 through May 2023, according to the brand. Users can contact Peloton for a free replacement seat post that can be self-installed, according to Peloton. In the meantime, Peloton is requesting customers toimmediately stop usingthe recalled bike.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. Additionally, we take precautions to guarantee that all professional counsel and suggestions are given impartially and free from unreported financial conflicts of interest.

• 
  Eric Ridings
  

  is a Chicago-based certified personal trainer.

• 
  Zach Moxham
  
  is a certified personal trainer at

  Physical Equilibrium

  in New York City.

• 
  Angelina Palermo
  
  is a former professional cyclist and spokesperson for

  USA Cycling

  .

Why trust NBC Select?

Mili Godiois an updates editor at NBC Select who has written a variety of stories about fitness equipment, includingdumbbells,affordable ellipticals,weighted hula hoopsand more. Ashley Morris is anassociate SEO reporterfor NBC Select reporting on stories including the bestthermal underwearand thebest sales each week. For this article, Godio spoke to four cycling and fitness experts about how to shop for exercise bikes and researched dozens of options on the market to recommend the best ones to consider.

Catch up on NBC Select s in-depth coverage ofpersonal finance,tech and tools,wellnessand more, and follow us onFacebook,Instagram,TwitterandTikTokto stay up to date.

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