Spin / exercise bikes?

[Davie]

Due to the current weather and lack of daylight, I'm looking at getting a second hand exercise or spin bike to keep the legs moving. Not looking to spend much as I might not like it... but can't decide what the better option is, a cheapy spin bike or an exercise bike.

I'm thinking sub £100 and something like this?

http://www.gumtree.com/p/exercise-bikes/spinning-b...

I'm not a roadie by the way so really just want something I can jump on for 30mins - 45mins in the evenings to keep the legs going.

Any dos or don'ts as I'm a bit bewildered by the sheer choice out there!

Cheers

[TNJ]

I bought a spin bike a couple of months ago - I am training for a half ironman next summer and wanted something that would give a good workout when I cannot get out on the real bike. I typically use it 2-3 times a week as I often don't get back from work until 9pm and it is a convenient way to keep the fitness up without riding around SE London's congested roads in the dark.

It has been very good - but it does obviously depend on you making the workout hard enough. I get off the bike feeling shattered most times but do occasionally use it for an easy recovery session.

Main thing to watch for is the weight of the fly wheel - you ideally want 18kg or more (mine is 20kg).

It also helps to get something like the Sufferfest training films as these stop you from slacking.

Overall, a spin bike does not beat the real thing, but it is pretty close. An exercise bike is a completely different story - ok for burning some calories but so different from a real bike that I could not see the benefit.

[scubadude]

Agreed, although I have changed the saddle and handlebars on my exercise bike to make it more "bike like" although the Q is considerably bigger.

The plus side is its Very quiet- so I can use it while my toddler is going to bed/getting to sleep in the next room and while the Missus is watching TV, something the Turbo Trainer did impact on.

Lastly its "mindless" you turn it on and ride, it adjusts the resistance and monitors HR for me and adds up the calories I just pedal and sweat... it might not be perfect training for cycling but its a good workout and is capable of reducing me to a wet mess.

Best of all I got it off the local Facebook for sale group for £20 as it was "broken" (its a £350 MRRP) now fixed by reattaching one pedal :-)


As a side effect since its not seen as scary/technical "cycling stuff" like the Turbo the missus has tried it and liked it, being exercise bike its very quick and easy to adjust to different people unlike my bike on the Turbo.