Indoor bike that can give me wattage, cadence and HR?

[AstonZagato]

I have been getting fit again. Lost 15kg, hit the gym three times a week and have been recording decade PB's for 5km and 10km. However, the body is complaining. My ankle has blown and I've been limping for a week - the issue was three successive runs of c.10km. The reason was that I was at home and the best aerobic thing I could do was run (my gym is in London.

Therefore, I wanted to get something that mixes it up at home. Ideally an exercise bike as that is low impact and isn't something I do anywhere else. As the winter is drawing in, I don't want to start cycling outside (not a massive fan of riding on roads at the best of time). I don't want a bike / turbo trainer as I think my wife might use it from time to time. Also space is a consideration.

I have thus been looking at a spin bike of some description. I'm a data hound too so I want my output to be recorded - watts, cadence, heart rate, etc. I'd like it to be quiet so I can watch films / listen to music while I ride.

So I think the list of requirements are:

• Magnetic resistance (noise / reliability)
• Belt drive (noise)
• Decent mechanicals (reliability)
• Connectivity to Strava or some other app (ideally iOS)
• High degree of adjustability (I'm 6', the wife is 5')

I keep finding things that look good but nothing seems to fit my requirements.

BH Strada
http://www.indoor-cycles.co.uk/acatalog/spada_indo...
Seems the closest but some odd apps

Kettler Racer S
http://www.indoor-cycles.co.uk/acatalog/kettler_ra...
Expensive and only one app

Keiser M3i
Cool but only available in the US.

Wattbike
http://wattbike.com/uk/
Amazing bit of kit with awesome functionality on the readout. Noisy and stupidly expensive.

Anything I am missing?

[paulmon]

Have you considered an elliptical cross trainer? Will give you a decent workout and is very low impact and is something the wife can use. I have the previous model to this. Easy to put together and doesn't make a load of noise.

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/nordictrack-e5...

[Equilibrium25]

AstonZagato said:

Anything I am missing?

I've had a couple of indoor bikes over the years, first a Kettler Golf (cheap, £350ish) that gave up the ghost after about 9000 recorded KM.

Then I bought a Life Fitness C3, around £1100 in 2010. This was much nicer to ride, better made and more consistent resistant levels. Feels as good, or better, as any of the stationary bikes I have used in gyms. Not sure if you can record data from the newer models, but mine certainly tracks watts, calories, cadence etc.

That said, for a proper workout, I really enjoy using the Wattbike Pros in the gym - they are relentless. The only feature I wish they had is a way to adjust the resistance at handlebar level, so that you change it with less break to your rhythm. That's only a small complaint though. As you say, the data they capture is amazing.

If I was buying now, I would buy a Wattbike Pro.

[okgo]

Wattbike.

Anything else probably will not give you data worth looking at. As long as the Wattbike is set up properly and calibrated etc then it should be perfect.

Everything will be loud to an extent I suppose. Turn the music up

[AstonZagato]

paulmon said:

Have you considered an elliptical cross trainer? Will give you a decent workout and is very low impact and is something the wife can use. I have the previous model to this. Easy to put together and doesn't make a load of noise.

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/nordictrack-e5...

The wife bought me a super cheap one last year as a Christmas present. It is awful but I can't replace it without offending her...

[AstonZagato]

The trouble with the Wattbike is also the type of noise. I used to row at a very high level. I sent too much time hurting on Concept 2s. The whirring noise is like a dentist's drill.

Also, it is twice the price of other bikes...

The local gym has one so perhaps I should try one out.

I can also hire a Keiser M3 as a stopgap.

[Magic919]

The big fan will drown out the Wattbike.

[andySC]

I bought an ex rental Wattbike a few years ago. It's a great piece of kit. Highly recommended.

[RGambo]

+! for a wattbike. great bit of kit. I've had mine about 6 years. If you want to buy one consider the trainer NOT the pro. I had the pro , but my wife couldn't pedal it very easily. Level 1 was about her tops, high cadence work was not possible. The trainer works well enough, I'm still able to do high cadence work at the power I want and It has enough resistance to do low cadence hill work.

[Equilibrium25]

RGambo said:

+! for a wattbike. great bit of kit. I've had mine about 6 years. If you want to buy one consider the trainer NOT the pro. I had the pro , but my wife couldn't pedal it very easily. Level 1 was about her tops, high cadence work was not possible. The trainer works well enough, I'm still able to do high cadence work at the power I want and It has enough resistance to do low cadence hill work.

This is a good point, sorry OP I had missed that your wife may use it occasionally.

It might be useful to know that each version has 10 levels of air resistance, 6-10 on the trainer corresponds to 1 to 5 on the Pro. They both have magnetic resistance as well that can increase the 'effort' of any of the air resistance levels.

I'd definitely suggest having a go on whichever version your local gym has. They are not cheap, but they are a class apart from the standard stationary bikes I think.

[Raven Flyer]

With your criteria, I wouldn't consider anything other than a Wattbike.

With regard to the noise, buy some foam rubber gym matting and sit it on pads, on top of that. This will stop most of the noise being transmitted into the floor and will stop your sweat making the carpet stink.

http://www.slip-not.co.uk/productdetail/Durasof-Gy...

If you could consider a bike on a trainer, a Wahoo Kickr and a Trainer Road account would be my choice.

[stuarthat]

Tacx genius ,have not seen a thing that comes close ,tdf ,vr,live stream with other riders velodrome no need to leave the house in winter .

[Granfondo]

Wahoo kickr !

[TAZ 215]

There is no coincidence that the Wattbike sounds like a Concept II, the man behind the Wattbike was distributor for Concept II in the UK and rowed at a fairly high level, he was a double World Champion rower.

Fantastic bit of kit. Colleague of mine used the Wattbike and was coached by the man behind the company, getting him back down to 51 minute 25's in his 40's.

[TAZ 215]

There is no coincidence that the Wattbike sounds like a Concept II, the man behind the Wattbike was distributor for Concept II in the UK and rowed at a fairly high level, he was a double World Champion rower.

Fantastic bit of kit. Colleague of mine used the Wattbike and was coached by the man behind the company, getting him back down to 51 minute 25's in his 40's.

[okgo]

They do need to be looked after. Some of the ones in commercial gyms spit out hilarious figures.