Choosing an indoor bike for at-home use can be overwhelming, especially for new cyclists, which is why I put together this guide of the best indoor cycling bikes under $500.
Let’s be honest, you could easily drop well over $1,000 on a new bike. And don’t get me wrong, you’d probably get some really cool features with your purchase. But, do you really need all of that to get a great at-home cycling workout? Not in my opinion.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.
Part of living a realistically healthy lifestyle is finding a form of exercise that you not only enjoy, but can afford! Indoor cycling is my absolute favorite workout, but dropping a few grand on an at-home bike isn’t a priority for me.
As you’ll see, there are several great options to choose from, especially when you’re just getting started with indoor cycling. All of these bikes are under $500 and are available on Amazon. Free Prime shipping for the win, am I right?!
Benefits of Indoor Cycling
There are several mental and physical benefits of indoor cycling. Not only does it help you to shed fat, but also:
- Burn calories (typically 400-600 per class)
- Improve cardiovascular fitness
- Gain muscle strength
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Build stamina and endurance
- Intense exercise, but easy on the joints
Cycling is also considered a low-impact workout, so it is known for being easy on your joints. This makes cycling a great exercise option if you have knee problems or need to avoid typically jarring motions.
However, just because cycling is considered “low-impact” does not make it “low intensity.” If done properly, cycling can be an intense full-body workout. According to Healthline, cycling builds strength in each of these muscle groups:
So as you can see, cycling is anything but an easy or ineffective workout when done with proper intensity.
A Helpful Resource for New Cyclists
If you’ve never taken an indoor cycling class or still consider yourself a newbie, I highly recommend this eBook. It’s designed specifically to help new cyclists properly (and safely) set up their bike, know what to expect with both in-person and virtual classes, understand common terms and instructions, and be able to confidently get the most out of their workout.
Plus, there’s an exclusive workout and playlist only available with this guide.
Download your copy of the Beginner’s Guide to Indoor Cycling today!
Spin vs Indoor Cycling Bike
Before we dive into this any further, let’s discuss the difference between “Spin” and indoor cycling. I’m going to use tissues as an example: all Kleenex are tissues, but not all tissues are Kleenex. In the same way, a “Spin” class is indoor cycling, but not all indoor cycling classes are “Spin” classes.
Spinning was actually developed in the early to mid-90s and trademarked by Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. They were the first to register and train cycling instructors through their certification program. Generally speaking, Spinning classes use drills that would be commonly used on road bikes, meaning they tend to steer away from using upper body weights and more choreographed movements. Spinning is still very much a popular indoor cycling class with thousands of instructors worldwide and their own line of bikes.
Instructors still have to go through Spinning’s certification program to be able to call it a “Spin” class. Many other cycling studios have their own requirements and certification programs.
Over time, “spin” or “spinning” has become a more generic term used to describe the sport of indoor cycling, even though it does have its distinctions.
Is it worth buying your own spin bike?
A spin bike makes a great addition to any home gym because of the intensity and efficiency of the workout. However, here are a few things to ask yourself before you purchase your first bike:
Do I prefer to workout with a group or at-home?
The answer to this question solely depends on your preferences. There is no wrong answer. Maybe you prefer the comradery and encouragement found in group fitness classes. Or maybe you value being to exercise on your own schedule and to set your own pace.
While I do have a spin bike at home, I much prefer in-person class settings. I did use my home bike regularly during much of 2020 to stay in shape for when classes resumed.
If you’re not sure, I recommend committing yourself to taking 4-6 weeks of classes with a live instructor to get the feel of it and make sure you understand how to properly set up your bike in order to make your home workout as safe and effective as possible.
If in-person, are the classes available conducive to my schedule?
Maybe you do prefer in-person classes, but they aren’t available at times that would work for you. Several of my students prefer the early-morning classes if they work overnight, but as those aren’t currently being offered at my gym, they have opted for other at-home options.
Check several different facilities in your area (if available) to see your options and then proceed to the next question.
Can I see myself using the bike to exercise regularly?
I’m guilty of getting really excited about some things in the beginning, but then quickly move to something else. Well, not with indoor cycling, obviously, haha. Purchasing a spin bike is an investment, even with these budget-friendly models I’ll share with you. Just like anything, a spin bike won’t do you any good if it’s just a fancy clothes holder or dust collector.
Get it out and ride! You’ll never regret it.
How much should you spend on a spin bike?
How much you should spend will vary with the features you want (to be discussed later) and your budget. If you are just dabbling in cycling, maybe you want to spend a little less at first because you can always upgrade at a later point. If you are passionate about cycling, it may be worth it to you to splurge on the fancy bells-and-whistles models because you can see it’s value and usability.
For my very first at-home spin bike, I spent about $200. It was pretty basic with no-frills, but it was new and it had everything I needed.
Available spin bike features
When shopping for a spin bike, consider these features:
Adjustability
Consider which parts of the bike are adjustable: the seat height, handlebar height, and distance between the seat and handlebars. To get the most out of your indoor cycling workout, you’ll want a bike that can adjust in all of these ways. Making the proper adjustments will also help avoid injury.
Drive Type
The front wheel of indoor cycling bikes (also known as the flywheel) is either moved by a chain, a belt (or strap), or some type of an electromagnetic kit. A chain is typically used on lower-end models and can be a little loud, similar to a fan. They are also the least smooth of the 3 options. A belt is a middle-of-the-road option that is smoother than a chain, but still provides resistance by applying break pressure to the flywheel. Magnetic resistance is the smoothest, quietest, and priciest…but boy, are they nice! According to Livestrong.com, “magnetic resistance is typically quieter than strap resistance because the magnets never touch the flywheel; they just move closer or farther away.”
Pedals
Some spin bikes have pedals that are already fitted with clips for indoor cycling shoes. If the bike you have your eye on does not have this feature, you can easily add them later if you so choose.
I highly recommend using shoes specifically designed for indoor cycling, especially after you get the hang of the workout. Indoor cycling shoes allow you to really focus on pulling up with your legs, since your shoes are attached to the pedals.
Display
It is helpful, especially when new to cycling, to have a display connected to your device. Many instructors (both live and virtual) will call out varying RPMs (or Rotations Per Minute) to help gauge the speed they’d like you to pedal at.
If your bike does not come with one, it’s possible to buy an after-market model to attach yourself.
Connectivity
Having a bike that has built-in workout connectivity may be outside this price range of $500, but it may be a nice feature to consider. If your bike does not have a built-in screen or connectivity accessories, you might try placing a laptop or tablet where you can easily see. This may be an easy workaround that could save you big bucks.
Accessories
This could include things like a handlebar basket area, water bottle holder, towel rack, etc. Little things like that may make it more convenient to have everything you need easily accessible during your workout.
How do I choose a spin bike?
Now that we know some of the available features of a spin bike, think about which ones are most meaningful or important to you. The best spin bike choice for you will be one that best balances your wants and needs with your budget.
You may also want to consider how frequently you plan to use your indoor cycling bike. If 1-2 times a week, you may be better able to choose a lower-end model because of the intended wear and tear. However, if you plan to ride 3+ times a week, you may need something a little more durable.
Like we said earlier, you can always choose to upgrade your bike after you prove its worth and value in your life.
Best Indoor Cycling Bikes Under $500
Ok, here comes the fun part – shopping!! Now that you’ve explored your budget, intended amount of use, and have considered some features you’d like to have, let’s take a look.
All of these options are available on Amazon. I did this primarily because of their great return policy and also to save you some cash on shipping, if you’re a Prime member.
#1 – YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike
This is my #1 pick for the best indoor cycling bike under $500. It has over 12K reviews, and the majority of them are 5-stars!! In my mind, that definitely makes it worth a shot!
This bike features:
- a belt drive system
- fully adjustable saddle (a fancy word for seat) and handlebars
- inseam height range of 25″ – 35″
- a flat handlebar bracket so that you can watch videos or listen to music while exercising
- bottle holder
- front rolling wheels (for easy transport)
- LCD monitor that displays your time, speed, distance, calories burned and odometer
- 35lb flywheel
Having the belt drive and LCD monitor is what would seal the deal on this purchase for me. The monitor is an invaluable tool that enables you to meet your training goals and better track your progress.
And guess what, it’s priced under $350! Wowza.
#2 – Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Cycling PRO Exercise Bike
This is another great option priced around $300. It has over 5k reviews, with nearly 70% of them being 5-stars!
This bike features:
- fully adjustable saddle and handlebars
- inseam height range of 30″ – 42″
- ergonomic handlebars to accommodate multiple hand positions
- levelers (to keep the bike from rocking on uneven floors or surfaces)
- a quick-stop lever
- transportation wheels
- 40lb flywheel
What is really cool about this model is that you can choose the chain drive, or upgrade to a belt for a little more money.
This bike doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as the Yosuda, but would still make for a great purchase, especially for new cyclists. I also like that it’s designed for taller riders, being 6′ tall myself.
#3 – Sunny Health & Fitness Stationary Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike – SF-B1001/S
This is what I chose for my very first at-home indoor cycling bike. As you can see, it’s super basic (though now it does come with a water bottle holder…fancy!), but it has everything you need.
This bike features:
- fully adjustable seat (with large inseam range) and handlebars
- chain drive
- transportation wheels
- levelers
- 30lb flywheel
As you can see, this model has the lightest flywheel weight of the 3 options. Generally speaking, heavier flywheels make for a smoother operation. According to this article from Cycle From Home, a heavy flywheel ensures safe movement by producing more power at a steady rate, which makes the movement controlled and less jerky.
However, all 3 of these options are above the minimum recommended flywheel weight of 20lbs from Will at The Home Gym.
Other Indoor Cycling Buying Options
If you’d like even more wiggle room in pricing, check out these places to purchase your first indoor cycling bike. It may take a little more effort shopping this way, but you may just find a diamond in the rough!
Local Gyms
The at-home bike I currently have was purchased from our local YMCA after they upgraded their equipment. Buying from gyms and used equipment retailers is a great way to save some money on your first spin bike, and may allow you to get an upgraded product from what you would have purchased.
Facebook Marketplace
I’m convinced you can find just about anything for sale on Facebook marketplace! Similar to classifieds, many people list exercise equipment that they are no longer using, including spin bikes. You might have to check back periodically, but you may just find a treasure!
Ebay
“I bought it on Ebay…” haha I love when commercials cover popular songs (thanks Weird Al). But for real, check Ebay. Many listings feature used and new equipment options.
Swap Groups/Garage Sales
Skim garage sale signs and advertisements that mention exercise equipment. Also check “swap groups” in your area for gently used items. You never know what you may find!
Choosing a spin bike doesn’t have to break the bank. By selecting one of these best indoor cycling bikes under $500, you’ll be sure to have all the features you need for a great workout all while keeping your budget happy.
