The upright exercise bike is a great alternative to a treadmill which can place undue stress on the knee and hip joints, and also the popular elliptical trainer. An upright bike can give you the exertion you need whilst providing a more comfortable and compact option for your home gym.
In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 upright exercise machines available on the market, and their pros and cons. So that you can choose the best one for your needs.
Top Rated Upright Exercise Bike Reviews
1. Sunny Health & Fitness Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike
Sold on amazon, the Sunny Health & Fitness Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike works as well as you’d imagine. With adjustable resistance, 49 pound flywheel and quiet usage, this bike also comes with wheels which allow you to move it with ease.
Evaluation
Customers have stated that the bike is rigid and is as quiet as it makes out to be. There have been some comments about the seat being uncomfortable, but all in all, the bike seems worth the money.
Specifications
Weight: 115 pounds
Dimensions: 90 x 20 x 44 (H, W, L)
Pros
- Quiet
- Rigid frame
- Can be moved with ease
Cons
- Expensive
Overall judgement
Overall, the Sunny Health & Fitness Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike is a great bike, which is ideal for those who want to take their fitness to the next level.
2. Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike
The Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike is a good overall bike that has a heart rate monitor, magnetic tension control and an easily adjustable seat.
Evaluation
Many customers seem pleasantly surprised at how this bike works. The solid build and the level of resistance have proven to be very popular with those who buy the bike.
Specifications
Weight: 49 pounds
Dimensions: 46 x 18 x 31 (H, W, L)
Pros
- Relatively cheap
- Good level of resistance
- Solid build
Cons
- Not suitable for those under 5 foot 5
- Not always easy to fold
Overall judgement
The Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike is a good bike that seems to give great value for money. If you’re not looking for anything fancy, but you want a reliable bike, then this may be the one for you.
3. Schwinn Airdyne AD2 Upright Exercise Bike
Product features
With its smooth black finish and synchronized arm and leg options, the Schwinn Airdyne AD2 Upright Exercise Bike looks quite impressive. Available on amazon.com, this exercise bike is one of the more expensive models. The progressive resistance means you can continually challenge yourself, and the LCD console comes with a range of features.
Evaluation
Customers seem quite happy with the bike, although some say the seat is pretty uncomfortable. For the most part however, it comes highly recommended by those who purchase it.
Specifications
Weight: 96 pounds
Dimensions: 26 x 17 x 26 inches (H, W, L)
Pros
- Looks good
- Gives you the option of an upper body workout
- Great LCD display
- Comes with a fan
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Seat can be somewhat uncomfortable
Overall judgement
The Schwinn Airdyne AD2 Upright Exercise Bike is a good all-round exercise bike that has some impressive features, however, they are available in some cheaper models. If you’re willing to pay the extra money however, you could find that it’s well worth the cost.
4. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1110 Indoor Cycling Bike
Product features
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1110 Indoor Cycling Bike is a professional-looking bike that comes with some impressive features. Sold on amazon.com, this bike is more expensive than many others, but the price is high for a reason. With its 44 pound flywheel and heavy duty frame, this indoor bike means business. Very quiet, and with an adjustable handlebar, this bike is one that serious cyclists need to consider buying.
Evaluation
When it comes to using this bike, customers seem to be very happy with the quality of the build. Some have stated that the padding on the seat is somewhat uncomfortable, and they’ve had to return it. Easy to assemble and very quiet when being used, most customers are thrilled that they were able to purchase the bike.
Specifications
Weight: 106.3 pounds
Dimensions: 43.31 x 19.88 x 42.91 inches (H, W, L)
Pros
- Good build
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Seat can be hard
- Not ideal for those under 5 foot 3
Overall judgement
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1110 Indoor Cycling Bike is a good quality bike with a price that reflects it. If you’re looking for a serious workout, this could well be the bike for you. However, you shouldn’t expect the bike to come with a lot of flashy features as some bikes do, as that’s not what it’s made for. If you’re serious about indoor cycling, and you want to up your game then this could be a great purchase.
5. BodyCraft SPX Club Indoor Cycling BikeE
Product features
The BodyCraft SPX Club Indoor Cycling Bike is a rather impressive looking piece of equipment that will no doubt make you want to use it. German-made and with a high quality saddle, this beast of an exercise bike can hold up to 300 pounds in weight.
Sold on amazon.com, you get what you pay for. The heavy duty frame ensures that this incredible bike lasts as long as you would expect, and the V-ribbed automotive belt makes it run as smoothly as possible.
Evaluation
Customers have state that they are very impressed with the BodyCraft SPX Club Indoor Cycling Bike. It handles well, and seems to be worth the high price. Although the bike does not come with a speedometer, and it won’t show you how many calories you’ve burned, it is still worth a purchase if you’re serious about cycling.
Specifications
Weight: 129 pounds
Dimensions: 47 x 43 x 24 inches (H, W, D)
Pros
- Made to last
- Suitable for 6 foot 4 inch riders
- Solid construction
- Nice black finish
Cons
- May be too expensive for some
- Only available in one color
- It doesn’t come with a speedometer
Overall judgement
The BodyCraft SPX Club Indoor Cycling Bike is a very high quality upright exercise bike, and the fact that it’s German built just goes to show that it will last. The price is steep, but that only reflects its superb build, and the nice black finish and overall quality means this is probably one of the best exercise bikes around
6. Sunny SF-B1001 Indoor Cycling Bike
Product features
The Sunny SF-B1001 Indoor Cycling Bike is a good looking bike that comes available in 2 colors. With a 30 pound flywheel, and fully adjustable handlebars and seat, this bike is perhaps one of the better ones in the mid to low price range. The bike has a quiet drive mechanism, and is suitable for anyone weighing up to 220 pounds.
Evaluation
This bike has had a mixed bag of reviews from customers, but for the most part they seem to be happy. Ideal for those who are less than 5 foot 4 inches tall, it’s also suitable for anyone who is over 5 foot 8 inches too. The level of resistance is not as hard as some would have imagined, but it is very easy to assemble, and seems to be quite tough.
Specifications
Weight: 78.26 pounds
Dimensions: 43 x 20 x 46 inches (H, W, D)
Pros
- Good price
- Nice finish
- Available in 2 colors
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- The level of resistance isn’t great
- Only has a 220 pound maximum weight
Overall judgement
The Sunny SF-B1001 Indoor Cycling Bike isn’t a bad exercise bike, but it isn’t the best. I would say this is a middle of the range bike that is ideal if you have a little indoor cycling experience, and you’re not looking for a bike that will give you a tough workout.
7. Marcy Exercise Fan Bike
Product features
The Marcy Exercise Fan Bike is a little different from many other exercise bikes out there as it comes with a built in fan. This feature is used to keep you cool as you exercise, and that’s never a bad thing. The foam covered handles are comfortable to use, and the exercise arms give you the opportunity to exercise your arms too. Sold on amazon.com, this exercise bike is not a bad one to own.
Evaluation
Customers have stated that they are happy with this particular bike as it’s pretty easy to use. Initially a little noisy, and occasionally hard to assemble, it may not always live up to some people’s expectations. However, when it comes to the crunch, this particular model looks good, performs reasonably well, and is good for the price.
Specifications
Weight: 81.7 pounds
Dimensions: 45 x 47. 5 x 25 inches (H, W, D)
Pros
- Comes with a fan to keep you cool
- Ideal for those ranging from 5 foot 2 to 5 foot 11 plus.
Cons
- It can be hard to assemble
- Occasionally noisy to begin with
Overall judgement
The Marcy Exercise Fan Bike is quite a good bike, especially if you’re looking to stay as cool as you can while you work out. The price is not bad for the quality of the build, and although it can be hard to assemble, it’s still a reasonable bike for what you’re about to pay for it.
8. Velocity Exercise Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike
Product features
The Velocity Exercise Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike is a good piece of equipment that many people would be pleased to own. The 8 tension control levels ensure that you can build up your regime as you work out, and the pedals have been designed to ensure pedaling is comfortable.
Found on amazon.com, this nice looking exercise bike comes with and LCD console, so you can monitor your progress with ease.
Evaluation
Customers have stated that they are very surprised at how well this bike works. Easy to set up, and ideal for those who are just over 5 feet tall, this bike looks to have impressed many customers. The bike is also reported to be very sturdy, and although some found the seat quite uncomfortable, overall, it seems to be a bit of a winner
Specifications
Weight: 49.1 pounds
Dimensions: 25 x 11 x 21 inches (H, W, D)
Pros
- Low price
- Easy to assemble
- Nice finish
Cons
- Uncomfortable seat
- Known to wobble when you pedal very fast
Overall judgement
The Velocity Exercise Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike is a good quality bike. Anyone who is just starting to cycle for fitness will find that it’s ideal at giving you the basics that you need: Computer console, easy to assemble, and different levels of tension. If you’re looking to get a really good and thorough workout, you should think about buying another bike, as this is more suited to beginners.
9. Sole Fitness SB700 Exercise BikeE
Product features
The Sole Fitness SB700 Exercise Bike is a nice looking bike that comes with some pleasing features. The backlit LCD console lets you track your progress, and the chest strap allows you to monitor your heart rate. The bike itself comes with adjustable resistance, and a fly wheel. Sold on amazon.com, this bike is definitely one of the more expensive.
Evaluation
Most customers seem to be very happy with this product, although there are a few who state that the flywheel is hard to get straight, and the dial that increases the difficulty is a little too sensitive. Aside from the negative view, many people state this bike is worth every penny, and it provides the user with a stable and quiet ride.
Specifications
Weight: 140 pounds
Dimensions: 40 x 21 x 42 inches (H, W, L)
Pros
- Original finish
- Very stable
Cons
- Not always easy to get the fly wheel straight
- Very expensive
- Very sensitive dial
Overall judgement
The Sole Fitness SB700 Exercise Bike is a good bike if you’re looking for an intense workout, and you’re willing to pay quite a bit of cash for one. Although the bike looks good, it doesn’t seem to perform as well as you’d expect for the cost.
10. Nautilus U614 Upright BikeE
Product features
The Nautilus U614 Upright Bike is a reasonably priced bike that comes with a USB port, LCD display so you can track your progress, and 20 levels of resistance. Sold on amazon.com, this bike also comes with speakers so you can hook up your MP3 player, and the flywheel ensures you get a smooth ride.
Evaluation
This exercise bike is a good quality mid to high price range bike. Customers report that it’s very sturdy and can help you to get a great workout. Ideal for use in smaller spaces because of its size, this product also comes with a fan that will help to keep you cool. There have been some reports of an uncomfortable seat, and the pedals are quite narrow. However, this bike seems to be quite good overall.
Specifications
Weight: 73 pounds
Dimensions: 41.5 x 12.8 x 23 inches (H, W, L)
Pros
- Nice looking bike
- USB port
- Can use MP3 player while exercising
- Many levels of resistance
- 22 programs
Cons
- Seat can be uncomfortable
- Narrow pedals
- A little pricey
Overall judgement
The Nautilus U614 Upright Bike is not a bad bike at all, but it seems to have the same features and functions as many lower priced exercise bikes. However, if you love your music and you especially enjoy listening to it when you’re exercising, then this bike is sure to be the best buy for you.
Upright Exercise Bike Buyers Guide 2022
Buying an exercise bike is not as easy as you would imagine. Many different bikes offer a different range of features, and some are only suitable for those who are over 5 foot 5, and weigh less than 240 pounds. So, how can you go about buying the right exercise bike for you? Here’s how:
Levels of Resistance
If you’re looking to improve your fitness levels over time, then you need to look for a bike that has a lot of levels of resistance. Some bikes even come with specifically built in programs to help you progress.
Odometer
Most exercise bikes come with some sort of odometer, that show you how far you’ve pedaled, how fast you’re going, and how many calories you’ve burned.
If this is of interest to you, then you’ll be pleased to know this feature is readily available. One word of caution, however, not every exercise bike has this function, so make sure that it does if you tend to spend a lot of money on it.
Height
If you’re as short as I am, then you may find it a bit of a struggle to find a high powered exercise bike that caters to your height. Those who are shorter than 5 foot 5 may need to try out the exercise bikes first, so you can see if you are able to reach the pedals. Keep looking, there will be some available
Weight Limit
The weight limit for an exercise bike often depends on the way that it was made. If the bike is made from extra-tough materials, then chances are it will bear more weight. If you are too heavy for the bike, using it could cause damage, and you may not get your money back.
Cost
The cost of the bike is ultimately the indicator as to what type of exercise bike you will end up with. The more money you’re willing to spend, the more likely that it is you’ll end up with a good one.
However, you can come across cheaper bikes that are just as good as higher-priced ones. Be sure to do your research and find out how good the bikes are, before you part with your cash.