The 8 Best Indoor Cycling Bikes in 2023

Cycling indoors is a great way to add variety to your exercise routine when poor weather prevents you from training outdoors.

An effective form of low-impact cardio, it also helps develop strength in your quads, hamstrings, and calves while giving your core a workout too!

Indoor cycling bikes have come a long way in recent years and many of the leading brands these days allow you to connect to a variety of apps to stream workouts, monitor your progress, and more.

But with so many models to choose from, it’s not always easy to decide which will be the most suitable and provide the features you’ll really need.

So in this guide, I’ve put together a list of the 8 best indoor cycling bikes on the market, with an outline of their main features and the reasons I recommend them.

Before we get to the list, though, here’s a look at the factors to consider before making your choice.

Features to Look for in Indoor Cycling Bikes

First, you’ll need to decide if you want an upright bike or a recumbent model.

Upright bikes are the most common type and the main focus of this article, but I’ve also included a recumbent bike.

Ideal for people with reduced mobility, recumbent bikes allow you to sit in a more reclined position, with your feet out in front of your hips, not below.

This position is kinder to your back and neck, but it doesn’t engage your core muscles in the way that upright cycling does.

Other things to think about include:

#1: Resistance

By adjusting your bike’s resistance, you can simulate the experience of riding uphill to make your workouts more demanding.

Indoor cycling bikes use either friction or magnets to resist the rotation of the flywheel.

In general, bikes using magnetic resistance give a slightly quieter, smoother ride than those that use friction-based systems.

On the plus side, friction-based bikes tend to be more affordable.

#2: Comfort and Adjustability

It’s very important that your bike feels comfortable, or you’re simply less likely to use it!

Look for features like padded seats, cushioned handlebars, and wide pedals.

You also want to be able to adjust your bike in as many places as possible.

Most models will allow you to adjust the saddle height and setback, along with the height of the handlebars.

Some allow you to adjust the handlebar reach, too, which makes it easy to achieve a custom fit!

#3: Workout Modes and Connectivity

Just like treadmills, indoor cycling bikes often come with workouts built-in and the ability to transmit your training metrics to third-party apps.

Others may also allow you to stream classes to an integrated screen, either through their proprietary workout platform or a third-party training app like Peloton.

Check that the bike you choose has the connectivity and media compatibility you need.

Also, make sure you’re clear about any subscription fees involved. Some apps are included free for a limited time but require a paid subscription going forward.

The 8 best Indoor Cycling Bikes

#1. Best Mid-Range Indoor Cycling Bikes – Schwinn Fitness IC4

Resistance: Magnetic, Weight Capacity: 330 lbs, Product Weight: 112 lbs, Dimensions: 54.6″D x 30.7″W x 51.8″H, Third-party app connectivity: Yes

Pros	Cons
Built-in device holder to follow streamed workouts	Uncomfortable seat
100 micro-adjustable resistance levels	Resistance adjustment a little inconsistent
Comes with 2 x 3lb dumbells for a full body workout	Tough to assemble

With Bluetooth connectivity to allow you to stream workouts from the app of your choice to your own device – and a two-month subscription to the Schwinn JRNY app included with your purchase – this bike has everything you need to motivate you to work out daily.

The handlebars and race-style seat can be adjusted to preset points in two directions – up and down, and back and forth – so it’s easy for different family members to get a great fit.

The entire unit feels very stable and is whisper-quiet, so this is a bike you can easily use for an early morning training session when others are sleeping.

There’s no touchscreen display (hence this bike’s lower price point) but the full-color backlit LCD console makes it easy to see your data and track your progress.

#2. Best for a Studio Experience – Original Peloton Bike

Resistance: Magnetic, Weight Capacity: 297 lbs, Product Weight: 135 lbs, Dimensions: 51″D x 24″W x 51.25″H, Third-party app connectivity: Yes

Pros	Cons
Large, sweat-resistant immersive screen	Limited functionality without ongoing subscription
Adjusts to fit almost any rider	Handlebars can only be adjusted up and down
Smooth, silent rotation of pedals and flywheel	Console can’t be rotated for off-bike workouts in Peloton app

If you love the community feel of a studio class but would prefer to enjoy it in the comfort of your own home, you really can’t beat the original bike from Peloton – a name now synonymous with indoor cycling.

There’s a reason that the brand and its app are so popular – the trainers are excellent and the classes fun, to the extent that I find myself much more motivated to work out with the Peloton app than any other.

Of course, a Peloton bike isn’t necessary to do so, but I find it very enjoyable to use, with a 22″ high-definition touchscreen that you can tilt to the optimum angle, a solid, stable feel, and a small footprint that fits perfectly into my home gym!

If you have (quite) a bit more cash to invest and want a more premium experience, then consider the Peloton Bike+.

It has a slightly bigger, rotatable screen, Apple Watch GymKit integration, better speakers, and an Auto-Follow resistance feature for on-demand classes.

#3. Best Budget Indoor Cycling Bikes – Sunny Health & Fitness

Resistance: Friction, Weight Capacity: 275 lbs, Product Weight: 113.4 lbs, Dimensions: 19″D x 54″W x 44.8″H, Third-party app connectivity: N/A

Pros	Cons
No electricity, Wi-Fi, or subscription required	Unsuitable for shorter users
Comfortable caged foot pedals	No console or built-in programs
Wheels at the front for transportation	No way to monitor speed or resistance levels

Sunny Health and Fitness is a solid brand with a reputation for selling budget-friendly home gym equipment.

While this model doesn’t come with features like Bluetooth and app connectivity, it has a high-quality, sturdy feel and will give you an excellent workout.

The impressive 49 lb flywheel allows you to generate a smooth and continuous momentum and it runs very quietly, so you won’t need to worry about disturbing your family or neighbors.

4-way adjustment to the seat and 2-way adjustment to the handlebars allow you to customize the fit to a certain extent, although the overall feel is pretty big and I think you’ll struggle if you’re a shorter user.

On the plus side, this is one of the easier bikes to assemble and you’ll be up and running in just 30 minutes!

#4. Best Indoor Cycling Bikes for Cross Training – Echelon Smart Connect ex-5s

Resistance: Magnetic, Weight Capacity: 300 lbs, Product Weight: 123.45 lbs, Dimensions: 21.25″D x 52.36″W x 56.29″H, Third-party app connectivity: ???

Pros	Cons
Large, immersive screen	Somewhat pricey
Smooth, silent 28.6lb flywheel	Limited functionality without Echelon membership
Includes a free 30-day trial of the Echelon Premier Membership	Seat is less comfortable than described!

This is similar to the original Peloton in price but comes with some pretty cool features.

That includes dual-sided SPD compatible pedals with toe cages, a durable powder-coated steel frame, and a 4-way adjustable seat and handlebars for an optimal riding position.

My favorite, though, is the 22” HD screen, which you can flip 180° for off-equipment cross-training – a useful feature you have to pay a lot more for with the Peloton+

The padded bullhorn handlebars are comfortable to use and the easy-to-reach index resistance knob allows you to adjust to one of 32 levels to vary your workout intensity.

There are also 2 bottle holders, a cradle on the back for your dumbbells, and two wheels at the front for easy transportation.

#5. Best Indoor Bike With Incline and Decline – NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle

Resistance: Magnetic, Weight Capacity: 350 lbs, Product Weight: 194 lbs, Dimensions: 22.01″D x 60″W x 62.99″H, Third-party app connectivity: Yes

Pros	Cons
360-degree screen rotation	Handlebars and screen sway slightly
Excellent graphics	iFit membership needed for most features (including incline)
Quiet incline/decline motor	Very heavy – needs a dedicated space

Do you want your indoor cycling experience to be as close to riding outdoors as possible?

Then you’ll love the incline/decline feature you get with this model which simulates a changing terrain and encourages you to ride out of the saddle.

Offering a vivid 22-inch touchscreen for streaming outdoor bike workouts, it comes with a 30-day membership to iFit, giving you access to 16,000 classes for all fitness levels.

This is when you can take advantage of the Automatic Trainer Control, where the iFIT trainers auto-adjust your resistance and incline for a hands-free workout – a feature I enjoyed using that isn’t available with the similarly-priced original model of the Peloton.

#6. Best Recumbent Bike for Indoor Cycling – Schwinn 230

Resistance: Magnetic, Weight Capacity: 300 lbs, Product Weight: 80 lbs, Dimensions: 27.7″D x 64″W x 49.9″H, Third-party app connectivity: Yes

Pros	Cons
Static ultra-grip handlebars for easy entry and exit	Screen is not backlit and hard to see in low-light conditions
Media shelf to follow streamed workouts on your device	Pedal straps are not ideal for wider feet
Affordable

Ideal for seniors or anyone with limited mobility, this solidly built model from leading American bike brand Schwinn delivers a low-impact workout with 16 levels of resistance.

The high-speed, high-inertia drive system means it runs quietly enough to use in an apartment without disturbing others.

You can see your progress on the 5.5″ segmented LCD screen and also choose from the 13 preset workout programs, designed for all levels of fitness.

The vents at the bottom and back of the contoured seat keep you cool and comfortable throughout your workout, while the sliding rail makes it easy to adjust to the perfect position.

#7. Best Lightweight Bike for Portability- Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle

Resistance: Magnetic, Weight Capacity: 300 lbs, Product Weight: 87 lbs, Dimensions: 47″D x 21″W x 47″H, Third-party app connectivity: Yes

Pros	Cons
Compact design	No built-in programs
100 resistance levels	Saddle is very firm
Bluetooth heart rate monitor included

All good-quality indoor cycling bikes are pretty heavy, which is an important factor in keeping them steady during your workouts.

At 87 lbs this model is no exception, but it’s lighter than most I tried and comes with wheels for transportation, so it’s one of the best options if you’re short on space and will need to move it often.

It’s easy to customize the fit, with horizontal and vertical adjustment for both the seat and the handlebars, and you can change the resistance level with just the touch of a button.

The combination of Bluetooth connectivity and a well-made device holder means that you can stream your favorite apps to keep you motivated throughout your workout.

There’s also a rapid charging port to keep your tablet working for as long as you do!

#8. Best Indoor Cycling Bikes Overall – Bowflex Velocore 16 IC Bike

Resistance: Magnetic, Weight Capacity: 325 lbs, Product Weight: 158 lbs, Dimensions: 24″D x 60″W x 55.5″H, Third-party app connectivity: Yes

Pros	Cons
Comes with Lean Mode	Seat feels quite narrow and firm
4-way adjustable seat	Handlebar reach cannot be adusted
100 resistance levels	Screen doesn’t rotate

This was easily my favorite of the indoor cycling bikes I tried.

It’s more affordable than the Peloton, comes with a clear, tilting 16-inch screen, and has convenient dual-sided pedals (a toe cage for sneakers on one side and SPD-style cleats on the other).

But what I really loved was the natural-feeling ‘Lean Mode’, which allows you to lean from side to side just as if you’re riding a real bike, and is very easy to lock and unlock mid-workout.

This calls on your core muscles a lot more than riding in the stationary position.

A 2-month free subscription to the JRNY app is included to keep your workouts interesting, but you can easily use Zwift or Peloton if you prefer.

You also get a Bluetooth heart rate armband, plus 2 x 3 lb dumbbells for a full body workout.

The best Indoor Cycling Bikes: Key Takeaways

Cycling is a great workout for your lower body and investing in a high-quality indoor bike means it’s an activity you can enjoy all year round – whatever the weather.

I hope you’ve found this guide helpful in choosing the perfect model for your home gym and that you enjoy the extra variety it brings to your daily workouts.