Choosing the best upright exercise bike can definitely be frustrating. There are so many models out there to choose from, making it hard to distinguish the best from the worse. Quality construction and operation should always be the utmost concern when buying an upright, or any other type of indoor exercise equipment for that matter.
Price also becomes a big concern for most. One of the most common questions we’re asked by visitors seeking advice is how a home user can distinguish one model’s true value from another. This, especially if two machines appear to have the same specs/features, yet have hundreds of dollars separating them.
We’ve taken the guesswork out of choosing the best upright exercise bike for you and your family’s needs with the following list of the 10 best upright exercise bikes on the market currently.
Important note:
• It’s important to understand that while many of the machines recommended on this page come with some assembly required, assembly services are always offered as an add-on. As an alternative, classified sites like Craigslist will often have people in your area who offer to assemble the equipment for you, though they’ll generally charge the same or higher rates.
10 Best Upright Exercise Bikes on the Market Currently
1. Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse
| Performance | 4.2 / 5 |
| Quality | 4.0 / 5 |
| Price/Value | 4.0 / 5 |
| Features | 3.8 / 5 |
| Easy of Use | 4.5 / 5 |
| Assembly | 4.5 / 5 |
| Amazon Discount Link |
This Exerpeutic folding machine is about as little as you’d want to spend on an upright bike, and still get enough options to spin into great shape, while staying comfortable doing so.
The Exerpeutic offers 8 levels of increasing intensity using its magnetic resistance platform. This upright comes with a 300 pound user capacity, extra large padded seat, and folds up for easy storage in a closet or corner.
Hand pulse monitors communicate with the large display. The high torque 3-piece crank system features balanced flywheel and single belt driven design for ultimate quiet comfort. This is a great entry level bike for occasional users, but the resistance may not be enough for experienced spinners and other athletes.
2. Sunny Health & Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike
| Performance | 4.1 / 5 |
| Quality | 4.3 / 5 |
| Price/Value | 4.9 / 5 |
| Features | 4.0 / 5 |
| Easy of Use | 4.5 / 5 |
| Assembly | 4.2 / 5 |
| Amazon Discount Link |
Stepping up just under $100 extra is the Sunny Health & Fitness Pro B901. Sunny is known for innovation when it comes to putting balanced flywheels inside their machines. This entry level upright doesn’t disappoint featuring a 40-pound balanced flywheel, driven by a heavy duty crank and chain.
The B901 is made with a heavy duty frame, integrated transport wheels on front, padded leather seat, adjustable handlebars, and twist-style resistance dial that uses replaceable flywheel-mounted felt pads to provide thousands of indoor miles of use.
There’s no display with this unit, but the low price and chain driven heavy flywheel make the B901 a perfect choice for indoor riders of all skill levels.
3. FitDesk 2.0 Desk Exercise Bike with Massage Bar
| Performance | 4.4 / 5 |
| Quality | 4.0 / 5 |
| Price/Value | 4.8 / 5 |
| Features | 4.0 / 5 |
| Easy of Use | 4.4 / 5 |
| Assembly | 4.5 / 5 |
| Amazon Discount Link |
The FitDesk 2.0 is for desk jockeys looking for a way to exercise while they work. Built from sturdy aluminum and steel, this exercise desk offers 8 levels of resistance to keep your body limber while working on the computer.
Not surprisingly, many users have made comments about the higher resistance levels being somewhat impractical if you’re trying to type, but this isn’t a bad thing – the resistance is there when you’re looking to get a tough workout in, but can go low enough that you can exercise even while talking on the phone.
Key features include balanced flywheel, dual drive belts, padded seat with backrest, non-slip desk surface, and adjustable armrests to accommodate all working positions.
4. IRONMAN Fitness H-Class 510 Indoor Training Cycle
| Performance | 4.5 / 5 |
| Quality | 4.7 / 5 |
| Price/Value | 4.5 / 5 |
| Features | 4.5 / 5 |
| Easy of Use | 4.6 / 5 |
| Assembly | 4.2 / 5 |
| Amazon Discount Link |
The IRONMAN H-Class 510 is a superbly built upright considering its low introductory price. Like the Sunny Health model above, the 510 also features a heavy duty 40-pound flywheel that ensures the utmost in quiet comfort while exercising in the comforts of your own home.
Inspired by creative input from some of the best athletes of the last 100 years, the IRONMAN upright has all the features you’d expect including multi-positional seat, adjustable multi-grip handlebars, 3-piece crankset, built-in transportation wheels, a bonus heart-rate-monitoring chest belt, and a bonus waterproof fitness mat to protect your floors.
A unique feature many of you may love is 2-directional pedaling ability, to add even more variety to those indoor bicycling workouts!
5. BodyCraft SPX Club Indoor Cycling Bike
| Performance | 4.6 / 5 |
| Quality | 4.6 / 5 |
| Price/Value | 4.4 / 5 |
| Features | 4.3 / 5 |
| Easy of Use | 4.7 / 5 |
| Assembly | 4.1 / 5 |
| Amazon Discount Link |
The SPX Club from BodyCraft doesn’t have all the bonus features of the Ironman H-Class, but that’s not what BodyCraft users are looking for from this brand either. The construction is more rugged, with a cold forged crankshaft and heat treated Cro-moly axles.
A beefed up 46-pound flywheel ensures whisper-quiet operation and is driven by a rugged automotive-use-rated Hutchinson v-ribbed belt. SKF sealed stainless bearings help glide the drive train of this elegant, club-rated upright. The seat and handlebar adjustments are as finite as one could imagine, considered the SPX is rated for health clubs where people of all different body types will be using it.
A high-rated Velo saddle, 300-pound user weight capacity, and quality aluminum pedals (with built-in toe straps) ensures you’ll never be uncomfortable while exercising your way to bigger and better levels of physical fitness from the comfort of your own home.
6. Sole Fitness SB700 Exercise Bike
| Performance | 4.7 / 5 |
| Quality | 4.0 / 5 |
| Price/Value | 4.0 / 5 |
| Features | 5 / 5 |
| Easy of Use | 4.6 / 5 |
| Assembly | 4.0 / 5 |
| Amazon Discount Link |
Stepping up yet again in quality parts, construction, and price, the SB700 offers stellar comfort and usability features that many of the machines mentioned above do not. This upright is currently considered the best buy in its price range and after looking at the specifications, this is no surprise.
The SB7 has a small footprint at 42 x 21 x 40 inches, and made of the toughest 2 mm oval steel tubing on the market. It’s heavier than lower end machines, weighing in at 140 pounds including the 48-pound flywheel, but heavier usually equals increased durability and better form and function. The SB7 has casters for easy movement throughout your house and workout area.
Both the seat and handle include multiple increments for vertical and fore/aft adjustments, to insure all users in your home get a perfect and comfortable workout in whenever needed. A heavy duty, military-grade Kevlar resistance braking system ensures you won’t have to worry about replacing pads for a very long time.
Finally, the SB7’s blue backlit display has all the features you’d expect from a higher-end upright such as calories burned, distance, cadence, RPMs, and speed. The display is also compatible with most chest straps out there, if tracking heart rate and blood pressure is important to you.
7. LifeCORE Fitness 1060UB Upright Exercise Bike
| Performance | 5 / 5 |
| Quality | 5 / 5 |
| Price/Value | 4.7 / 5 |
| Features | 4.4 / 5 |
| Easy of Use | 4.8 / 5 |
| Assembly | 4.0 / 5 |
| Amazon Discount Link |
The LifeCORE Fitness 1060UB costs a few more dollars compared to the SB7, but does offer some features that might be more appealing to users such as improved display features and included heart rate monitor. This is a commercial-rated step through machine, with a price tag that’s thousands less than most of the uprights you’ll find at the local gym.
Upon looking at the features of the 1060UB, it should be obvious the manufacturer takes pride in their equipment. The standard lifetime warranty on the frame is included, but the 5 year warranty on all parts and free 1 year in-home repair service is a definite indication that this well known company backs the quality of the bike’s parts and overall construction.
The seat and handlebars have more vertical and fore/aft adjustments than you’ll ever need, and the 4 levelers mounted on the bottom can also be raised or lowered to accommodate machine height preferences. A heavy-duty flywheel and 32 levels of magnetic resistance ensure you’ll never outwork the capacity of this machine.
The display with 35 included workout routines, has all the features upright indoor cyclists expect including heart rate monitoring via the included chest strap. The display also includes speakers which can pair up with all your devices using a separate auxiliary input cable. You’d be hard pressed to find a higher quality upright exercise bike in this price range.
8. Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle
| Performance | 5 / 5 |
| Quality | 5 / 5 |
| Price/Value | 4.5 / 5 |
| Features | 5 / 5 |
| Easy of Use | 4.9 / 5 |
| Assembly | 4.1 / 5 |
| Amazon Discount Link |
The Keier M3i is a spinner’s dream, with a significantly lower price tag from other popular spin bikes like the Peloton line of indoor bikes which offer live streaming of professionally run spin classes. In truth, the M3i has everything you need and streaming a spin class is as easy as positioning the bike near an online device and following instructions that way.
The M3i has some really wonderful features to consider, and is commercial rated just like all uprights in its price range. This maintenance free machine features everything workout enthusiasts, new or experienced, will need including adjustable gearing, fore/aft adjustable seat and handlebars (including aerobars), countless magnetic resistance levels, on-board display with bluetooth connectivity to all your devices, and much more.
All seat and handlebar adjustments are made via a spring loaded pull pin and changes can be made in seconds with little muss or fuss. The footprint is small at 45 x 26 x 49 inches, and caster wheels are included at all four corners of the machine for easy movement around the house or workout area.
9. Schwinn AD6 Airdyne Upright
| Performance | 4.7/ 5 |
| Quality | 5 / 5 |
| Price/Value | 4.4 / 5 |
| Features | 4.8 / 5 |
| Easy of Use | 5 / 5 |
| Assembly | 3.8 / 5 |
| Amazon Discount Link |
Moving up in both form and function is the Schwinn AD6 Airdyne. This is, hands down, one of the best investments a person can make for their health, due to the unlimited resistance and dual upper and lower body resistance/cardio workout offered by this and similarly designed bikes such as the original Assault Bike which retails for double the price of the AD6.
The internal design of the Airdyne is similar to those found in impeller-based rowing machines. Impellers mounted in the front of the machine generate air resistance as you work the handles and pedals simultaneously. The more force you exert, the harder your upper and lower body have to work.
There’s very little you can’t do with this cardio machine, except perhaps maintaining a steady pace when you first get started working with it! The Airdyne isn’t for the faint of heart, but will make sure you get in, and stay in shape for years to come.
The AD6 comes with an LCD workout tracking computer, motivation programs, adjustable seat, sealed ball bearing design, and zero wearable parts other than the aforementioned bearings, which should last for decades without any maintenance.
10. LifeCORE Fitness Assault Air Bike Trainer
| Performance | 5 / 5 |
| Quality | 5 / 5 |
| Price/Value | 4.6 / 5 |
| Features | 5 / 5 |
| Easy of Use | 5 / 5 |
| Assembly | 3.8 / 5 |
| Amazon Discount Link |
If you prefer commercial-rated equipment when you’re working out with an assault bike, the LifeCORE Assault Air Bike Trainer by Assault Fitness is likely just what you’re looking for. This machine is great if you’re going to have lots of people using it, or just want to ensure you never max out the machine’s resistance capability. It’s a definite upgrade in build quality and included features when compared to the Schwinn AD6 mentioned above, costing a little over $200 more, with commercial gym rated features.
First, thick gauge cro-moly steel is used throughout the frame and various parts to ensure a lifetime of hassle-free use. Bearing failure will never be a problem, even with extensive use, as Assault Fitness has installed a record 20 sealed stainless bearings on every moving part of this assault trainer. LifeCORE assault bikes have been tested for years in CrossFit gyms, military bases, and commercial gyms all over the planet.
The impeller mounted fan has been upgraded to 25 inches, offering up to 25% more total resistance over the AD6. Next, the adjustable seat features more finite incremental adjustments, not just in vertical height, but also fore and aft adjustments to get yourself centered over the pedals and to keep from over/under reaching to grasp the handles.
The LCD screen mounted up front has every feature you’d ever want including monitor heart rate, speed, RPM, time, and customizable display images. You can use preprogrammed training programs such as the Tabata timer, or create your own programs to use. The output calibration on workout data from the LifeCORE is considered by many to be the most accurate across all assault bike brands.
Parting Words
Whether you’re actively interested in spinning your way to fat loss and healthful vitality, or you just want to be able to get in a workout at home a few days a week, upright cycles have a lot to offer in terms of workout flexibility and fun.
Regardless of which model you choose, make sure you’re ready to get to work and keep at it for years to come. There’s no sense buying any equipment if you’re not 100% committed to using it once it arrives.
Good luck and happy riding!
