Consumer Reports

For a simple and effective recumbent exercise bike offered at a very reasonable price, look no further than the Marcy ME-709. This affordable model boasts a high comfort level with an easy step-through design, a large padded seat and backrest, and a padded handlebar. It has eight magnetic resistance levels and is best suited for exercise in the light to moderate-intensity range. The display is nothing fancy, but it shows pertinent workout information with relatively intuitive controls. The ME-709 is adjustable for length to accommodate a broad user height range, plus it has transport wheels, a smaller footprint, and a lower weight than other recumbents we tested.
We found the Marcy ME-709 to have a somewhat limited resistance range. Those with an already high fitness level or who seek a more intense workout may want to look elsewhere. It is also a relatively basic, no-frills model that lacks the more expensive competition's bells and whistles. While it may not be feature-packed, it is easy to use and provides a consistent, quality workout. We feel this inexpensive model is perfect for anyone on a budget who doesn't require fancy features or super high resistance levels. 

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For a simple and effective recumbent exercise bike offered at a very reasonable price, look no further than the Marcy ME-709. This affordable model boasts a high comfort level with an easy step-through design, a large padded seat and backrest, and a padded handlebar. It has eight magnetic resistance levels and is best suited for exercise in the light to moderate-intensity range. The display is nothing fancy, but it shows pertinent workout information with relatively intuitive controls. The ME-709 is adjustable for length to accommodate a broad user height range, plus it has transport wheels, a smaller footprint, and a lower weight than other recumbents we have tested.
We found the Marcy ME-709 to have a somewhat limited resistance range. Those with an already high fitness level or who seek a more intense workout may want to look elsewhere. It is also a relatively basic, no-frills model that lacks the more expensive competition's bells and whistles. While it may not be feature-packed, it is easy to use and provides a consistent, quality workout. We feel this inexpensive model is perfect for anyone on a budget who doesn't require fancy features or super high resistance levels and prefers the recumbent style. 
Read more: Marcy Recumbent ME-709 review

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The Schwinn IC4 offers a quality connected spin bike experience without the high-end price tag of the competition. A top-ranked model in our budget exercise bike review, the IC4 is more of a value proposition when compared to the screen-equipped competition. This bike does not come with a fancy touchscreen, so you will need your own tablet or phone to use JRNY or third-party apps like Peloton and Zwift &#40;subscriptions required&#41;, but otherwise, this bike performs roughly on par with the more expensive models. The IC4 has a sturdy feel with 100 levels of quiet magnetic resistance. It uses Bluetooth to connect to your device to use the JRNY app, and it has a device holder to keep your screen in view while you ride. The JRNY app offers a variety of workouts, with studio classes, virtual coach, and Explore the World scenic rides, as well as the ability to stream entertainment from your favorite subscription services &#40;like Netflix, Hulu, etc.&#41;. In addition to the cycling workouts, JRNY has a full range of off-the-bike classes to work on your total body fitness. The ability to use third-party apps like Peloton and Zwift expands this bike's versatility even further, and the Peloton app is much less expensive when used on a non-Peloton product. Of course, the IC4 can also be used without an app, and the small console provides a variety of metrics pertaining to your current workout. It also comes with features like 3-pound hand weights, dual-function pedals, a Bluetooth heart rate armband, bottle holders, and more to enhance the user experience.
While the IC4 does work with apps like Zwift, we found that it isn't quite perfect and the power output reading is a bit high. While this isn't necessarily a problem for casual riders, it could cause some issues if you're trying to compete with other riders on the app &#40;we are told the bike can be recalibrated for better accuracy, but it still won't be perfect&#41;. We also found that the speed and distance readings on the bike's console were higher than they should have been, but this is only a problem if you base your workouts on those metrics. Beyond these inaccuracies, we feel the IC4 is a reasonably priced connected bike that can get you into the studio and virtual cycling scene without breaking the bank.

The Schwinn IC4 is a fantastic exercise bike that can compete with the biggest names in home fitness. It looks and feels a lot like a spin bike you'd find in a commercial gym or spin studio, with an exercise quality to match. This sturdy bike has a 40 lb weighted flywheel and 100 micro-adjustable levels of smooth, quiet magnetic resistance. The 100 levels of resistance offer a huge range of difficulty levels suitable for all fitness levels and rider goals. This smart bike has its own display for manual workouts, and it can also connect to your device through Bluetooth to work with apps like Peloton, Zwift, and Explore the World for at-home studio and virtual workouts. There is a monthly fee involved to use any of these apps, which will likely be worth it for users who want the in-home studio or virtual training experience. We found the IC4 quite comfortable, with ample fit adjustments and a performance-oriented race style seat. It also has user-friendly features like bottle cages, hand weights, a USB charging port, a Bluetooth heart rate armband, and dual-function SPD/cage pedals.
The IC4 is among the most expensive exercise bikes we've ever tested, but it costs less than half the price of its primary big-name competition. However, if you seek the connected workout experience, you'll also need to consider the cost of a monthly or annual subscription to Peloton, Zwift, or Explore the World. It is also worth noting that the speed and distance readings on display are not accurate, and because it is a spin bike, it doesn't provide an accurate power output reading when using Zwift. It works; it's just far from perfect. It comes with a device holder, but you will also need your own tablet or smartphone to serve as the display when using the apps. All that said, we feel the IC4 is an impressive bike and an excellent choice for the rider who seeks the studio cycling experience. 

The Schwinn IC4 is a fantastic exercise bike that can compete with the biggest names in home fitness. It is a spin bike with a commercial gym or spin studio look and feel, with an exercise quality to match. This sturdy model has a 40 lb weighted flywheel and offers 100 micro-adjustable levels of smooth, quiet magnetic resistance. The 100 levels of resistance offer a massive range of difficulty suitable for all fitness levels and rider goals. This connected smart bike has a display for manual workouts, and it can also sync to your device through a Bluetooth connection to work with apps like Peloton, Zwift, JRNY, and Explore the World for at-home studio and virtual workouts. A monthly fee is required to use any of these apps, which will likely be worth it for users who want the in-home studio or virtual training experience. We found the IC4 quite comfortable, with ample fit adjustments and a performance-oriented race style seat. User-friendly features like bottle cages, hand weights, a USB charging port, a Bluetooth heart rate armband, and dual-function SPD/cage pedals enhance the user experience.
The IC4 is among the most expensive exercise bikes in this review, but it costs less than half the price of the high-end competition. However, if you seek a connected workout experience, you'll want to consider the cost of a monthly or annual subscription to Peloton, Zwift, or Explore the World. It is also worth noting that the speed and distance readings on display are not accurate, and because it is a spin bike, it doesn't provide an accurate power output reading when using Zwift. It works; it's just far from perfect. It has a device holder, but you will need a tablet or smartphone to serve as the display when using the apps or for viewing entertainment. We feel the IC4 is an impressive bike and an excellent choice for the rider seeking the studio cycling experience. 
Read more: Schwinn IC4 review

The Schwinn IC4 offers a quality connected spin bike experience at a more reasonable price tag than the competition. A top-ranked model in our best budget exercise bike review, the IC4 is more of a value proposition when compared to the screen-equipped competition. This bike does not have a fancy touchscreen, so you will need your own tablet or phone to use JRNY or third-party apps like Peloton and Zwift &#40;subscriptions required&#41;. Otherwise, this bike performs roughly on par with the more expensive models. The IC4 has a sturdy feel with 100 levels of quiet magnetic resistance. It uses Bluetooth to connect to your device to use the JRNY app, and it has a device holder to keep your screen in view while you ride. The JRNY app offers a variety of workouts, with studio classes, virtual coach, and Explore the World scenic rides, as well as the ability to stream entertainment from your favorite subscription services &#40;like Netflix, Hulu, etc.&#41;. In addition to the cycling workouts, JRNY has a full range of off-the-bike classes to work on your total body fitness. The ability to use third-party apps like Peloton and Zwift expands this bike's versatility even further, and the Peloton app is much less expensive when used on a non-Peloton product. Of course, the IC4 can also be used without an app, and the small console provides a variety of metrics pertaining to your current workout. Included features like 3-pound hand weights, dual-function pedals, a Bluetooth heart rate armband, and bottle holders enhance the user experience.
While the IC4 does work with apps like Zwift, we found that it isn't quite perfect and the power output reading is a bit high. While this isn't necessarily a problem for casual riders, it could cause some issues if you're trying to compete with other riders on the app &#40;we are told the bike can be recalibrated for better accuracy, but it still won't be perfect&#41;. We also found that the speed and distance readings on the bike's console were higher than they should have been, but this is only a problem if you base your workouts on those metrics. Beyond these inaccuracies, we feel the IC4 is a reasonably priced connected bike that can get you into the studio and virtual cycling scene without breaking the bank.
Read more: Schwinn IC4 review

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The Bowflex VeloCore 16 offers a unique at-home cycling experience. This commercial quality spin bike has 100 levels of magnetic resistance suitable for all fitness levels, but it really sets itself apart with its lean feature. It has a locking mechanism that keeps it stationary, and when unlocked, the rider can tip the bike from side to side to simulate a more natural riding motion and follow along with the JRNY app's lean classes. While it may sound a little gimmicky, the lean feature is actually quite effective at working the core and other muscle groups while you ride. The 16-inch touchscreen uses Bluetooth to pair with accessories and WiFi to connect to the JRNY app. JRNY offers a wide range of studio classes, Explore the World scenic rides, and virtual coach programs to choose from, plus it offers the unique ability to stream entertainment from popular services like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max &#40;subscriptions required&#41; to watch while you ride. It can't quite match the sheer number of classes on apps like Peloton or iFit, but JRNY provides plenty of variety, loads of off-the-bike workouts, and it costs less than the competition. The VeloCore also works with Peloton and Zwift through your own device, adding even more workout options. 
We found the 16-inch touchscreen on the VeloCore to be adequate, but it is a fair amount smaller than the screens on other models we tested &#40;the Velocore can also be purchased with a 22-inch screen for a significant bump in price&#41;. The screen also has limited mobility, with a small range of tilt, but no ability to rotate for viewing off the bike. While the JRNY app does offer plenty to satisfy most users, we think those interested purely in live and on-demand studio classes would be better off looking elsewhere. Due to the nature of the bike's design and unique lean feature, it has a slightly larger footprint than other bikes we tested, though this should only matter if you're super tight on space. Otherwise, we think the VeloCore is an excellent bike that offers something unique with its lean feature, plus the variety of the JRNY app and the ability to stream entertainment and work with third-party apps provides lots of options and broadens its appeal. 

The Bowflex VeloCore 16 offers a unique at-home cycling experience. This commercial-quality spin bike has 100 levels of magnetic resistance suitable for all fitness levels, but it really sets itself apart with its unique lean feature. A locking mechanism keeps it stationary, and when unlocked, the rider can lean the bike from side to side to simulate a more natural riding motion and follow along with the JRNY app's lean classes. While it may sound a little gimmicky, this feature is actually quite effective at working the core and other muscle groups while you ride. The 16-inch touchscreen uses Bluetooth to pair with accessories and WiFi to connect to the JRNY app. JRNY offers a wide range of studio classes, Explore the World scenic rides, and virtual coach programs to choose from, plus it offers the unique ability to stream entertainment from popular services like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max &#40;subscriptions required&#41; to watch while you ride. It can't quite match the sheer number of classes on apps like Peloton or iFit, but JRNY provides plenty of variety, loads of off-the-bike workouts, and it costs less than the competition. The VeloCore also works with Peloton and Zwift through your own device, adding even more workout options. 
Though we still found it adequate, the Velocore's 16-inch touchscreen is smaller than the screens on some of the other models we tested. &#40;You can purchase the Velocore with a 22-inch screen for an additional fee.&#41; The screen also has limited mobility, with a small range of tilt, but no ability to rotate for viewing off the bike. While the JRNY app offers plenty to satisfy most users, we think those interested purely in live and on-demand studio classes would be better off looking elsewhere. Due to the nature of the bike's design and unique lean feature, it has a slightly larger footprint than other bikes we tested, though this should only matter if you're super tight on space. Otherwise, we think the VeloCore is an excellent bike that offers something unique with its lean feature, plus the variety of the JRNY app and the ability to stream entertainment and work with third-party apps provides lots of options and broadens its appeal. 
Read more: BowFlex VeloCore 16 review

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Renpho is a relative newcomer to the home exercise market, but we were impressed by the AI Smart Exercise Bike. This upright model has 80 levels of magnetic resistance, making it suitable for users of all fitness levels. It can be controlled manually using the resistance adjustment knob. It is also FTMS Bluetooth enabled, and it works with Renpho's free AI Gym App and several other popular training apps like Zwift and Peloton. The AI Gym App is somewhat basic, but it has many fitness tests and training programs to choose from, plus the bike automatically changes resistance levels when using it and certain other apps. We found the bike relatively comfortable, with a nice seat and lots of handlebar and seat height adjustment. Assembly is straightforward, and moving the bike is relatively easy using the integrated transport wheels. 
Renpho claims a massive recommended user height range of 4'11" to 6'5". While that claim is impressive, we feel it might be a little exaggerated. Our six-foot-tall tester with long legs had the seat adjustments maxed out and could have used a little more height. The bike's display is also somewhat basic, and it shows just one metric at a time. We feel the bike is best used with either the AI Gym App or another app with a phone or tablet to serve as the display. We think this is an excellent connected exercise bike despite these gripes and a pretty good value to boot. 

Renpho is a relative newcomer to the home exercise market, but we were impressed by the AI Smart Exercise Bike. This upright model has 80 levels of magnetic resistance, making it suitable for users of all fitness levels, and it's manually controlled using the resistance adjustment knob. The bike is also FTMS Bluetooth enabled and works with Renpho's free AI Gym App and several other popular training apps like Zwift and Peloton &#40;subscriptions required&#41;. The AI Gym App is somewhat basic, but it has several fitness tests and training programs to choose from, plus the bike automatically changes resistance levels when using it and certain other apps. We found the bike relatively comfortable, with a nice seat and lots of handlebar and seat height adjustment. Assembly is straightforward, and moving the bike is relatively easy using the integrated transport wheels. 
Renpho claims a massive recommended user height range of 4'11" to 6'5". While that claim is impressive, we feel it might be slightly exaggerated. Our long-legged six-foot-tall tester had the seat adjustments maxed out and could have used a little more height. The bike's display is also somewhat basic, showing one metric at a time. We feel the bike is best used with either the AI Gym App or another app with a phone or tablet to serve as the display. Despite these gripes, we think this is a great connected exercise bike at a reasonable price. 
Read more: Renpho AI Smart Exercise Bike review

The Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright is an affordable semi-recumbent exercise bike with a convenient folding design. This bike provides a quality workout experience at nearly half the cost of the competition, with a simple and no-frills design that gets the job done. It has eight smooth and quiet magnetic resistance levels for workouts ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty. The simple console has an LCD display and a single button to control your workout information. The large padded seat was reasonably comfortable, and it has padded handles around the console with integrated heart rate sensors. The simple folding design significantly reduces its footprint when not in use and can easily fit in a closet or the corner of your room. It is also relatively lightweight and has integrated transport wheels, making it easier than most to move around.
The Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic seems a lot more like a semi-recumbent than a proper upright style bike despite having "Upright" in its name. It has a somewhat relaxed seated position, and you can't get off the seat and stand while pedaling the way you can on an upright model. Testers also found its resistance range somewhat limited, making this bike generally unsuitable for a high-intensity workout. Beyond that, we feel this is a very reasonably priced and convenient option to consider if you're limited on space.

The Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright is an inexpensive semi-recumbent exercise bike with a convenient folding design. This bike provides a quality workout experience at nearly half the cost of the competition, with a simple and no-frills design that gets the job done. It has eight smooth and quiet magnetic resistance levels for workouts ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty. The simple console has an LCD display and a single button to control your workout information. The large padded seat was reasonably comfortable, and it has padded handles around the console with integrated heart rate sensors. The simple folding design significantly reduces its footprint when not in use and can easily fit in a closet or the corner of your room. It is also relatively lightweight and has integrated transport wheels, making it quite easy to move around.
The Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic seems a lot more like a semi-recumbent than a proper upright-style bike despite having "Upright" in its name. It has a somewhat relaxed seated position, and you can't get off the seat and stand while pedaling the way you can on a true upright or spin bike model. Testers also found its resistance range somewhat limited, making this bike unsuitable for high-intensity workouts. Beyond that, we feel this is a very reasonably priced and convenient option if you're tight on storage space.
Read more: Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright review

If you're not looking to spend a lot of money and don't require fancy screens, apps, and connectivity, the Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike is an affordable option. While it is quite basic compared to high-end models, this simple and sturdy spin bike provides a very effective workout. It has a 35 lb weighted flywheel with an infinite range of friction resistance to suit any exercise intensity. Its upright style requires an athletic body position, and it offers a large range of seat and handlebar height adjustments to fit riders of varying user heights. The padded seat is comfortable, and the large handlebar offers numerous hand placement options. The LCD display is basic but functional, showing one workout metric at a time. Below the console is a device holder, so you can place a tablet or phone for viewing while you ride. It does not have any wireless connectivity, but you could easily follow along with studio workouts from popular apps, just without any metrics displayed on your screen. It also comes with toe cage pedals, a bottle holder, and transport wheels integrated into the front stabilizer. 
The biggest drawback to the Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike is its lack of connectivity. You can follow along with some workouts, but the bike doesn't integrate with any apps the way higher-end bikes do. That said, it costs a fraction of the price, and it provides a great workout as long as you don't require app integration to get and keep you motivated. Simple yet effective, the Yosuda is a quality option that won't break the bank.

The Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike is an affordable upright spin-style model. It features a belt-driven 35 lb weighted flywheel with an infinite resistance adjustment range. It looks and feels like a spin bike you might ride at the gym, offered at a reasonable price. The considerable resistance range makes it suitable for riders of all fitness levels or workout intensities. It boasts a high comfort level with a quality seat and seat post and handlebar height adjustments. The assembly process is straightforward, and it is easy enough to move around on its transport wheels. The steel frame is sturdy, and this bike is stable, no matter how hard you jam on the pedals. It also comes with features like cage pedals, a device shelf, and a bottle cage to enhance your experience.
While we liked most things about the Yosuda, it lost a little ground to the competition for its basic display. Sure, it is functional, but it only shows one data field at a time. It also doesn't have any programmed workouts, so it is entirely up to you to control your training. That said, we still feel this is a quality spin bike option at a reasonable price.

The Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike is an affordable upright spin-style model. It features a belt-driven 35 lb weighted flywheel with an infinite resistance adjustment range. It looks and feels like a spin bike you might ride at the gym, offered at a reasonable price. The considerable resistance range suits riders of all fitness levels or workout intensities. It boasts a fairly high comfort level with a quality seat and a good range of seat and handlebar height adjustment. The assembly process is straightforward, and the unit is easy enough to move around on its transport wheels. The steel frame is sturdy, and this bike is stable, no matter how hard you jam on the pedals. It also comes with useful features like cage pedals, a device shelf, and a bottle cage.
While we liked most things about the Yosuda, it lost a little ground to the competition for its relatively basic design. This includes the display, which, while functional, only shows one data field at a time. It also has no programmed workouts or connectivity, so it is entirely up to you to control your training. Regardless, we still feel this is a quality spin bike option that gets the job done at a reasonable price.
Read more: Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike review

If you're not looking to spend a lot of money and don't require fancy screens, apps, and connectivity, the Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike is a solid option. While it is quite basic compared to high-end models, this simple and sturdy spin bike provides a very effective workout. It has a 35 lb weighted flywheel with an infinite range of friction resistance to suit any exercise intensity. Its upright style requires an athletic body position, and it offers a large range of seat and handlebar height adjustments to fit riders of varying user heights. The padded seat is comfortable, and the large handlebar offers numerous hand placement options. The LCD display is basic but functional, showing one workout metric at a time. Below the console is a device holder, so you can place a tablet or phone for viewing while you ride. It does not have any wireless connectivity, but you could easily follow along with studio workouts from popular apps, just without any metrics being tracked or displayed on your screen. It also comes with toe cage pedals, a bottle holder, and transport wheels integrated into the front stabilizer. 
The biggest drawback to the Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike is its lack of connectivity. You can follow along with some workouts, but the bike doesn't integrate with any apps the way higher-end bikes do. That said, it costs a fraction of the price, and it provides a great workout as long as you don't require app integration to keep you motivated. Simple yet effective, the Yosuda is a quality option that won't break the bank.
Read more: Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike review

Anyone who has ever wanted to combine their workout with actual work should seriously consider the Exerwork 2000i Desk Bike. The desk/bike hybrid combines a semi-recumbent exercise bike with an adjustable desktop to create the best of both worlds. This highly versatile model can be used in several ways, just a stationary bike, a desk, a bike and desk at the same time, or a standing desk. With 24 levels of magnetic resistance, it has a vast range of workout intensity, from very easy to as strenuous as you want. It also comes with 24 programmed workouts, and it works with the myCloudFitness app so you can control, track, and analyze your progress. The desk itself is highly customizable with tilt, fore/aft, and height adjustments to dial it in for comfort and ergonomics. It also has convenient features like a wrist pad, a drawer, cup/bottle holders, plus it folds for storage and has integrated wheels for transport.
The Exerwork 2000i is not without its quirks. Despite having a wealth of useful features, its display and controls leave a bit to be desired. The small LCD screen displays just basic information one value at a time, making it harder to choose or follow the program workouts. While it does fold for storage, it remains quite large and can be somewhat cumbersome to move around and store due to its 67 lb weight. That said, we feel this would be an excellent addition to anyone's home, office, or both, who is interested in putting a little more work into their workout.

Anyone who has ever wanted to combine their workout with actual work should seriously consider the Exerwork 2000i Desk Bike. The desk/bike hybrid combines a semi-recumbent exercise bike with an adjustable desktop to create the best of both worlds. This highly versatile model can be used in several ways: as a stationary bike, a desk, a bike and desk at the same time, or a standing desk. With 24 levels of magnetic resistance, it has a vast range of workout intensity, from very easy to about as strenuous as you want. It also comes with 24 programmed workouts, and it works with the myCloudFitness app so you can control, track, and analyze your progress. The desk is highly customizable with tilt, fore/aft, and height adjustments to dial it in for comfort and ergonomics. It also has convenient features like a wrist pad, a drawer, cup/bottle holders, plus it folds for storage and has integrated wheels for transport.
The Exerwork 2000i is not without its quirks. Despite having a wealth of useful features, its display and controls leave a bit to be desired. The small LCD screen displays basic information one value at a time, making it harder to choose or follow the program workouts. While it does fold for storage, it remains quite large and can be somewhat cumbersome to move around and store due to its 67 lb weight. That said, we feel this would be an excellent addition to anyone's home, office, or both, who is interested in putting a little more work into their workout.
Read more: Exerpeutic Exerwork 2000i Folding Desk Bike review

Exercise Bike Comparison