What’s the best exercise bike to lose weight in 2024?
5 categories and 11 models of exercise bikes compared! Upright – recumbent – air bikes – spin & desk. For athletes, seniors, and overweight persons

Let’s start by saying that our best exercise bike is the Assault AirBike Classic, but there are other very valid products in different categories (recumbent – air bikes – spin & desk, etc.).

Biking is a great way to improve cardio, burn calories, and aid in weight loss – and for these purposes, it doesn’t really matter if the cycling is done outdoors or indoors – on your road bike or on an exercise bike, on rollers or trainers.

In this article, we’ll try to investigate the different types of stationary bikes to find out what’s the best exercise bike to lose weight.

Also known as a stationary bike, an exercise bike is a piece of convenient home gym equipment that offers immense cardio benefits to athletes and those looking to achieve or maintain a healthy body.

Although it’s usually overlooked, a stationary bike is very convenient as it allows you to exercise right in the comfort of your home. Just like bike rollers, or indoor turbo trainers, but without the need of using your bike.

Now, some people might prefer to do the actual cycling outside. However, we’ll see in this buying guide review how a stationary bike is an incredible tool to get serious and committed on your weight loss journey, and how easy is to exercise daily while watching a TV show or even at work! Burning calories, increasing muscle tone, strengthening the lower body, and ultimately also training for a real bike ride outdoors.

With so many options already on the market, picking the best exercise bike for your weight loss journey could be quite overwhelming. For that reason, this guide has come to your rescue to discuss the five different categories of exercise bikes and for each category give you a few of the best models of this year for you to choose from.

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The Best Exercise Bikes to Lose Weight in 2024

A. Upright Stationary Bikes

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The first exercise bike you can consider for your daily workouts is an upright bike. These stationary bikes are common in most homes and gyms as they offer an affordable way of exercising your body. These stationary bikes are similar to regular bikes with seats and pedals positioned under the body.

The best thing about upright bikes is that they’re excellent low-impact options that help you lose weight, strengthen your legs, and improve muscle tone in the lower body.

Upright bikes give you a riding position similar to that of a relaxed hybrid bicycle – not as aggressive as a road bike (mimicked better by spin bikes), but you can stand on the pedal to make your workout more intense.

Good examples of upright bikes are the Schwinn 130 Upright Series Bike and the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1714.

The best thing about these two stationary bikes is that they’re made using a durable steel frame that supports a higher weight limit. They also have fully adjustable seats and handlebars that make them usable for anyone.

Our Favourite Upright Stationary Bikes

1. Schwinn 130 Upright – about $500

Great value for money

The Schwinn 130 Upright is a comfortable mid-range upright exercise bike that is great for losing weight.

It’s compatible with the popular Zwift cycling app to make your workout fun and social, while it also has a large display and command board which ensure ease of use for seniors.

The large seat makes it friendly for overweight folks, and although it could be used for a bit more cushioning, the 20+ workout plans get any level of user covered.

It’s fairly easy to assemble and has a small footprint, while the weight is substantial enough to keep it stable. It features a USB port and a power port for a phone, iPod, or the like.
Good quality for the price

• 20 levels of resistance
• Goal Track function to set individual goals
• Zwift App Connectivity
• DualTrack LCD screen displays
• 22 workout programs
• High-speed, high inertia drive system for easy start-up and smooth, quiet workouts
• Can accommodate any bicycle saddle
• The user height range for this bike is 4’6″ to 6’6″.
• Price: $515

2. Sunny Health & Fitness Upright – about $600

The magnetic resistance system is very effective, able to get you to the equivalent effort of climbing an alpine pass, with a smooth change and a huge range of possible resistance – all while keeping the bike extremely quiet.

It’s compatible with the popular cycling app, Peloton (a digital subscription is $19.49 per month) which offers classes and training programs.

The only thing missing is a device to measure speed and cadence. There are many out there, like the CAT EYE Strada Wireless that are pretty easy to install and calibrate.

This is a solid exercise bike that can satisfy any user’s need, from weight loss to easy spin for seniors, to hardcore workouts for indoor cycling addicts.

• 20 kg heavy-duty flywheel for stability
• Steel frame
• Maintenance-free and hyper-silent Magnetic Resistance system
• No-Oil Belt Drive
• 150 KG MAX user weight
• Seat adjustable on 2-axis

B. Recumbent Exercise Bikes

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A recumbent bike is very different from an upright bike in so many ways. First, the seat is reclined in a position that supports your back when exercising. The handlebars are right next to your arms while the pedals sit right in front of you.

This means recumbent bikes work on different muscle groups, but with equal resistance, the number of calories burned is the same. So there’s really no difference when it comes to weight loss – the hours and effort you’ll invest and the intensity of your workouts will be the only important parameter.

Built to offer ample comfort, recumbent bikes are best suited to those people recovering from joints, upper body, and lower body injuries – but also for seniors and overweight persons.

Among the best recumbent bikes you can consider for low-impact exercises are the Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike NS-716R and the MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike.

The best thing about these two exercise bikes is that they have ergonomic handles, wide seats, and comfortable backrests that support seniors and injured people exercising on a bike.

3. Marcy Magnetic – Under $200!

The Marcy Magnetic is a real bang for the buck! One of the cheapest exercise bikes to lose weight in this review article.

Of course, you won’t have all the nicer features of the upscale models, but this recumbent bike can be a great partner in your weight loss journey or when recovering from an injury.

The bike has 8 levels of resistance which are good for beginners, although the general tension should be tightened for more serious users.

The data recorder is very basic, no workout goals can be set and the display is not backlit so hard to see in low-light conditions.

The seat and backrest are wide although pretty hard with little padding. The maximum weight load is 300 Lb but the bike will not fit people taller than 6.2″.

If you’re on a budget this is a great exercise bike to consider for beginners.

• Durable steel frame
• 8 Magnetic-Resistance levels
• Large odometer showing time, speed, distance, and calories
• Great value for money

4. Nautilus R616 Recumbent Bike – less than $600

The Nautilus R616 is a great recumbent bike to lose weight with all the nuts and bolts of a high-tech stationary bike for an affordable price.

With 25 levels of resistance, the range of options for the workout intensity is enormous, the backrest is adjustable and ventilated and the seat is comfortable enough, although maybe a little too deep.

A large DualTrack backlit LCD screen displays 29 customizable workout programs, while the Bluetooth connectivity, allows you to use a tablet or phone to set, track, and monitor progress with all the popular app-based tracking tools.

Among these, Explore the World comes with the bike as a 3-routes free plan, while an affordable paid subscription allows you to virtually explore 50+ global routes that auto-adjust in real-time to your speed.

The Nautilus Recumbent also features an MP3 player jack and a built-in USB charging port to keep your devices fully juiced during your workout.

The R616 has a solid design that will last for years if properly assembled and used. The seat can wobble after heavy use but the customer service is known to be of quick assistance in replacing worn parts.

• Bluetooth connectivity
• Explore the World app – 3 free courses available
• Large DualTrack blue backlit LCD console
• 25 levels of resistance
• Padded seat with ventilated back on sliding seat rail for adjustable comfort
• MP3 player jack and built-in charging port
• High-speed, high inertia drive system with a perimeter weighted flywheel for easy start-up and smooth, consistent workouts

C. Air Bikes – Editor’s Pick!

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If you’re looking to challenge your body with more intense workouts, perhaps you can consider the convenience offered by an air bike. Unlike regular bikes, the air bike consists of two upright handles that protrude right up to your chest, the handles in air bikes move independently making it easier to work out your entire body.

Another notable difference with air bikes is the oversized wheel at the center that resembles an electric fan. The purpose of this wheel is actually to offer resistance when peddling. So, the faster you peddle, the harder you’ll have to work to overcome the challenge.

Air bikes are definitely the best type of exercise bike to lose weight, they offer full-body workouts both on the upper and lower body. They also help to build muscles and burn calories thus making them the best for HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training).

If this is what you’re looking for, then you can consider the Schwinn Fitness Airdyne AD6 Exercise Bike and the Assault Airbike Classic.

5. Schwinn Airdyne AD6 – around $650

For an intense, full-body cardio workout that builds strength and blasts calories, the Airdyne AD6 is the machine for you. This Airbike is very popular among gyms and rehabs across the US, as they are incredibly effective, for both fit persons looking to boost their workouts and for the not-so-fit, like seniors or overweight folks. 

Thanks to its wind-resistance technology, the Schwinn Airdyne AD6 allows you to control your workout intensity – so the more you give, the more you get… no pain no gain.

This reasonably priced air bike is all mechanical and doesn’t need to be plugged in. It has a simple display that is battery-powered.

• Single-stage belt drive makes the ride quiet
• Progressive wind resistance system for infinite levels of workout
• RevMeter RPM gage for interval training
• Quiet, frictionless fan that keeps you cool

6. Assault AirBike Classic – less than $900

The new biggest competitor to the AD6 by Schwinn can now be found everywhere in the gym industry, cross-fit gyms, military, police departments, universities, NFL sidelines, hotels, rehab clinics, etc.

This happens because Assault AirBike Classic is a great and reliable air bike, able to withstand the wear that constant use bears to any gym equipment.

The integration of sealed cartridge bearings in every pivot and moving part is a great feature, everything moves smoothly and reliably.

The levels of resistance are unlimited, thanks to the Air-Resistance technology, the Assault ramps up resistance automatically as you push, pull, and pedal with greater speed and force.

Pedals and saddle mounts are standardized, so you can swap them out for the ones of your choice. You can even mount SPD pedals to use with bike shoes.

• Unlimited Resistance based on Air Resistance
• Workout programs (Tabata, Intervals, Watts, Heart Rate)
• 25″ inch diameter steel fan
• Goal Setting functionality
• Maximum user weight: 350 pounds

D. Spin Bikes

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One thing about stationary bikes is that they look pretty much the same. However, some unique qualities set them apart. In the case of spin bikes, the stationary flywheel is what makes the big difference.

In most cases, the large flywheel is set at the front while the pedals sit at the back to resemble a regular bike. The flywheel is usually heavy and it’s responsible for providing the resistance that mimics the experience of riding a bicycle outdoors.

Spin bikes give an experience that is the closest to riding an actual road bike, the position is forward-centered and aggressive – you can stand on the pedal and simulate the effort of an actual climb.

So, if you intend to lose weight, burn calories, or work out the lower body, then perhaps you can consider the YOSUDA Indoor Spin Bike or the NordicTrack S22i Spin Bike.

7. NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle – Under $2,000

If you have a bit of a budget and are looking for a full immersion experience and a hands-free exercise bike for your weight loss journey, then the NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle should be on top of your wishlist.

With its 15” Interactive Coaching Touchscreen you can get on-demand studio workouts from one of the best apps out there: iFit.

iFit is not like other training apps, you get real elite leading trainers streaming high-energy sessions from exciting global destinations and LIVE controlling your machine’s decline, incline, and resistance in real-time. The NordicTrack Commercial Studio comes with a 1-month subscription, from then on you’ll have to pay.

The 15″ HD screen though, it’s a proper computer, you can use any app on it and even stream your favorite movies and TV shows from services like Netflix or Amazon Prime as you ride.

All the controls are digital, so no clumsy handle adjustments, just enjoy the workout to the fullest!

A great bike for those really committed to their fitness/weight-loss mission

• 30-Day iFIT Family Membership Included
• 15 inches Interactive HD Touchscreen Display
• Easy stats tracking
• 360-degree screen rotation
• Automatic Trainer Control
• -10% to 20% incline simulation
• 24 digital resistance levels
• Silent Magnetic Resistance
• 3 Lb. dumbbells for cross-training included
• 350-pound user weight capacity
• 10-year frame/ 2-year parts/ 1-year labor warranty

8. YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike – under $300

If you like the riding style of a spin bike but don’t want to break the bank, the Yosuda spin bike is a great value-for-money option. To workout your muscles, lose weight, and enhance heart and lung function you don’t need the best exercise bike on the market.

The Yosuda features a simple LCD monitor to track your time, speed, distance, and calories burned and an iPad holder to enjoy some music or TV while you’re working out.

• 35lbs flywheel guarantees stability
• Mechanical continuous infinite resistance
• Belt Drive
• 2-ways adjustable non-slip handlebar
• 4-way adjustable seat (inseam height 25-35in)
• 270 lbs weight capacity.

E. Desk Bikes

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Last but not least, we have desk bikes. These types of stationary bikes offer a convenient way of studying, working, or watching TV while exercising your body. While most of these exercise bikes come in the form of under-desk bikes, there are times when you might get a bike and chair plus a desk combination.

But, regardless of what you get, the best thing about desk bikes is that they offer immense health benefits such as burning calories, improving blood flow, preventing diabetes, and lowering the sparks of arthritis.

Desk bikes are a great addition to your regular workout, exercising even when sitting doing your desk chores can signify many more hours spent on your weight loss efforts, burning calories without really noticing.

So, if you’re a student or an office worker looking for a desk bike, then you can consider the FitDesk Under-Desk Bike, the Flexispot Desk Bike, or the ExerpeuticExerWork 1000 Desk Station.

9. Fit Desk – under $300

If you want to get the maximum outcome with the minimum time investment the FitDesk Bike Desk 3.0 is a great option and a great bang for the buck.

This desk bike is equipped with a decent-quality gearbox, a quiet twin belt drive, and a high-velocity flywheel.

The desktop surface is large enough at 16” x 19”, covered with a soft-grip, non-slip rubber that safely secures your laptop while you spin and work. A tilt-top tablet/cell phone holder is also included.

A nice addition is the adjustable forearm supports that act as arm massage rollers and prevent arm joint injuries.

The heavy-duty powder-coated steel frame has a strong base and can carry up to 300 pounds of weight.

• Adjustable forearm support
• fit for riders from 4’10” to over 6’ with adjustable bike seat, backrest
• Semi-recumbent design
• 8-level magnetic resistance
• LCD meter to track your exercise cycling mileage, calories, and distance.
• 16” x 19” soft-grip, no-slip desktop surface that safely secures laptops or tablets
• Tilt-top tablet or cell phone holder
• Max rider weight 300lbs

10. Flexispot Bicycle Desk – about $400

Here’s another very flexible product, part exercise bike, part standing desk, and boosting a tabletop surface large enough to accommodate your biggest laptop and a mouse pad.

Fitting people in the 5’1” to 6’2” height range, its upright position can be somehow hard on the sit bones when used for an extended period of time.

As opposite as many exercise bikes in this price range, the adjustments are user-friendly, with a pneumatic lever that moves the seat up or down with just a gentle press – no pins or knobs here, and that’s a relief – the transition from sitting to standing desk is painless. 

A great tool for light cardio, it will not make you lose weight by itself, but it’s a great addition to a weight-loss workout program.

• 8 resistance levels
• Compact sleek design.
• Quiet also at high settings
• Can be used as a standing desk
• Desk big enough for a 15″ laptop and mouse

3. DeskCycle 2 – Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser – Under $200!

Editors pick!

If you want to work out straight from your beloved desk, the desk-cycle 2 is a super convenient option to commit to your weight loss journey literally anywhere you are.

This little Marvel machine makes not a single annoying squeak, doesn’t slide or move, and has 8 quite intense resistance levels.

With a DeskCycle 2, you can easily pedal for 3 to 5 hours per day while working from your favorite chair and burn a ton of calories without even noticing!

Compact and portable, it’s so silent and light that could even be brought to your office workspace. It also comes with a wireless 5-function LCD display that tracks speed, distance & more of the usual stuff. You can now log your activity to Fitbit and other apps for a more social workout experience.

At under 200 dollars, it also makes a great gift for cycling lovers, as a leg exercise bike for seniors or anyone who wants to get more active.

• Works with desks as low as 27″
• Adaptable to any body size
• 8 resistance settings
• Wireless 5-function LCD display

What are Some Benefits of Exercise Bikes?

• Boosts Cardio Fitness: Cycling is an effective way of strengthening your cardiovascular system. It helps to improve blood and oxygen circulation and also improves the supply of energy around the body. As a result, you’ll enjoy better sleep, better mood, reduced stress, and low chances of getting high blood pressure.

• Weight Loss: Depending on your workout routine, a stationary bike, especially an air bike, can help you burn more calories, which is essential for losing weight.

• Low-Impact Workout: If you’re a senior, or maybe you’re recovering from an injury such as a fracture, a stationary bike can offer a low-impact workout that can allow you to exercise without putting too much strain on the affected parts.

• Strengthening Body Muscles: The last benefit of a stationary bike is that it helps you to build strength, especially in the lower body. This includes the calves, hamstrings, glutes, and hip flexors.

Conclusion

So, which is the best stationary bike to lose weight? Well, the answer simply depends on your personal preference and fitness goals. As you can see, there are so many variations of exercise bikes on the market. From foldable designs, and under-desk variants to upright and recumbent bikes, your choice is highly influenced by what you need to achieve.

In our humble opinion, if you want to achieve quick results and are not scared of a hard work-out, the best type of exercise bike to lose weight is definitely an Air bike, exercising upper and lower body together will lead to burning double the number of calories than with any other bike.

In this guide, we’ve managed to narrow down our options by discussing five common types of exercise bikes. In each category, we’ve highlighted at least two bikes you can consider. At least with this type of information, picking a specific bike that will meet your fitness goals will be easier than ever.

Interested in Indoor Cycling? Check also:

The Best Indoor Bike Trainer
The Best Indoor Bike Rollers

The best turbo bike trainers for indoor cycling Direct drive, smart, fluid, and budget friction cycle trainers, reviewed. Affordable, entry-level, best value!

Although I’m not a fan of indoor cycling, maybe it’s time to learn about the best bike trainers out there.

In this comparison article, you’ll learn the difference between direct drive trainers and wheel-on (friction) bike trainers and read about the best turbo trainers through our reviews.

We made a selection of the best cycling trainers for all budgets, our aim is to offer a diversified range of options, from cheap trainers for occasional users to the very top direct-drive smart trainers on the market.

While the cheap ones don’t offer much more than spinning, some over $700 go further to simulate climbs/descends by following a virtual “ride” and automatically adjusting resistance to mimic that. Read on!

The 6 Best Bike Trainers in a Nutshell

Those are our picks, the models are described in detail after the buying guide section. We choose to feature four direct drive trainers and 3 friction trainers.

• Tacx NEO 2 – The most realistic indoor bike trainer
• CycleOps Hammer – Best budget direct-drive smart trainer
• Wahoo Kickr – The most silent turbo trainer
• CycleOps Mag – Best budget friction trainer
• Kinetic Road Machine Smart 2 – Best fluid trainer
• Blackburn Mag 1 – Cheapest bike trainer best for beginners

3 Best Direct Drive Bike Trainers

There are many cool models of Direct Drive trainers out there, we decided to include these four since they have different characteristics and price tags.

The four brands mentioned here are among the major ones when it comes to direct drive trainers, so you can explore their other products from the links provided in the “about the brand” sections.

Tacx NEO 2 Smart Indoor Turbo Trainer

Most realistic indoor bike trainer for Less than 1,400$ – Link

About the Brand – Tacx

Tacx is a Dutch company founded in 1957, they were the first to connect computer electronics to bike trainers. All their products are designed and assembled in the Netherlands.

Tacx NEO 2T Smart Review

PROS:

• Exceptionally quiet
• Ability to move from side to side
• Self-Powered
• Accurate Power-meter
• Road Feel Simulation

CONS:

• No Cassette Included
• Price

With the recent upgrade from leading in the bike trainers industry, the Neo 2T Smart is even quieter than the old brother, the Tacx Neo.

This indoor bike trainer has a large flywheel that replicates the oscillation of a bike on a real road, this gives a really realistic feeling, especially when performing high–octane activities like steep climbs or sprints.

The Neo 2T flywheel is made of metal, using the interaction between magnets and electrical coils to simulate various degrees of resistance according to your output, up to 2,200 watts.

Other interesting immersive features are Road feel, Dynamic Inertia, and Descent simulation. Road Feel is able to simulate different surfaces such as cobblestone, concrete, wooden plates, gravel, dirt roads, and many others. Descent and ascent simulators can mimic slopes from -5% to 25%.

The NEO 2 is ANT+ FE-C, Bluetooth, and FTMS compatible and works with any training app. It has a built-in capacity cadence sensor (very precise) and it also broadcasts power and speed. Can be paired with apps such as Zwift in a very user-friendly way.

Tacx Neo doesn’t come with a cassette so you need to provide your own. It’s compatible with Shimano & SRAM 8-11 speed. It can also mount Campagnolo with the adapter sold separately.

CycleOps Hammer Direct Drive Smart Trainer

Best Budget Direct Drive Smart Turbo Trainer for Less than 850$ – Link

About the brand – Saris/CycleOps

CycleOps is a brand owned by the Saris Group, which also owns Bike Fixation and PowerTap. Born as an independent bike trainer brand in 1995, it was acquired by Saris in 1999. Saris headquarters are in Madison, Wisconsin.

CycleOps Hammer Review

PROS:

• Cheap for a direct-drive smart trainer
• Smooth resistance changes
• Solid and durable

CONS:

• Power-meter not very accurate
• Some connectivity issues

CycleOps is the only brand mentioned twice in this list, that’s because both their friction and direct-drive trainers are comparatively cheap and high quality. Although surpassed by the recently released H3, the Hammer is far from being obsolete.

The 2018 Saris/CycleOps Hammer is a great all-around smart trainer with a super-competitive price tag. It is capable of replicating slopes up to 20% grades, shifting smoothly between electronically controlled resistance values, offering a road-like feel thanks to a massive 20lb precision-balanced flywheel that replicates real-world inertia.

The Hammer connects with all virtual Trainer apps and software that are supported through BLUETOOTH and ANT+. It is built to handle up to 2,000 watts, which means you’ll need to be a pro cyclist to max the Hammer out. As an added touch, an integrated front wheel tray nestles neatly in the trainer for quick storage.

A strong, sturdy, reliable, and silent direct-drive bike trainer for less than 700$ seems too good to be true but the downsides are really not very relevant. The power meter accuracy stays at +/-3%, which is far from the competitor’s performance but still acceptable, the cassette is not included (like with most DD trainers), and it’s maybe a bit heavy – some connection issues might happen, be sure to upgrade to the latest firmware.

Wahoo Kickr Smart Trainer

Most Silent Trainer for Under 500$ – Link

About the brand – Wahoo

Wahoo Fitness is based in Atlanta, Georgia. It specializes in indoor bike trainers (KICKR family), cycling computers (ELEMNT), cycling sensors, and Heart Rate Monitors (TICKR).

Wahoo KICKR Review

PROS:

• Quietest trainer around
• Easy to connect to computers and virtual platforms
• Very smooth

CONS:

• Requires an expensive add-on to simulate climbs

We kept one of our favorites for last. The Wahoo KICKR is probably one of the best direct-drive turbo bike trainers out there.

Thanks to its re-engineered drive system, the Kickr Smart from Wahoo offers a super-smooth ride, can simulate slopes up to 20%(!), and is one of the most silent cycling trainers on the market.

The quantity of data provided by this great smart trainer is humongous, including Pedal stroke analysis (left & right power measurement) besides the usual speed, power (max output 2,200W!), and distance; The cadence is broadcasted without the need for a separate sensor.

Go for the Kickr KOM Bundle, and you get the Kickr Climb grade simulator along with the trainer for $1,500 (a $200 savings if you were to buy them separately). The Kickr Climb can simulate, in real-time, ascents up to 20% and descents of -10%.

ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart capabilities allow it to connect to both smartphones and GPS devices, simultaneously or separately, so as to monitor your performance and change resistance and inclines (if using the CLIMB) via the App. Thanks to the ANT+ FE-C connection the KICKR can be controlled also from any FE-C-enabled device or application, including Garmin bike computers.

It comes with a thru-axle adapter that accommodates 142x12mm and 148x12mm axles, an SRAM/Shimano 11 Speed cassette (11-26), and a disk caliper spacer. The Wahoo KICKR is compatible with wheel sizes from 24″ to 29″(700cc). The unit weighs 21.32kg (Max User Weight: 113kg).

3 Best Wheel-On Magnetic/Fluid Bike Trainers

Here we feature our three favorite friction trainers, again the choice is motivated by trying to include some cheap trainers and some more professional ones.

Saris CycleOps Mag Bike Trainer

Best Budget Wheel-On Cycling Trainer for Less than 200$ – Link

About the brand – Saris/CycleOps

CycleOps is a brand owned by the Saris Group, which also owns Bike Fixation and PowerTap. Born as an independent bike trainer brand in 1995, it was acquired by Saris in 1999. Saris headquarters are in Madison, Wisconsin.

Saris CycleOps Magnetic Bike Trainer Review

• 5 levels of resistance
• Pretty cheap

CONS:

• The rear roller is made of plastic
• No sensors included

The CycleOps Magnetic Bike Trainer by Saris is a budget indoor cycling trainer ideal for beginners and for those who want to stay on the cheap side, if you plan on using a trainer only occasionally this is one of your best options.

The resistance is adjustable using a knob located on the side of the resistance unit, but this cannot be done while riding. If your bike has a wide gear range, just set the resistance to a middle value like “2” or “3”, and change gears for a harder or easier workout.

The bike mounts easily into the trainer’s frame, and the included axle quick release gives a solid engagement. Since the locking mechanism slides open and closed it only takes a few seconds to get the bike on or off the trainer.

The CycleOps Mag supports tires up to 29″ x 2.0, the actual weight limit is not stated but it can hold riders up to 300lbs+ (136kg). They also offer a lifetime warranty on all of their trainers and accessories.

The CycleOps Mag is a pretty solid entry-level trainer, easy to set up and use, and not too noisy. A great lower-end trainer for the money.

Kinetic Road Machine Smart 2 Trainer

Best Fluid Friction Bike Trainer for under 550$ – Link

About the Brand – Kinetic

Kinetic is a brand by Kurt Manufacturing. Kurt got its start in the cycling industry manufacturing bike trainer frames for a company that went bankrupt in 1999 and sold its brand. In 1999 they started building their own bike trainers according to their previous expertise. The company is based in Minneapolis, USA.

PROS:

• Great value for money
• Advanced connectivity/No sensors needed
• Smooth ride and resistance changes

CONS:

• Kinetic App is not great
• Some pairing issues

The Road Machine Control smart trainer by Kinetic is a wheel-on fluid trainer that is a great bang for the buck. For less than 400$ it offers the same kind of connectivity as much more expensive cycling trainers at a budget-friendly price.

Compatible with apps like Kinetic Fit, Swift, and Trainer Road, operating on Bluetooth Smart-or ANT+ connected phones, tablets, and computers it doesn’t need any additional sensors to output speed, cadence, and power data.

The fluid resistance increases or decreases according to the wheel speed. The riders must shift gears and speed up or slow down to vary it. Training apps can give you power targets to match for a personalized workout.

The Kinetic Road Machine Smart 2 can fit most bikes on its tire-drive trainer. Including bikes with thru-axles, internally-geared hubs, and wheels as small as 16″.

This is a very easy trainer to get started with indoor cycling. Just mount the resistance unit, replace your bike’s quick-release skewer with the Kinetic one, and mount your bike. If your bike uses a 12 mm thru-axle use the Kinetic Traxle thru-axle adapter.

The riser and mat are sold separately. The riser is an interesting accessory as it really helps with stability. Includes a FREE 1-month subscription to the premium Smart package in the Kinetic Fit power-training app (lifetime use of Fit Core).

Blackburn Tech Mag 1 Trainer

Cheaper bike trainer under 200$ – Link

About the Brand – Blackburn

Founded in 1975 by Jim Blackburn, the brand made itself a name thanks to its innovative and diversified production. Lights, pumps, fenders, bags, racks, bikepacking cages, mirrors, locks, trainers, tools, and more.

Blackburn Tech Mag 1 Review

PROS:

• Lightweight and compact
• Cheapest bike trainer out there

CONS:

• A little loud
• No connectivity (can use separate sensors)
• It could be a little more stable
• Resistance is dependent on bike gearing

The Mag 1 is the most basic trainer by Blackburn and the cheapest on this list. For those who don’t need too much fuss and just want to spin on their bike indoors, this is a great basic cycling trainer for less than 100$. Blackburn has slightly more advanced trainers, costing not much more, but we choose to feature this – it doesn’t get cheaper than that.

With the Blackburn Mag 1, there’s no assembly required, a single resistance value means you’ll rely on your gearing. It’s compact, lightweight (only 12 lbs), and foldable, which makes it ideal for pre-race warm-ups.

The Mag 1 Trainer works with wheel sizes from 26″x1″ to 29″x2.3″. There are hardly any moving parts on it, which makes it durable, it comes already assembled and no batteries are required. There are no sensors or connectivity but you can still use your own to get training data.

The Tech Mag 1 folds up easily and fits under a bed or any space that is 12 inches wide. The base is quite stable for its weight and the rubber feet prevent slipping.

Type of Bike Trainers: Friction (Wheel-On), Direct Drive (Smart), Rollers

The indoor cycling trainers world is divided into three styles:

Friction Trainers: also called wheel-on, this type doesn’t require taking any wheel off your bike. Simply click the bike in and you’re set.

Rollers: Bike rollers consist usually of a rectangular frame and three cylindrical rollers, they are designed to ride your bike with both wheels on and get a realistic feel. They have a steeper learning curve since it’s easy to fall off. We won’t mention rollers here since we wrote a full article about rollers already.

Check the 7 Best Bike Rollers for All Budgets

Direct Drive vs Friction Trainers

So, what is better? What kind of bike trainer should you buy? Here are some pros and cons that should help you make the right purchase for your tastes and needs.

Friction Trainers have a resistance unit that makes spinning the back wheel harder, the friction is applied to the tire, so that means the tire will slowly wear off. That’s why there are specific trainer tires that you should buy.

Direct Drive: they work with a fake wheel, called a fly-wheel, where a cassette is mounted. You need to take your rear wheel off and clamp the bike into the flywheel.

Not only a training tire is an added expense, but if you’re using the same bike for indoor training and outdoor rides then you’ll need to swap tires or wheels.

Friction trainers can be magnetic or “fluid”, according to how the resistance is generated. The ride provided by a fluid trainer is more road-like in feel than that of a magnetic trainer thanks to its progressive resistance. Friction trainers are cheaper than direct-drive ones.

With a direct drive trainer, you remove your rear wheel and mount your bike directly on the cassette mounted on the trainer. The direct-drive design saves wheels and tires for the road

Direct drive trainers are also usually much “smarter” with all the connectivity options needed for organized training, many can even simulate slopes and change the resistance value automatically. They are way more expensive on average, with the best models going for above 1,000$.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A buying guide to choosing the best bicycle rollers for your indoor bike training
Parabolic, traditional, crowned, smart, cheap, budget-friendly, top of gamma

Until a few days ago, I never thought I would’ve ever written a buying guide for the best bike rollers. Cycling indoors is really not my thing but it has become increasingly popular, and there are various tools and equipment available to help cyclists get the most out of their indoor training sessions.

One such tool is the bike roller, which offers a unique set of advantages that may make it an appealing choice for cyclists looking to enhance their indoor training experience.

So when Mother Nature or your government’s safety measures decide that you can’t go riding, fear not, keep on riding and find out what are the best bike rollers for your needs and budget. So that when you’ll be able to get outside again, you’ll find your legs haven’t missed a beat.

And not only that, bike rollers simulate this real-world experience by requiring the rider to actively balance the bike. Unlike stationary trainers that hold the bike in place, rollers allow the bike to move freely beneath you. This demands a higher level of concentration and engagement, which can translate to improved balance and technique when you return to outdoor riding.

This article describes our favorite bike rollers for all budgets, these are not to be confused with indoor turbo trainers, which are more expensive but with a wider range of possibilities, follow the link if you want to know more about turbo trainers.

After our opinion on the best bike rollers for 2023, you’ll find an updated buying guide and a FAQ section to help you make the right choice.

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The 5 Best Cycling Rollers Indoor Trainers in a Nutshell

• Tacx Roller Galaxia – Best Value for Money
• Minoura Folding Rollers w. Step Guard – Best Portable Bike Roller for Traveling
• ELITE Arion Mag Parabolic Rollers – Great Quality Rollers for Less than 350$
• Omnium Over Drive – Best Bike Rollers for Beginners/Pre-Race Warm-Up
• Elite Nero Smart B+ FE-C Rollers – Best Smart Cycling Rollers

The 5 Best Bike Rollers Compared and Reviewed

1. Garmin TacX Roller Galaxia

Best Value for Money

About the brand: TacX started in 1957 as a bike and repair shop in Wassenaar, Netherlands. In ‘69 they opened a small factory manufacturing cycling rollers, indoor bike trainers, and bike carriers for cars. Later on, bottles and tools were added to their assortment. TacX has been recently acquired by Garmin.,

> Have a look at all Tacx products

Tacx Roller Galaxia Review

The Tacx Roller Galaxia are conical rollers, meaning they are tapered inward, keeping wheels centered for optimal stability. The patented swing system rocks back and forth, absorbing acceleration and deceleration.

They feature a convenient foldable design (31.5” x 19.7” x 5.31” when folded), with a maximum footprint of 53” by 19.7” when extended. The diameter is approximately 4″ and 3.5″ near the center.

The front roller spins equally for extra stability and speed tracking, those are entirely mechanical bike rollers, no power required, durable, and maintenance-free.

Thanks to its oscillating part, although at a first glance it may seem otherwise, the Tracx Galaxy cycling rollers provide outstanding stability on the bike. This swinging makes the rolls move harmonically with the cyclist and his/her pedaling, allowing great freedom of movement without risking falling down.

The kinetic energy generated during acceleration makes the roll moves forward, and when speed decreases the roller leans back automatically. Stability is the obsession of Tacx on its rolls, and with the galaxy they have reached high levels in this regard.

Pros:

• Very Stable
• Good Value for Money at less than 300$

Cons:

• A Bit Noisy
• Max Wheelbase 1100mm

2. Minoura MoZ Folding Trainer Rollers with Step Guard

Best Portable Bike Roller for Traveling

About the brand: Minoura is a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in all sorts of bicycle accessories, even a tablet holder! Spare parts are available.

> Have a Look at All Minoura Products

Minoura MoZ Cycle Roller Review

Minoura manufactures a complete gamma of bike rollers that can certainly be mentioned among the best cycling rollers out there.

We decided to feature the Moz, among the others (have a look at the link above), because of their compact size and light weight-tag that makes it ideal for cyclists who don’t want to miss a training session, even on vacation.

The Minoura MoZ alloy frame folds indeed in a very compact way, at only 55x18cm (20×7″) and weighs only 6kg! The reduced weight might compromise a bit the stability but it really doesn’t get lighter and smaller than this.

Japanese precision is another selling point of these bike rollers, 80mm x 420mm alloy drums with cartridge bearings provide a smooth, and quiet ride – it doesn’t fear rust – while the urethane belt has been proven to be very durable.

The adjustable length makes it usable for bicycles between 950mm and 1090mm in wheelbase, the step guard helps beginners hop on and off the bike.

Pros:

• Compact and Lightweight
• Made of Alloy (durable and rust-free)
• Step Guard

Cons:

• A Bit Noisy
• Not Super-Stable

3. ELITE Arion Mag Parabolic Folding Rollers

Great Quality Rollers for Less than 350$

About the Brand: Elite is an Italian brand, leader in indoor cycling trainers manufacturing. Specialized in R&D, production, and marketing of home trainers, bottles, and bottle cages since 1979.

> Check All Their Products Here

ELITE Arion Mag Roller Review

ELITE Arion Mag Rollers feature neodymium magnets integrated into smooth, anti-static plastic rollers. offering three magnetic resistance levels provide an easy transition from no resistance for easy recovery rides or warm-ups, to low and high resistance for tougher home workouts.

The parabolic-shaped drums offer good ride control, pushing the bike towards the center of the rollers.

By using the Misuro B+ sensor (not included) the ARION MAG becomes compatible with ELITE’s My E-Training (1-month free subscription). This manages the training session by monitoring power, cadence, heart rate, speed, time, and distance data.

Moreover, it makes it compatible with other indoor cycling platforms (which usually require a paid subscription), such as TrainerRoad, The Sufferfest, Kinomap, and many more. This is how you can range from traditional training sessions to a more complete experience, where training, gaming, and social combine into one solution.

The Elite Arion Mag features a platform construction that simplifies mounting and dismounting and an integrated handle for easier transport. At about 10kg, they are not as ultralight as the Minoura but the entire setup is foldable, so you can travel with the Arion Mag or store it with ease.

If the Elite Arion Mag are out of your budget have a look at this cheaper version for about 200$. If you like the brand but want something more hi-end, keep on reading.

Pros:

• 3 Resistance Level
• Silent
• Durable

Cons:

• You have to get off the bike in order to change the resistance

4. Omnium Over Drive – Portable Progressive Resistance Trainer

About the Brand: Feedback Sports is a small family brand from Colorado, specializing in bike storage, rollers, and toolkits, including workshop bike stands. They support several no-profit organizations.

> Have a look at their products here

Omnium Zero-Drive Rollers Review

Something in-between a trainer and a bike roller, the Omnium Zero Drive is great for beginners and competitive cyclists alike.

The adaptable fork-mount design makes it stable like a standard trainer with the minimal resistance of traditional rollers. It accepts standard QR, 12×100, 15×100 & 15×110 (Boost) thru-axles. No risks of falling down, at the expense of some real-ride feeling.

The Omnium Zero-Drive is optimized for high cadence pre-race warm-up, with no additional resistance it feels similar to rollers and performs like a trainer. It is foldable and compact, weighs only 13.3lbs (6.03kg), and can be stored in a small drawer and even in an overhead bin of a plane, which makes it ideal for travel.

Aluminum drums and a red anodized frame can accommodate wheelbases up to 1348mm with the optional extender. Includes heavy-duty tote bag for transport and storage and no tools are required for assembly/storage. The noise is very limited.

Pros:

• Stable and Great for Beginners
• Silent
• Light and Compact

Cons:

• Limited Use with No Resistance
• Doesn’t Feel Like Real Riding

5. Elite Nero Smart B+ FE-C Rollers

About the Brand: Elite is an Italian brand, leader in indoor cycling trainers manufacturing. Specialized in R&D, production, and marketing of home trainers, water bottles, and bottle cages since 1979.

> Check All Their Products Here

Elite Nero Smart B+ FE-C Rollers

We already mentioned one Elite product, but those guys really rock the roller game so we decided to include one more.

The Elite Nero is a smart, interactive bike roller conceived to fullfill the needs of the geekiest cyclists. Total interaction with the app, software, and devices with ANT+ Sensors (FE-C trainers) and Bluetooth Smart protocol, allows you to completely monitor the workout.

The Magnetic Resistance is electronically controlled with slope simulations up to 6%, no need to get off the bike to adjust, just keep riding and control it through the app (includes 12 months free subscription to the Elite My Entraining App). There are also training sessions in-within the app where the resistance automatically changes periodically to simulate a varied terrain. A very advanced system that is easy to use and user-friendly.

This smart roller by Elite is compatible with both road and mountain bikes wheels. The front roller is adjustable with 10 different positions to allow perfect compatibility with the frame of the bike you’re using, it fits wheelbases from 944mm to 1124mm.

Being a smart trainer, the Elite Nero needs of course to be plugged into an electrical socket. The rollers are ultra-silent and feature a foldable design for convenient storage.

Pros:

• App-controlled Resistance
• ANT+ Sensors Compatible
• Silent

Cons:

• Pricey
• Needs Electricity

How To Choose The Best Bike Rollers For Indoor Cycling

What are Bike Rollers?

Bike rollers consist usually of a rectangular frame (adjustable to fit your bike length) and three rollers, they are designed to ride your bike with both wheels on and get a realistic, challenging ride.

Riding on cycling rollers though is not super-easy, it takes a while to get accustomed to stationary riding, the learning curve is quite steep and you might fall at the beginning, that’s why getting rollers with a step-guard or something hybrid like the Omnium Zero-Drive (check below) might be a good idea if you never tried cycling on rollers before.

Rollers are notorious for requiring more of a learning curve than traditional trainers (which are also more expensive), the trade-off for how realistic they feel.

They are a great way to improve bike balance and handling skills, increase pedal efficiency, and top-end cadence/speed, activate muscles and just keep fit in general.

Rollers can be used with any kind of bike whose wheelbase (the distance between the rear and front axle) fits the roller in question, be sure to measure your bike before buying your new cycling rollers.

Keep in mind that, the wider the tire the louder the noise, when training with a mountain bike for example, because of the high friction of mountain bike tires, there might be some annoying noise.

Want more? Check our comparison article about the
7 Best Turbo Trainers – From Cheap to Smart

Conical Shaped Rollers (Parabolic) VS Crowned Rollers VS Cylindrical Rollers

Traditional bike rollers have a cylindrical shape, compared to the ones mentioned below, those are a bit harder to get the hang of, since there’s no additional force keeping you wheel centered.

There are then two more schools of thought in bike rollers, conical rollers (also called parabolic) and crowned rollers. These two designs make the same claim yet they are opposite, they both should draw the bike towards the center of the roller, thus increasing the stability.

Crowned rollers work by directing the wheel toward the highest point (the center). This happens because there is more surface on the uphill side of the tire and therefore it can grip more. The same as if you accidentally rub your tire against a curb, you hop up it.

Secondly, on rollers, the larger the diameter the less rolling resistance there is, due to the tire having less deformation. Since crowned rollers have a larger center the tire naturally goes toward the path of least resistance.

The concept of crowned pulleys, while actually pretty new to rollers, is well established in other belt-driven equipment, such as bend-saws.

Conical rollers obtain the same results through a steep angle driving the wheel towards the center thanks to gravity. The slope encourages the wheel to the center of the roller, creating stability.

Frequently asked questions about indoor bike rollers