The 12 Best Indoor Cycling Bikes of 2023, Tested By Shape
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We put 18 popular at-home bikes to the test and found these to be the best of the best.
Shape / David Hattan
Whether you don’t live near a cycling studio or you want all the benefits of low-impact cardio right from your living room, indoor cycling is one of the most popular ways to work out at home — and for good reason. Not only are at-home bikes relatively compact, but cycling strengthens your lower body, lowers your risk of heart disease, and improves your posture, all without the high impact of other cardio options (such as running).
If you’re in the market to buy an indoor cycling bike, you might be surprised at just how much variety there is to choose from. To help you choose the best indoor cycling bike for your needs, Shape conducted an in-depth test of 18 popular and highly rated at-home exercise bikes. Here’s what our testing showed to be the best indoor cycling bike (spoiler alert: it’s not Peloton); plus, a few other options that might appeal to your needs.
Best Indoor Cycling Bike Overall: Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike
Why We Like It: Our testers found it to be wobble-proof and quiet — perfect for apartment living.
It's Worth Noting: The seat wasn’t comfortable for long rides.
Our choice for best indoor cycling bike overall went to the Schwinn IC4 bike, a solid, price-friendly bike whose features meet the needs of beginner and advanced cyclists. Beginners will appreciate that the bike is easy to set up (although it does require another person), and it comes with the essentials; namely, dual-link pedals that let you choose between toe cages or clip-in cycling shoes, plus a set of 3-pound weights. The bike’s stability really impressed us, and we noticed that it stayed steady (and totally quiet) at all different speeds and cycling positions. The value was also a major pro; this bike costs less than its premium counterparts and doesn’t require you to opt into a subscription. Instead, it has a built-in tablet stand for you to choose your own streaming. After two months of additional testing, this bike was still performing well and working properly, so we feel confident in its longevity.
We were a little surprised to notice that the monitor doesn’t display resistance, and heads up: You’ll need two people to set up this indoor bike. We also noted that the included bike seat got a little uncomfortable during longer rides and felt a little small, so you may want to purchase a bike seat for additional padding.
Item weight: 112 lbs | Max weight: 330 lbs | Basic LCD console | Dual-link SPD pedals with toe cages | No on-demand classes | Membership not required
Related: The 7 Best Bike Seats for Outdoor Riding, Tested and Reviewed
Best for Beginners: Freebeat Fit Lit Bike
Why We Like It: You can gamify your rides to earn raffle entries for prizes.
It's Worth Noting: The auto-resistance feature was unpredictable and frustrating.
The Freebeat Lit Bike includes on-screen introductions to cycling and bike set-up, plus options for 15- and 30-minute classes for beginners specifically — perfect if you’re new to cycling (you will need to opt-in to a $39 per month membership in order to access guided classes). Adjusting the bike was easy, and the seat cushion felt comfortable and well-cushioned. The high-res screen rotates and its brightness can be adjusted, which is a feature we typically see on more expensive bikes. The color options let you have a little more say in the bike’s aesthetic, and you can gamify your rides and earn chances at incentives such as membership credits, gift cards, and more.
We weren’t impressed by the auto-resistance, which was touted as a premium feature. You can’t turn the auto-resistance off for an entire ride, so even if you adjust the resistance during your ride, it will automatically adjust back to match the instructor's cue. This prevented us from pushing on rides where we wanted to go harder or taking it easier on rest days. You’ll also have to purchase separate pedals if you want to clip in.
Item weight: 113.3 lbs | Max weight: 300 lbs | 21.5” HD touchscreen | Pedals with toe cages | On-demand classes with membership | Freebeat membership required for access to classes ($39/month)
Best Under $500: YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike
Why We Like It: It’s easy to set up and is best suited for beginners who want a reliable, low-impact form of exercise.
It’s Worth Noting: We weren’t impressed by the display — it doesn’t show your key metrics, like resistance level or RPM.
This home cycling bike earned solid marks across the board for its stability, performance, adjustability, and comfort. Plus, we had an easy time setting it up. For under $500, it’s a strong option for anyone who’s new to cycling or just wants a low-maintenance way to work out regularly at home.
A few features prevented us from giving it a higher overall score, however. There’s only a small monitor display (no fancy touchscreen like the Peloton), and it shows super-basic metrics like speed (in MPH), time, distance, and calories burned (resistance and cadence would be much more helpful for experienced cyclists). The pedals are cage pedals, so if you’re used to clipping in, you’ll have to swap out the included pedals for a pair you buy separately. There’s also not an easy way to mount your tablet or phone if you want to stream digital classes. That said, given the price tag and the fact that it meets our basic requirements, we still think this is a great value for the casual exerciser.
Price at time of publish: $440
Item weight: Not listed | Max weight: 270 lbs | Basic LCD monitor | Cage pedal | No on-demand classes | No membership
Best Under $1,000: Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle
Why We Like It: There’s no subscription required, and it feels totally stable while sitting, standing, or climbing.
It’s Worth Noting: The adjustment handles are long and can hit other parts of the bike while rotating.
Another solid budget option, the Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle checked all of our must-haves for an indoor cycling bike: simple set-up, reliable stability, and crucial metrics displayed. We especially appreciated that this bike was easy to pair with the on-demand Peloton app; just connect via Bluetooth and you can see your metrics live on the display. One heads up: The Horizon’s resistance goes from 0 to 100, so you may need to do a little conversion to understand how that translates to other apps’ resistance levels. Horizon claims that you’ll never have to pay to use its equipment, and if that remains true, this bike becomes an even better value.
Adjusting the bike was, for the most part, simple. However, the saddle and display proved tricky: They’re adjusted via long handles, and when the display or saddle get too close to the poles supporting these parts, the handle runs into the poles and can’t be moved any further. A knob would be less cumbersome.
Price at time of publish: $799
Item weight: 87 lbs | Max weight: 300 lbs | High-contrast 2.95" x 1.85" LCD Window | Dual-sided Pedals with Toe Cages / SPD Clips | No on-demand classes | No membership
Best Splurge: Equinox+ SoulCycle At-Home Bike
Why We Like It: You can stream your own entertainment or opt for live or guided classes.
It’s Worth Noting: The bike seat felt thin and narrow.
SoulCycle has been a major player in indoor cycling for years, and its at-home bike brings the studio experience to your house (sans candles and dim lighting). We were thrilled that the bike comes fully set up, and our test rides felt stable across a variety of speeds and resistance levels. You also have plenty of options for rides: In addition to live and pre-recorded classes, you can Free Ride or stream entertainment from Disney+, Amazon Prime, or Netflix. It was easy to sort and filter classes to find the perfect workout, and we also appreciated the video guide to bike set-up.
Like most other bike seats, this one is on the thin side, so if comfort is important to you, you might add a bike seat. The bike is also priced to match its premium branding: It’s the most expensive bike we tested, and you’ll have to pay for a monthly subscription on top of that. If you want to ride live with an in-studio stream, that’s an extra $20 a pop — which didn’t feel worth it to us.
Item weight: 142 lbs | Max weight: 350 lbs | 21.5” HD touchscreen | Pedals fit three-bolt cleats | On-demand classes with membership | Equinox+ membership required for access to classes ($39/month)
Related: The 8 Best Bike Shorts of 2023 for All Your Summer Athleisure Looks
Best Studio-Like Experience: Peloton Bike + Essentials
Why We Like It: The rotating screen is large and immersive with high-quality speakers.
It’s Worth Noting: You can’t stream your own music or entertainment.
From charismatic instructors, themed rides, the ability to take a class with friends, and even personalized shout-outs, the Peloton Bike+ is the best indoor cycling bike that mimics the in-studio experience. With the largest display screen among the bikes we tested (23.8”) and high-quality audio, you’ll feel like you’re actually in the Peloton studio. There’s even an auto-resistance feature so you don’t have to reach down to manually adjust anything during your ride, allowing you to immerse yourself even further (and the auto-resistance worked much better than the Freebeat Lit Bike). We felt the HD display was crystal-clear, and we liked that you can hide or show as many metrics or information (such as time left in the ride or the leaderboard) as you want on-screen. The display screen also rotates for easy viewing during off-bike classes (such as strength, yoga, or Pilates).
We purchased the Bike+ Starter package, which includes Peloton brand cycling shoes, and we didn’t feel that those shoes were a value-add to our bike (they felt too stiff and uncomfortable). One accessory we do think is worth getting is a Peloton bike seat cushion. We were also disappointed we couldn’t stream our own music or entertainment, which is one way the Peloton Bike+ falls short of the SoulCycle At-Home Bike.
Item weight: 140 lbs | Max weight: 297 lbs | 23.8” HD touchscreen | Pedals fit Delta cleats | On-demand and live classes with membership | Peloton membership required for access to classes ($44/month)
Related: The 8 Best Peloton Bike Alternatives of 2023 On Amazon
Best for Full-Body Workouts: Bowflex VeloCore Bike
Why We Liked It: You can ride in “Leaning Mode” to target your core and upper body.
It’s Worth Noting: Set-up took over an hour, unless you pay $199 for in-home assembly.
While any indoor cycling bike will work your quads, glutes, and hamstrings, you’ll have to go beyond the bike to strengthen your core and upper body. The Bowflex Velocore stands out from other bikes we tested thanks to its unique “Leaning Mode,” which targets your core and upper body by letting you lean from side to side. The result is a more natural-feeling ride that engages your obliques, abs, shoulders, and more. The bike also comes with 3-pound dumbbells for even more upper-body workout options.
Set-up took noticeably longer than other bikes we tested, clocking in at over an hour with multiple packages to open and parts to assemble (21 parts, to be specific). It wasn’t difficult, per se, but it did require two people.
Item weight: 158 lbs | Max weight: 325 lbs | 16” touchscreen | Dual link pedals with toe cages or Shimano SPD clips | On-demand classes with membership | JRNY membership required for access to classes ($20/month)
Best with Optional Membership: Stryde The Bike
Why We Like It: The Stryde app membership is completely optional, and it’s easy to go without — unlike other cycling bikes, which basically make the app a requirement to get the most out of your rides.
It’s Worth Noting: This bike might be a little small for taller folks with long legs.
Nearly every indoor cycling bike we tested has some sort of proprietary membership available for an added fee — which makes even our best budget picks add up over time. And yet, should you try to forgo the “optional” membership, you often sacrifice some of the bike’s best features or metrics — so you end up feeling like you’re wearing a pair of golden handcuffs (or clip-in cycling shoes, so to speak). The Stryde Bike (and the Horizon 7.0, for that matter) is one of the only bikes where we didn’t feel punished for skipping the membership. In fact, we used it daily with our Peloton app and felt like the classes and bike integrated seamlessly with the "Free Ride" option. You’ll see your current resistance, cadence, and output, and a quick Youtube video shows you how to download the Peloton app onto the Stryde bike and minimize the "Free Ride" option in the bottom left corner so you can follow along with your resistance/cadence during the Peloton ride. (Note that you won’t be able to track your stats over time in Free Ride mode, however).
Long-legged riders, beware. Our 6’2” cyclist felt a little cramped with his knees nearly hitting the handlebars, which would have easily been avoided if he could have adjusted them a bit higher.
Price at time of publish: $1,895
Item weight: 135 lbs | Max weight: Not listed | 22-inch HD tablet | SPD with toe cages | On-demand classes with optional $29/month Stryde membership
Best for Apartments: NordicTrack Commercial S15i Studio Cycle
Why We Like It: The small footprint and quiet ride make this ideal if you live in an apartment or condo with limited space.
It’s Worth Noting: Instead of paying for set-up, we recommend downloading the BILT app.
Living in a small space — like an apartment or condo — means ruthlessly prioritizing your home gym equipment. A large piece of equipment, like a cycling bike, may feel out of reach. Our tests found the NordicTrack Commercial S15i Studio Cycle to be the winning bike for small spaces and apartment living, in which you’re often painfully aware of what’s happening in your neighbors’ lives. At our fastest speeds, the bike remained quiet and wobble-free on our floors, so we felt confident our neighbors weren’t silently cursing us. The overall footprint was reasonable too (61” H x 22” W x 55.75” L) and could easily fit inside our New York living space. We also appreciated the two 3-pound dumbbells that came with the bike, which influenced us to try the iFit app’s off-bike workouts.
Pro tip: Don’t shell out for extra set-up, and instead, download the BILT app, which shows you 3D models of how to assemble your bike. Thank us later.
Price at time of publish: $1,299
Item weight: 197 lbs | Max weight: 350 lbs | 15-inch HD touchscreen tablet | Hybrid SPD+Toe Clip Pedals | On-demand classes available with membership | iFit Membership Required for Access to Classes (Yearly Family Plan for $396/yr, a Monthly Family Plan for $39/mo, and a Yearly Individual Plan for $180/yr)
Best Display: Echelon Smart Connect Indoor Cycling Bike ex-5s-22
Why We Like It: The 22” HD touchscreen shows an impressive array of stats without sacrificing sound or visual quality.
It’s Worth Noting: We experienced technical issues during our first 25 rides.
If an immersive, high-def experience is what you’re looking for in an exercise bike, may we recommend this Echelon model? The 22” touchscreen display isn’t the largest we tested (that honor goes to the Echelon EX-8S), but it was incredibly clear and easy to see. Having a bigger screen made us feel like we were actually in the class, and underneath the instructor, our stats were constantly updating — yet the screen didn’t feel crowded or overwhelming. The display also tilts side-to-side for off-bike classes.
While we love the display, we experienced technical difficulties with our first 25 rides. About half the time, we would get nearly to the last few seconds of a ride, and the monitor/app would lose connection and force a restart. Our progress during these classes wasn’t logged, but our class would still be marked as completed. Weirdly, after we hit class 25, the issue stopped completely without any adjustments on our end — and a quick search shows other Echelon users have experienced the same issue.
Price at time of publish: $1,500
Item weight: 124 lbs | Max weight: 300 lbs | 22” touchscreen | SPD Shoe Clips and Toe Cages | On-demand classes with membership | Echelon Premier membership required for access to classes ($40/month)
Best Scenic Rides: NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle
Why We Like It: The scenic classes have Oscar-worthy cinematography.
It’s Worth Noting: The screen tends to wobble when standing up in the saddle.
If you daydream about pedaling through the Alps or racing down a canyon in Colorado, the NordicTrack S22i Bike wowed us with its scenic outdoor rides. With sweeping cinematography, gorgeous views, and a 22” screen, we found ourselves drawn to these rides much more than the studio on-demand rides (which lacked the sleek production of a Peloton or SoulCycle class). This NordicTrack bike also has an innovative auto-incline feature (yes, like you’d find on a treadmill) that really enhanced the outdoor rides — a feature we loved, even if we were majorly sore the next day. You can also enable automatic resistance so you never have to touch a knob during your ride, which helps immerse you even further.
The screen wobbled a bit when we stood up or pedaled out of the saddle, and the bike feels a little wobbly in general. Consider buying a bike pad or some sort of stabilizer.
Price at time of publish: $1,999
Item weight: 250 lbs | Max weight: 350 lbs | 22” touchscreen | Hybrid SPD+Toe Clip Pedals | On-demand classes with membership | iFit Membership Required for Access to Classes (Yearly Family Plan for $396/yr, a Monthly Family Plan for $39/mo, and a Yearly Individual Plan for $180/yr)
Best Features: Echelon EX-8S Bike
Why We Like It: The little details really enhance the ride (think: USB charging port, LED lights, hefty water bottle holder, and a vented seat).
It’s Worth Noting: Even though it looks futuristic, we found the curved touchscreen a little nauseating.
Want a bike with all the bells and whistles? This option from Echelon is plenty flashy — literally, thanks to 15 LED lights in the flywheel that light up with your performance zone. Two large water bottle holders feel much sturdier than other flimsy options we tested, and you can even adjust your resistance on the handlebars with up and down buttons. The curved screen (24”) can be rotated 180 degrees completely outward for off-bike workouts, and it has built-in speakers as well. Also, a USB charging port built into this bike feels like such a genius thing to include.
We wanted to love the display, since the size and curvature would seemingly make this feel more immersive. However, we felt a little nauseated from distortion on the sides, and the picture wasn’t very sharp. The speakers also had bad sound quality, which was disappointing.
Price at time of publish: $2,000
Item weight: 124 lbs | Max weight: 300 lbs | 24” curved touchscreen | SPD Shoe Clips and Toe Cages | On-demand classes with membership | Echelon Premier membership required for access to classes ($40/month)
We Also Tested
MYX II Fitness Bike, $1,599: While the bike itself is fine with a clear display and higher-than-average sound quality, we had a rough time setting this up and were put off by the app making us choose a “goal weight” when setting up our profiles (and we noticed diet culture-y vibes as a recurring theme in classes). This bike is also largely based on heart rate zones, so if you’re not familiar with using a heart rate monitor, you’ll find this exercise bike difficult to navigate.
Schwinn 190 Upright, $699: We noticed the adjustability of the handlebars has significantly improved over previous Schwinn models, and the seat is much more padded-feeling and comfortable than other exercise bikes we tested. However, when you connect your bike to your phone via Bluetooth, the bike’s screen goes black — so you have to rely only on a small phone or tablet screen. We also felt like this bike wasn’t a great replacement for traditional spin classes, thanks to its upright nature, but it does offer great value for beginners or those looking for very low-impact workouts.
Our Testing Process
We chose the best indoor cycling bikes through a weeks-long testing process, starting with competitive research on the highest rated and most popular indoor cycling bikes on the market. From there, we narrowed it down to 18 bikes to test over the course of one month. Our testers committed to at least eight rides during the testing period, and they provided detailed notes on every aspect of the experience. Specifically, we asked testers to comment on stability, performance, adjustability, comfort, display, and value. Testers were also asked how easy the set-up and delivery processes were, noting how long set-up took and whether everything needed was included. With all of those insights in hand, we consolidated ratings and chose superlatives based on our readers’ needs. We also planned for two-month and six-month follow-ups with our testers, so we can regularly update this article with the latest insights and speak to how the bikes perform over time.
What to Know About Indoor Cycling Bikes
Indoor cycling bikes are a major investment, both in terms of price and in terms of taking up space in your home. Here’s what you should consider before buying one.
Adjustability
Your indoor cycling bike should have multiple points of adjustment to give you the most comfortable ride and the best alignment. You should be able to adjust your seat height, move your seat forward and backward, and adjust the handlebar height. “Ideally, [when] you are riding in the saddle, aim for a full leg extension pedal stroke, giving your knee a 20 to 25 percent bend in the knee when the foot is at 6 o'clock,” says Karen Maxwell, ACE-certified personal trainer and senior master instructor for CycleBar cycling studios. “When riding out of the saddle, arms should be extended to the ends of the handlebars, hips remain over the saddle and the core is engaged.”
Pedals and Cleat Compatibility
Some indoor cycling bikes come with pedals with built-in toe cages, while others are compatible with clip-in cycling shoes (some, like the Schwinn IC4, offer both). Cycling with toe cages lets multiple people use the bike without owning individual pairs of shoes, but clip-in cycling shoes offer a smoother, more powerful ride. “Indoor cycling shoes have a hard bottom by design,” explains Maxwell. “When you slip your tennis shoes with a soft rubber bottom into the cages, you will lack stability and your feet will cramp up.”
If you want an indoor bike with clip-in pedals, you’ll have the option of two-bolt or three-bolt cleats. SPD is a common two-bolt cleat system, and Delta is a common three-bolt cleat system.
Classes
For many people, having access to on-demand and live classes will be a major plus to buying an indoor cycling bike. However, take note that most of these classes are behind a paywall, so you’ll have to pay a monthly membership fee to access them.
Display
Most of the at-home bikes tested had a display screen of at least 16” that you can use to stream on-demand or live classes, keep track of metrics, engage on a leaderboard, or watch the entertainment of your choice. Many indoor cycling bikes can be connected via Bluetooth to your favorite fitness trackers, so your stats show up on the display in real time. “We are in the age of fitness trackers and wearables,” points out Maxwell. “People like to track their success and goals, so having a bike that you can pair your wearable device to is a nice feature to look for in an at home bike. If a bike has a monitor on it with numbers that you can pair your Bluetooth with, this is an excellent accountability tool.”
Bike Seats
The saddles on most indoor cycling bikes aren't necessarily built for comfort. Most bike seats are narrow, without excessive padding, which feels uncomfortable to many people. If your bike seat is too wide, you may feel friction in the upper thighs, but if it's too narrow, your weight won't be distributed properly. If your bike seat isn't comfortable, consider adding on a padded bike seat, which you can easily attach over top of your existing saddle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What shoes do you need for indoor cycling?
The type of shoes you need for your indoor cycling bike will depend on the specific bike. Some bikes may be compatible with regular gym shoes, while others will require indoor cycling shoes with two-bolt or three-bolt cleats.
Is a stationary bike good exercise?
Yes, indoor cycling is an effective cardio workout, and it can strengthen your lower body as well. Try HIIT bike workouts to build stamina more effectively.
What muscles do exercise bikes work?
Exercise bikes primarily strengthen your lower body muscles: quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves. Pushing down on the pedal activates all the muscles in your quads and calves, while pulling up on the pedal engaged your hamstrings, glutes, and shin muscles.
Why Trust Shape
We took on this quest to find the best indoor cycling bikes with the help of our testing lab, which created a streamlined, consistent testing process for all 17 bikes, and Karen Maxwell, a professional cycling instructor who knows exactly how a great bike can improve your workout. Kristen Geil is the senior fitness editor at Shape, and she tackled extra research and expert interviews to fully break down the features, specs, pros, and cons of each bike in contention. She recently led Shape’s first-ever Best in Fitness Awards, where she helped choose nearly 170 of the best products in the fitness industry (including at-home exercise bikes and other large home gym equipment), giving her a specialized perspective on this test. She’s been taking cycling classes since 2011 and loves her Peloton, despite what these testers chose as Best Overall.
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