Here Are the Must-Have Spin Bike Accessories to Make Every Ride a Great One
Spinning has become one of the hottest forms of exercise of the last decade, and now with Peloton and other at-home spin bikes becoming more popular than ever before, it’s accessible wherever you like to workout. Peloton, NordicTrack and other bougie at-home cycling options have done what no one thought could be achieved — they brought boutique fitness home for the masses and combined flexibility with high-quality instruction. Needless to say, the trend has caught on and more people are opting for at-home classes as opposed to in-studio sessions. If you’ve recently hopped on the bandwagon and bought yourself a spin bike for home — congratulations! You’re about to enjoy fitness again and rock out to some of your favorite tracks while sweating out calories at the same time. Spin bikes vary in size, features and variety but they all share one common attribute — the experience is greatly improved with accessories. What are the best spin bike accessories? Not to worry — we’ve created a guide for you with everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Spin bike accessories may seem superfluous, but they’re actually quite necessary, in some instances, for improving your on-bike experience. Having the right headphones, water bottle, spin shoes and towel around you can only make things better and, let’s face it, easier as you attempt to keep up with the countless intervals and climbs these instructors are about to throw your way. Plus, you’ve already dropped some serious cash on a bike — why not spend a few extra bucks to make the experience as good as possible? That’s what these accessories will do. We’ve included everything from headphones to socks to hydration tools that’ll level up your spinning experience at home and make it the effortless dance party it is in commercials. Or, at least, as close to that as possible. Here are the best spin bike accessories we recommend for making sure the biking habit sticks.
Sweatproof Wireless Headphones
1. Aftershokz Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones
SWEAT-PROOF
My first recommendation for your spin bike? A solid pair of headphones. Some of your classes may very well have explicit music and you’ll want to rock out solo without your family hearing. These Aftershokz headphones are great because they’re on-ear bone conduction, meaning they send sound through bones in your cheek bones rather than ear canal. This is great for a spin bike because your ear canal isn’t blocked, meaning you can still hear surrounding sounds. They’ve got eight hours of battery life and are completely sweat and waterproof.
Buy: Aftershokz Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones $159.95
2. Aftershokz Air Open-Ear Wireless Headphones
EDITOR-TESTED
These headphones from Aftershokz have an open-ear design and bone conduction technology very similar to the model above. The organic wraparound design is 20% lighter than the Titanium option from the same brand so they’re comfortable to wear all day long. The battery lasts for six hours and they’ve got seamless Bluetooth connectivity built in. They’ve also got PremiumPitch technology for wide dynamic range and the Leakslayer technology is designed to reduce sound leakage.
Buy: Aftershokz Air Open-Ear Wireless Headphones $119.95
3. noot products NP11 Wireless Bluetooth Earphones
These Bluetooth, in-ear headphones are built with comfortable earhooks and three different ear cover sizes, as well as storage pouch for safe keeping. They’re IPX7 sweatproof which makes them perfect for spinning classes and come with up to eight hours of playtime on a full battery charge. They’ve got easy volume controls and have a built-in, noise-cancelling microphone as well.
Buy: noot products NP11 Wireless Earphones $9.99
Spin Bike Sweat Towel
4. drip Accessories Spin Bike Sweat Towel
This one is a game changer. Sure, you could use a regular ol’ towel and it’ll soak up your sweat just fine. (Trust me — you WILL sweat a lot, even if you’re a person who “doesn’t really sweat.”) This towel wraps around your handlebars and catches any sweat that drops while you’re climbing to protect the wheel from moisture. It also makes the handlebars more comfortable to hold, and comes with a wiping towel with an elastic loop that hangs from the handles so you don’t have to worry about it slipping off. They make these towels sized for Peloton, Schwinn and Stages bikes and in a variety of colors so you can pick the one that works for you.
Buy: drip Accessories Spin Bike Sweat Towel $44.00
5. SinMan Spin Bike Towel
This is another spin bike towel designed to wrap around the handlebars and protect your entire bike from sweat, including the wheel, gears and other critical parts you don’t want to get wet. It also comes with a large wiping towel for dabbing yourself mid-workout, and the cotton material is soft and absorbent. It’s machine washable and is built to be most compatible with the Peloton bike.
Buy: SinMan Spin Bike Towel $26.94
Cycling Shoes
6. SHIMANO High Performing All-Rounder Cycling Shoe
These cycling shoes from SHIMANO have excellent reviews and are perfect for indoor cycling. They’ve got a stiff, lightweight sole made of fiberglass for maximum power transfer from your legs to the pedals. They’ve got a double strap closure for a secure, snug fit. They’re made of durable, synthetic leather and are built for a comfortable fit.
Buy: SHIMANO All-Rounder Cycling Shoe $85.00
7. Venzo Men’s Cycling Shoes
These men’s spinning shoes are also perfect for indoor cycling, and come with compatible cleats for the Peloton bike and other top rated spin bikes. They’re made with quick-drying, breathable mesh and have a low-cut construction for a lightweight feel. The included cleats have a 9 degree floating angle for optimal comfort, and the Velcro closure gives you a customized fit.
Buy: Venzo Men’s Cycling Shoes $99.99
8. Saucony Mesh Ventilating Performance Socks
These performance socks from Saucony are made to control moisture with a mesh ventilation construction for maximum airflow. They’re made with targeted arch compression so your feet stay stable and secure, and they’ve got light cushioning throughout the whole sole that controls the impact of the exercise during tough training sessions. This variety pack comes with six pairs of all different colors, and they’ve all machine washable.
Buy: Saucony Men’s Multi-Pack Performance Socks $12.75
9. Gel Bike Seat Cover
MOST COMFORTABLE
A major downside of spinning? The bike seat can get a bit uncomfortable, especially if you’re not used to it. A durable seat cushion like this one will do the trick. It’s made to be water and dust-resistant, and is super easy to mount. Your behind will feel much better on those longer rides and you’ll protect the bike seat as well with this low-cost solution.
Buy: Zacro Gel Bike Seat Cover $18.99
10. CamelBak Podium Chill Insulated Bike Water Bottle
This CamelBak water bottle is built for cycling, with double-wall insulation and a positive lockout cap that keeps cold beverages cold during your workout. It’s sized to fit in most cages and is easy to squeeze, so you get a bigger drink with less effort. The self-sealing, high-flow cap maximizes flow rate while minimizing spills, and all parts can be separated so it’s easy to clean.
Buy: CamelBak Podium Insulated Water Bottle $12.50
11. 50 Strong Sports Squeeze Water Bottles
Any old water bottle will do, but these squeeze-able kinds are great for a quick hydration station mid-workout because there’s no switch to flip or top to unscrew. They’re each 22 ounces, made of BPA-free plastic and are easily reusable. Plus, for any ride longer than 30 minutes you’re going to want two water bottles so they’ll both get used most of the time. They have a narrow design that’ll fit in most spin bike cup holders, have leakproof caps so water won’t damage your bike and they’re dishwasher-safe.
Buy: 50 Strong Sports Water Bottle 2-Pack $10.99
12. Nuun Sports Electrolyte Drink Tablets
STAY HYDRATED
Staying hydrated on the bike is also super important — for your health and the quality of your rides. These Nuun tablets are packed with electrolytes and low in calories. They don’t use any artificial sweeteners and are designed non-GMO for clean hydration. This four-pack contains 40 servings so you’ll be plenty stocked for your (virtual) road ahead.
Buy: Nuun Electrolyte Drink Tablets — 40 Servings $13.91
13. Personal Fan
A fan is also going to make your biking experience much better. This personal fan is designed with a flexible tripod base you can wrap around the handlebars and position just so it’s blowing on you in an ideal fashion. It’s 360-degree angled and has three different speeds so you can change based on the intensity of your ride. It also has LED lights with three separate settings. It’s durable and sturdy, and stays in place once positioned.
Buy: Amacool Battery-Operated Personal Fan $28.99
14. Roam Universal Bike Phone Mount
BEST FOR STREAMING
This is another useful tool, especially if you’ve ordered a more-affordable spin bike option that doesn’t have a screen. If you wish to stream Peloton or NordicTrack classes on your bike, this bike mount can attach to the handlebars and make it very easy to do so. It’s got a universal design that fits all phones, and the silicone net and phone clamp will hold your device in place throughout your workout.
Buy: Roam Universal Bike Phone Mount $16.99
15. Garmin HRM-Dual Heart Rate Monitor
This heart rate monitor from Garmin has a soft strap that’s comfortable, adjustable and durable. You can remove the heart rate module in the center and wash the band whenever you need to, and the battery lasts for up to 3.5 years on a single charge so you don’t need to worry about running out of juice. It can transmit real-time heart rate data via Bluetooth from your indoor or outdoor workout to your bike computer, online training app or Garmin GPS wearable as well.
Buy: Garmin Dual Heart Rate Monitor $55.70
16. SuperMats Equipment Mat
You’re going to want a floor mat for sweat, and for protecting your floor from the bike. Also, if you only have carpet in your place you’ll want a wooden platform to place your bike on for stability. This tough, durable mat serves as a buffer between your floor and bike so you don’t get scuff marks or dust and debris from your floor into the bike. This mat will also dampen vibration, so your friends and neighbors won’t hear your movements on the bike as easily. It measures 30″ x 60″, a perfect size for most at-home exercise bikes.
Buy: SuperMats Heavy Duty Equipment Mat $30.32
17. Vapor Fresh Natural Cleaning and Deodorizing Spray
After a few rides a week your bike is probably going to need a little cleansing. While I don’t recommend using harsher cleaners on most spin bikes as the chemicals can damage the paint, this natural spray is great for freshening up your equipment. It’s cleaning and deodorizing, and only uses natural ingredients. It’s non-irritating, non-toxic and uses essential oils rather than artificial fragrances or ammonia so you can clean often without eroding your bike’s materials.
Buy: Vapor Fresh Natural Cleaning and Deodorizing Spray $11.99
18. Care Touch Lens Cleaning Wipes
Whether you’re got the 20″+ screen of the Peloton bike or an LED screen that simply tracks metrics, you’ll want to clean your spin bike’s screen at some point. I’d recommend avoiding the spray above and using these lens cleaning wipes instead. They have a streak-free formula for effective cleaning without leaving behind residue, and come in convenient individual packages. They’re also big enough to just use one on larger screens, and have a gentle but effective cleaning formula built in.
Buy: Care Touch Lens Cleaning Wipes — 210 Pack $13.03
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