Topic
Spin bikes
Spin bikes copy the studio bike: a heavy flywheel, a resistance knob or lever, and often app classes on a screen or tablet.
- Resistance
- Magnetic or felt pad
- Pedals
- Cages or clip-in
Studio-style bikes use either a felt or leather pad pressing on the flywheel or magnetic resistance, which is quieter and wears less.
Check the pedals (toe cages, SPD clips or both), the adjustment range of saddle and handlebar, and whether the bike connects to the apps you use. Set your effort with power zones from FTP.
Guides on this topic
- What is an air bike?An air bike uses a large fan for resistance and has handles that move with the pedals. How it works, why it is loud and how it differs from a BikeErg.Guide
- How to use Zwift or the Peloton app with any exercise bikeCadence sensors, Bluetooth and ANT+, smart bikes and trainers: how to connect Zwift or the Peloton app to a home bike and what data each app can read.How-to
- Spin bike vs exercise bikeSpin bike vs exercise bike: flywheel weight, riding position, resistance control, pedals and classes compared, so you can choose the right bike style.Comparison
- Spin bike shoes and pedals: SPD, Delta or trainers?SPD and Look Delta cleats explained, which bikes use which, when trainers with toe cages are fine, and how to swap spin bike pedals with a 15 mm spanner.Guide
- Can you use a Peloton bike without a subscription?What a Peloton bike can do with no membership, which membership the touchscreen classes need, the app-only option and bikes that need no subscription.Guide
- Peloton vs Echelon bikesPeloton vs Echelon bikes compared on screens, resistance control, pedals, class membership and UK availability, so you know what each brand offers.Comparison
- Peloton bike not working: screen, resistance and connection fixesScreen restarts, resistance readings, Wi-Fi drops and pedal problems on a Peloton bike, with the safe checks to try and when to contact Peloton support.Fix
- Is a spin bike worth buying?Whether a spin bike is worth it depends on how you ride, where it goes and who hears it. Classes vs solo rides, subscriptions, noise and space explained.Guide
- Cycling power zones and FTP explainedWhat FTP means, the seven Coggan power zones as percentages, and how spin bikes estimate watts from cadence and resistance. Includes a zone calculator.Guide
- Air bike vs spin bikeAir bike vs spin bike: fan resistance with moving arms against a weighted flywheel, compared by noise, draught, footprint, data and workout style.Comparison
Buying guides on this topic
- Best Peloton alternative bikesSeven connected spin and exercise bikes compared by screen, supported apps, resistance control, pedals and whether a subscription is needed.Buying guide
- Best spin bikes for homeSeven indoor cycles compared by flywheel, resistance type and levels, pedals, max user weight and app support, using listing facts.Buying guide
- Best spin bikes under £500Seven lower-priced spin bikes checked for flywheel, resistance type, seat and bar adjustment, pedals and max user weight, using listings.Buying guide