Tell me about your exercise bike

[SomethingNastyInTheBallPool]

What sort of bike do you have? Do you love it? Why?

I’m looking for something I can hop on for short bursts at odd hours, ideally something that connects to my iPad or has a screen so I can do scenic rides and the odd spin class. Needs to be very quiet. Top budget around £1,000, which rules out a Peloton (plus, they’re out of stock).

At the moment, I’m torn between the (butt ugly) Schwinn IC8 and the Echelon.

Bumpetty-bump

Do you already have a bike? If so, just look at a turbo trainer. For way less than your £1000 you could get one of these www.wiggle.co.uk/wahoo-kickr-snap

If not you could also get one of these within your full budget (other similar price/spec available, but generally decathlon offers excellent value for money) www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-intermediate-road-bike-sora/_/R-p-302724

This would give you flexibility to ride outside in the summer on a decent entry level bike if you wanted. You can connect the trainer to all the big training/freeriding riding apps like Zwift/RGT and probably even the peloton apps etc via an iPad

I use a similar setup, but for racing my turbo trainer is a little posher direct drive model (a bit less calibrating needed and a little quieter), though could still be bought standalone within your budget if you didn't need the bike. My bikes are £££ though so while it's not a like for like comparison in terms of exact models with what i posted above, I love the flexibility of having the ability to ride my bike indoors, with the benefit it fits me really well. Lovely day, go outside for an hour at lunchtime. Wet/windy/dark/cold, hop on the turbo trainer and do a workout on Zwift.

I have the Life Fitness C1 upright bike. It it very quiet and a good solid bike.

I don’t currently have a proper bike, so a turbo trainer isn’t an option, sadly.
@MardiBras can you do spin classes on an upright bike?

@SomethingNastyInTheBallPool I think you could but I’m no expert. The bike I have is certainly substantial enough to stand up on the pedals for a really hard workout. It doesn’t have a fixed gear like a spin bike and you can only adjust the height of the saddle.

Thanks, @MardiBras. That’s useful info.

I have a Keiser M3i

It's the dogs bollocks 👍

I’ve got a peloton (not the plus).

Sorry.

It’s awesome but bloody expensive.

Nooooo. I don't want to hear how good the Peloton is!

I've ended up ordering the Schwinn IC8. The reviews are good and it sounds as if it connects pretty seamlessly to Peloton, Zwift etc. It's out of stock but coming back in the middle of this month. Buns of steel ahoy!

Did you get your IC8? I'm curious how you fobd it. I am looking to get one as well but a bit undecided between that one and the norditrackk gx7.

Yes! I had my first proper go on it yesterday. I’m no exercise bike expert but it feels very solid and is virtually silent. So far, I’ve done a Les Mills The Trip ride, which nearly killed me. I’m going to try a Peloton scenic ride next.

Hi, may I ask where you found your IC8? I am looking for one but can't find any...