Exercise bike with a 'real bike' feel?

[EveSix]

What is the difference between old-fashioned exercise bikes and more modern, foldable exercise bikes?
I seem to remember exercise bikes of yesteryear being a lot more like stationary bikes with an actual bike chain and regular chunky pedals.

More modern exercise bikes aren't anywhere near as 'comfortable' ‐they give me achy knees as one pedals against some kind of 'magnetic band' instead of a chain and gears.

Can anyone recommend a comfortable exercise bike which feels more like a 'realistic' bike and which is suitable for tall people?

What about a peloton so you can use a bike indoors or outdoors?

You can buy a stand to place a normal bike on and pedal stationary. I don’t know how to add links to post but a quick Google will show you what I mean.

I agree with this - search for a turbo trainer, you can get them on Amazon as well as bike shops.

I'd recommend a bike trainer that you attach a real bike to: https://eu.wahoofitness.com/devices/indoor-cycling/bike-trainers

...and also the Zwift app which you use on a device to access a virtual cycling world: https://www.zwift.com/

@FloofCloud, what do you mean about using the Peleoton outside - I thought it was a stationary bike?

I'd get a basic turbo trainer and put your own bike on it.
Check your saddle height as most people ride with their saddles far too low which will cause knee pain. There are formulas on line to help you work out the correct height.
Unless you're going to use it a lot, I'd stick to a basic turbo trainer rather than spending £750+ on a smart one.
A turbo is the best of both- indoor riding when time/weather is limited, then when time and weather allows, ride your bike outside.

More modern exercise bikes aren't anywhere near as 'comfortable' ‐they give me achy knees
tbh that sounds like you don't have the bike set up correctly. It's one of the first things you're told to do after knee surgery! On all of ours you've been able to change the saddle, and also the saddle's position, angle and height just like you can on a normal bike. Having the wrong saddle height and foot position on the pedal is bad for the knees.

I think the last two 'modern' fold-away exercise bikes I've had have probably been a bit flimsy and rubbish. I've been able to adjust seat height and angle (necessary as I'm quite tall), but there's something about the quality of resistance while pedalling that's reminded me of wading through sand as opposed to the firm but smooth downward pedalling resistance provided by a real bike.
I'm going to check out the links and signposts provided ‐thank you all so much!