Best Spin Bike in 2021 [Full Reviews & Buying Guide]

This spin bike is in a class of its own. For starters, the beautiful steel flywheel on this bike is exceptionally light. Weighing just 8 lbs, Keiser relies on speed rather than weight to give you a smooth spinning experience.

The M3i has the fastest rotating indoor bike flywheel in the world while keeping things super quiet by using an Eddy Current magnetic mechanism.

It is a commercial-grade spin bike that is frequently lauded for its durability and high-quality construction. Assembly and transport is easy as the bike weighs only 85 pounds.

There is a digital display showing your heart rate, speed, time, and calories. The bike is Bluetooth enabled and syncs with the Keiser M Series app where you can view a more in-depth analysis of your performance. One of the perks of the digital computer is that the M3i is able to sync data with any cycle training app, not just the Keiser app.

To get the best of both worlds, many users opt to pair the Keiser M3i bike with the Peloton app – a high-quality bike with the most interactive app.
Compared to the Peloton, the Keiser M3i works out to be slightly more affordable and you don’t get locked into the Peloton app.

The Keiser M3i has a weight limit of 350lbs, higher than the Peloton weight capacity of 305lbs. The pedals on the Kaiser are SPD and toe cage. Both spin bikes offer live spin classes with instructor callouts.

One downside is that the Kaiser M3i doesn’t allow you to compete with other riders, while the Peloton has a leaderboard to give you that community feeling. Another disadvantage of the Kaiser M3i is that it lacks a touchscreen display, although it does have a tablet holder.

The Bowflex C6 is a well-designed spin bike that is one of the best at its price point (typically just under or around $1000). It sports a 40 lb flywheel, magnetic resistance that is controlled with a resistance knob, a robust warranty, and a compact design. Best of all, it syncs effortlessly with the majority of cycle apps, so you can shop around and pick an app that suits your personal needs best.

On the Bowflex C6, both the saddle and handlebars are adjustable 4-ways. This is an advantage over Peloton that only supports up and down adjustments for the handlebars. User reviews consistently praise the Bowflex for its wide fit, as both short people and taller people have no problems adjusting this bike to fit their bodies.

There isn’t a touchscreen on the bike, but there is a backlit LCD console that displays your workout stats including heart rate. The bike comes with a heart rate armband sensor that connects via Bluetooth. Apart from that, there are two water bottle holders, a pair of dumbbells (3 lb each) with cradles and toe cage/dual-link pedals. To set up your own devices on it, there is also a tablet holder.

Essentially, this is a simple but effective spin bike that suits everyone, of all body types and different fitness levels. It is easy enough for beginners to hop on for the occasional bike workout using the LCD console for basic monitoring. At the same time, the C6 is capable enough for experienced spin enthusiasts to whip out their favorite app and enjoy a heart-pumping session.

One of the greatest challenges of working out from home is the boredom of doing it alone. Some people need that extra push from a trainer to maximize their workouts. If that is you, the NordicTrack S15i could be a worthwhile investment.

It doesn’t get much more interactive than the NordicTrack. This spin bike is decked out with a 14″ Smart HD Touchscreen and 1 year of iFit membership is included with the purchase of the bike, giving you access to thousands of workouts.

There are live spin class sessions you can join, and the bike can automatically adjust resistance and incline to match the class. The display console can be rotated 360 degrees, making it easy for you to join some of the other classes included in iFit (such as yoga, Bootcamp, and crosstraining).

Interactivity aside, the spin bike itself is of excellent quality. It sports an inertia-enhanced flywheel and magnetic resistance can be controlled digitally over 22 levels. If that is not challenging enough, there is up to 20 percent incline and a 10 percent decline.

One downside is that to activate the bike and 1 year of free iFit, a credit card is needed. The membership is set to automatically renew the following year. If you cancel the iFit, there are still a few workouts built into the console, but of lower quality and less variety.

Sole has a reputation for manufacturing high-quality home exercise equipment with emphasis on durability and strength. Well, the Sole SB900 lives up to the mark.

The highlights of this bike include Eddy Current magnetic resistance and its chrome-plated flywheel. Both handlebars and seat are adjustable. It also comes with a water bottle holder, SPD/toe clip pedals, and a tablet holder.

The 3″ x 4″ LCD display is backlit and wireless. It shows you all the necessary real-time stats like heart rate, distance, speed, calories, and RPM. The SB900 is compatible with wireless heart rate monitoring, although the chest strap is not included and needs to be purchased separately. To watch videos, there is a tablet holder.

Some user reviews have mentioned difficulty with the resistance knob, mainly complaining that there is too much resistance even at the lowest level.

Others have mentioned that the knob was not working initially, but with assistance from Sole customer service, they were able to identify the issue (a loose wire) and fix it in minutes.

The other possible drawback is its weight. The spin bike weighs 160lbs. Even though it has transportation wheels, moving it around it is not going to be easy.

The Peloton bike itself is sleek and well-built. It uses magnetic resistance for a very quiet spinning experience and it can be adjusted to great detail up to one percentage point.

The stock pedals are compatible with cycling cleats (like Look Delta) and there is a 22″ HD touchscreen built-in.

Peloton also offers several extras like Peloton shoes, weights, and headphones.

Unlike another spinning bike on this list, the Nordic Track S15i Studio Cycle, your Peloton cannot be automatically adjusted by the ‘live’ personal trainers, you would have to adjust the resistance of the Peloton bike by yourself

For the premium Peloton experience, including delivery, setup, and subscription, the Peloton will cost you upwards of $2000, making it the most expensive bike in this article.

To use the bike, there is an additional monthly subscription fee. This gives you access to the Peloton app and thousands of exercise classes you can join through its WiFi-enabled touchscreen, paid membership, and training programs with established spin instructors.

Is the Peloton spin bike worth it? For the average person who is starting out on a spin bike for the first time, or for someone who does spin sessions occasionally, probably not. You can be just as satisfied with other high-quality spin bikes that cost less than the Peloton and invest that extra money elsewhere.

If you are a person who enjoys having a premium fitness app and find that high-quality instructors truly elevate your workout – consider the Peloton.

The majority of reviews praise the exceptional fitness instructors and well-designed workouts. Currently, there is a 30-day free trial for all classes on the Peloton app, so you can get a sense of the Peloton experience before making the investment.

The Echelon EX3 has a 29 lbs flywheel, a resistance knob to toggle between thirty-two magnetic resistance levels, 4-way adjustable seat, and 2-way adjustable handlebars.

It comes in a choice of black, red, or white. The white model is particularly sleek in my opinion, sporting an all-white body for an exclusive look.

To sync with a wireless heart rate strap, it has Bluetooth connectivity. A USB charging port is included to keep your devices from running out of battery mid-workout.

The EX3 works best when paired with the Echelon Fit app. The app comes with several cool workout options like live classes and scenic rides. There is even a leaderboard to ride ‘live’ and hone your competitive streak.

However, the Echelon Fit app is payable monthly and it costs even more than the Peloton app.

One common complaint is the seat. Users have found the saddle to be hard and uncomfortable. If you don’t mind the extra step, it is possible to swap it out for a more comfortable seat (a regular bike saddle is compatible).

The Echelon EX3 and Sole SB900 are quite close in price, with the EX3 costing slightly more. Both have similar specs, but the Echelon lacks a console. If you enjoy using the Echelon Fit app, the EX3 is worth it. Otherwise, the Sole SB900 has a heavier flywheel, basic stats monitoring built-in, and could be a better purchase for people who don’t need a fitness app.

Schwinn gave their popular IC2 model a serious makeover to offer you the IC3. Looking at the specs, the IC3 has all the right features for a midrange spin bike. The flywheel is solidly built and at 40 lbs, it is sufficient for intense spin sessions. Compared to the IC2 that had a chain drive system, the IC3 has a swanky belt drive system to make your workouts quieter and smoother. The weight capacity is accordingly increased to 300 pounds (a 50 pound-step up from the IC2).

The pedals got an upgrade as well. The dual SPD pedals on the Schwinn IC3 have SPD clips while still preserving the metal toe cages for users without SPD compatible shoes.  However, the resistance system is pretty much the same, using felt brake pads to ramp up the challenge. The IC3 does not have magnetic resistance. If you need to keep an eye on your heart rate, the IC3 supports wireless heart rate tracking although the strap needs to be purchased separately.

The IC3 comes with an LCD display showing your heart rate, RPMs, time, distance, and calories burned. Both seat and handlebars support vertical and horizontal adjustments for maximum adjustability. The warranty deserves a mention as it covers a generous 10-year warranty for the frame, 2 years for the parts, and 1 year for electronics.

Coming to the downsides, a few reviews have mentioned some wobbling at higher RPMs. Not only that, some taller people have found this bike to be too short for comfort.

Overall, for the average person wanting a spin bike that is a step up from the Joroto X1S, the Schwinn IC3 is worthy of consideration.

Of the many spin bikes churned out by fitness company Sunny, one of the most popular models is the Sunny SFB1805. This spin bike is made of durable steel, with a sturdy frame that can support up to 300 pounds. The 44-pound flywheel is more than enough for the average user. Magnetic resistance and belt drive is a definite plus. It has a water bottle holder, an emergency stop brake and transportation wheels to be easily moved around.

Adjustability-wise, both the handlebar and the seat are adjustable in 4 ways. This flexible adjustability combined with its heavy construction means that this bike can suit a wide variety of body types. The pedals are not SPD compatible but come with metal cages to keep you from slipping. However, some users have reported swapping out the pedals for one with clips, so it is possible to upgrade the bike yourself.

Looking at the downsides, there isn’t an LCD console or digital monitor on the bike. There is a device holder for you to play videos on a tablet or phone, but there is nothing actually on the bike to monitor time, speed, and distance. If you like to keep track of your progress beyond just pedaling for a certain amount of time or following fitness classes, the lack of monitoring makes it tricky to do so.

The Joroto X1S is a spin bike designed for home use and is targeted at beginners. It has a 35-pound flywheel which in combination with a belt drive gives users a quiet cycling session. The seat is designed to be extra wide and thick for maximum comfort. Adjustability is adequate – you can move the saddle both horizontally and vertically.

It comes with a digital monitor that shows you relevant stats of time, speed, calories, and distance. There is a tablet holder just behind the monitor, perfect for watching spin classes. To stay hydrated, Joroto included a water bottle holder on this bike. The foot pedals are not SPD compatible but come with straps and a metal cage.

As with the majority of bikes in this price range, the Joroto X1S does not have magnetic resistance. Instead, it relies on felt brake pads to increase the resistance. Physical brake pads do the job just fine, but need maintenance. Do note that Joroto has an even cheaper version of this spin bike that comes with a chain drive. Despite the savings, the version with the belt drive is more recommended as belt drives are far superior to chain mechanisms.

For this price point, it’s an excellent buy. Users praise its quietness, sturdiness, and ease of assembly. One complaint is that the straps on the foot pedal are fiddly to adjust and both hands are needed to do so. Also, if you exercise in a dark room, be aware that the display is not backlit.

Need a heavy-duty flywheel but don’t want to splurge on a name brand spin bike? The Sunny SF-B1002 could be the bike for you. It has a 49-pound flywheel and a belt drive system, promising you a smooth ride. The leather brake pads are a step up from the felt or fabric brake pads as they tend to last longer.

This spinning bike can be adjusted in both seat and handlebar, although the saddle is 4-way adjustable and the handlebar is only 2-way adjustable. The frame is well-built and sturdy, but the spin bike lacks a console. If you like to keep track of your workouts but don’t use a spin class or a wearable exercise tracker, this could be a drawback.

Resistance is adjusted through a knob. It is easy enough to use, but it is hard to gauge the exact level its set at. Using this bike, it takes a bit of guesswork to follow along with spin class videos.

Comparing the Sunny SF-B1002 and Sunny SFB1805, the Sunny SF-B1002 has a heavier flywheel but a reduced weight capacity of 275 pounds. It also uses physical brake pads instead of magnetic. The Sunny SFB1805 has a flywheel that weighs less, but at 44 pounds it is more than enough for most people. It also has magnetic resistance and a higher weight capacity. Both can be purchased for the same price. For a spin bike that is overall better, go for the Sunny SFB1805.