Upright bikes are a popular type of exercise equipment that can be found in gyms, fitness centers, and even in people’s homes. These bikes provide a low-impact workout that is gentle on the joints, making them an excellent option for people of all fitness levels.

Upright bikes are designed to simulate the experience of riding a traditional bicycle, with the rider sitting in an upright position and pedaling to generate resistance. They come in a variety of styles and sizes, ranging from basic models with few features to high-tech machines with advanced tracking and training capabilities.

When considering purchasing an upright bike, it’s essential to pay attention to the bike’s resistance system. Some bikes use a friction-based system that can wear out over time, while others use magnetic resistance, which is quieter and more durable. Additionally, it’s crucial to consider the bike’s adjustability, including the seat height and handlebar position, to ensure a comfortable and safe workout.

At our testing facility, we spent hours researching and testing various upright bikes to identify the best options on the market. In the following sections, we will share our top picks and provide detailed information on each bike’s features, performance, and value.

Best Upright Bikes

We have researched and tested various upright bikes to bring you the best options on the market. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cyclist, an upright bike can provide you with an excellent cardiovascular workout while also toning your lower body muscles. In this roundup, we’ll introduce you to our top picks for the best upright bikes based on factors such as performance, durability, and user experience. So, let’s get started and find the perfect upright bike for your fitness needs.

Schwinn Fitness Upright Bike Series Schwinn 130 (MY20)

We highly recommend the Schwinn Fitness Upright Bike Series Schwinn 130 (MY20) for anyone looking for a reliable and customizable indoor cycling experience.

Pros

  • Enhanced Bluetooth connectivity allows for easy tracking and progress monitoring with popular app-based tracking tools.
  • Discover 40+ global routes that auto-adjust in real-time to your speed with Explore the World videos (Explore the World subscription required).
  • 16 levels of magnetic resistance for a wide range of workout intensity options.

Cons

  • Zwift subscription required for access to 1000+ structured workouts and 80+ virtual routes.
  • The LCD screen may be too small for some users.
  • The padded seat may not be comfortable for extended periods of use.

The Schwinn Fitness Upright Bike Series Schwinn 130 (MY20) is a great choice for anyone looking for a customizable indoor cycling experience. The enhanced Bluetooth connectivity allows for easy tracking and progress monitoring with popular app-based tracking tools, making it easy to set and achieve fitness goals. Additionally, the bike offers 16 levels of magnetic resistance for a wide range of workout intensity options, ensuring that users can find the perfect level of challenge for their needs.

One of the standout features of the Schwinn Fitness Upright Bike Series Schwinn 130 (MY20) is the ability to discover 40+ global routes that auto-adjust in real-time to your speed with Explore the World videos (Explore the World subscription required). This feature adds an extra layer of immersion to your indoor cycling experience, making it feel like you’re really cycling through different parts of the world.

While the Schwinn Fitness Upright Bike Series Schwinn 130 (MY20) offers access to 1000+ structured workouts and 80+ virtual routes by connecting with the Zwift app (Zwift subscription required), this may be a downside for some users who do not want to pay for an additional subscription. Additionally, the LCD screen may be too small for some users, and the padded seat may not be comfortable for extended periods of use.

Overall, the Schwinn Fitness Upright Bike Series Schwinn 130 (MY20) is a solid choice for anyone looking for a customizable indoor cycling experience. With its enhanced Bluetooth connectivity, adjustable resistance levels, and global route options, it offers a great way to stay fit and active from the comfort of your own home.

Horizon Fitness 5.0U Upright Bike

If you’re looking for a durable and comfortable upright bike for your home gym, the Horizon Fitness 5.0U could be a great choice.

Pros

  • The step-through frame design and adjustable padded seat make it easy to get comfortable and start riding.
  • With Bluetooth connectivity, you can connect your tablet or smartphone and stream workouts from popular apps or use the built-in training programs.
  • The 100 levels of resistance make it easy to adjust your workout intensity, and the large, padded seat and premium cooling fan ensure a comfortable ride.

Cons

  • At 87 pounds, this bike may be difficult to move around your home gym without assistance.
  • While the Bluetooth connectivity is a great feature, it may take some time to set up and connect to your device.
  • Some users may find the console display to be a bit basic compared to other models.

We recently had the opportunity to test out the Horizon Fitness 5.0U upright bike, and we were impressed with its overall performance and durability. The step-through frame design made it easy to get on and off the bike, and the adjustable padded seat ensured a comfortable riding position.

One of our favorite features of this bike is the Bluetooth connectivity. We were able to connect our tablet and stream workouts from popular apps, or use the built-in training programs. The 100 levels of resistance made it easy to adjust our workout intensity, and we appreciated the workout feedback displayed on the console, including resistance, cadence, heart rate, watts, time, distance, calorie burn, and speed.

While we appreciated the large, padded seat and premium cooling fan, we did find the console display to be a bit basic compared to other models. Additionally, at 87 pounds, this bike may be difficult to move around your home gym without assistance. However, overall we believe the Horizon Fitness 5.0U is a great choice for those looking for a durable and comfortable upright bike for their home gym.

HARISON Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike

If you’re looking for a versatile and adjustable exercise bike, the HARISON Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike might be the right choice for you.

Pros

  • The bi-directional magnetic flywheel provides a smooth and quiet cycling experience.
  • The fully adjustable padded seat and large range of resistance levels make it easy to customize your workout.
  • The 2 in 1 LCD Monitor and iPad holder allow you to track your progress and enjoy entertainment while exercising.

Cons

  • The bike might not be suitable for taller individuals, as the maximum height recommendation is 50 inches.
  • Some users might find the assembly process a bit challenging.
  • The pedals might not be suitable for users with larger feet.

We’ve been using the HARISON Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its performance and features. The bi-directional magnetic flywheel provides a smooth and quiet cycling experience, which is great if you don’t want to disturb other people in the room. The 14 levels of smooth magnetic resistance allow you to adjust the intensity of your workout, and the US mute magnetic control system ensures a nearly silent workout.

The fully adjustable padded seat and large range of resistance levels make it easy to customize your workout according to your preferences. We appreciate the 2 in 1 LCD Monitor and iPad holder, which allow us to track our progress and enjoy entertainment while exercising. The built-in water bottle holder is also a thoughtful addition.

However, the bike might not be suitable for taller individuals, as the maximum height recommendation is 50 inches. Some users might find the assembly process a bit challenging, but the online installation video can help you complete the assembly within 30 minutes. The pedals might not be suitable for users with larger feet, as the toe-caged pedals are designed with adjustable straps to fit for different foot sizes.

Overall, we think the HARISON Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike is a great option for home cardio workout, especially if you’re looking for a versatile and adjustable bike that provides a smooth and quiet cycling experience. With a 1-Year warranty and customer-friendly after-sales service, you can enjoy peace of mind with your purchase.

Peloton Indoor Exercise Bikes, Original Peloton Bike and Bike+ Bike+ 24” HD Rotating Touchscreen

If you’re looking for a high-end indoor exercise bike that offers a comprehensive home fitness experience, the Peloton Bike+ is an excellent choice. With a compact design and a variety of classes to choose from, this bike offers a great way to get in shape without leaving your home.

Pros

  • Immersive technology for a total-body workout
  • Small-space friendly with a compact design
  • Variety of classes to choose from

Cons

  • Requires a Peloton All-Access Membership for full access to content
  • Heavy and might require more than one person to assemble
  • Expensive compared to other indoor exercise bikes

We recently had the opportunity to try out the Peloton Bike+ and were impressed with its features and overall performance. The immersive technology and variety of classes available make it easy to get a full-body workout, and the compact design means it fits easily in even small homes or apartments.

One of the standout features of the Peloton Bike+ is the rotating screen, which allows you to seamlessly transition from cycling to strength training, yoga, and meditation classes. The 360° movement also makes it easy to follow along with the instructor, no matter where you are in the room.

Another great feature of the Peloton Bike+ is the variety of classes available. With thousands of classes across 10+ disciplines, there’s something for everyone. We particularly enjoyed the outdoor classes and gamified cycling experience with Peloton Lanebreak.

While the Peloton Bike+ is an excellent indoor exercise bike, it does come with a few drawbacks. The requirement of a Peloton All-Access Membership for full access to content means that you’ll be paying an additional $44/month on top of the cost of the bike itself. Additionally, the bike is heavy and might require more than one person to assemble.

Overall, we would highly recommend the Peloton Bike+ to anyone looking for a high-end indoor exercise bike that offers a comprehensive home fitness experience. While it is expensive compared to other indoor exercise bikes, the immersive technology and variety of classes available make it well worth the investment.

FLEXISPOT Exercise Bike

If you’re looking for an all-in-one desk bike that doubles as a standing desk, the FLEXISPOT Exercise Bike is an excellent choice.

Pros

  • Boosts your immune system while working from home
  • Whisper quiet pedaling
  • User-friendly pneumatic adjustment lever for seat height

Cons

  • Battery not included
  • Wheels don’t lock
  • Desk surface is adequate but not spacious

We’ve been using the FLEXISPOT Exercise Bike for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its features. The bike is designed to help you stay in shape while working from home, making it an ideal machine to help safeguard your health. The “whisper quiet” pedaling is perfect for home use while watching YouTube, TV, recreational web surfing, social media, or listening to music or even snacking.

The user-friendly pneumatic adjustment lever moves the desk bike seat up or down with a gentle press – no pins or knobs to adjust. This feature makes it easy for everyone in the family to use the cycle desk, whether you’re 5’1″ or 6’2″.

One downside is that the battery is not included, so you’ll need to purchase it separately. Additionally, the wheels don’t lock, making it more challenging to keep the bike stationary when in use. Finally, while the desk surface is adequate, it’s not spacious, so you may need to adjust your work setup to accommodate the desk’s size.

Overall, we recommend the FLEXISPOT Exercise Bike for anyone looking for an all-in-one desk bike that’s easy to adjust and use.

Buying Guide

When it comes to buying an upright bike, there are several factors to consider. We’ve compiled a list of features to look for to help you choose the best product for your needs.

Resistance Levels

One of the most important features to consider is the resistance levels. Make sure the bike you choose has enough resistance levels to challenge you as you progress in your fitness journey. Look for bikes with at least eight resistance levels, but ideally, you should aim for 20 or more.

Comfort

Comfort is key when it comes to exercise equipment. Look for bikes with adjustable seats and handlebars to ensure a comfortable fit. Additionally, consider the bike’s padding and if it provides enough support for your back.

Display Console

The display console is where you’ll see your workout metrics such as speed, distance, and calories burned. Look for bikes with easy-to-read displays that show all the information you need at a glance. Additionally, some bikes come with extra features like heart rate monitors and pre-programmed workouts.

Size and Storage

Consider the size of the bike and if it will fit comfortably in your home gym or living space. Additionally, look for bikes that are easy to move and store when not in use. Foldable bikes are a great option for those with limited space.

Warranty

Finally, make sure to check the warranty before making a purchase. Look for bikes with at least a one-year warranty on parts and labor. This will ensure that you’re covered in case of any defects or malfunctions.

By considering these factors, you’ll be able to choose the best upright bike for your needs and fitness goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of using an upright exercise bike?

Using an upright exercise bike can provide a low-impact cardiovascular workout that can improve your overall fitness level. It can also help strengthen your lower body muscles, including your glutes, quadriceps, and calves. Additionally, it can improve your balance and coordination.

How does an upright bike differ from a recumbent bike?

An upright bike has a more traditional bike-like design, with the pedals positioned under the rider’s body. A recumbent bike, on the other hand, has a reclined seat and the pedals positioned in front of the rider’s body. Upright bikes tend to provide a more intense workout and engage more muscles, while recumbent bikes are generally more comfortable and easier on the joints.

What should I look for when choosing the best upright bike for home use?

When choosing an upright bike for home use, consider factors such as the bike’s size and weight, adjustability, resistance levels, and display features. Look for a bike that is comfortable to ride and has a sturdy frame. It’s also important to consider your budget and the type of workout you want to achieve.

Can using an upright bike regularly help with back pain?

Using an upright bike regularly can help strengthen your back muscles and improve your posture, which can reduce the risk of back pain. However, it’s important to use proper form when riding the bike and to gradually increase your workout intensity to avoid exacerbating any existing back problems.

What are the differences between upright road bikes and upright mountain bikes?

Upright road bikes are designed for speed and efficiency on smooth, paved roads, while upright mountain bikes are designed for off-road terrain and feature wider tires and suspension systems. Upright road bikes tend to be lighter and have a more aerodynamic design, while upright mountain bikes are heavier and more durable.

How do upright bikes compare to traditional cycling bikes in terms of workout intensity?

Upright bikes can provide a similar workout intensity to traditional cycling bikes, but with the added benefit of being able to ride indoors regardless of weather conditions. Additionally, upright bikes can provide a more low-impact workout that is easier on the joints compared to traditional cycling.