General Cycling Discussion - Good exercise bike to buy

Dont know if any one can help with this one.On of my family has wanted to try a bit of exercise and was looking about buying an exercise bike to use at home, basically starting some fitness.

I had just given my spare turbo trainer away so my idea of giving that has to be changed.

Has anyone bought an exercise bikes(just like the ones in gyms/health clubs with the programmable resistance and displays?He doesnt want to spent a great deal on it, but at the same instance I had said not to buy the really cheap ones as the resistance is very jumpy and you really need the programmable settings.

Any ideas?

Here is my idea, I hope it helps.

I don't have an exercise bike persay, I do have a old bike attached to a wind trainer. If your family member wants to exercize outside, he can take the bike off and get fresh air. I think the trainer cost 60.00 USD (new from Nashbar), the bike is an 1989 GT mountian bike with slicks.

It works well for me as i use the cycle computer to keep track of miles, cadence, speed, and the like to set goals and track progress.

Hope this helps,

ehenz

I like ehenz's reply but to more directly answer you Dick's had some the last time I was in there and would let you try them.

Joe

I like the idea of using a trainer, since exercise bikes (even a trainer) is BORING!!!! :) So then you can decide to go outside on the bike. There are also computer addons to some trainers that can very the resistance and everything a good exercise bikes does. There is also a addon so you can play video games with your bike and a trainer.. A real bike and a trainer gives you ALOT more options open to you rather then you standard exercise bike.

I have a life cycle c7i and I use it five day's a week. it's great for staying in shape. and has numerous programs to make workouts challenging.

I agree with Kev. A trainer does open up a lot more options, so you never have to get bored. They also don't cost nearly as much as a stationary bike. You could even get one used to save even more money!

If you have a regular bike you can buy a mount that converts it into an indoor bike. No computer but if you buy a cheapy bicycle computer, heart rate monitor, blood pressure monitor, and maybe an oximeter you can pretend you are a pro. The reality is if you don't know your working hard, your not, no computer needed. If you have to take your pulse with your finger tips now and again, hint if you can feel your heart pumping your pulse is high.

Go back to that family member and ask about a bicycle and a trainer. Or does he already have a bicycle?