Training & Nutrition - Advice on Buying Spinning/Spinner Bike

Have searched the posts here, looking for advice on buying a spinner bike. I see the Keiser model recommended and checked it out online, looks good. I guess what I'm after at the moment is something under $1,000. I figure I should be able to get something decent in $500-1,000 range.

I am 53 yo, 6'3", 250 lbs. Ok 270 lbs. I do 30 min stairstepper 4x week and up until 3 mos ago was cycling pretty regularly in the 15 mi range, maybe 25 on the weekend.

Good lord there are a lot of choices out there, with different features, so anybody has any suggestions, I'd appreciate it. I have in mind using a spinning video on iPad. I like programmability/bike computers but that is not essential feature. Top priority is a solid, reliable ride. Adjustability is important too - my better half is "height-challenged". Finally, portability (ability to move from one room to another). Thanks for any input.

ps also looking for suggestions on good workout videos. I downloaded BitGym Virtual Active demo on iPad and it looks fantastic (HD Grand Canyon course) but app seems a little iffy - no response to touchscreen input it seems - had to reboot the ipad.

Why not look into bike trainers (like Kurt and others) that you set your bike into? That would take care of your portability and adjust-ability requirements (wife uses her bike, you use yours). In your price range you could easily get one for yourself and one for wife, set them up side-by-side, and go for nice rides together without every leaving the family room:).

We have this one. http://www.fitnesszone.com/product/KeiserM3.html It is great. Easily adjustable, quiet and very smooth. Expensive but will last forever I think

If you ride outdoors I would just get a fluid trainer by Kurt Kinetic. If you want to spend a little extra check out the soon to be released Wahoo kickr (http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2012/08/first-look-at-wahoo-fitness-kickr.html). I believe it will be around $1000-1500 and include variable resistance and power meter.

If you are set on an indoor spin bike the Keiser is very smooth with a large flywheel. I rode one for a while in a gym and was impressed with it's quality. It has a powermeter but it's not calibrated or accurate.

A spin bike doesn't give the same workout that a bike on a trainer or rollers gives. Spin bikes are fixed, so that the flywheel drives the pedals, rather than having a freewheel like an ordinary bike. It's a different workout and doesn't translate to the road or trail the same as using a trainer or rollers. I've been taking spin classes at my gym for many years. I take those classes because they're fun and a good aerobic workout, but it's not as effective a workout for outdoor cycling. Plus a trainer/rollers is a lot cheaper and doesn't take up as much space.

If you get a spin bike, make sure that you can fit real bicycle seat and pedals to it. Bars too if you wish although that's not so critical. Many come with really awful seats that attach using a different interface than real bike seats.