vins0010

So, my wife and I are tired of the space for separate trainers and are thinking of getting a used spin bike for the rec room. I'm looking at used, sometimes considering very used, ones of commercial/professional quality. I have my eye on an old Star Trac. I see two areas where there might be issues (but please let me know if anyone knows there are any more). The pad that clamps on the flywheel and increases tension (these can be replaced). But I'm also wondering about the "bottom bracket" for lack of a better term. Does anyone know how these work or if they are rebuildable like a regular bicycle. BTW, I have plenty of tools and no issue overhauling/replacing bottom brackets on regular bikes, whether they are cup/cone, cartridge, or outboard bearings. Anyone have experience with these things?

FBinNY 

Spin bikes use "standard" bottom brackets. I put standard in quotes because there are so many "standards" for BBs. It might be a threaded BSC/ISO shell, or the plain type for forged 1pc cranks (like in many kids bikes) or, less likely, one of the modern types such as BB 30 or whatever.

If you know bikes somewhat, you should have a good idea simply by looking at the type of crank, and the exterior of the BB.

vins0010

Just wrapping up the thread in case anyone searches in the future. Got a Star Trac V-bike for $60 that needed a little work. FYI, it uses a standard shimano (68x107) square taper bottom bracket cartridge - but mine didn't need replacing. I replaced the brake pad (which was leather on this bike), which I bought of ebay for about $10. I also put on some old clipless pedals I had. On the whole, the thing was easier to work on than a regular bike and pretty much designed the same except without any concern for weight and much more simplified mechanics. So, if you're a decent wrench, no worries...

vins0010

Well, we do...but both winter and, this summer, our two-month old child limit those opportunities. The spin bike is mostly about replacing the trainers we used (on two separate bikes) to save space and give us a ride that allowed for more spin class type exercises on the bikes (we both like those classes). It works for us...but the one recent time we got a family member to watch the kid, we did take a 30 mile ride to and from dinner; it was very nice. But I like the option of being able to be around for the kid and get my workout in at the same time...