Does your exercise routine need a boost? A spin bike will do the trick without draining your pockets. A spin bike can have all the features you desire but lack enough adjustability for someone with a smaller or larger body frame to use it comfortably. Using such a bike is physically and mentally distressing. However, you can overcome this challenge by choosing the best spin bike under 1000 dollars from our carefully curated list of 10 top picks.
These spin bikes stand out for their high weight capacity and the varying resistance that determines different riding levels. A sturdy, well-built frame ensures you can use your bike for many years. Because the seat and handlebars are adjustable, they provide a more comfortable experience and better grip during use. You also want to have the option to clip on your shoe cleats or use caged pedals. Read on to see how these features fit into the products we’ve reviewed below and identify the most suitable bike for you. Don’t miss our favorite model the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Belt Drive Bike.
More features: water bottle and device holders, transportation wheels, floor stabilizer, caged pedals, non-slip handlebars, pulse sensors
The Sunny Health & Fitness SFB1805 uses a belt drive magnetic system and a 44-pound flywheel. The heavy weight of the flywheel ensures that you get a tough workout at higher resistance levels. Enjoy up to 8 full resistance cycles by adjusting the tension knob to increase or decrease resistance. There are clearly marked labels on the knob to guide you on the direction to turn the knob, i.e., (+) for increase and (-) for decrease. In any case, even if you don’t take note of the direction labels, you’ll feel the intensity shift as soon as you adjust the knob so you can immediately know if you’ve reduced or increased the resistance.
The bike features a heavy-duty steel frame that is both durable and stable. The seat adjusts horizontally and vertically, allowing you to find the most comfortable posture for your body size and height. Non-slip handlebars offer support and allow you to position your hands in different ways to match your sitting position. The handles are covered in a sweat resistant material to minimize the possibility of your hands slipping off if they are sweaty.
Adjustable caged toe pedals with straps hold your feet tightly so they don’t slip while you move your legs. You can use this bike with any of your favorite workout apps if you’re trying to follow specific workout routines.
More features: media rack and bottle holder, SPD pedals, padded handlebars, LCD console, pulse sensors
The Schwinn IC3 uses a belt drive system and a 40-lb flywheel to deliver a smooth riding experience. You can adjust the resistance by twisting the tension knob clockwise and anticlockwise, as needed.
It has a ventilated race-style seat that is plush and comfy, and it’s split down the middle to ensure that it’s particularly comfortable for men. The seat adjusts vertically to accommodate your body size. You can also adjust the seat height to accommodate your legs. For households where multiple people of varying height will be using the bike, this is an important feature.
The handlebars have multi-grip positions, which make it possible to vary your workout. You can also adjust them horizontally for more comfortable positioning.
An LCD console with monitor records your cadence, time, distance, calories burned, and heart rate. The console is powered by 2 AA batteries, but these are not included in the package. It has dual pedals with SPD clips on one side and toe clips on the other, so you can wear cleats on your tennis shoes while exercising if you prefer. The quality of the pedals is a little on the lower side, so prepare to replace them after a short while.
The bike has Bluetooth connectivity and can be used with exercise apps. It comes with a 10-year warranty on the frame, a 2-year limited warranty on mechanical parts, a 1-year warranty on electronics, and a 3-month warranty on labor.
More features: caged pedals, device holder, performance monitor, dual bottle holders, floor stabilizer, transportation wheels, pulse sensors
The Sunny Health & Fitness 6100 Asuna relies on a multi-control magnetic resistance system to deliver a high-energy workout. And with a 37-pound rear drive flyweight, it allows you to increase the intensity of your workout. Just turn the knob to increase or reduce resistance as you like. You will pull the same knob downward to apply the brake and stop the bike instantly. This is useful during emergencies, and the quick response is a definite plus.
The bike is made in an ergonomic design and has a Q Factor of 172 mm, which aligns the hip, knee, and foot perfectly to eliminate strain. It has an adjustable leg inseam height of 29-38 inches, which accommodates different body sizes. Find a comfortable posture by adjusting the seat and handlebar distance to within 17 inches and 23 inches. The handlebar drops slightly to ensure a comfortable grip.
The seat is padded for comfort and is reinforced with parallel seat rails on the underside to reduce pressure and boost comfort. Dual pedals with both caged pedals and SPD cleats give you options on what shoes to wear while using the bike. A performance monitor displays your cadence and a built-in pulse sensor that is compatible with the monitor shows your heart rate as well. Be warned that the monitor is small, and you may struggle to read the printout.
More features: LCD console, adjustable handlebars, caged pedals, anatomically designed saddle, transportation wheels, pulse sensors
The XTERRA Fitness MBX2500 has a smooth belt drive operation that assures you of maintenance-free use over the years. Complementing this is a 48.5-pound flywheel that delivers the kind of tough workout that pushes your muscles to work hard, and in turn boosts your fitness level. The flywheel is chrome-plated to protect against corrosion, and it has a protective shield around it to keep you from coming into contact with the flywheel as you exercise. It has 8 fitness levels that you adjust using a lever. The lever is easy to operate and responsive, so switching up the resistance level is easy and swift.
The handlebars are ergonomically designed to provide more hand positions, and this ensures your comfort and adds variety to your workouts. You can adjust them in four ways: up and down and back and forward. The seat, too, is ergonomically designed, complete with a slit at the middle and four-way adjustability for added comfort.
It has caged pedals with adjustable straps that keep your feet tightly held in place. A large, easy-to-read LCD monitor displays your RPM, time, distance, calories burned, and heart rate. To get your heart rate readings, however, you’ll need to buy a pulse transmitter because the bike doesn’t come with one.
Adjustable floor stabilizers keep the bike steady on most surfaces, and transportation wheels make it easy to move around. This bike is sturdily constructed and should last a long time without developing any mechanical problems.
More features: device holder, caged pedals, bottle holder, floor stabilizers, transportation wheels, pulse sensors
With a 44-pound flywheel, the Sunny Health & Fitness AeroPro SF-B1711 challenges your muscles in the toughest of ways, pushing them to get stronger with each workout. A magnetic resistance system allows you to increase or decrease the intensity of your workout as needed. The closer the magnets move to the flywheel, the greater the resistance, and in turn, the more intense your workout will be.
One of the things we like most about this bike is that it can be used by people of all height brackets. Where taller and shorter people struggle to fit in some bikes, in this one, they’re rewarded with a myriad of adjustment options to suit their body size and ensure they use the bike comfortably. The wide, 27- to 39-inch inseam length, for example, is comfortable for users of different sizes. And the weight limit of 300 lbs accommodates a wide weight range.
You can adjust the seat up, down, forward, and backward. We have to say, though, that the seat is uncomfortable. Fortunately, the frame can fit any seat so replacing it won’t be a challenge. The four-way adjustable handlebars provide proper grip and some flexibility for hand positioning. The pedals have toe cages for use without shoes and SPD clips to clip in your workout shoe cleats if you prefer.
This bike doesn’t come with a monitor, but you can add one to help track your workout performance stats.
More features: LCD console, non-slip handlebars, aluminum alloy anti-slip pedals, transportation wheels, device holder, pulse sensors
The PYHIGH Indoor Cycling Bike uses a magnetic resistance system for smooth, reliable operation. It has a 48-lb flywheel that delivers high levels of resistance, and you can increase and decrease the intensity by turning the tension knob. The Stop Flywheel knob is instant and stops the bike as soon as you press it. Because the flywheel is balanced, the bike has uncompromising stability, which makes for an enjoyable user experience.
Tall users will find the bike comfortable to use since it has an adjustable inseam length of 27-38 inches. The seat is oversize, with an extended seat post of 5.1-6.5 feet to accommodate all sizes. It is four-way adjustable, cushioned, and has underside spring buffers for enhanced comfort.
The sturdy, anti-rust, non-slip handlebars are covered in vinyl for comfort and durability. You can adjust them up and down for better grip. Anti-slip pedals with covers secure your feet tightly so they don’t slip while you exercise.
A unique feature in this bike is the four-foot support that adjusts the bike to keep it steady on uneven floors, meaning you can use it on any surface. It comes partially assembled with all the screws fitted into place, so you won’t take more than half an hour to put the rest of it together.
It comes with an LCD console and a monitor that displays your RPM, time, distance, calories burned, and hand pulse.
More features: LCD console, pulse sensors, caged pedals, bottle holder, transportation wheels, floor stabilizers
The first thing you notice about the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1709 is that it has a very light flywheel. At only 7.36 lbs, it certainly feels extremely lightweight compared to similar models. And contrary to what you might expect, this does not affect its performance in any way. In fact, it gives it an advantage in that riding the bike feels eerily similar to cycling in real life, and you can stop the bike quickly and smoothly without pressing the brake, just like you would when riding a bike on the road. It has 13 resistance levels, which makes it perfect for beginner and seasoned spin bike users alike.
The seat and handlebars are four-way adjustable. You can adjust them up and down or forward and back, and this makes it possible to find the most comfortable position for your body size. And at 29-38 inches, the inseam length easily accommodates different leg sizes.
There is an LCD console with a monitor where you can track your cadence. It reports a wide range of parameters that include speed, average and maximum speed, cadence, average and maximum cadence, race, distance, and calories burned. The monitor is quite small, however, and you may struggle to make out the readings. It’s easy to assemble; plus, it comes with all the tools you need for the assembly.
More features: LCD console, transportation wheels, device and bottle holders, caged pedals, pulse sensors
The SNODE Indoor Cycling Bike is a solidly constructed bike with a tough steel frame and a chrome crank. It should last a good number of years without any mechanical problems. It has a 35-lb flywheel that is chromed to protect it against rust and boost its durability. It uses a magnetic resistance system to deliver smooth rides. And you can increase or decrease the resistance by simply turning the tension knob. To stop the bike instantly, press the tension knob.
The brake pad is covered in wool felt to absorb any noise, which results in a bike that runs quietly. Brake pads are covered in the 1-year limited parts warranty, so if yours wear out within the first year, you’re eligible for a free replacement.
The seat is four-way adjustable, so you can customize it to attain the best seating position. It’s made using breathable sponge and covered in leather. This and its excellent heat dissipation keep you comfortable throughout your workout. Multi-grip handlebars enable you to assume different positions so you can enjoy some variety in your workout. You can adjust the handlebars up and down and enjoy riding while seated or standing.
The bike comes with caged pedals, but these are not SPD compatible. You can buy SPD pedals separately to replace the ones it comes with if you prefer. Additional features include an LCD console with cadence monitor, pulse sensors, device and bottle holders, and transportation wheels.
More features: LCD console, pulse sensors, non-slip feet, aluminum bottle included, caged pedals, transportation wheels
Lightweight and compact, the GYMAX Indoor Exercise Bike is a good choice if you have limited space. It only measures 44 x 18 x 44 inches, so that’s all the space you require to set it up. If you need to put it away after use, it’s easy to do so since it only weighs 54 pounds and it has wheels. It has a solid steel frame that feels steady, and with a pair of non-slip feet in place, stays stable once you set the bike down.
The bike uses a belt drive and magnetic resistance system to provide years of maintenance-free riding. It has an 18-lb flywheel, which is lighter than the flywheels used in most rival models, but it delivers a smooth cycling experience that closely mimics real cycling motion.
This bike will comfortably accommodate users of different height, and if your legs are long, you can adjust the seat height from 31.5 to 36 inches for a more comfortable posture. The seat is four-way adjustable; you can adjust it vertically both ways (up and down) and horizontally both ways (front and back). This seat is covered in polyurethane, a material that is breathable and durable. Unfortunately, the seat doesn’t have sufficient padding and is quite hard; it gets uncomfortable after awhile.
Caged pedals with adjustable straps keep your feet from slipping while you exercise, and you can replace these with suitable SPD clip pedals as needed.
More features: electroplating, LCD console, pulse sensors, transportation wheels, device holder, caged pedals
The MaxKare Stationary Bike is a great choice for anyone who enjoys an exercising challenge. We say this because, while riding this bike with the resistance set to low is easy, it starts getting tough as you increase the resistance, so much that at some point you’ll find it difficult to move your legs while seated and will need to stand. Definitely the model to buy if you’re looking to shed some pounds or strengthen your muscles.
Electroplating on the seat post and handle stand bar protect these parts from rust, boosting their durability. Overall, the bike is sturdily built and features a solid frame that should stand the test of time. One thing to note, however, is that it does not have floor stabilizers, although it is stable even in uneven floors. This certainly points to a sound design advantage.
Both the seat and handlebars adjust vertically and horizontally to give you the most comfortable posture, and the multi-grip handles ensure that you can enjoy some variety in your movements. The seat is cushioned for added comfort.
Non-slip caged pedals hold your feet in a tight grip while you ride. These are not SPD pedals, though, but you can replace them with SPD compatible ones if you like.
Additional features include an LCD console with a cadence monitor, pulse sensors, a device holder, and transportation wheels.
To get the most out of your spin bike, you need to understand how the bike works. This means understanding the mechanism behind its operation and the impact what you do while on the bike has on your body. This is what this next section in our spin bike guide is all about. We’ll also dive into spin bike features and what each does.
One of the best things about using a spin bike is that it works your entire body, from the arms, chest, and core to the glutes and entire lower body. You exercise your glutes, quadriceps, calves, and hamstrings the most because as long as you’re pedaling, you are strengthening the muscles on your lower body, but there are additional exercises you can do to target these upper body areas. Here are some workouts you can do on your spin bike and the muscle groups they target.
Standing sprint – This works your abdomen, hips, quads, glutes, hamstrings, and calves. A variation of this exercise would be a sit and stand sprint, where you sprint while seated and repeat the sprint while standing.
Standing climb – Pedal while standing to work the lower body. For greater intensity, you can increase the resistance while doing this.
A variation you can add is doing the climb with only one arm on the handlebar and the other arm stretched behind you. This can be quite tough so you may not want to increase the resistance when doing the routine for the first few times; you can do so as your endurance grows. This twist to the movement also works the chest, shoulders, and core.
Up and back, side to side traveling – This works your whole body. It involves lifting up and leaning back, and the second variation involves moving from left to right. Since it is intense, you can do each as a separate set, with a 10-second low-intensity cycle between repetitions.
Side lunges – Side lunges strengthen your quadriceps, gluteal muscles, hamstrings, and inner thighs. In a 30-minute spinning program, you can incorporate a set of five 30-second side lunge repetitions.
Rotating lunge – Add some variation to the side lunge with the rotating lunge. In addition to the muscles worked when you do side lunges, the rotating lunge also works your core.
Bar pushups – This works your chest, abdominals, shoulders, and triceps.
Bar drips – Do this to work your chest, shoulders, triceps, and the lat muscles (located on your back).
You can vary your workout by alternating bar pushups and bar drips, one push up followed by one drip. A five-time 30-second repetition is enough.
The spin bike imitates the movement of a road bike, only that you’re exercising indoors (usually) and the bike is stationary. The bike has a single weighted wheel (the flywheel) either at the front or rear, which is responsible for the resistance you need to overcome to exercise on the bike. The heavier the flywheel, the better the traction, and the smoother and more controlled the action is going to be.
The flywheel is connected to the pedals, which you have to spin manually using your feet to mimic the cycling motion. A belt drive or chain drive mechanism then turns the flywheel and the magnets apply resistance on the pedals such that you must use some force to move the pedals. Early bikes used the chain drive mechanism, and following the invention of the belt drive, lots of modern bikes are now fitted with the latter.
You control the resistance level at which you want to spin by turning the tension knob. The knob is usually located in front of the seat or between the handlebars. When you turn the knob to increase resistance, you are essentially tightening the bike’s brake and this makes it hard to pedal. Therefore, you have to use a fair amount of exertion to turn the pedals. The higher the resistance, the more energy you use and the harder you work your muscles.
Prices for spin bikes under 1000 largely fall between $300-500, and we have plenty of good bikes in this price range. On the other hand, are bikes that you can get for $500-650, which is still a good deal, but it doesn’t mean that the higher priced models are better. When it comes to what really matters, meaning the mechanism and efficiency of the bike, there isn’t much difference between the models. However, the latter may have add-ons that offer greater convenience, like a phone or bottle holder.
Below are the features you should consider when buying a spin bike.
A chain link drive wears out faster than a belt drive as the pressure of constant motion takes its toll on the chain links. It’s also louder than a belt-drive, which may be a concern if you’re sharing the house with others.
By contrast, a belt drive system is durable and requires no maintenance. It also runs quietly. Many spin bikes operating on a belt drive mechanism do not emit any noise during use.
Surprisingly, many spin bikes do not have long warranty periods. Try to choose a spin bike with a guarantee of 2-3 years at least. In most cases, manufacturers issue separate warranties for the frame and parts. Frame guarantees are typically longer than those covering parts and labor. The XTERRA, for example, gives a lifetime warranty on the frame and a 1-year limited warranty on parts and labor. Schwinn IC3 has a 1-year warranty on the frame and a 2-year warranty on parts, while Sunny bikes come with a 3-year warranty on the frame and a 6-month manufacturer’s guarantee on everything else. A few come with a single guarantee that covers all aspects of the bike, like SNODE and MaxKare Stationary Bike, which come with 1- and 2-year warranties respectively.
These bikes are designed to handle the pressure of a specific weight range combined with the constant body shifts and movements that riding involves, and some have a higher weight limit than others. Choose a spin bike that is built for your weight. Among models with a considerably higher weight capacity are Sunny 6100 Asuna at 350 lbs and PYHIGH Indoor Cycling Bike and GYMAX Indoor Exercise Bike, both at 330 lbs. SNODE Indoor Cycling Bike can hold 280 lbs, while the MaxKare can only hold 264 lbs.
The amount of resistance determines how hard you have to work to turn the pedals. So the greater the resistance, the tougher the workout and the harder your muscles work, which is the goal of anyone keen enough to invest in an exercise bike. Applying resistance imitates cycling up or down a hilly slope, with each resistance level exerting a different amount of pressure on the muscles. Choose a bike with varying resistance levels so you can challenge your muscles in different ways each time you exercise.
Spin bikes are built to hold the weight of the human body and withstand the varying pressure of the spinning motion. The frame is sturdily constructed using steel for durability. Some manufacturers will add electroplating or chrome plating to different parts of the frame to protect it from rust and improve durability. SNODE Indoor Cycling Bike and MaxKare Stationary Bike are examples of spin bikes that have been given this additional conditioning.
The handlebars are made in an adjustable design that allows you to change their positioning to a setup that’s suitable for your arm length, and so you are able to exercise in comfort. Some handlebars can be adjusted vertically and horizontally. These offer the highest flexibility and include models like Sunny SF-B1709, XTERRA Fitness MBX 2500, and MaxKare Stationary Bike. Others only have two-way adjustability, vertically or horizontally, so customization is limited, but you will find a comfortable posture if you adjust the handlebars in the supported direction. The SNODE Indoor Cycling Bike is an example of a bike with such a setting, and it adjusts vertically. Another example is Schwinn IC3, which adjusts horizontally.
The pedals of your spin bike are designed to lock your feet in place and prevent slipping, which could result in injury. The pedals do this using straps and toe cages or SPD pedals that can clip into a cleat. Some bikes have dual pedals with one side caged and the other being SPD compatible. An example is Schwinn IC3. Many, however, come with caged pedals, examples being SNODE Indoor Cycling Bike, XTERRA Fitness MBX 2500, GYMAX Indoor Exercise Bike, MaxKare Stationary Bike, and the Sunny Health & Fitness spin bikes. In most cases, you can replace the caged toe pedals with cleats. The caged variety uses straps to secure your feet around the pedal, while the cleat variety clips into a cleat that is fitted into the underside of the shoe.
With time, due to friction between the surfaces, SPD pedals wear out and may not secure your feet as needed to ensure safety. At this point, consider replacing the pedals. Replacement pedals abound on the market, and most are universally compatible such that you can buy them even if they are not the same brand as your spin bike.
Like handlebars, spin bike seats are adjustable. The seat is a lot smaller than the seats found on regular road bikes and will feel uncomfortable before you get accustomed to it. This shouldn’t be a problem, though, because you likely won’t be spending a lot of time seated on it, given that you’ll be spinning while standing or crouched (jumping) above the seat most of the time.
If possible, choose a bike whose seat adjusts both vertically and horizontally to enjoy greater customization. Most of the bikes on the market have this setting and will adjust aft and fore, up and down. They include the Sunny spin bikes, XTERRA, MaxKare, SNODE, and GYMAX. Few like Schwinn only adjust vertically. If you can adjust the seat height, you have an additional advantage. People with long legs or a longer torso find that they need to adjust the seat height to accommodate their body frame, so this helps. Some of the bikes that have seat height adjustment are GYMAX Indoor Exercise Bike and Schwinn IC3.
Some spin bikes have additional features like phone and tablet holders. These provide a place on the machine for you to put your phone, tablet, or book reader. They may also have a bottle holder where you can place your water bottle.
Others have an LCD monitor where you can track your cadence, time, distance, heart rate, and calories burned. The Sunny 6100 Asuna and SF-B1709, XTERRA, Schwinn, SNODE, GYMAX, PYHIGH, and MaxKare all have monitors for this.
Most also come with transportation wheels to make moving the bike easy. For people who exercise in different rooms and those who would want to store the bike at a different location after use, it’s critical to buy a bike with wheels. Thankfully, they are many on the market, and as noted in our product descriptions, most of the models we’ve reviewed come with wheels.
Our top choice is Sunny Health & Fitness SFB1805, which stands out for its sturdy steel construction. Features we particularly like include the comfortable four-way adjustable seat, the sweat-resistant non-slip handlebars, and the quality pedals. We also like that it has pulse sensors to monitor your heart rate and can be connected to a workout app.
Our second choice is Schwinn IC3, which we like because of how stable and smooth the belt drive system feels. Other attractive features are the ventilated race-style seat, the detailed LTD console, and the oversized bottle holders. We also like that it is Bluetooth enabled.
Our third best spin bike under 1000 dollars is Sunny Health & Fitness 6100 Asuna, riding on a belt drive magnetic resistance systematic with a perfectly aligned Q Factor, a built-in ANT pulse receiver and performance monitor, comfortable seat with support underside rails, a high weight capacity, floor stability, and wheels.
