Thinking about getting a stationary pedal bike for home to keep the boy active in the winter time? He like.the ones at the gym with a screen and can follow a trail. Is the palaton worth there money? What else is out there?
Only recommendation is avoid the Nordictrack Commercial VR23. Bike was junk and everything about the experience was terrible although I was eventually able to return it and get a refund.
Honestly, just get a Cycleops trainer for your current road bike and set it up in front of the tv or computer. I use to love cycling while watching Moto GP, wsbk races
I have the peloton, and really like it. My fitness level has improved dramatically. I got mine barely used on craigslist. Echelon makes a bike about half the cost of the Peleton, a lot of you tube content on both bikes.
Another vote for the regular road bike, set up on a trainer, in front of a TV. I have done it this way for many many years, and it works great. If you are a serious bicyclist, then this is going to be way more advanced in hardware and fit for you than any "bicycle" imitation. Although you can get bicycle ride tapes or websites, I also like to watch motorcycle race tapes while I spin, and I find it sort of inspirational to go harder faster. I have used the fancy stationary bikes at the gym a fair amount too, and their dumb seats and cranks and handlebar placement are not to my liking.
Love my Tacx Neo 2 smart trainer. Keeps things fun and interesting with dozens of courses of every type from all over Europe, and I’m riding my own road bike.
I have a CycleOps H2 smart trainer. It uses bluetooth from my AppleTV or iPad to vary the resistance as the course goes on Zwift as I ride. The current model is the H3. (https://www.saris.com/product/h3). I got mine for less than this...I bought a "scratch and dent" model as they were phasing out the H2 model and saved a couple hundred dollars. I'm still looking for the scratch or dent on this thing. Anyway...I absolutely love it.
I have a peloton. They are well made and spin smoothly. I typically hate instructors but I basically just train with 2 of the female instructors for uh, motivation. I searched for a beeb tag but none showed. I’ll start the “beeb” group tonight.
Not exactly a stationary bike, but it's not NOT exactly a stationary bike either. But I'll throw the Assault Bike out there. Should we call it an "exercise bike" versus "stationary bike"? Assault Bike will let you get to places you didn't know you wanted to go, intensity wise. I think it could just as easily be used to slog along for an hour too though.
If it is your first or only workout machine, i would forgo the stationary bike, and go with a rowing machine. better overall workout. arms, legs, abs, shoulders, and cardio all in one. concept 2 rowers are the most popular ones in the gyms. they are worth it. we bought one over the summer, new. it took about 6-8 weeks to get, they do pop up on fb marketplace, and CL regularly. with that said, we are looking to add to our workout arsenal, by adding a stationary bike trainer. i am not a fan of the spin bikes, just seem monotonous, unless they are accompanied by a "program" for circuit, hills, etc... the "real bike trainers" seem like the way to go, especially if you are a peddler already. as always, your results may vary. Ski
I just did a quick check on Amazon. Saris CycleOps Fluid 2 is in stock . $319 MSRP is $299.99 So it's not a terrible deal seeing as none of my suppliers have any trainers in stock. I would stay far away from any of the knock offs that are out there.
I use the Fluid 2 with Zwift and it works great. A smart trainer connected to Zwift is nice, but I don’t think the smart trainer connection is totally necessary. I can still vary my intensity and if my avatar is going up a hill, the virtual speed slows down and I have to pedal harder to go faster. Works fine.
If you're planning on riding with groups or training for an event yes. Not for someone who is looking for casual indoor riding. I know of several people getting hurt coming off the rollers due to inexperience.