The 7 Best Exercise Bikes Under $1,000 of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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If you’ve got cash burning a hole in your pocket and you’re looking for the best exercise bikes that money can buy, we salute you. Congratulations on your wealth, please adopt me. As for those on a budget, you can still find a high-quality exercise bike without selling the farm. Quality exercise bikes under $1,000 exist, and many...
The post The 7 Best Exercise Bikes Under $1,000 of 2024, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on BarBend.


If you’ve got cash burning a hole in your pocket and you’re looking for the best exercise bikes that money can buy, we salute you. Congratulations on your wealth, please adopt me. As for those on a budget, you can still find a high-quality exercise bike without selling the farm. Quality exercise bikes under $1,000 exist, and many offer similar comforts to what you’ll find on big-ticket purchases, such as durable builds, Bluetooth compatibility, and the convenience of boosting aerobic capacity and burning calories from the comfort of your home. (1)





While introducing an indoor bike under $1,000 into your home can be a worthwhile investment, it’s important to understand your options in comparison to what you’re looking for. Do you need back support while you cycle? What kind of technology would help your training? How much space do you have available? Considering these questions, our team of testers spun our wheels on 30 of the market’s most popular exercise bikes to bring you our top seven choices for the best exercise bikes under $1,000. Here are our top picks.





The 7 Best Exercise Bikes Under $1,000 of 2024







About Our Expert



This article has been reviewed by Amanda Capritto, CPT, CF-L1, CES, CSNC a certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and CrossFit Level-1 Trainer. She reviewed the research we cite to help ensure we’re providing helpful, accurate descriptions and recommendations.






How We Tested and Chose the Best Exercise Bikes Under $1,000



The BarBend team is filled to the brim with triathletes, former D1 athletes, certified personal trainers, and home workout fanatics. Our jobs are fun. We comb the internet looking for the best exercise bikes, then try them out to see if they’re worth the hype. Our team has ridden on over 30 of the top exercise bikes in an effort to give you our honest feedback and opinion on what’s out there and if it’s worth your money.





To provide the clearest understanding of our testing methodology, we’ve scored categories such as footprint, tech capabilities, adjustability, and dynamic programming on a scale of 1 (that’s bad) to 5 (that’s good). Here are a few key areas we focused on when making our selections.





Durability



Investing in home gym equipment, even when it’s under $1,000, is costly, and if your purchase falls apart before you’ve gotten a satisfying amount of use from it, it can be heartbreaking. To help avoid this sort of devastation, we’ve opted for bikes with durable builds to protect your investment. When making our selections, we looked for tough frames forged from steel and other high-quality materials, as well as warranties that can protect your ride for years to come. When bikes on our list didn’t meet our standards, we made sure to note it.





We also kept our eye on user weight capacities, ensuring our choices could support a wide range of body types and sizes. The standard user weight capacity on exercise bikes is 300 pounds, but our list contains some options that support up to 330 pounds.





[Related: The 9 Best Exercise Bikes for Heavy People]





Price



Exercise bikes can range anywhere from $150 up to more than $2,600. Our mission was to find the best bikes under $1,000 so that users operating within this budget could easily browse the best options in their price range. Value is really important to us, so we made sure to make note of how each bike’s price stacked up against its resistance capabilities, build, included features, and adjustability.





Intended Use



Upright, air, and recumbent bikes may all have similar functionality, but a customer’s fitness level, goals, and intended training will likely have an impact on which type of bike is best for them. You’ll find all of these bikes on our list, and it’s up to you to figure out which one is best suited to your needs and preferred style of training.





Air bikes… engage the upper body, thus providing a full-body workout,” says BarBend’s expert reviewer, Amanda Capritto, CPT, CF-L1, CES, CSNC. “Recumbent bikes allow people with mobility limitations or injuries to enjoy cycling, as they are reclined and take pressure off of the hips and back. [And] upright bikes are your typical stationary bikes, which are excellent for high-intensity exercise.”





[Related: The 7 Best Air Bikes for Your Home Gym]





Best Overall Exercise Bike Under $1,000: Schwinn IC4















Schwinn IC4 Exercise Bike









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Schwinn IC4 Exercise Bike









The Schwinn IC4 combines upper and lower body work with its included set of dumbbells and 100 levels of cycling resistance for a complete upper and lower body burn. Dial up your favorite streaming app and hop on, this bike is compatible with JRNY, Peloton, and Zwift.

















Shop Schwinn


























Specs



  • Price: $899


  • Dimensions: 51.8’’ H x 54.6’’ L x 30.7’’ W


  • Weight: 112lbs


  • Resistance: 100 micro-levels of magnetic resistance


  • Weight Capacity: 330lbs







Pros



  • This top-notch bike has multiple adjustability options, a 40-pound flywheel, and 100 micro-levels of magnetic resistance.


  • Bluetooth capabilities allow users to connect this bike to third-party apps like Peloton, JRNY, and Zwift.


  • Hybrid pedals have clip-in capabilities for SPD cleats on one side and toe cages for sneakers on the other.







Cons



  • In lieu of an HD touchscreen, there is just an LCD display with basic metrics.


  • This indoor cycling bike can pair with third-party apps, but connectivity can be limited for specific training metrics.






Strap on your cycling shoes with the $899 Schwinn IC4, our choice for the best overall exercise bike under $1,000. With four-way seat and handlebar adjustability, clip-in and toe cage pedals, and a 40-pound flywheel that supports smooth transitions across its 100 micro-levels of quiet magnetic resistance, this bike can suit any number of fitness goals. Value, durability, customizations, and adjustability all scored a 5 out of 5 with our tester Kate Meier, a certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial member.





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Our tester riding the Schwinn IC4.



This bike is a phenomenal deal at under $1,000, and you’re getting a lot for your money. The bike is sturdy and well-built, plus the tech features and conveniences are awesome,” Meier noted. “It also comes with a Bluetooth heart rate armband so you can get even more feedback on your training metrics while you ride.” This connectivity allows you to maintain a fat-burning heart rate zone or track your high-intensity intervals.





Bluetooth pairing capabilities allow users to connect this bike to apps like Peloton, JRNY, and Zwift, which you can then view from your smartphone or tablet stowed on the integrated device holder. However, tech capabilities scored a 4 out of 5. Depending on the app, some connectivity may be limited as detailed in the chart below.









Meier gave customizations a 5 out of 5 score. “While there isn’t a built-in touchscreen to stream programming from, there is an LCD screen that allows me to digitally adjust my resistance by pushing up and down on the arrows.”





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Our BarBend tester adjusting the seat on the Schwinn IC4.



Digital resistance adjustments help users know exactly what level they’re training at, as compared to some indoor bikes with manual turn-knob adjustments that keep users in the dark about their current level of resistance.





Meier also appreciated the stability of this bike while riding out of the saddle or using the included 3-pound dumbbells. “There wasn’t any shake during my ride,” she noted, “For how lightweight and compact this bike is, a 330-pound weight capacity is impressive.” Durability scored a 5 out of 5.





Read our full Schwinn IC4 Exercise Bike Review.





Best Air Bike Under $1,000: Assault AirBike Classic















Assault AirBike









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Assault AirBike









The Assault AirBike is a moderately priced bike with a solid build that features a powder-coated steel frame. It’s an upright indoor bike with moving arms that’s designed to burn calories and integrate seamlessly into cross-training and interval workouts.

















Shop Assault


























Specs



  • Price: $699


  • Dimensions: 50’’ H x 50.95’’ L x 23.34’’ W


  • Weight: 95.6lbs


  • Resistance: Air


  • Weight Capacity: 300lbs







Pros



  • This air bike is built to last with a powder-coated steel frame and 20 sealed cartridge bearings.


  • It has steel pegs on either side of the fan, allowing users to rest their feet and push and pull the moving arms for an upper-body workout.


  • The LCD display offers seven workouts and can connect to some wireless heart rate monitors.







Cons



  • This bike uses a chain-drive system, which can require more upkeep and maintenance than bikes with belt-drive systems.


  • Tech capabilities are limited — there’s no Bluetooth connectivity to pair with fitness apps or speakers to play your bops.






“Compared to regular bikes and indoor bikes, air bikes engage more of the body’s musculature due to the moving arms,” notes BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, CPT, CF-L1, CES, CSNC. “They are great for high-intensity training as well as slow, steady recovery work.” The Assault AirBike Classic, with its durable, powder-coated steel frame and 20 sealed cartridge bearings, is one of the best air bikes we’ve tested, and its $699 price tag earned it a 4.5 out of 5 from our tester, a certified personal trainer.





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Jake using Assault AirBike.



Air bikes are widely used in CrossFit gyms due to their ability to utilize users’ arms and legs for full-body HIIT work. “It’s easy to hop on and get my workout in,” noted our tester, “and while there are a handful of workout programs on the LCD screen, I usually just use manual mode when riding.” Users can also choose to rest their feet on the steel pegs on either side of the fan to focus on their upper body by pushing and pulling on the handles.





“I promise you won’t be bored with the Assault Air Bike, but you might want to be tapping out after a few quick minutes,” notes Jake Herod, BarBend’s expert product tester in the below video review.






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok34YSJqQgEVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Assault AirBike Review (2022) — Feel the BURN? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok34YSJqQgE)




The tech capabilities on air bikes tend to be lower than what you might find on spin bikes with large touchscreens and app integration. And while the LCD screen can’t pair with fitness apps, it can connect with some wireless heart rate monitors so you can keep a closer eye on your training metrics. Tech capabilities scored a 3 out of 5.





This affordable, sub-$1,000 price tag does come with a catch in the form of its chain-drive system. “Chain drives, as seen on the Assault Bike series, are noisier and require more frequent maintenance,” notes Capritto. Assault Fitness recommends lubing up the chain four times a year, but this process only takes mere minutes to accomplish.





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Jake adjusting Assault Fitness AirBike.



You won’t find a water bottle holder or speakers to play your jams from, which is why conveniences scored a 2 out of 5. But our tester concluded, “I’ve tried a lot of air bikes, and if I was in the market to buy one, it would be this one.”





Read our full Assault AirBike Classic Review.





Best Exercise Bike with Screen Under $1,000: NordicTrack Commercial VU 29















NordicTrack VU 29 Exercise Bike









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NordicTrack VU 29 Exercise Bike









This upright exercise bike offers automatic adjustments to the 24 levels of magnetic resistance, features a 19-pound flywheel, and is fully integrated with iFit and Google Maps
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Shop NordicTrack


























Specs



  • Price: $999


  • Dimensions: 55.29” H x 41.49” L x 24.86” W


  • Weight: 115lbs


  • Resistance: 24 levels of digital resistance


  • Weight Capacity: 325lbs







Pros



  • The 14-inch HD touchscreen is integrated with iFIT, allowing users to take thousands of on-demand studio classes and scenic rides.


  • The SmartAdjust feature on iFIT can automatically adjust the bike’s 24 levels of resistance to mimic real-world terrain during workouts.


  • Google Maps integration allows users to map out their riding course to travel anywhere across the globe.







Cons



  • A $39 a month iFIT subscription is necessary to utilize many features of this bike, such as the screen and SmartAdjust.


  • The 19-pound flywheel is light, and might not provide as smooth a ride as flywheels over 30 pounds.


  • While the seat can adjust up and down, there’s no handlebar adjustments.






The best exercise bikes with screens help users immerse themselves in virtual studio classes and scenic rides around the world, but they often come at a hefty cost that can leave you slack-jawed. The price tag on the NordicTrack VU 29 is a bit easier to swallow, delivering 24 levels of magnetic resistance, a 325-pound user weight capacity, and a 14-inch HD touchscreen with iFIT integration for just $999. Tech capabilities and dynamic programming scored a 5 out of 5.





An iFIT membership grants you access to thousands of immersive virtual spin classes, as well as strength training and mobility classes you can take off the bike. iFIT is also integrated with Google Maps, allowing you to create your own riding route nearly anywhere in the world.





iFIT is awesome,” said BarBend editorial member and certified personal trainer Kate Meier. “I did a workout in Hawaii and the views were gorgeous.” We also like iFIT’s SmartAdjust feature, which can automatically adjust your resistance based on your ride. “SmartAdjust took control of my resistance and really made me feel like I was climbing the hills I saw on screen,” said Meier.





After a one-month free trial, an iFIT subscription will cost $39 a month, $396 a year for a family membership, or $180 a year for an individual plan. We think this subscription is necessary with this bike to make the most of its touchscreen and SmartAdjust capabilities. However, users who opt out of an iFIT subscription can still access a few iFIT workouts or choose to ride in manual mode.





An oversized cushioned seat, ergonomic foot pedals with adjustable straps, a built-in fan, and a 325-pound user weight capacity provide a comfortable and stable ride. The seat can adjust up and down, though we wish there was an option to tinker with the handlebars, which are in a fixed, nearly vertical position.





This 115-pound bike is one of the most portable and lightweight NordicTrack bikes, though this is partially due to the lightweight 19-pound flywheel, which is lighter than the 30- to 40-pound flywheels we like to see on exercise bikes. Lightweight flywheels can make transitioning through resistance levels less smooth, so we wouldn’t recommend this bike for serious cyclists looking to break PRs in speed trials.





Read our full NordicTrack VU 29 Exercise Bike Review.





Best Exercise Bike Under $1,000 for Small Spaces: Yosuda Magnetic Exercise Bike















Yosuda YB001R Magnetic Exercise Bike









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Yosuda YB001R Magnetic Exercise Bike









This cost-effective exercise bike can offer excellent low-impact training sessions without breaking the bank. A 35-pound flywheel and belt drive system help operations run smoothly with each pedal, and there’s also a built-in LCD display to track your calories burned, speed, ride time, and distance.

















Shop Yosuda

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