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Cycling in the United States is on the rise!
Just in the past 3 years, there has been a significant uptick with over 47.5 million people riding regularly.
There are countless benefits to cycling for exercise, and people are quickly learning this.
There is, however, one challenge presented to these cycling enthusiasts… the weather.
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Unfortunately, there are inherent risks to riding your bicycle outside in bad weather.
Even with a little rain, the slick roads can pose an increased risk for an accident.
So, what can cyclists do on days when the weather is less than ideal?
Whether they are supplementing their outdoor riding on bad weather days or they aren’t comfortable outside and simply want something from the comfort of their homes, more and more people are now investing in exercise bikes to have in their homes.
Because of the boom in cyclists, some believe the exercise bike industry will double in the next few years.
If you are one of those people who is looking for one of the best upright exercise bikes to invest in, you have come to the right place.
Let’s explore the top bikes on the market, and see what you should consider before making a purchase!
Best Upright Exercise Bikes
1. Sole B94 Upright Bike
- New and Upgraded!
- Comfortable adjustable gel seat
- 9″ Backlit LCD
- 6 Workout Programs
- 20 levels of Resistance
- USB Charging
- Bluetooth Speakers
Specs
With a 46 inch by 23 inch footprint, the Sole B94 is relatively small. But, don’t let the footprint fool you, it weighs a whopping 123 pounds!
The weight capacity on this machine is 300 pounds with no mention of height requirements, however, it has adjustable seating.
The frame has a lifetime warranty.
Parts and electrical warranty are 3 years.
Features
- 6 workout programs
- 20 levels of resistance
- 9” LCD display
- 2 heart rate monitors (including chest strap)
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Speakers
- USB Charging port
- Water bottle and device holder
Summary
The Sole B94 upright bike seems like another solid choice in our list of the best upright exercise bikes.
It’s a little on the heavier side, so if you are worried about transporting it, or if you live on the top floor of an apartment building, you’ve got to take this into consideration.
While it doesn’t have as many technology features as some others, it’s perfect for someone looking for a solid choice with some technology options.
2. 3G Cardio Elite Upright Bike
- 3G Cardio, an Arizona-based company with a combined 50 years of experience in the fitness industry, provides commercial-level quality and superior value
- The 2-way, multi-position oversized cushioned seat provides incredible comfort.
- Overall, small compact size (41” L x 22 ½” W x 55” H) allows our bike to easily roll (91 lbs.) through any standard doorway.
- Handheld heart rate sensors & wireless heart rate strap included.
- Ergonomically correct handlebars make it easy to find the right position for your hands and forearms.
- NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED with our equipment!
Specs
This 3G Cardio Elite seems to have one of the smallest footprints on our list. It’s only 41 inches long and 22 inches wide.
It’s also lightweight, with it weighing 87 pounds, but still maintains a sturdy weight capacity of 350 pounds.
Like the Sole bikes, this one has a lifetime frame warranty as well with a 7 year parts warranty.
Features
- 12 pre-set programs
- 16 levels of resistance
- Electronic display
- Can have up to 4 user profiles
- 3 heart rate monitors
- Water bottle and device holder
Summary
While the price is higher than some on this list, there are some key technologies missing that some may miss more than others, like no Bluetooth connectivity.
But, if you are looking for a bike that has a small footprint and an amazing warranty, this should definitely be one to consider!
3. Schwinn 190 Upright Bike
- Adjustable Foam Comfort Seat
- Adjustable Handlebars
- 7″ LCD Display
- Weighted Strapped Pedals
- Media Shelf
- Water Bottle holder
- Transport Wheels
- 10 year warranty on frame, 2 years on parts.
Specs
This Schwinn 190 is a corded electric bike that is 47.9 inches long and 28.8 inches wide, so the footprint is pretty small.
It’s also pretty lightweight, only weighing just shy of 84 pounds. It has a weight capacity of 330 pounds and a height capacity of 6.6 feet.
There is also a minimum height requirement of 4.6 feet, which will include most people.
In terms of a warranty, it has a 10 year warranty for the frame, but only a one-year warranty for the electrical components.
Features
- 2 LCD displays
- 25 resistance levels
- 29 immersive training programs
- App-based tracking tools for fitness, etc
- Heart rate monitoring
- Bluetooth connectivity
- USB charging port
- Water bottle and device tray
Summary
For being one of our most affordable of the 8 best upright exercise bikes on our list, this bike has quite the rap sheet of features.
If you have a small home or are lacking room for a bigger bike, but still want one with some quality tech features and guidance with your workouts, this is definitely an option for you.
4. Sole LCB Upright Bike
- 10.1 inch Touchscreen display with WIFI and screen mirroring capabilities
- 10 pre-programmed exercise programs, 12 user defined
- 40 Levels of Magnetic Resistance
- Bluetooth Speakers, Sole+ Integration
- Lifetime warranty on frame, 3 years on parts
- Max Weight Capacity 350lbs
- Assembled dimensions – 48″L x 25″W x 60″H
Specs
The footprint on this Sole upright bike is 44 inches long and 23 inches wide and weighs a hefty 130 pounds.
The recommended weight limit is 350 pounds, with no mention of height requirements.
As standard with most bikes, this one is adjustable to accommodate for the varying heights of the riders.
As with the other Sole bike, this one also offers a lifetime frame warranty and 3 years for electrical and parts.
Features
- 6 workout programs
- 40 levels of resistance
- 30 pound flywheel
- 10 inch LCD monitor
- 2 heart rate monitors
- USB charger
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Speakers
- Water bottle and device holder
Summary
If you’ve got a little more wiggle room in your budget, then this Sole should definitely be a contender.
It’s got more resistance capabilities, a bigger display screen, and some other details that make it a step up from the Sole B94.
It’s another great option, which is why we included it in our list of the 8 best upright exercise bikes.
5. Schwinn Fitness AD 6 Airdyne
- Progressive wind resistance system offers infinite levels of challenge
- Single-stage belt drive keeps it running quietly
- RevMeter RPM gage for interval training
- Self-balancing foot pedals with foot straps
- Quiet, frictionless fan that keeps you cool
- Integrated water bottle holder
Specs
The Schwinn Fitness AD 6 Airdyne has a completely unique look than the rest of the bikes you’ll see on our list today, and that’s because of the weighted fan that helps you have a smooth ride.
The fan, as termed “weighted fan”, definitely adds some weight to the machine. It weighs 113 pounds!
This battery operated exercise bike has dimensions of 53 inches long and 26.5 inches wide, so it is also a tad bigger.
One big plus, however, is that because it is bigger, the weight capacity is also heavier at 300 pounds!
While there isn’t an explicitly mentioned height minimum or maximum, it has adjustable seating to cater to different height levels.
The warranty for the Schwinn is 1 year electrical and 5 years for the frame.
Features
- Air resistance
- LCD Display that shares metrics
- Handlebars that move with you
- Heart Rate monitor
- Unlimited resistance levels
- Water bottle holder
- Device holder
Summary
If you aren’t too keen on all the bells and whistles, but you want a bike that is sturdy, allows for infinite possibilities of challenging yourself, this could definitely be the upright bike for you.
Its uniqueness and simplicity seem to draw people towards this one.
6. NordicTrack VU29
- 30-Day iFIT Family Membership Included; Stream live & on-demand workouts on your equipment.
- 14-inch interactive HD touchscreen streams live & on-demand iFIT workouts.
- 24 Digital Levels of Resistance.
- Low-Impact Recumbent Frame; Enjoy low-impact cardio in the comfort of your home.
- 325-pound weight capacity; Protected with a 10-year frame warranty, 2-year parts warranty
- 55.29″ H x 24.86″ W x 41.49″ L
Specs
This bike weighs 115 pounds and has a footprint of 41 inches long by 24.86 inches wide.
While there isn’t a specific height requirement or recommendation provided, I found a reviewer who shared that the bike was a bit too tall for her, and she is 5 feet 2 inches.
It has a weight capacity of 325 pounds and has a pretty average warranty.
The NordicTrack offers a 10 year frame warranty and a 2 year parts warranty.
Features
- 24 levels of resistance
- 30 day iFit Family Membership (must pay monthly fee afterwards)
- On demand classes
- Automatic trainer control (changes resistance automatically)
- Up to 5 users
- 14 inch HD touchscreen display
- Water bottle and device holder
Summary
If you are looking for an upright exercise bike that brings motivation through providing workouts, this is a great option.
Though you would have to pay a monthly fee after investing in the equipment, you would have access to all kinds of workouts.
What it lacks in Bluetooth capabilities, it makes up for it in the 14 inch touchscreen monitor and guided workouts.
7. Assault Fitness AirBike
- Twenty Sealed Ball Bearings throughout the frame and pivot points to provide a smooth and durable feel.
- Unlimited Resistance for upper and lower body extremities based on Air Resistance; Get a complete Cross-Fit Workout.
- Computer features motivational programs providing many programs (Tabata, Intervals, Watts, Heart Rate).
- Maximum user weight: 350 pounds. Six way adjustable seat fore and aft, up and down and tilt.
- Set a calorie, distance, or time target goal with the advanced computer display.
Differences From Other Exercise Bikes?
Upright exercise bikes bridge the gap between recumbent and spin exercise bikes. Let’s look at the differences…
Recumbent Exercise Bikes
With recumbent bikes, you are essentially sitting in a chair with the pedals out in front of you.
It is a much lower impact form of riding, and you use fewer muscles than you would on a spin bike.
Spin Bikes
With spin bikes, it is trying to emulate riding an actual road bike as closely as possible.
The seats are very similar to a road bike and some will even clip in.
Spin bikes activate a lot more muscles like your abdominal muscles, all of your leg muscles, and more.
Upright exercise bikes mimic the upright positioning of a spin bike, so it is more like riding a bike in real life, but it brings some comforts of a recumbent bike.
More often than not, upright exercise bikes will have bigger, more cushioned seats.
So, you get the comfort of the recumbent with the muscle work of the spin.
Things to Consider When Choosing an Upright Exercise Bike
There are so many things to consider when you are choosing one of the best upright exercise bikes.
Frankly, there are too many things to list and the considerations could change from person to person, but here are the things to consider that I feel are the most universal.
Some of these are absolute non-negotiables!
- Budget
When you are attempting to find one of the best upright exercise bikes, there are many factors that you need to consider, the most important of which is your budget.
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “You get what you pay for.” Just as with any investment, there is some truth in this.
Your budget will determine the amount and availability of all the other considerations listed below.
For example, if you have no budget and the sky’s the limit, you will have the most innovative technology at your fingertips, the most resistance capabilities with ultimate comfort and a modern, sleek look.
However, most people aren’t like this. So, take your time and determine closely what your budget will be.
From there, you will have some wiggle room to determine your priorities.
- Available Space
This may be even more important than your budget!
If you are going to invest in an upright exercise bike, then you’ve got to make sure that you have the space for it in your home or living space!
Before purchasing, make sure that you consider the measurements and predetermine where it will stay in your house.
While upright exercise bikes are much smaller than ellipticals or treadmills, they will still take up space.
- Weight Capacity
Besides making sure you have the space for the bike in your home, you’ve got to make sure that the weight requirements are comfortable for you and any family member that may use the piece of workout equipment.
- Resistance Capabilities
Depending on your fitness level, consider the resistance capabilities.
If you’re just starting out, this may not be as big of a priority, but it is important to know what kind of resistance your bike offers and how you will challenge yourself while riding it in the future.
- Technology
For some people they don’t care as much about all the bells and whistles while others see this as a huge priority.
Most of the best upright exercise bikes come with some sort of display, but take the time to see what bikes fall within your budget, then compare the capabilities.
Some may have bigger display screens, while others may have access to pre-loaded workouts and programs.
As I mentioned earlier, the bigger your budget, the more bells and whistles.
- Look and Feel
If you get down to a few bikes that are within your budget, are the right size and weight requirements and have the resistance and technology you desire, consider how it looks and how comfortable it might be for you.
While these may be more surface level things, there’s just something about having a piece of workout equipment that looks and feels good.
Pros & Cons of the Best Upright Exercise Bikes
Pros
The positives of the best upright exercise bikes are endless.
Most of the bikes on our list offer some incredible, innovative technology that will teach us more about ourselves and our fitness routines.
They are all under $1,500 and still provide the high quality you would expect from making this sort of investment.
Cons
The cons of the best upright exercise bikes really vary from bike to bike.
For example, some simply don’t have great warranties.
While the Sole and some others offer a lifetime guarantee, there are a few that are incredibly limited, which is definitely something to consider before making such a big purchase!
