Review of the Sprint GB Pro Indoor Cycle

It's time that we reviewed another indoor cycle. This time, it's a rear wheel model from Sprint Fitness - the Sprint GB Pro indoor cycle.

How Easy is the Indoor Cycle to Build?
Extremely simple to build. Attach the front and rear stabilisers, seat, handlebars, pedals and you're ready to ride. As with all spinning bikes, remember to follow the instructions when attaching the pedals to ensure that you're threading each pedal the correct way.


Sprint GB Pro Indoor Cycle

What are the first impressions?
It's very orange!! We think that this is a good thing because it makes the bike stand out from the crowd, but of course the important thing is the quality of the bike:
- The stabiliser bars (that sit on the floor) are very chunky as is the frame. This is usually a sign that the indoor cycle will be good to ride without any flexing.
- Adjustabiility of the seat and handlbars (both horizontally and vertically) is very easy to do so that you can achieve your optimum position. The seat adjustment on the model that we tried was slightly stiff, but this was soon sorted.
- The rear stabiliser bar is very wide which is great for stability
- The bike is easy to move because of the transport wheels on the front stabiliser bar, so you can move it out of the way when you've finished using it
- 20kg flywheel is a great size and ensure a smooth ride
- Belt drive so there's no real maintenance on this bike. It's also very quiet
- We tested the bike with a Polar computer which is an optional extra on the bike - the computer provides loads of information about your training which makes it a good training companion. The standard monitor provides similar information, but it's not possible to do all of the things that the Polar computer gives you.
- The style of the bike means that the handlebars adjust away from you, so it if you're short you may find it slightly uncomfortable (which is a common complaint of rear drive bikes of this style).

What's it like to ride?
First impressions when riding are excellent. Once you get into your workout this indoor cycle doesn't disappoint:
- Because of the belt drive the ride is very quiet and very smooth
- The resistance is varied by a lever that sits below the handlebars. Although there are only 9 positions, you can position the level between the markers (so for example, you can set the resistance to somewhere between level 4 and 5). This means that you can accurately set the resistance level to meet your needs.
- Adjusting the resistance does take a bit of getting used to - it's easy to adjust the lever a bit too far in which case it's really hard to pedal. Once you're used to making small changes to the resistance then it's perfectly fine.
- At high speeds and/or resistance, when you're putting more strain on the bike, it still feels very stable and solid. There's no frame distortion which demonstrates the qualiity and strength of the frame.
- A really nice indoor bike to ride - very smooth and sturdy.

Any niggles?
Nothing obvious. It felt like a good bike to ride and does feel very well made.
Anything else to add?
It would have been nice to have had SPD pedals as standard but it is possible to upgrade the pedals if required.

Overall Impression?
A really nice rear wheel drive indoor cycle at a sensible price. If you're specifically looking for a rear wheel indoor cycle, then this could be the one for you.

Indoor Cycle Trainer or Spin Bike?

As a cyclist you have a decision to make during the cold, dark UK winter. Do you brave it and continue to cycle outdoors, battling against the wet roads and cold winds, or do you move your cycling sessions indoors?

If you’re reading this thinking “What’s the point of cycling indoors? I’ll take my chances on the road” then we’ll thank you for your time and say goodbye at this point because this blog entry really isn’t for you. If you’re on the other side of the fence and are thinking about cycling indoors during the winter months then read on because we have a few options for you to consider.

The obvious choice for indoor cycle training is to buy a bike trainer that your bike fits onto. This isn’t really our area of expertise so we won’t comment too much, other than to point out the common complaints of this method of indoor cycling:

1) It’s a bit of a fiddle setting the bike up on the trainer
2) Any mud on the bike is transferred indoors
3) The rear tyre on the bike wears out very quickly

So, if these are the problems of using an indoor cycle trainer, what’s the alternative? Well, you could also consider an indoor cycle.

An indoor cycle (spinning bike, spin bike, indoor bike – they’re all the same) is an exercise bike that is designed to give the same cycling experience as an outdoor bike. There’s a wide choice of these bikes available in the UK today and we’ve covered in our previous blog entries how to pick a good one. So what we’ll do for the remainder of this entry is to concentrate on just one of the factors that is usually significant to the outdoor cyclist indoor cycle (if you get our meaning?) The factor that we’re referring to is whether the indoor cycle trainer is fixed wheel or free wheel. Most spinning bikes are fixed wheel bikes whereas most outdoor bikes are free wheel. Therefore, we’re going to point out a few indoor cycle trainers that are free wheel bikes which gives the ultimate compromise for outdoor cyclists.

The first range that we’ll point you to is the Kettler freewheel series of indoor cycles. Starting with the Kettler Racer 3 these are free wheel indoor cycle trainers that have the level of quality you’d expect from a premium brand like Kettler. The second range is a bit more expensive but offers the ultimate in indoor cycle training – CycleOps make just about the best indoor cycle training bikes on the market.

Take a look at the bikes and let us know what you think – they’re all great but which one would you choose?

Chain Drive Spinning Bikes

We’re talking about the virtues of chain drive spinning bikes in this entry, which might seem a bit odd when our usual advice is to buy a belt drive spin bike. However, there are exceptions to every rule and the chain drive spin bikes that we’ve listed below are definitely worth considering if you’re in the market for an indoor cycle.

Firstly, we should explain why we normally recommend belt drive spin bikes – they’re quieter; easier to maintain and at the budget end of the market they’re just better quality bikes. However, as you move up to the more expensive commercial grade bikes there are a number of chain drive models that are definitely worth looking at.
The most recognisable range of chain drive indoor cycles is from Schwinn – the brand that started the spinning bike revolution way back when. Their bikes are still the best that money can buy and their current UK range, including the Schwinn AC Performance Plus, is just fantastic. This indoor cycle has magnetic resistance; an aluminium frame and an optional console that gives all of the information that you could possibly need to track your training, including Watts. It also looks amazing…..

At over £1500 for the bike and the console it’s not a cheap option though, and for those who have a smaller budget but want the authenticity of a chain drive spin bike then we have a solution. It’s called the Waters Fitness Tsunami Pro indoor cycle and it’s a gem. We’re not expecting you to have heard of the brand because it’s quite new in the UK but the bike itself is exceptional – great quality with a heavy flywheel to give that all important smooth ride. It’s a commercial grade spinning bike so is up to the job of heavy use and is, in our opinion, another great looking spin bike….

Spotlight on Sprint Fitness Indoor Cycles

For this blog entry we're taking a closer look at the Sprint Fitness range of indoor cycles, currently available at Indoor Cycles.

Before we get too much further, it's worth establishing that an indoor cycle goes by a number of different names: spin bike; spinning bike; indoor bike trainer; group cycle; class bike and the old favourite exercise bike. All of these terms essentially mean the same thing and Sprint Fitness indoor bikes are excellent examples.

We're going to look at three models in the Sprint Fitness range: GB1, GB2 and GB-Pro. Prices start from £299 and each indoor cycle in the range has a good range of features for the price.

Sprint Fitness GB1
The Sprint Fitness GB1 indoor cycle is the entry level in the range. Don't be concerned by the term "entry level" though because this cycle packs a lot of great features for the price of £299:
* Belt drive
* 18kg flywheel (most other bikes at this price have a smaller weighted flywheel)
* Friction resistance and braking
* Console showing distance, time, speed
* Fully adjustable height and reach (handlebars and seat)
* Wheels for moving the bike when not in use

Sprint Fitness GB2
The Sprint Fitness GB2 is a high quality mid range indoor cycle that is built to commercial standards. We particularly like the design of the bike and the number of different positions for holding onto the handlebars:
* Belt Drive
* 20kg flywheel
* Commercial grade indoor cycle
* Friction resistance and braking

* Console showing distance, time, speed
* Multiple position handlebars
* Fully adjustable height and reach (handlebars and seat)
* Wheels for moving the bike when not in use

Sprint Fitness GB-Pro
The Sprint Fitness GB-Pro is our favourite bike in the range. It's a rear wheel bike, which doesn't necessarily suit everyone, but we love the design:
* Belt Drive
* Commercial Grade indoor cycle
* Magnetic braking and resistance (16 levels with lever control)
* Optional console
* Fully adjustable height and reach (handlebars and seat)
* Wheels for moving the bike when not in use

The great thing about the Sprint Fitness indoor cycles is that all of the models offer exceptional value for money and, with service being based in the UK, a good level of aftersales should you need it.

More information can be found at Indoor Cycles.

Spin Bike Features Explained

For our latest blog entry we've gone back to the topic of spin bike jargon. These are the features that you'll often find associated with spin bikes and the terminology that is often used. This is by no means an exhaustive list of terms but we think we've tackled the important ones.



Flywheel
This is the wheel at the front of the bike that moves when you pedal and there are a number of factors to consider. The first is the size of the flywheel which is measure in kg. The higher the weight of the flywheel, the smoother the action will feel. Good quality domestic indoor cycles start at a flywheel weigth of about 18kg, with commercial bikes having a weight of 20kg or over. The other main thing to look out for with the flywheel is the quality of the bearing that allows the flywheel to spin. Bearing failure in lower quality indoor cycles is quite common, resulting in a lot of noise when the wheel spins. The other sign when bearings wear badly is excessive vibration when pedalling. The only real way of telling whether the bearings are up to the job is by buying a known brand, like the ones found on our website, because you'll know that the quality will have been proven on many thousands of bikes across the world.

Friction Braking
There are two types of resistance and braking mechanisms on indoor cycles - Magnetic Brakes and Friction Brakes.

A bike that uses friction resistance uses a friction pad that comes into contact with the flywheel. The harder the pad presses against the flywheel, the harder it is to pedal.

The resistance level is controlled by a lever or knob on the frame of the bike that you can move when cycling - so if you feel like simulating a hill climb part way through your exercise programme you move the level or turn the knob (depending on the model) to move the friction pad closer to the flywheel which increases the resistance. Now you feel like you're cycling uphill! The reverse is true - reduce the resistance by moving the friction pad away from the flywheel and it's much easier to pedal.

Friction pads wear over time and will need to be replaced. However, friction resistance bikes are generally less expensive than their equivalent magnetic counterparts.

Magnetic Braking
As the name suggests, a magnetic cycle uses magnets to control the level of resistance when pedalling. Quite simply, the closer the magnet to the flywheel the more difficult it is to pedal. When the magnet is at it's closest position to the flywheel it's almost impossible to pedal at all!!

The resistance level is controlled by a lever or knob on the frame of the bike that you can move when cycling - so if you feel like simulating a hill climb part way through your exercise programme you move the level or turn the knob (depending on the model) to move the magnet which increases the resistance. Now you feel like you're cycling uphill! The reverse is true - reduce the resistance by moving the magnet away from the flywheel and it's much easier to pedal.

The main advantage of the magnetic resistance bikes is that there are no friction pads to wear out and therefore maintenance is reduced.

Belt Drive
The flywheel needs to be connected to the crank and pedals - this is done by a belt or a chain. With entry level and mid range indoor cycles, it's best to go for belt driven and this is for three main reasons: they can be adjusted easily when necessary; they are quieter than chain driven bikes; and there's no maintenance required. At the higher end then more often than not it's the chain drive that are more popular. This is because chain bikes feel more like an outdoor cycle to ride because of the dynamics of the crank and the positioning of the pedals. Essentially, unless it's a premium brand then avoid chain drive bikes - you'll have fewer problems and a quieter ride.

Chain Drive
Chain driven bikes work on exactly the same principal as a road bike - the chain connects the drive wheel/flywheel to the crank. You have to keep the chain lubricated which is about the only routine maintenance required. It's better to avoid cheap chain driven bikes because the quality is often poor. However, the top end chain driven bikes can give a more authentic feel and are popular with outdoor cyclists who want to train indoors.

More information can be found at Indoor Cycles UK

CycleOps Indoor Cycle Review

Here's our latest review - this time it's for the CycleOps range of indoor cycles. To see the full range, please follow this link. Otherwise read on....

The CycleOps range has four models – 100 Pro; 200 Pro; 300 Pro and…go on, take a guess. Yes – that’s right the top of the range model is the 400 Pro. The point to note is that the bike is exactly the same for each model – it’s the level of technology that changes as you move up the range. For example, the 100 Pro doesn’t have a console whilst the 400 Pro has a console that will automatically control the resistance of your bike based on a pre-defined program.

With this in mind, we’ve reviewed the CycleOps 200 Pro but most of our comments apply equally as well to the other models in the range. Just check the console options on each model before deciding which model is the right one for you.

How Easy is the Indoor Cycle to Build?
It’s a very different looking bike that most of the others available in the UK but it’s assembled in pretty much the same way. Stabiliser bars; seat assembly handlebar assembly; (optional) console and pedals. All of these components go together very well, primarily because of the excellent quality of the individual parts. Note that the bike is supplied without pedals as standard (if you’re wondering why, it’s because CycleOps is from the outdoor cycle world rather than the fitness world and all top outdoor bikes are supplied without pedals – they’ve carried this through to their range of indoor cycles). All standard pedals will fit.

What are the first impressions?
We think that the CycleOps range of indoor cycles look fantastic. The design and attention to detail really do take some beating:
- It’s easy to adjust and it’s the closest feel to an outdoor cycle of any indoor bike that we’ve tried. That’s perhaps not surprising because (as we mentioned above) CycleOps are from the outdoor cycle world.
- Build quality is excellent
- The bike is easy to move because of the transport wheels on the rear stabiliser bar, so you can move it out of the way when you've finished using it.
- Heavy and well balanced flywheel gives a smooth ride
- Chain drive is surprisingly quiet - the alignment of the crank and flywheel is just about perfect so the chain is much quieter than on lower quality bikes
- The console is excellent with a wealth of data available for you to transfer to your computer (cable supplied with bike)

What's it like to ride?
If you’re an outdoor cyclist then this bike moves things on to another level. It really is the closest thing to an outdoor cycle that you can get, and if you choose the right console option you can gather some great training data:
- The resistance works extremely well which enables you to make the workout as easy or hard as you like, and of course you can vary this resistance during your workout by turning the adjuster knob as you cycle (note that on the 400 Pro, the resistance is controlled via the console).
- At high speeds and/or resistance, when you're putting more strain on the bike, it still feels very stable and solid. There's no frame distortion which demonstrates the qualiity and strength of the frame.
- It’s a free-wheel bike so you need to make sure that you’ve got a good level of resistance applied. Once you’re used to this it’s great to cycle.
- Because it’s chain driven you get a vibration through the pedals that you don’t get with belt drive bikes. This is usually popular with outdoor cyclists because it makes the ride feel more authentic.

Any niggles?
None that we could find.

Anything else to add?
If you’re an outdoor cyclist looking to train indoors during bad weather; training for an event; or just simply want the best possible bike to get fit on then this really could be the bike for you.

Overall Impression?
It’s just a great bike – it looks great; rides great and the console gives really good information.

What is the best spinning bike for home use?

This is one of the questions that we get asked most often – “what is the best spin bike for home use?” Despite it being a simple enough question there isn’t really a simple, straightforward answer that we can give because spin bike users have different requirements and different needs. To demonstrate our point we’ll pose these questions:

1. Do you want a belt drive or chain drive bike?
2. What type of resistance do you want?
3. Do you want programs on your spin bike?
4. How many hours per week will you use the spin bike?
5. Is the spinning bike just for you, or will other family members use it?

The best spin bike for home use depends on your answers to these questions, and since there is no single answer to any of these questions there’s lots of answers to which is the best bike.
So, how do the answers to the above questions influence which spinning bike to choose? Here’s our quick guide:

1) Belt or Chain Drive
Belt drive bikes are quieter and require less maintenance. For outdoor cyclists who are buying a spin bike for indoor winter use the chain drive is sometimes a better option because it feels more like a road bike. The general advice is avoid cheap chain driven spin bikes and if you’re not into outdoor cycling then always go for a belt drive spin bike. A top belt drive bike is the Gym Gear M Sport and a really good chain driven bike is the Waters Fitness Tsunami Pro.

2) Resistance Type
Magnetic and friction resistance are the two options – both are perfectly fine but magnetic bikes generally give more accurate control and don’t have pads that wear out.
A great example of a magnetic resistance bike is the Gym Gear M Sport, and a top friction brake bike is the Sole Fitness SB700

3) Programs
Spin bikes with programs keep training interesting because you can choose a profile to cycle (for example up and down hills) and the spin bike will change the resistance for you as the gradient of the “route” changes. A good example of a spin bike with programs is the BH Fitness Spada.

4) Hours of use per week
Different spin bikes are designed for different levels of use. As you’d perhaps expect the cheaper bikes (even the really good ones) won’t be as durable as more expensive spin bikes. If you think of these as entry level bikes (say up to 8 hours use per week); mid range bikes (up to 20 hours use per week) and top end bikes (unlimited use per week) then the following are good examples to consider:
Entry Level – Sprint GB1
Mid Range – Sprint GB Mag
Top End – Gym Gear M Sport

5) Who will use the bike?
If the bike is just for you then choose the one that you like look of the most (given the criteria above). If it’s for family use then more often than not the bikes with programs are the most popular. The BH Fitness Spada is a good example of a bike that’s often chosen when multiple members of the household want to use the bike.

So, does that help to answer the question about “which is the best spin bike for home use?” Maybe not directly but hopefully there are enough examples above to help you produce a shortlist.

What’s the difference between an upright bike and a spinning bike?

This is a question that we get asked all the time, so if you’ve seen the title of this post and are reading on then suffice to say you’re not alone.

First and foremost both upright bikes and spinning bikes are great ways to get fit and stay fit. They give great cardio workouts; are non-impact so your joints don’t suffer; and are very easy to use so they suit most people.

But what is the difference between an upright bike and a spinning bike? Here are three of the main differences:

1) Riding Position
A spinning bike is as close as you can get to an outdoor bike for indoors, and so the riding position is very similar to an outdoor bike. Handlebars and seats are fully adjustable to you can get a riding position that is comfortable for you. This means that you can set the spinning bike up to feel like a Sunday afternoon cycle or a full on sprint or hillclimb. There’s less adjustment with an upright bike and they generally don’t feel like an outdoor bike.

2) Resistance Control
Upright bikes will tend to have computers that control the pedalling resistance for you – the harder the resistance the harder it is to pedal. This is usually done by a series of programs on the bike console that will replicate different cycling profiles (e.g. cycling up and down hills). With the vast majority of spinning bikes the resistance control is manually adjusted by the cyclist. There are some exceptions where the spin bike has a computer and this gives you the best of both worlds – a spinning bike that automatically controls the pedalling resistance for you.

3) Fixed Wheel vs Free Wheel
All upright bikes are free wheel bikes. This is like an outdoor bike – you can stop pedalling and the wheels keep moving. Spinning bikes (with the odd exception) are fixed wheel bikes. But what does this mean in practice? The best way of thinking about a free wheel bike is by considering what happens on an outdoor bike when you’re cycling downhill – at some point the road wheel will travel faster than you can pedal and at that point you’re not making the wheels turn. This is OK when you’re out cycling because you can enjoy coasting down the hill. When you’re on a spinning bike you want to be getting the most out of our workout, so coasting isn’t an option. Therefore, with a fixed wheel spinning bike, you can’t coast – there is always resistance for you to pedal against and the wheel (flywheel) can’t spin faster than you’re pedalling.

There are other differences of course but the three above are the main things to be aware of.

Which is best, a spinning bike or an upright bike? It depends on what you want to get out of your exercise. Spinning will get you fit and keep you fit and it can be very demanding if you want it to be. Upright exercise bikes can also give you a great workout but there is the option to just stop pedalling and coast which kind of defeats the object (in our opinion – then again we would say that as we focus on spinning bikes). Whatever you decide – a spinning bike or an upright bike – then we think you’re choosing a great form of exercise.

Diamondback Fitness Now at Indoor Cycles - June 2013

We're pleased to announce that Indoor Cycles are now stocking Diamondback indoor cycles. Diamondback Fitness have won awards three years in a row in the USA for their 910lc indoor cycle and Indoor Cycles now have this range exclusively for the UK.  As well as looking great; the Diamondback indoor cycle range feels great to ride too - with great detailing; fantastic attention to detail and a great range of programs on the bikes it's sure to be as popular in the UK as it is the USA.

To launch the range in the UK, we're offering the award winning Diamondback 910lc indoor cycle at just £599 (RRP £999). This promotion won't last forever so if you want one be quick.  See more at Indoor Cycles.

Our Review of the Diamondback 910lc Indoor Cycle

Time for another review.  This time it's a new bike for us, all the way from the US, with stock hopefully arriving in the next few weeks.

What are the first impressions?
First and foremost this is a great looking bike. The detailing on the bike is exceptional - a great example being the Diamondback logo on the seat. OK, so this doesn't make the ride better but it does show the attention to detail that has been lavished on this bike.

How Easy is the Indoor Cycle to Build? As with most indoor cycles, the Diamondback 910lc is simple to assemble. Full instructions and tools are included and if you're not sure about something then you can of course call us for advice.

Sprint Racer back in stock early next week...

For all those people who have seen our review of the Sprint Racer indoor cycle and fancy getting your hands on one, you might like to know that new stock is arriving early next week.  This is a popular indoor bike, so if you don't want to miss out, order yours now at Indoor Cycles.

Waters Fitness Indoor Cycle - Now in the UK

We’re always on the lookout for new and interesting indoor cycles. That’s why we are particularly excited at finding that the Waters Fitness range is now available in the UK.

For those of you who don’t know about Waters Fitness let us give you a quick history lesson. Waters Fitness is owned by Greg Waters who is well known in fitness circles – he’s been around for some time and has been involved in designing a number of fitness products that have raised the bar in terms of both quality and performance. What’s particularly interesting is that Mr Waters was at one time working with Trek who are one of the worlds largest (and leading) manufacturers of performance road cycles. Given the specification of the Waters range of indoor cycles it seems that he’s incorporated a number of the key outdoor bike features into the range of indoor bikes. That’s great news if you’re a keen cyclist who’s considering training indoors on an indoor cycle.

The first Waters indoor cycle to hit these shores is the Tsunami Pro which not only looks the part but the specification is also fantastic too. It also happens to be built in one of the best indoor cycle factories in the world.

So, as we said at the top, we’re excited that the Waters range is now available in the UK and we’re looking forward to hearing about your experiences with the bikes.

Our Review of the Sprint Racer Indoor Cycle...

How Easy is the Indoor Cycle to Build?

The Sprint Racer indoor cycle is very easy to build. Attach the stabilisers at the front and rear of the bike, drop in the seat and handlebars, attach the pedals and console and you're ready to ride. Takes about 15 minutes in total.

 

What are the first impressions?

This indoor cycle has been designed by us and it incorporates all of the good things that you'll want in an indoor cycle:

• Adjustability of the seat and handlebars (both horizontally and vertically) is very easy to do so that you can achieve your optimum position
• The bike is easy to move because of the transport wheels on the front stabiliser bar, so you can move it out of the way when you've finished using it
• 20kg flywheel is a great size for this price of bike
• Belt drive so there's no real maintenance on this bike - Console gives good feedback when cycling

Smart Training...

From time to time a new spinning bike style exercise bike is introduced into the UK that has the potential to completely change the way that we think about getting fit. It’s possible that the Kettler Racer S indoor cycle is one such exercise bike.

Why do we say this? Not only is it a great spinning bike with all of the features that you’d expect from a quality spinner, but it also has the ability to work with your iPhone or Andoid smart phone. Significantly, this means that you can use your phone to download training apps that will in turn control the level of work that you do on the bike. Imagine eating a burger for lunch and then wondering how much spin training you need to do to burn off the calories – well, with this bike and the right training app you need wonder no more. The app will work out the number of calories that you’ve consumed and tell the spin bike how hard to work you during the training session to burn off those calories. Clever stuff…

Of course, you can do far more with this spinning bike than just burn off burger calories – with an increasing number of apps and compatible mobile devices it means that more of the Great British public have access to personalised training regimes to suit their needs. How about cycling through the Lake District, with all of it’s panoramic views and undulating routes, without actually leaving your house. It’s all becoming possible with app based technology available on the Kettler Racer S spinning bike.

What’s even more impressive to someone like me (who likes crunching numbers and can see through gimmicky tech pretty quickly) is that the data that is collected during your training sessions can then be uploaded to the web so that you can accurately track your performance and increasing fitness levels.

All this from a spinning bike? Well…yes. There’s a premium price tag of course but if you’ve got the budget and like your mobile devices then the Kettler Racer S is definitely a spin bike that you should be looking at.

Our Review of the Sole Fitness SB700 Indoor Cycle...

It's been a week or two since our last review, so here's what we think of the Sole Fitness SB700 Indoor Cycle...

How Easy is the Indoor Cycle to Build?
This is an easy bike to assemble - the quality of the components is fantastic and everything slots together very nicely. In all honesty, the console is a bit of fiddle to get working because you have to connect the tranmitter and position the sensor to get feedback on the display. On most indoor cycles this is done at the factory but on this bike you have to do it yourself. Don't let this put you off - after 5 minutes of connecting and adjusting the console works a treat.

Spinning Bikes on a Budget

We're all under pressure to live a healthy lifestyle and to keep fit. Spinning is of course a great way to stay in shape and to burn off those excess calories but what do you do? Go to a spin class or buy a spinning bike to use at home. Spin classes are great and you'll be training in a fun environment with like minded people...it's not for everyone though and if you're like the growing number of people who want to spin at home then this article is for you.

Given the difficult economic times in which we currently find ourselves, we've decided to dedicate this article to budget spin bikes. By "budget" we're talking £500 or less, and before you cast your eyes up to the sky and shout "that's not budget - that's expensive" please give us the chance to convince you that by spending a bit more than you originally planned for you'll get a spin bike that will last for many years to come.

The problem with really cheap spin bikes (the sort you find for £250 and under) is that the quality is really poor, you get a poor quality workout and the bike won't last for as long as you would have hoped. By spending more and choosing wisely, you'll get a spin bike that is very similar to those used in group cycling classes and will perform well time after time.

So, here are three bikes that are entry level; under £500; have excellent feedback from current owners; and are readily available in the UK.

1 Sprint Racer Indoor Cycle

At £399 the Sprint Racer is the cheapest spinning bike in our list but it does have some impressive features including a 20kg flywheel; belt drive; fully adjustable seat and handlebars; a console and has a 2 year warranty.

It feels great to ride - very smooth, quiet and even when pedalling hard it's very stable. The console is quite basic but it tells you all you need to know.



2 Kettler Giro GT Indoor Cycle
The Kettler Giro GT has an impressive specification and is available in the UK for under £500. With magnetic resistance; belt drive; adjustable riding position; console and a 3 year home use warranty it's a super indoor bike.

The magnetic resistance and belt drive make this a super-quiet bike to ride. The free wheel action takes a bit of getting used to if you've used a fixed wheel spin bike before.

3 BH Fitness Class Bike 2 Indoor Cycle
The final entry in our list of recommended budget spin bikes in the UK is the BH Fitness Class Bike 2 indoor cycle. This bike is widely available for £499 and is another impressive spin style bike - fully adjustable; belt drive; 2 year home use warranty and Polar compatable console.

A nice bike to ride - very stable and secure when cycling hard and the console is great too.

Our Review of the BH Fitness Class Bike 2 Indoor Cycle

Todays indoor cycle review is the BH Fitness Class Bike 2...here we go...

How Easy is the Indoor Cycle to Build?
We were able to build the Class Bike 2 within a few minutes. All of the components fitted together very well with all holes perfectly aligned to accept the fixing bolts.

What are the first impressions?
For the price, this is a quality indoor cycle. The frame feels robust, the paintwork is very good and the overall look and finish of the bike is very similar to bikes that are twice the price.

What's the Difference Between a Spinning Bike and an Indoor Cycle?

The simple answer is nothing! Spinning is essentially a brand name and Indoor Cycle is the term used to describe the type of bike. Spinner, Spinning Bike, Spin Bike, Indoor Cycle and Indoor Bike all mean the same thing.

So what exactly is indoor cycling?

First and foremost indoor cycling is a great way to get fit and to stay in shape. An indoor cycle enables you to enjoy cycling in the comfort of your own home or in a group environment at the gym. Indoor cycling isn't for the faint-hearted - it's a tough workout but you'll get fit quickly and build up a good level of stamina.

Our Review of the Gym Gear M.Sport Magnetic Indoor Cycle

This the Indoor Cycles review of the Gym Gear M. Sport magnetic indoor cycle...

How Easy is the Indoor Cycle to Build?
Extremely simple to build. Attach the front and rear stabilisers, seat, handlebars and console and you're ready to ride.

What are the first impressions?
Fantastic. There are some really nice details on this indoor cycle which make it stand out from the crowd. Here are some of the things that we like:

Our Review of the Kettler Giro S Indoor Cycle

This week we thought you might like to see our review of the Kettler Giro S Indoor Cycle available at Indoor Cycles.

How Easy is the Indoor Cycle to Build?
It's pretty straightforward to build this indoor cycle - the console was a bit fiddly to fit but once done it's worth it because the wires are hidden and it looks like an integral part of the bike.

What are the first impressions?
The quality of the construction; paintwork and features are very good. It looks like a really good bike that has been well designed (from a German manufacturer, would you expect anything less?)

What's it like to ride?
It has belt drive so is very quiet, and it also has a free wheel feature. This means that you can just stop pedalling, like on an outdoor bike, rather than using the emergency stop. It's a really useful feature, especially if you're new to spinning or are looking for a bike with more traditional exercise bike features.

Any niggles?
It would have been nice to have had cycling SPD pedals rather than the standard baskets, but at this price it's hardly a major issue

Anything else to add?
It's just a good all round exercise bike and is ideal if you're wanting a good bike on a budget. Remember that it has a 3 year warranty - really good at this price point

Overall Impression?
If you're looking for an entry level indoor cycle/exercise bike then this could be the model for you. It has everything that you'll need and a bit more besides.

Our Review of the Schwinn AC Performance Plus Indoor Cycle

Over the next few weeks we'll be posting some of our reviews of the indoor cycles we offer at Indoor Cycles. First up is the Schwinn AC Performance Plus.


How Easy is the Indoor Cycle to Build?We deliver all of our Schwinn bikes fully built so there's no need to be too concerned about how easy they are to assemble. It's worth noting that each component, from the smallest washer to the heavyweight handlebars, are of the highest possible quality.

What are the first impressions?
Firstly, the Schwinn AC Performance Plus just looks fantastic. The design and attention to detail is great and it makes for a really nice looking indoor cycle. Here are some of the best bits about this indoor bike:
- It's built like a tank and will withstand any amount of use
- It's easy to find a good riding position.
- The seat and handlebars adjust up/down and forewards/backwards which makes it easy to find a good riding position
- The bike is easy to move because of the transport wheels on the front stabiliser bar, so you can move it out of the way when you've finished using it
- Magnetic braking is very smooth and easy to control
- Heavy and well balanced flywheel gives a smooth ride
- The Schwinn Smart Release TM system is excellent - when cycling you can stop the bike by applying some backward pressure to the pedals. It's a good safety feature
- Chain drive is really quite quiet which you find with Schwinn bikes - the alignment of the crank and flywheel is just about perfect so the chain is much quieter than on lower quality bikes
- Console (optional extra) gives good feeback and is well positioned in the centre of the handlebars

What's it like to ride?
If feels just like riding an outdoor bike indoors. The feel of the chain drive and the riding position make for an excellent ride:
- The magnetic resistance works extremely well which enables you to make the workout as easy or hard as you like, and of course you can vary this resistance during your workout by turning the adjuster knob as you cycle.
- Because of the high quality chain assembly and the pedal alignment of the crank, you get good feedback from the bike and it does feel like an outdoor cycle.
- At high speeds and/or resistance, when you're putting more strain on the bike, it still feels very stable and solid. There's no frame distortion which demonstrates the qualiity and strength of the frame.

Any niggles?
None - this the best bike you can buy.

Anything else to add?
The aluminium component mean that there is no worry about rusting

Overall Impression?
This is a super indoor cycle. It's a popular model with outdoor cyclists who like the feel of the chain and want the authentic feel of riding outdoors.

Spin Bikes – An Affordable Way To Get Fit In 2013

If you want 2013 to be the year you get fit then it could be worth investing in a spin bike. Getting the body of dreams seems a million miles away for many of us, but actually it is often just about purchasing the right equipment to help us. A spin bike is a fantastic way to burn calories, improve our fitness and tone up – without too much hassle and afford.

Burn Calories Fast

A spin bike is a cardio workout, which means it is designed to burn calories fast. It’s just as efficient as jogging on a treadmill or doing other high-intensity exercises. What this means is, if you use the device on a daily basis, you will lose weight and you will lose weight quickly. You will finally get healthy and you will be in the best shape of your life. These bikes can help you burn off calories and finally get the body that you were dying for when you were younger.

Work Out First Thing

If you wake up every morning on the right side of the bed, you should go immediately to your spin bike and 

you should start working out. Exercising on the spin bike is very important and it has to be worked into your schedule as best you can. If the first thing that you do in the morning is get on the bike, then you will be much more likely to consistently do this on a daily basis.

If you find that you don’t enjoy working out first thing then simply adjust your spin bike schedule to suit you. Find a time of day that you do like to work out and try to work out at the same time every day. If you build it into your list of things to do daily, it will seem like less of a chore.

Affordable

It’s not going to break the bank in order to purchase a spin bike. These bikes are very affordable and they are designed for the average consumer. This means that you can save a lot of money by purchasing one of these bicycles. Spin bikes are often cheaper than treadmills and other types of weight loss products that people often buy.

  

A Fun Way to Lose Weight & Tone Up

Always remember that a spin bike is much more fun than other types of weight loss methods. If you compare using a spin bike to jogging on a treadmill for example you will see that spin bikes are much more fun to use. What is even better is that even after you get off of the bicycle, you will feel plenty of energy to continue your day! There is nothing better than a work out to get the blood flowing and to increase your energy levels.

There are lots of ways to lose weight, but spin bikes are highly effective. They help you lose weight, get in shape and feel good about yourself right away!

Spin Bikes a Hit Amongst Triathletes and Competitive Cyclists

While many of us think of competitive athletes training in the French Alps and in advanced training centers, the reality isn’t quite so romantic. For many iron man endurance competitors, the most important aspect of their training routine can be found at home, often stored alongside their television or beside their bookshelf.

We’re talking about the spin bike – a simple at-home exercise solution designed for athletes and casual users looking to increase their athletic performance and cardio fitness. Built for commercial gyms and home users alike, spin bikes have emerged as one of the most effective forms of cardiovascular training for all types of athlete.

That’s right – the same bicycles that are used by gym goers struggling to lose the last few inches off their waistline are popular training tools amongst elite triathletes and cyclists. Thanks to their fantastic tracking features and wide range of resistance and difficulty levels, spin bikes are now a fundamental part of many training routines.

Why have athletes turned away from the velodrome and its banked corners in favor of a home-based cycling system? The first reason is the massive amount of tracking and performance assessment that’s possible with a spin bike. Boasting timers and heart rate tracking features, many spin bikes now use advanced computer systems.

These computers make it easy to track important health factors and performance indicators during training. Trainers can watch their athletes on a spin bike and see how their body reacts to their training routine. Monitoring heart rate, muscle force output, and other key factors is easily possible with a spin bike and accessories.

One of the other major advantages of spin bikes, particularly for athletes, is their constant, distraction-free environment. In an air conditioned training center, the distractions and inconsistencies of the natural world aren’t present. Even special velodromes have wind currents and other issues that can interfere with training.

Thanks to the constant nature of spin bikes, trainers can frequently assess their athletes’ major advantages and disadvantages without having to worry about a control factor or natural inconsistency. Wind advantages and weather factors can safely be ignored thanks to the constant, unshakeable consistency of a spin bike.

Finally, the injury-free nature of spin bike training makes it an attraction option for athletes looking to prepare for a major event. Unfortunately, training accidents can occur during training, particularly on open stages and ‘tour-style’ cycling stages. An athlete that falls during training, for example, may not be able to complete.

As such, trainers have taken fondly to spin bikes thanks to their ability to minimize the risk of training injuries and accidents. With athlete injuries minimized and acute injuries that show up in training easy to treat quickly, athletes have fewer risks to worry about when they train using a spin bike rather than an open training track.

Inexpensive, safe, and highly efficient for monitoring your training variables and performance, spin bikes are becoming a favorite of the triathlon and competitive cycling world. Popular amongst trainers and athletes alike, these durable, simple, yet hugely powerful training tools are creating champions around the world.