Thursday, 23 May 2013

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.

Friday, 10 May 2013

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
Spinning Bikes under £500
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.


Wednesday, 8 May 2013

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.

Friday, 3 May 2013

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:

Wednesday, 1 May 2013

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.