What to Look For
When purchasing a stationary bike, several considerations will factor into your decision, including your purpose for the bike, such as whether it will be used at home, in a gym or in a cycling studio. You must also be aware of your fitness level and shop accordingly. If you are an advanced cyclist, you will want to be looking at intermediate- to advanced-level bikes. If you are a beginner cyclist, looking at a beginner- to intermediate-level bike would be best. You must also consider your budget, as Spinner® bikes can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Finally, consider the features of the bike. In his article "What is a Spin® Bike?," Laree Draper, publisher at personal trainer and body builder Dave Draper's IronOnline, notes that it is important to make sure that the bike has both vertical and horizontal seat adjustments, as cheaper bikes often have only vertical seat adjustments, which may result in an uncomfortable ride.
Common Pitfalls
The most common pitfalls in purchasing a Spinner® bike fall on both ends of the spectrum: overbuying and under-buying. In his article, Laree Draper stresses the importance of purchasing a Spinner® bike as opposed to a regular recumbent bike. He states that the main difference between a recumbent bike and a Spinner® bike is the quality of the bike. He reveals that Spinner® bikes are built with strong steel for the purpose of supporting the rider as he or she stands on the bike, something which could break the pedals when done on a regular bike. He also stresses the importance of quality among stationary bikes, as cheaper bikes lack significant features such as dual seat adjustments, while the best ones do not.
Where to Buy
Spinner® bikes can be purchased online from the official Spinning® website or at various online fitness stores. One factor to take into account when purchasing a bike online is shipping. Purchasing a bike from Spinning® will provide you with one of the best, name-brand bikes along with a fixed shipping rate based on the model you choose. Other sites such as Fitness Equipment Superstore offer free shipping on stationary bikes. Reconditioned bikes can be purchased online for half the cost of new bikes at sites such as Pro-fitness Wholesale of Maryland. Stationary bikes can be purchased in-store at places such as Wal-Mart, Sears, and Best Buy.
Cost
Cost varies widely among Spinner® bikes. Top-of-the-line bikes usually range from $1,100 to $4,600 and include advanced features and settings such as built-in heart-rate monitors, fans, bullet-proof frames, music and digital touch screens with cycling programs. Simpler versions of the Spinner® bike range from $200 to $800. One way to reduce costs when purchasing a stationary bike is to choose a reconditioned bike, which has had all breakable parts repaired and frame painted. These are usually half the cost of the new versions of the same model.
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