It's important to know the reasons for buying a stationary recumbent cycle before spending the extra money to purchase one. Recumbent cycles provide back support, wider pedals and more comfortable seats than an upright, and they also cost more. Uprights more closely mimic road bikes so if that is your eventual goal, buy an upright instead. However, if you need something easier on your knees and back or plan to ride a lot and don't want a sore buttocks, a quality recumbent is the right choice.
Schwinn 240 Recumbent Bike
For around $440, you can get one of the best recumbent bikes on the market, the Schwinn 240. The Schwinn 240 has wireless heart rate monitoring with a chest strap, 16 programs, 16 resistance levels, under seat storage, a water bottle and a magazine rack. To save around $90, try the Schwinn 220 instead. You don't get wireless heart rate monitoring, under seat storage or a bottle holder and the number of programs drops to 12, but so does the price. A Schwinn 220 has all the other features of the 240 but for around $350.
Nautilus NR2000 Recumbent Exercise Bike
The Nautilus NR2000 is another excellent choice for a recumbent bike, but the extra quality comes with a higher price. Expect to pay around $1,000 for this bike. For people looking for a long term bike to put through the trials of constant use, the Nautilus NR2000 is durable, smooth and quiet. You get eight programs with two that are customizable and 16 resistance levels. It also has a bottle holder and magazine rack.
Vision Fitness R1500 Semi-Recumbent Bike
Buying a Vision Fitness R1500 sets you back at least $600 for the simple model, but for that you get a highly-rated recumbent bike with an adjustable seat, sturdy frame and a 300-pound weight limit. There are three different console options. For a couple of hundred dollars more you can upgrade to the mid-range model and get 20 programs. The high-end console with wireless heart-rate monitoring is $1,000.
Cateye Recumbent Gamebike Pro GB-300R
The Cateye Recumbent Gamebike Pro offers something very few recumbent bikes do, entertainment. Sure you can point other bikes toward your TV and watch your favorite shows or movies during your workouts, but the Cateye Gamebike Pro is compatible with Playstation one and two video games. The bike has the large recumbent seat you'll find on a recumbent bike but it also has a steering wheel. You can play All Star Racing 2, Moto Racer 2, No Fear Downhill Racing, Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero and Grand Tourismo 3 just to name a few. With the purchase of an adapter, you can use an X-Box, Game Cube or your PC. Video or computer games may provide the additional motivation you need to workout consistently.
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