Johnny Goldberg invented the first stationary Spin® bike in the 1980s, and it quickly became popular among cyclists. The differences between it and a traditional stationary bicycle are subtle, and may only matter to a serious cyclist.
Position
Spin® bikes adjust in more places to mimic the aggressive riding position used on a road bike. Traditional exercise bikes use an upright posture, which non-roadies find comfortable.
Flywheel
While exercise bikes have a “freewheel” that allows the rider to stop pedaling and “coast,” a Spin® bike operates with a flywheel and direct drivetrain. As long as the wheel is spinning, the pedals must spin too. The constant pedaling burns slightly more calories and improves pedaling technique.
Motivation
An exercise bike has programmed “courses” and offers data readouts for motivation. Motivation on a Spin® bike is dependent on an instructor or the athlete’s internal desire to train.
Maintenance
Since Spin® bikes have no electronic parts, they are easy to fix. They also last longer because they are made from high-quality materials that can withstand heavy use.
Riding Style
The road-like position on a Spin® bike trains the same muscles used in outdoor cycling. The bikes are also built to withstand vigorous sprints.
Member Comments