Whether you're an avid cyclist looking for extra training or just need a way of losing weight at home, stationary exercise bikes offer a good way to keep your heart rate up with relatively little impact on your joints. A stationary bike is a major investment toward your personal health; you typically get what you pay for, so choosing a durable model that costs a bit more usually works out as a better value than selecting a cheaper model that will need frequent repairs, isn't as much fun to ride, or isn't covered by a warranty.
Step 1
Sit on and pedal recumbent and upright bikes to help you decide which style you prefer. Recumbent bikes, which have a much broader, flatter seat than upright bikes, are ideal for obese users and those with other health issues that prevent them from sitting comfortably on a narrow upright bike seat. Avid cyclists will most likely prefer an upright bike that closely approximates their actual bike.
Step 2
Sit on each of the bikes you're interested in and adjust each one to make sure it fits your body. The seat should adjust so that, at the farthest point in the pedaling motion, your leg is just barely bent.
Step 3
Twist the appropriate knob, or push the appropriate buttons, to adjust the bike's pedaling resistance. Do this an eye toward whether you can make the adjustments easily on your own, or if they're too difficult (for manual adjustments) or confusing (for digital adjustments).
Step 4
Ride several bikes, with and without electronic readouts, so that you can decide whether you prefer one or the other type of display. Some riders will enjoy the extra information and workout options that come with an electronic readout, while others will prefer to have the simplest workout machine possible. Other extra features that are purely a matter of personal preference--it's up to you to decide whether they're worth investing in--include a heart rate sensor, pre-programmed electronic workouts, and the ability to store custom programs.
Step 5
Inquire about the bike's warranty coverage. Consumer Reports recommends looking for a bike that's warrantied for at least two or three years on major moving parts and one year for labor. If the bike doesn't come with a warranty at all, that's a danger signal that the construction or assembly may be subpar.
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