The 7 Best Stationary Exercise Bikes Of 2023

Stationary exercise bikes are a great way to get the cardiovascular exercise we all need, but finding the best one to meet your individual needs however, can take a little work.

You know, finding the best brands, comparing specs, checking prices…it can get exhausting.

But we got ya covered.

In this comprehensive review, we’ll cover all the basics you should know to find the right exercise bike for your home gym.

Like all home exercise equipment, there are a lot of stationary bikes on the market these days, but my goal for this article is to give you the tools to narrow down your search, hopefully making the whole process a lot easier.

I’ll also present my favorite upright exercise bikes currently available (based on the specs discussed).

After reading, you’ll be well equipped to find the right stationary bike for your home gym.

Well, let’s get started already.

	Flywheel	Weight Limit	Warranty	Features
#1 Sole LCB	30 lb	350 lb	Lifetime frame 5 year parts 2 year labor	10" LCD console 10 workouts Bluetooth
#2 NordicTrack Commercial VU29	19 lb	325 lb	10 year frame 2 year parts 1 year labor	14" HD touchscreen iFit Bluetooth
#3 3G Cardio Elite	?	350 lb	Lifetime frame 7 year parts 1 year labor	Simple console Fully adjustable seat Chest strap
#4 Nautilus U618	10 lb	325 lb	15 year frame 3 year parts 1 year labor	DualTrack console 29 built-in workouts Chest strap
#5 Schwinn 170	13 lb	300 lb	10 year frame 2 year parts 1 year labor	DualTrack console 29 workout programs Bluetooth
#6 Life Fitness C1	24 lb	300 lb	Lifetime frame 3 year parts 1 year labor	Choice of console Fully adjustable seat Weighted pedals
#7 Schwinn 130	13 lb	300 lb	10 year frame 2 year parts 90 day labor	5.5" console Bluetooth USB charging

What Is A Stationary Exercise Bike?

This may sound like a silly question, but for the sake of clarity, I think we should define what a “stationary” exercise bike is.

This is a very broad term and technically encompasses several different types of exercise machines.

For the sake of this article, when I talk about stationary exercise bikes, I’m really talking about the upright variety.

Stationary exercise bikes really include upright bikes, recumbent bikes, indoor cycles, and even air bikes.

I’m not going to go into too much detail here with regards to the differences between them all, but if you’re interested in a more detailed comparison, click here to check out my full bike guide.

Anyway, each type of exercise bike has its benefits.

Recumbent bikes are great because they are more comfortable to sit on and they put less stress through your hips and knees.

Indoor cycles are great because they closely mimic the feel of riding a road bike and they can really provide an intense workout. 

Upright bikes are a nice combination of the two – they’re more comfortable to use than indoor cycles, but they still keep you in the traditional biking posture (upright).

Upright stationary bikes can provide a great workout too. The good ones offer plenty of workout options and plenty of resistance to get the job done. 

Fan (or air) bikes are another category of stationary bike I don’t want to neglect. I love fan bikes because they can really provide an intense cardiovascular workout while working your arms and legs at the same time. 

The Crossfit folks use them a lot…enough said.

To me though, they belong in their own category and won’t be included with these upright bikes (the link above will direct you to by air bike guide).

One thing all stationary exercise bikes have in common is that they can be a wonderful addition to any home gym. Generally speaking, they offer a low-impact form of cardiovascular exercise that can be done indoors.

People that have a hard time using a treadmill or elliptical can still usually find a stationary bike that is comfortable to use. 

Upright stationary exercise bikes are a good choice when:

• Space is an issue 
• You are looking for a low-impact workout
• You want a bike with a display monitor
• You are looking for an exercise bike with a comfortable seat
• You are looking for a quiet machine

What To Look For In A Stationary Exercise Bike

When searching for a stationary exercise bike, it’s a good idea to have a game plan because there are a TON of different exercises bikes out there.

And it can get a little daunting if you don’t have a blueprint.

If you have a predetermined list of what you want, you will know what to look for and compare between models.

This will definitely make your job a lot easier.

If you’re not sure what you should be looking for, that’s ok, that’s why I’m here. Here are the top 5 factors I think you should consider when comparing bikes:

Flywheel Weight

The flywheel on an exercise bike is the metal disc that spins as you pedal. Flywheels come in a huge variety of weights and generally speaking, heavier is better.

That’s because most home exercise bikes are designed to benefit from a heavier flywheel.

The extra weight results in a smoother feel during use because of the added momentum that builds as the weighted flywheel spins.

Higher-end upright bikes usually come with flywheels in the 20 lb+ category, but depending on your fitness goals, you might not need a really heavy flywheel.

If you’re looking for more strenuous workouts, then going with a bike with at least a 20 lb flywheel is a smart idea.

If you’re looking for lower intensity workouts, lighter flywheels will likely do just fine.

Workouts

The different workout programs an upright bike offers is a great place to start. Most decent stationary bikes will offer anywhere between 16 – 30 different workouts. 

More isn’t always better, because often several of them may be very similar to each other, but if you like the idea of having plenty of preprogrammed variety, aim for a bike that offers more workouts (many offer over 20).

Most stationary bikes offer similar programs too.

These include: manual, hills, intervals, random, fat burn, and heart rate (HR). Sometimes you’ll see different cardio programs and custom programs.

The machines with 20 and 30 different programs will have multiple programs in each category.

Weight Capacity

Anyone that has read any of my reviews in the past knows I’m a stickler for weight limits. Not only is it important to make sure you are safe to use the bike, but it gives you a good idea of how well the bike is built.

Higher weight limits are always preferred.

I recommend finding a stationary bike that has a weight capacity of at least 300 lb. It’s going to feel more stable during use and last longer.

I like to look at assembled weights too because this spec can help give ya a better idea as to how stable or secure you can expect the bike to feel during use.

With heavier bikes being less likely to wiggle or wobble during workouts.

I like to see an assembled weight north of 100 lb.

Technology

For some folks, technology might be the most important factor. If so, look for a bike that offers bluetooth connectivity to your favorite apps.

Not all bikes do, especially with budget models.

If you don’t care so much about fitness tracking, you should also consider console size and whether the bike can track heart rate or not.

Decent exercise bikes should at least offer a grip heart rate monitor and many will offer telemetry tracking (chest strap).

Any bike that offers HR workouts will have the ability to track your HR.

There aren’t nearly as many streaming upright bikes out there as there are indoor cycles, but there are a few, so if you’re into streaming, don’t fret.

Warranty

Warranty is another great indicator of how well built an exercise bike is and longer is always better (duh).

Many quality bikes will offer lifetime warranties on frame, 3-5 years on parts, and at least 1 year on labor. 

When in doubt, I say go with the bike with the longer warranty.

There you have it, a good starting off point for comparing different upright bikes to each other.

All upright bikes will have similar dimensions, but it’s always a good idea to check that as well to ensure the machine will fit in your space.

Alright, let’s get to the good stuff already.3

The 7 Best Stationary Exercise Bikes of 2023

#1 Sole LCB Upright Bike

I’m a huge fan of everything Sole Fitness puts out.

Their bikes, ellipticals, and treadmills always make their way onto my “best of” lists because, well, they often top the competition.

Their LCB Upright is no exception.

Flywheel/Workouts

The LCB only comes with 10 total workouts, but it’s got something to offer everyone. These workout programs include 6 standard programs, 2 heart rate programs, and 2 custom.

Although Sole isn’t known for putting a bunch of workout programs on their devices, they are known for designing their products for performance.

This is evident from the 30 lb flywheel Sole placed in this model.

With a flywheel this heavy, your rides will be smooth and fluent. The extra heavy flywheel will also give this bike the ability to provide a lot of resistance if you want it.

This means you get get one heck of a workout on the this bike if you choose to.

Weight Capacity

This bike has a rock solid frame that can users up to 350 lb.

This is as about as high as you’re gonna see on a home unit. Even larger users won’t have to worry about this bike rocking or swaying during use.

Technology

The Sole LCB comes with a 10″ LCD screen that makes it easy to view all your stats during your workouts.

There’s also an integrated tablet holder above the screen, so you don’t have to block your display while watching your tablet of phone.

This bike also comes with bluetooth technology, a USB charging port, and telemetry heart rate monitoring capabilities (although a chest strap isn’t included).

Warranty

Sole backs this LCB up with a an awesome home warranty: lifetime frame, 5 year parts, 2 year labor. This is a very generous guarantee (something Sole is known for).

This bike also offers a light commercial use warranty.

Additional Features You Will Appreciate

• Full adjustable seat
• Adjustable pedal straps
• Cooling fan
• Water bottle holders

Overall, the Sole LCB Upright is commercial grade quality without the extraordinary price that usually accompanies those bikes. If you’re looking for the nicest home stationary bike around, this is it. See full review.

#2 NordicTrack Commercial VU29

If you’re looking for an upright with streaming capabilities, NordicTrack’s Commercial VU29 is certainly worth checking out.

NordicTrack’s one of the most well-known fitness brands in the world, so they probably don’t need much of an intro, but I will say that generally speaking, they’re a pretty safe brand to go with.

Their customer service doesn’t have the best reputation, but as moderately priced fitness equipment goes, there still one of the better brands out there.

Anyway, when it comes to upright bikes, the VU29 is their highest-end model.

 

Flywheel/Workouts

I know most folks are probably considering this bike for that touchscreen console, but let’s take a quick look at the VU29’s performance specs first.

Under the hood, this upright is packing a 19 lb flywheel, allowing it to provide a smooth pedaling motion as well as provide intense workouts when you want ’em.

This fairly heavy flywheel is paired with 24 magnetic resistance levels, giving you a good deal of control over the intensity of your workouts.

When it comes to workouts, the VU29 is designed to pair with iFit, NordicTrack’s streaming platform, giving you access to unlimited, instructor-led workouts.

iFit also has all kinds of non-biking workouts too and a membership gives you access to everything.

Weight Capacity

The VU29 comes with an impressive weight capacity of 325 lb, allowing folks of all sizes the ability to safely use this bike.

Technology

This upright scores well on the performance side of things, but it’s most impressive feature is the 14″ HD touchscreen console mounted in front.

This large screen makes for easy viewing of all those iFit workouts, as well as making it easy to see all your stats during workouts.

Another cool feature this bike comes with is Automatic Trainer Control, which allows the trainers to automatically adjust your resistance to match the workouts (available only through iFit).

And as expected, this bike is bluetooth compatible with headphones and heart rate straps.

Warranty

NordicTrack backs the Commercial VU29 with the following home warranty:

• 10 year frame
• 2 year parts
• 1 year labor

This warranty isn’t quite as impressive as Sole’s, but it’s still a solid guarantee for an exercise bike in this price range.

Additional Features You Will Appreciate

• Fully adjustable seat
• One touch resistance buttons
• Built-in cooling fan
• Water bottle holder

Overall, when it comes to streaming upright bikes, NordicTrack’s Commercial VU29 is about as good as they come – it’s a potent combination of performance specs and console features.

 

#3 3G Cardio Elite Upright Bike

Next on the list is the 3G Cardio Elite Upright Bike.

This bike made the list because it is a beast- it has an incredible weight capacity (at 350 lb) and a great warranty that ensures it will hold up for the long run.

For those of you unfamiliar with the 3G Cardio brand, you should look them up.

The name isn’t as recognizable as NordicTrack, but they are producing some top notch home fitness equipment with multiple “best of” rewards in various categories.

I first became aware of this company when I reviewed the 3G Cardio treadmill.

I was impressed to say the least.

The company’s mission is to produce high quality fitness machines without all the “bells and whistles” so that they can keep their prices low.

Flywheel/Workouts

The 3G Cardio Elite comes with 16 different workout programs. This includes 12 preprogrammed workouts (cardio, fat burn, etc), 3 different HR programs, and 1 power workout (watt based).

The 3G Cardio Elite doesn’t offer quite as much workout variety as some, but with 16 different workouts, most users should be satisfied.

Speaking of users, this bike also saves profiles for up to 4 different users.

This makes it easier to switch between users and gets your started on your workout faster, as well as keeping data tracking more accurate.

3G Cardio doesn’t disclose the flywheel weight on this model (which usually isn’t a good sign), but users agree this bike offers a very quite, smooth pedaling action during workouts.

Weight Capacity

I mentioned already that the 3G Cardio Elite has a whopping 350 lb weight limit.

This is impressive at any price point and can stand against most commercial exercise bikes.

Technology

I mentioned briefly above that 3G Cardio is all about producing high quality equipment without all the “bells and whistles”. Well, in this case, this means minimal technology.

The 3G Cardio Elite bike doesn’t have any bluetooth capabilities, so if you are looking for a bike that can connect with your fitness apps, this isn’t the right bike for you.

What this bike does have, is an easy to use monitor. The dial system makes it easy to make your selections and the digital display is easy to read.

The 3G Cardio Elite comes with a grip HR sensor and a free chest-strap HR monitor. I love it when companies throw in a chest strap, just a nice little touch.

Warranty

3G Cardio offers a great warranty on this bike: lifetime frame, 7-year parts, 1-year in home labor.

This bike also comes with a commercial warranty of 3-year parts and 1-year labor.

The fact that this machine has a commercial warranty shows us how well built and durable it is.

Durability always ranks high on my wish list and it’s hard to find a more durable bike in this price range.

Additional Features You Will Appreciate

• Wide, fully adjustable seat with 10 different height adjustments
• Ergonomic handlebars for improved comfort during use
• Compact footprint
• Built-in transfer wheels for easy moving
• Fully adjustable pedals to ensure proper fit regardless of shoe size
• Water bottle holder

Overall, the 3G Cardio Elite Upright Bike is really a commercial grade bike designed for home use.

It’s lacking in the features and technology departments, but if you are looking for a durable bike that will last for years, this is a safe bet.

This bike is priced a little higher than some of the other bikes on this list, but with the higher price you are getting a more durable product and better warranty.

 

#4 Nautilus U618 Upright Bike

Nautilus is another brand that’s been around for a long time – we actually have this brand to thank, in large part, to the success of commercial gyms…

But that’s a story for another day.

These days, Nautilus is still rocking and they offer some of the best budget-friendly fitness equipment around.

Their lineup isn’t that big these days, but what they do have is top notch.

Flywheel/Workouts

The U618 is their highest-end upright bike and it comes with a lot of impressive features, including 29 built-in workout programs.

This gives you a lot of options when it comes to picking a workout, so boredom really shouldn’t be an issue here.

And folks who don’t want to worry about signing up for a streaming app and paying a monthly subscription fee will likely appreciate having all these workouts.

Under the hood, the U618 is packing a 10 lb flywheel.

This is pretty light when compared to the heavier flywheels discussed above, but for this price range, it’s pretty average.

And users still report a smooth pedaling motion, even with the lighter-weight flywheel.

And with 25 resistance levels to work with, you’ll have plenty of control over the intensity of your workouts.

Weight Capacity

The U618 comes with a weight limit of 325 lb, which not only is impressive for such an affordable bike, but it allows folks of all sizes the ability to safely ride it.

Technology

The console on the U618 is split into 2 LCD screens, both of which are brightly backlit for easy viewing during workouts.

It’s also bluetooth compatible with certain streaming apps, allowing you to track your fitness metrics and whatnot.

Oh, and not only is this bike compatible with heart rate straps, but Nautilus actually includes one with purchase – pretty sweet deal.

Warranty

Nautilus backs their U618 with the following home warranty:

• 15 year frame
• 3 year parts
• 1 year labor

Yeah, that’s a great warranty for any exercise bike, but it’s especially fantastic for one that only costs a few hundred bucks.

15 years on the frame is great, but it’s the 3 year parts guarantee that really impresses me here.

Well played Nautilus.

Additional Features You Will Appreciate:

• Fully adjustable seat
• Built-in cooling fan
• Quick touch resistance buttons
• Weighted pedals
• Media tray

Overall, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly upright bike with some serious tech game, Nautilus’ U618 should be on your short list. See full review.

 

#5 Schwinn 170 Upright Bike

The Schwinn 170 Upright Bike comes in at number 5 on our list. Schwinn basically invented the exercise bike and has been a leader in producing fitness products for decades.

It’s a name synonymous with quality and the 170 Upright Bike fits the mold.

The Schwinn 170 is significantly cheaper than the 3G Cardio Elite (roughly half the price) and packs in a lot more programs and technology.

Flywheel/Workouts

The 170 Upright Bike comes loaded with 29 different workouts. These consist of 12 profile workouts, 9 HR workouts, 4 custom, 1 fitness test, and 1 quick start (you just hit the button and start riding).

This line up is very similar to the Nautilus U618’s and is great for folks that like having a lot of preprogrammed workout options.

The Schwinn 170 also offers 25 different levels of resistance.

The more resistance levels you have, the more control you have over your workout. 25 is a large number that will allow you to fine tune the resistance as much as you like.

This bike also offers saved user settings for up to 4 different users.

The Schwinn 170 is packing a 13 lb flywheel, which is light and fairly average for this price range.

Weight Capacity

This upright bike has a max user capacity of 300 lb. This value is respectable, especially for a bike in this price range, but you can see this is what really sets the 3G Cardio Elite apart.

If the Schwinn 170 had a higher weight capacity (and the price stayed the same), it may have made it to the number 1 spot on this list.

But hey, no product is perfect.

Technology

The Schwinn 170 is loaded up with a lot more tech than the Cardio 3G.

This bike does offer bluetooth connectivity to transfer data to the Schwinn Trainer app, as well as all the other popular fitness apps out there (MyFitnessPal, Apple Health, GoogleFit, etc).

Like the Nautilus U618, this bike also pairs up with the RideSocial app to give you the feel of riding on different paths in the real world.

This upright bike has a dual screen display that makes it easier to show more workout metrics at once. It also has a media shelf for storing your smart devices as well as a charging USB port that can charge your phone or tablet while you workout.

The Schwinn 170 comes with a grip HR monitor, but no chest strap. You would have to buy one separately if you so desired.

Warranty

Schwinn does offer a warranty on this bike: 10-year frame, 2-year mechanical, 1-year electrical, and 90-day labor.

This is a great example of how price affects warranty.

This is roughly half the warranty offered by 3G Cardio and significantly less than the one offered on the Nautilus U618.

This is one way Schwinn can offer this bike at such a low price. They cut the warranty.

Additional Features You Will Appreciate

• Adjustable, padded handlebars for increased comfort during rides
• Comfortable, contoured seat that can be switched out for any standard bicycle seat
• Built-in speakers with mp3 input for listening to your music while you exercise
• 3-speed cooling fan
• Easy to use console
• Water bottle holder

Overall, the Schwinn 170 Upright Bike has a lot to offer at a very affordable price. The biggest setbacks are it’s lower weight capacity and it’s shorter warranty.

This bike offers a ton of workout programs and additional features that will definitely increase user enjoyment. And at this price, it’s tough to beat. See full review.

 

#6 Life Fitness C1 Upright Bike

The “Life Fitness” name should look familiar to you if you have ever worked out in a commercial gym.

They are a huge producer of commercial grade fitness machines and odds are, if you rode the stationary bikes at your local gym, you probably rode one of their products.

Life Fitness also produces home gym equipment.

Their C1 Upright Bike is the home version of their popular commercial grade bikes. It has the feel of a commercial bike, which is great. Unfortunately, it also has the price that comes with it.

Flywheel/Workouts

The Life Fitness C1 Upright Bike comes loaded with 16 different workouts. These include one button access to custom workouts, HIIT workouts, and goal based options (HR, time, distance, etc).

You will notice this bike offers significantly less workout options than the cheaper Schwinn and Nautilus models above.

This is pretty common, the more commercial grade machines tend to offer fewer workouts (quality over quantity perhaps?).

The C1 offers 20 different levels of resistance to help you control your workout intensity throughout your ride. This bike also allows for the saving of 4 different user profiles.

Note: I’m talking about the model that comes with the “Track Connect Console”.

There is also the option of buying this bike with the “Go” console that only has 12 workouts. The “Go” console cannot connect via bluetooth either (but is ~$500 cheaper, fyi).

Weight Capacity

The Life Fitness C1 only has a weight capacity of 300 lb. This is a little disappointing to me because for the price, I would expect at least 350 lb.

This bike is designed to resemble and feel like their commercial models, but obviously isn’t as robust. Their club bikes can handle 400 lb.

Technology

The Track Connect Console allows the C1 to connect to all the popular fitness apps via bluetooth. The Go console does not. The model I am referring to here includes the Track Connect option.

With this console, you also get an “entertainment zone”- the top of the console is designed to hold your smart phone or tablet for viewing during your workout.

A nice touch because your phone won’t be in the way of operating the controls or seeing your stats.

This bike is lacking speakers and a cooling fan. Sorry, if you want to jam out and stay cool while you ride, you should consider another bike.

The C1 comes with both a grip heart rate monitor and a chest strap monitor.

Warranty

Life Fitness supports the C1 with a lifetime frame, 3-year parts, and 1-year labor warranty. This is a pretty solid warranty, but this is an expensive exercise bike.

I’d like to see a longer warranty on parts.

The 3G Cardio Elite has a parts warranty that’s over double that…just saying.

Additional Features You Will Appreciate

• Self balancing pedals for improved comfort
• Over-sized, adjustable height seat
• Large, angled handlebars
• Transfer wheels for easy transport
• Water bottle holder

If you are looking for a bike that feels like the bike you use at the gym, the Life Fitness C1 Upright Bike is a good choice. It looks and feels like a gym exercise bike.

That said, it’s lacking in the weight capacity, warranty, and features departments and is by far the most expensive bike on this list.

Personally, I see no reason to choose this bike over the 3G Cardio Elite, but Life Fitness is a great company.

 

#7 Schwinn 130 Upright Bike

Rounding out our list at number 7 is Schwinn’s 130 Upright Bike. This is the little brother of the 170 discussed earlier.

It has fewer options, less technology, and isn’t quite as heavy.

But it also has a significantly lower price tag, so if you’re looking for a great bike but are on a tight budget, the Schwinn 130 might be the right fit.

Flywheel/Workouts

The Schwinn 130 comes loaded with 13 different workout programs, which isn’t a ton of workouts, but it’s still pretty good for a bike in this price range.

This bike should offer plenty of variety to keep your workouts interesting and entertaining though.

This bike comes with 16 levels of adjustable magnetic resistance.

Again, a few less than the 170, but still very respectable.

It also allows for the saving of 1 profile for more accurate data tracking (although a few more user profiles would be great).

This bike also comes with a light flywheel at around 13 lb.

Weight Capacity

The 130 has a 300 lb max weight limit.

Considering the price of this bike, I think this is remarkable. Many bikes in this price range have weight limits in the 225-250 lb range.

Technology

The 130 is a little lacking in the tech department, but surprisingly does offer more than some of the more expensive models mentioned above.

It has a 5.5″ display screen that’s far from fancy, but you can still see all of your workout metrics comfortably. The console is easy to use and the display is large and easy to see.

The 130 is also compatible with bluetooth heart rate monitors as well as a few other fitness apps for tracking etc

Warranty

Schwinn gives us a very respectable warranty on this bike, considering how affordable it is: 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year electronics, 90-day labor. 

This far exceeds a lot of exercise bikes in this price range and matches the more expensive Schwinn 170 above.

Well done Schwinn!

Additional Features You Will Appreciate

• Charging USB port for keeping your smart devices at full capacity
• Grip heart rate monitor
• Padded, contoured seat that can be switched out for standard bike seats
• Angled, adjustable handlebars
• Transport wheels for easy moving
• Water bottle holder

Overall, the Schwinn 130 is a great budget upright bike. It offers a good selection of workout programs, some tech, a good weight capacity, and a respectable warranty.

This is the most affordable option on the list, but it can stand up with the significantly more expensive models.

The biggest complaint users have about this bike is that the seat is uncomfortable, but unfortunately that comes with the territory for budget bikes.  See full review.

 

Final Thoughts

I hope this article helped give you an idea of what you should compare when looking for the best stationary exercise bikes.

In summary, I suggest you always look at how many workouts programs are offered, flywheel weight, the weight capacity, the tech features, and the warranty for each bike you are considering.

I also presented my top 7 picks for stationary exercise bikes this year.

All of these bikes have their pros and cons. I chose the Sole LCB as my number 1 pick because I feel it offers the most in terms of quality and performance.

The Nautilus U618 is a great budget option.

If you like the idea of having a really long warranty, then you might want to go for the 3G Cardio Elite.

3G Cardio makes great products that are built to last. I love their long warranties- a great sign of a quality product.

If you aren’t aware, you should know that Nautilus owns the Schwinn brand. That’s why there tend to be a lot of similarities between Nautilus and Schwinn bikes.

They are usually pretty comparable. The warranties do vary though, so I would pay special attention to them.

Well, that about does it.

I hope this article helps you in your search. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below and I’ll get back to ya soon.