Best Indoor Cycling Bike Under $300: 5 Effective Models for Newbies and Ardent Users

If you’re in the market for the best indoor cycling bike under $300, then you’ve come to the right place.

It doesn’t matter where you are in your fitness goals; getting a cycling bike is a great way to keep up with your cardio without ever having to leave the house. The bikes reviewed here fall within the $300 price range and can be seen as cheap alternatives to the high-end models. Most of them offer high-intensity workouts and some extra features that can benefit riders at all levels.

In reviewing each unit, we will explore the main features and benefits. Then, we will highlight the pros and cons, some important specifications, and why we think it might be right for you. We also provide a buying guide to give you additional insight on the key things to consider before putting out your money for any bike.

In the end, we hope you will find a model that will help you reach your fitness goals.

Why should I get an Indoor Cycling Bike?

So, why get a cycling bike and not some other machine? Well, the exercise bike offers a number of benefits that you may not find in most home gym equipment. Let’s look at a few of them.

Convenience

An indoor cycling bike is very convenient. Unlike a road bike, it is not limited by the weather. Since you’re working out inside the house, you don’t have to worry about bad weather or public restrictions like covid. You can work out from home anytime and any day. For someone who likes cycling and cardio workouts, there’s no better recommendation!

Versatile

Everyone knows you can burn calories by working out on an exercise bike. But not many know; you can also perform other tasks on the machine during workouts. These include watching TV, playing a video game, listening to music, reading, or even having a zoom call.

Effective

Let’s not forget the main purpose of the exercise bike, which is to enable you to achieve a certain level of physical fitness. With an indoor cycling bike, you can burn up to 400-600 calories in just one workout session. So, whether you’re looking to get into form or maintain your shape, an exercise bike is the way to go.

Our Top 5 Best Indoor Cycling Bike under $300

01. Editor’s Choice: Ativafit Indoor Cycling Bike

The ATIVAFIT Stationary Bike is another compact model that offers a foldable design and a magnetic resistance mechanism.

It’s not only quiet while pedaling but also provides good adjustment of resistance. It offers 8 resistance levels, which isn’t bad for the price. So, you can adjust it according to your needs. You will likely need more if you’re an experienced rider.

The bike is also equipped with an LCD screen that displays your workout progress. You also get multiple adjustments for the ride angle and height of the seat.

We also found the seat fairly comfortable. It is wide and contoured for extra comfort and support. If you’re older with no buns, you might find it a little hard. In this case, we recommend getting a gel seat.

The overall weight of the bike is 34.2 pounds which is not too heavy, while the recommended capacity is 265 pounds. It is also equipped with transport wheels that make it easier to lift and relocate.

Talking about the build, the bike has a heavy-duty frame with an X-type design that greatly improves its stability. It’s sturdy on the ground and doesn’t wobble, so you don’t have to worry about falling over.

The bike also provides a quiet ride while giving you a good cardio workout. So, you can watch TV or listen to music while working out. The overall dimensions are 26.2″ x 15.8″ x 47.5″, so it’s pretty compact and will fit small spaces.

That said, we don’t recommend the bike for taller persons. If you’re taller than 6 feet, it might be a bit uncomfortable for you.

Overall, this is a decent bike that doesn’t take up much storage space. For the price point, you will be hard-pressed to find anything better.

Specifications

Pros

• Features auto on/off to prevent the battery from running down
• Foldable design for easy storage
• Adjustable resistance
• Comes with transport wheels
• Stable X-frame design
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Not suitable for very tall people

02. Lanos 2 In 1 Workout Bike for Home

For homeowners with very limited space for a gym, the Lano 2-in-1 Exercise Bike is an excellent choice. As the name suggests, it’s a 2-in-1, which means it offers both recumbent and upright bike positions allowing you to reap the benefits of both models. While recumbent bikes make the body feel more stable and comfortable, which can be great for seniors, upright bikes provide a total body workout. In other words, you can use this exercise regardless of your age or fitness level.

Another major highlight of the bike is its foldable design. The maximum length is 32″, but this reduces to 23″ when folded. In other words, you don’t need a lot of space to accommodate it. It folds neatly and can be stored in a corner or closet.

Other notable features include a phone holder, an LCD display, and variable resistance. The bike operates a magnetic resistance system, so it provides a smooth ride and doesn’t require a lot in terms of maintenance.

Talking about resistance, the bike provides up to 10 resistance levels, which allow you to determine the intensity of your workouts. So you can adjust the resistance according to your fitness goals and workout at your own pace. The machine also features a precision-balanced flywheel that ensures a smooth transition in the resistance. However, no resistance bands are included (you have to purchase them separately).

The bike’s overall weight is around 47 pounds, so it’s relatively light when compared with other indoor cycling bikes. Moreover, it comes with front wheels that make it easier to move to different locations in the house. Adjusting the seat and back is not difficult, just as it is with folding and unfolding.

Assembly is easy and shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. All the tools required are included as well as an instruction manual that is easy to read and follow.

Specifications

Pros

• Very sturdy (doesn’t wobble while in use)
• Easy to assemble
• Easy seat adjustment
• Comes with a digital tracker
• Great value

Cons

• The backrest could be more comfortable

03. Relife Rebuild Your Life Exercise Bike Indoor Cycling Bike

This indoor cycling bike from RELIFE REBUILD YOUR LIFE does exactly what the brand says – it helps you rebuild your physical life – which makes it an excellent option for all those looking to live a healthy, energetic lifestyle. It has all the features of a regular spin bike and more while being priced at a very affordable price under $300. The main highlights include adjustable design, easy installation, solid construction, large weight capacity, and extra perks such as a water bottle holder and an LCD monitor. Simply put, if you’re serious about burning fat and want a home gym machine that can give you a full-body workout, then you can’t go wrong with this bike.

The bike has a solid construction featuring a double triangular structure made of high-quality steel. This provides higher stability and ensures the bike doesn’t wobble while in operation. The maximum user weight capacity is rated at about 400 pounds, making it accessible to almost anyone.

The bike also offers adjustable resistance levels, which allow you to customize it to suit different workout intensities. The experience is synonymous with real-life outdoor cycling, where you feel like you’re navigating uphill or on a flat round. To increase the resistance, just turn right; to decrease resistance, turn left. Also, press down to stop the flywheel instantly.

Moving on, the machine also features an LCD monitor that keeps track of your workout stats. This helps you to measure your progress at each point. There’s also one holder by the side to place your phone or pad.

We found the seat to be fairly comfortable. It is cushioned and has a 3-dimensional groove design that increases airflow and dissipates heat. Just like the resistance, you can adjust the seat and handlebars to accommodate various users. However, the bike is not suitable for taller users over 6 feet; at this point, the seat might appear too low. There are transport wheels on the front for easy movement – no need for any heavy lifting.

Specifications

Pros

• Easy to install
• Offers total body workout
• Adjustable design
• Easy to move
• Very stable on different surfaces
• Comes with a bottle holder and pad holder

Cons

• Not suitable for taller people

04. Pooboo Indoor Cycling Bike

Pooboo is another budget-friendly option that offers a smooth and quiet ride. It is equipped with an updated belt-driven system with a heavy flywheel. The seat and handlebar can be adjusted to suit different heights. Other highlights of the bike include non-slip pedals, transportation wheels, digital monitor, water bottle holder, and non-slip pedals.

The bike is well-constructed and features an alloy steel frame that supports up to 300 pounds weight.

Assembly is very easy and takes about 30 minutes to complete. This is because most pieces are already assembled, and all the tools and hardware you need are included. Start by attaching the feet, followed by the handlebars, then the display unit, and finally the seat and pedals, and you’re ready to pedal!

As earlier indicated, the bike comes with an on-board monitor that tracks your workout metrics such as time, speed, pulse, distance, and heart rate.

The flywheel weighs about 35 pounds, which is quite impressive for its price. This means you can expect a smooth ride. The updated belt drive has a multi-groove design that offers a smooth, uniform, and super-quiet operation. It requires virtually no maintenance.

A few users complained of a squeak from the flywheel when riding the bike. If you encounter this problem, simply apply a little WD-40, and that should fix it!

The pedal system consists of cage and non-slip pedals. This includes alloy cape pedals with adjustable covers to prevent feet slip and provide maximum support while pedaling. If you want, you can replace the existing pedals with a clip-in option, but we found the current ones secure enough.

Although the bike is quite heavy (weighs 75 pounds), there are transport wheels attached to the front bottom to enable you to move it effortlessly. Just tilt and roll it to whatever location of your choice.

Overall, if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to high-end brands like Peloton that won’t fall apart after a few weeks of use, then Pooboo is the bike to go for.

Specifications

Pros

• Comes with transport wheels
• Fully adjustable seat and handlebar
• Budget-friendly
• Comes with a water bottle holder
• Sturdy construction
• Easy to assemble
• Comes with a digital tracker

Cons

• Might experience some squeaks after a while

05. Vigbody Exercise Bike Indoor Cycling Bike

If you want a great inexpensive alternative to the Peloton bike, then this model from Vigbody will make an excellent choice. Like the other options above, the bike is specifically designed for working out at home and has a massive 330 pounds maximum user weight limit. It is outfitted with a stable and adjustable base that adapts to different ground surfaces. Let’s review some of the key features.

The bike features a robust, heavy-duty square tube steel frame with a 35-pounds bidirectional flywheel that offers a smooth ride by generating more momentum for longer durations. It also has a durable powder coating that helps to prevent rust and corrosion. As earlier indicated, the bike can support up to 330 pounds weight.

The bike has a personalized design that features a 4-way adjustable seat and a 2-way adjustable handlebar, so it can be adjusted to fit different users. The seat has the center cutout for breathability. However, we noticed that it could be a bit uncomfortable when riding for longer periods.

There are two roller wheels located at the bottom, in front of the frame, which allow for easy moving and relocation of the bike. Just tilt it a bit and move it on the wheels to any part of the home.

Despite having such a low price tag, the bike still comes with a digital monitor that displays your performance. This helps you to keep track of important metrics about your workout, such as speed, time, calories burned, distance covered, and odometer. The bike also has a knob for adjusting to different resistance levels and for stopping the bike.

Specifications

Pros

• Easy to store
• Easy to assemble
• Phone holder included
• High weight capacity
• Heavy-duty construction
• Heavy flywheel for a smoother ride

Cons

• Not suitable for taller people (over 6.5 ft.)

Best Indoor Cycling Bike under $300: Buying Guide

Here are a few things to consider when shopping for an indoor cycling bike.

Resistance

Before putting out your money for any cycling bike, you should consider the resistance levels. Ideally, you want a bike with variable resistance. The number of resistance levels differs with each bike, but generally, the more resistance levels a bike has,  the more challenging or demanding it will be. So, except you’re a beginner, you probably want a bike with more resistance levels.

Most bikes usually come with a button, lever, or knob to adjust the resistance. Any one of these control is fine, provided it’s placed where you can easily access it.

Digital Monitor

A digital monitor might not be a must-have, but it can be very helpful, especially if you need something to keep you motivated. The screen displays useful information about your workout, which often includes real-time metrics like calories burned, time, speed, distance, pulse, and even heart rate.

As earlier indicated, this is not an essential feature, but it’s definitely useful and will make it easier to keep track of your progress. This can be a huge motivator to reach for the next level.

Flywheel weight

One of the major components of a spin bike is the flywheel.

A flywheel is a revolving wheel located at the front of the spin bike or any other exercise bike. It is used to increase the bike’s momentum in order to provide greater stability and power.

Generally, a heavy flywheel is usually desired, especially when you’re looking to replicate the same rolling movement found in regular road bikes. It also guarantees a smoother ride. On the other hand, a lightweight flywheel will be easier on the joint but not as challenging as the heavy ones.

Price Range

Even when you’re shopping for a cheap spin bike, it’s still a good idea to have a specific budget in mind. This helps to narrow down your options.

You can find many cheap spin bikes under $300, but if you want something with higher quality, you can move up further to $500. Looking up user reviews can be helpful in determining whether a particular bike is reliable and can meet your needs. This is very important since many cheap spin bikes are usually of low quality.

FAQs

Is an indoor cycling bike worth it?

Yes! A cycling bike provides a great way to stay in shape by working out from home. It is compact, quiet and easy to maintain. It’s already becoming a staple in the world of home gym equipment.

Is it necessary to place a mat under my exercise bike?

This is not necessary. Most bikes normally come with rubber pads or footings. However, we still recommend having a mat to help protect your floor.

How long should I spend on an indoor cycling bike?

30-60 minutes of exercise is great. In fact, most spinning classes are designed to take that long. That said, you can cycle for as long as you want. It all depends on your fitness goals.

Conclusion 

No matter where you are in your fitness journey, an indoor cycling bike can help you reach new milestones. And when you have a thousand dollars to spend, it’s a lot easier to get a high-quality model as long as you know what features to look for.

Our best indoor cycling bike under $300 does not only represent the best models at the price but also stacks up well against the more expensive models like the Peloton. Don’t be in a hurry to make a pick; evaluate the features of each model and ensure they meet your needs.

Let us know if you have any more questions. Until then, happy cycling!