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Hi
I'm a mountain biker and I've signed up for a gravel race but just went and broke a rib so I'm looking for a quality exercise bike to train on now and into the future. I have access to a Watt Bike Atom at my work gym but I'm looking for something to use at home also.
I've done some reading and I'm aware that there are different constructions when it comes to posture, flywheel and braking design etc. I'm tall at 6' 2" with long legs at around 35" inseam so a spacious frame is essential.
I think I would be willing to spend up to around £500 and would like to get something as advanced as possible for the price. A digital display with some training routines to follow would be good. Maybe there is a bike with a downloadable app and heart rate monitor and stuff like that? I don't expect there will be anything as advanced as the Atom but some tech would be good.
Thanks.
Matt.
I think I would be willing to spend up to around £500 and would like to get something as advanced as possible for the price.
£500? You could buy a clothes rack for that!
Used spinning bike. Bigger the flywheel the better. Swap saddle and pedals. Most can get you to a good fit. Avoid peloton you are paying for the shop rentals.
Since you want sophisticated, but a cheap bike and a pedal based power meter. Connect to Zwift via iOS and have fun
Ok thanks I'll look into that swift app.
Picked up a barely used Proform TDF exercise bike for £300 on Gumtree - new was £1200 and had spent most of it's life as a clothes horse. Has pre-set profiles, HR and power and power ascent and descent modes. There's a near identical model made by Nordic Track.
That sounds like you got a bargain there. Does that TDF one automatically change the resistance and can you change gears too like on the Watt Atom?
The Protour has gears and the resistance increases as you go uphill - as the gradient changes, an electric motor changes the angle of the bike - not quite the feel of a real bike but you can do the big ring / small sprocket on the downhills. Power measurement is in the software, but gives a reasonable indication - I used to use a Wattbike a lot and so know what 300 watts feels like. I've ridden lots of spin bikes too - but they're pretty agricultural in comparison.
How about a smart turbo trainer and a slick for the mtb.
Broke a rib, ride the bike on the flat.. been there. Turbo is the other option.
I hadn't considered that Kuco thanks. Yea I might try a ride in the next couple of days, there is no flat here but I can take it easy on tracks.
Spend the £500 on a direct drive turbo then connect up to zwift or trainer road. Will take less space. You can use your current bike and you may find you enjoy the workouts and racing (zwift).