Last Updated on December 2, 2022 by Jeff
If you’re considering buying a recumbent bike, look no further. We have gone into some depth to guide you towards finding the best recumbent bike for your personal goals.
We’ll have a look at the prices from entry-level to luxury recumbent bikes and we’ll also have a look at what features these bikes offer.
There are two types of recumbent bikes, the recumbent road bike, and the indoor exercise bike. All indoor and outdoor bicycles have multiple benefits in common. Cardio training, recovery training, muscle training, and of course, weight loss.
For your home, the indoor recumbent exercise bike would of course be the bike of choice. This bike is designed to give you the same workout as that of cycling with a recumbent bike outside.
Things to Consider when Buying a Recumbent Bike
The seat
The first thing you should consider about a recumbent bike is the seat. The seat on the bike should be wide enough for you to sit and soft enough for you to sit for a long time.
The fabric of the seat is also important as it needs to be breathable.
You also want an adjustable lever that caters to different leg lengths. One that can move the seat from front to back is ideal.
The whole seat experience should be comfortable enough for you so that you can endure a maximum workout without any stress that could have been avoided before purchasing.
The comfortable seat of a recumbent bike is also deemed much safer than that of its upright cousin in the bike family.
Convenient handlebars alongside the seat with good grip are great compared to the handlebars upfront.
The Flywheel
Flywheels are also important to take note of. They are important if you want that outdoor momentum experience on your bike. To get that feel, perimeter-weighted flywheels are best
The flywheel can make mounting the bike difficult for those with mobility issues.“The flywheel can make mounting the bike difficult for those with mobility issues.
Luckily some bikes have a walk-through design which means you can walk to the bike, have a seat, and are good to go. No raising legs or acrobatics to get onto your bike.
Resistance
Lastly, you’ll want a recumbent bike that has multiple levels of resistance.
Ideally, It should also have electromagnetic resistance as it is more accurate and faster. The resistance increases and decreases the pedaling effort to keep the high speed consistent when cycling.
Good magnetic tension resistance is exactly what you want for that smooth cycling experience.
Accessories and features
On the market, you get two types of indoor recumbent bikes, those that are connected and those that are non-connected.
Connected bikes are great because you can access indoor cycling apps from the bike’s display screen. It provides a connection for cycling app services as well as live classes.
The cycling apps usually require a monthly subscription plan to access the workouts, but there are some available for free.
Although these come at a higher cost, it’s encouraging for people who struggle with motivation.
Non-connected indoor bikes have a digital display pad that provides information. You will be selected to access your speed, time, and other standard information you need to know.
Preset Programs
Another good to know feature would be the preset programs on the machine.
A combination of:
- User profile programs
- Heart rate control programs
- Custom programs
- Fitness tests
- Stomach
These programs are preset so that you can challenge your fitness while keeping track of the goal in mind. Some bikes have up to 90 workout programs that you can use.
Display screen and phone holder
When you sit on the recumbent bike you will note you are a bit far from the screen making it hard to read. For this reason, a backlit screen is necessary so that you can read it.
Some bikes disregard this feature in order to keep costs down. But it can be important to have so that you can see the progress of your workout.
The screens usually show time, speed, rotation per minute, calories burned, distance, pulse, and wattage.
You should also check for a second display holder. This is a super convenient feature because you can put your smartphone, tablet, or laptop on it to watch series or whatever you may desire.
Cooling fan and speaker
These features are the pinnacle of luxury. A fan to cool you while you comfortably work out makes your experience so much more pleasant.
A set of nice speakers that plays your favorite music is just the cherry on top.
Bluetooth and USB connectivity
You would want your recumbent bike to come with a USB and Bluetooth. This way you can stay connected to your devices to upload and download data. Syncing helps with tracking your performance on your mobile. It also prevents stopping and getting off the bike which would interrupt your workout session.
Warranty
It is important to remember to check the warranty when purchasing your bike. You want it to at least cover the frame and the electrical parts. A good warranty should have coverage for 2 – 3 years.
Weight
The recumbent bikes have weight restrictions and when you abide by these guidelines you will get longer use out of your bike.
To choose a bike that is appropriate for your personal requirements you need to take the x-seam measurement. This is the distance from your glutes to your heels when seated flat on the floor with your legs out front.
Check that the handlebar is adjustable as you want to have a slight bend at your elbow.
Recumbent exercise bike pricing
But before you jump right into it, you should be asking yourself some calculated questions, like how much is a recumbent bike? Recumbent bike prices vary from $200 for a very basic bike with only the necessary features to a very comfortable $4000 for a recumbent bike with all the bells and whistles.
Recumbent bike prices can make a big difference in the experience you get out of it.
Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Bike
For a basic recumbent bike, you can look at something like the Marcy Magnetic resistance bike is the best recumbent exercise bike under $200.
The following features are available on this bike, ticking all the boxes for what is necessary to get your fitness levels up:
- fully adjustable
- Soft handlebars
- Digital tracking panel
- 8-preset tension knob
- Easy transportation
Schwinn A20 Recumbent Bike
If you’d prefer some more features you can have a look at the Schwinn A20 recumbent bike which is the best recumbent exercise bike under $500.
It has a cool streamlined design and offers high performance at an affordable rate for good value.
- 8 resistance levels
- Large LCD – tracks speed, time, RPM, distance, calories, results, and heart rate
- High speed, high inertia perimeter weighted flywheel
- 7 preset programs: 6 profiles, 1 quick start
- Ergonomically placed heart rate grip monitors
- Transport wheels
- Padded and contoured seat
Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike
Now the Schwinn 270 recumbent Bike is a beauty with a lot more impressive features. It is currently the best recumbent exercise bike under $1000.
Let’s have a look at the features below:
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Sync with free downloadable RideSocial App and see the world as you virtually ride
- 29 programs: 12 profiles, 9 heart rate control, 4 custom, 2 fitness tests, 1 quick start. 25 levels of resistance.
- High speed, high inertia drive system with a perimeter weighted flywheel
- DualTrack LCD displays, media shelf, in-console speakers with an MP3 input port, USB media charging, and adjustable fan
Expresso GO Interactive Fitness Recumbent Bike
Then lastly we have the Expresso GO Interactive Fitness Recumbent Bike is the most expensive recumbent exercise bike we’ve seen online.
This bike will give you a complete workout and more so a completely unforgettable experience. The features are seriously impressive. It is currently the most advanced bike in the world and the best for indoor cycling.
- Dimensions: 72x28x53 in.
- Weight 245 lbs.
- Power 100-240V AC 50/60 Hz
- Touchscreen 26.5 in.
- Workout options: Roads, Studios, Games, TV, Manual
- Resistance Levels: 30
- Max watts: 800
- Connectivity: Wifi
Conclusion
If you’d like to know where to buy a recumbent bike Walmart and Amazon have a good variety of recumbent bikes. However, if you have a look online, you will be flooded with options.
We’re also sure you would prefer to have some good features so that you can stay entertained and connected.
It should be a comfortable and convenient size and you would want it to be low maintenance and budget-friendly.
These are all important factors to consider when choosing the perfect recumbent bike for you.