What exercise bike ?

[JoJo97]

Hi all, so I'm getting back Into cycling for the summer, the only problem is the weather. I try to cycle every day but the weather prevents me from doing so. I'm interested in getting an exercise bike for when the weather isn't so great. Price would be have to be under £250. Would be looking for a bike that would be good for all levels of cycling.
Any suggestions are welcome
Thanks.

[MadDad]

I went with a Turbo trainer for exactly the same reason in November last year. The advantage of a turbo trainer is that you will still be using your bike, so the setup, geometry etc will be familiar to you. I used mine throughout the winter and would have been out on it tonight owing to the crappy weather if I had not gone down with a stinking cold over the past couple of days!

I went for quite a basic model (Tacx Sirius Trainer) iirc it was circa £130 from CRC, so if you have a budget of £250 you could also buy a cheap spare wheel, cassette and training tyre for dedicated turbo trainer use - which is exactly what I did!

For the level I ride at I find the TT more than adequate, I use it for interval training, recovery rides, hill climbing practice, building endurance etc. I also find it is great if I only have a spare hour in the evening where there is not enough time to get out on the road, but there is enough time to do a quick 20 miles on the trainer.

[Gizmo!]

Another option might be to puck up a secondhand spinning bike like they have in gyms. Variable resistance etc, and takes up less space than a full size bike and TT.

[JoJo97]

Never though of one of them, not sure if my bike would fit onto it, currently have a Carrera Banshee x 09 ( got a good deal from a mate) any idea if it would fit onto it ?
Thanks

[a11y_m]

Gizmo! said:

Another option might be to puck up a secondhand spinning bike like they have in gyms. Variable resistance etc, and takes up less space than a full size bike and TT.

+1 on that. I did that and it's by far the best solution IMO. I've set mine up to mimick my riding position on my MTBs (I don't ride road) so it's comfy and also appropriate to my activity. Can't say I use it much but it's good for the crappy times when I can't get out due to snow, etc.

I bought an ex-hire one via ebay - think mine's branded as Schwinn - for <£250.

[Basil Brush]

I bought one of these for a couple of hundred quid over the winter.

http://www.yorkfitness.com/products/170-exercise-c...

It doesn't get loads of use but handy to jump on for an hour when the weather is crap. I looked at spin bikes but, as I wanted something I could set programs on, they were expensive. The bars and saddle can be moved around and the position is ok. Who the hell needs a saddle as big as it came with is beyond me!

[a11y_m]

Basil Brush said:

Who the hell needs a saddle as big as it came with is beyond me!

The average user in some health clubs quite often needs the, err, support provided by such a saddle...

I've fitted a ti-railed SDG Bel-Air (in winter camo ) to my spin bike. Way OTT but it's comfy and it was free from a mate.

[Basil Brush]

a11y_m said:

The average user in some health clubs quite often needs the, err, support provided by such a saddle...

I've fitted a ti-railed SDG Bel-Air (in winter camo ) to my spin bike. Way OTT but it's comfy and it was free from a mate.

It's honestly about a foot wide. I've never seen anything like it.

I love the concept of weight saving on a spin bike.

[a11y_m]

Basil Brush said:

It's honestly about a foot wide. I've never seen anything like it.

Replace chair with saddle and this is the reason for foot-wide saddles:

Basil Brush said:

I love the concept of weight saving on a spin bike.

Weight saving for the climbs of course

[JoJo97]

Is there anyway of using a turbo trainer without changing my tires, they are nobbly tires ?