Exercise bike?

[LordGrover]

Now I have the heavy kit like the power cage, plates, bench, etc. I ought to consider getting something to warmup with. When I was going to a commercial gym I alternated between treadmill and cross trainer, but the 'affordable' versions appear quite cheap and nasty. I'm not willing to spend silly money when I know I could just get me running shoes on and pound the pavement so thought an exercise bike may suit better.
Having had a butchers on the 'bay I've come across magnetic and air resistance models - which is better for what?

Edited by LordGrover on Sunday 20th February 22:01

[996 sps]

Keiser do a spin bike for £600 which would do the job for warming up and training on.

If your after one for specific readouts such as peak power output and for picking technique/muscle imbalances weakness then WATT Bike is the job but at £1800 a pop they are expensive.

For fun and training benefit with scenarios via TV and upper body usage id really recommend the X-Bike Trixster bloody great bit of kit.

I ve done courses on the above mentioned bikes and all good in there own right but for me X Bike was superb.

The normal Technogym and Life fitness bikes are standard bits of gym kit.

[drivin_me_nuts]

Have you thought about a bike? A decent hybrid bike with 26c wheels and a turbo trainer attachment. That way you get the best of both worlds. £450-500 will get you a decent enough bike and £100 for a fluid resistance trainer.

[LordGrover]

Whoa! Steady on chaps.
I'm looking for something £50-100 off ebay/gumtree not a second mortgage. I've spent far too much on the proper kit - I'm trying to reign it in on what will only be used for ten minutes 3 times a fortnight.

[RobM77]

Careful with the seat height on a lot of exercise bikes, especially the cheap ones, I've found that the seat just won't go high enough, which can lead to knee pain.

[BigAlinEmbra]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/York-Fitness-C102-Cycle/dp...

I've had one of those for the past 2 years and sees about 20-50 miles a week dependent on how much I've been boozing/eating.
Wee bit more expensive than bottom of the market stuff, but far more durable ime.

I had one of these...
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3...

previously, and the pedals had come off due to metal fatigue within about a year.

Initially I wasn't keen on magnetic resistance as anything I'd used in a gym was air resistance, but that York bike is the business.

[Pasco]

LordGrover said:

Whoa! Steady on chaps.
I'm looking for something £50-100 off ebay/gumtree not a second mortgage. I've spent far too much on the proper kit - I'm trying to reign it in on what will only be used for ten minutes 3 times a fortnight.

Stop kidding yourself fella your passed it

What next you will be buying a Chim ?

[LordGrover]

RobM77 said:

Careful with the seat height on a lot of exercise bikes, especially the cheap ones, I've found that the seat just won't go high enough, which can lead to knee pain.

Valid point; I'm not a giant but 6'2" nonetheless.

BigAlinEmbra said:

York C102.

I've had one of those for the past 2 years and sees about 20-50 miles a week dependent on how much I've been boozing/eating.
Wee bit more expensive than bottom of the market stuff, but far more durable ime.

Looks like it may fit the bill, what do you reckon - size wise?

[BigAlinEmbra]

I'm 6'1, although not massively long legged for my height with a 32" inside leg (obviously having massive tackle affects this measurement), and it's fine for me.

There's another 2-3" height adjustment left on the saddle.

[jonnylarge]

Interesting thread. The York model gets a Which? Best Buy too.

I don't want to hijack the thread, but does anyone here have any experience of an internet-based exercise bike - where you can race virtual courses, competitors and your friends?

I have seen this one, but just wondered if there is more choice?

[LordGrover]

Forgot about this thread.

Update - have ordered a York C201. Ex-factory return with full warranty for £139 via amazon.

ETA: Click.

Edited by LordGrover on Friday 25th February 11:33

[BigAlinEmbra]

Nice one!
99 better than mine. Good work sir.