The Echelon Connect Sport is one of the most impressive budget spin bikes we have tested. It compares incredibly well on price to other models on this list and has access to class leading software and has some of the most advanced hardware at this price point. There are a couple of concessions you need to make compared to their pricier models (mainly there is no touch screen or SDP pedal compatibility) but if you are just on the lookout for a high quality bike that will last for home use then you needn’t look much further than the Connect Sport.

Despite these niggles, I am a fan of the Apex bike. It’s well made and looks great, the ride feel is superb, and the classes and integration with the app are beyond reproach. So entertainment streaming is nice to have, but what about the business end of the bike? There are a number of workout ‘Sessions’ included with the bike so to a certain degree you can get your sweat on without a subscription. These free classes are fine, but you can tell they’re not a priority. For one thing, despite having the standard Peloton style metrics laid out on screen - leaderboard, power etc. - the instructors have a habit of using all sorts of unrelated jargon. Not having a clue what we’re supposed to be doing should be reserved for our ballroom dancing lessons, not a spin class. Connectivity– Although spin bikes are usually a little less sophisticated than standard exercise bikes you can still get some with excellent connectivity with various apps and wearable tech such as heart rate monitors. If app connectivity is important to you then this is well worth looking in to before buying. Although the seats and handlebars are usually adjustable, spin bikes tend to feature a more aggressive riding position – similar to that found on a racy road bike – and one that allows the user to grip in a variety of positions. This is because a spin class instructor, or class leader, will often use cadence (the speed your legs spin), rhythm, body position and, sometimes, additional dumbbell weights to eke out the most effort from a session.Resistance is supplied in the form of a 4kg flywheel at the rear. While this is considerably less weight than in most premium exercise bikes, we found that it’s more than sufficient, with the lowest setting providing lots of room for rapid spins and the highest being almost impossible to push. The dial which controls this resistance can be a little over-sensitive, though, but we do think this just takes some getting used to. Despite being one of the more affordable bikes on this list, the JLL JF150 still provides a solid cardio workout, thanks to eight levels of magnetic resistance and a quiet belt-driven 5kg flywheel. Best of all, for those who are already signed up to the likes of Apple Fitness+ or Peloton's own workout app, there's a tablet holder to level up your training with the help of an on-demand instructor… or just sneak the weekend's Premier League highlights while you’re frantically pedalling away. That's right — you don't always need to cycle along to an overly-eager spin class coach. There's nothing wrong with pedalling away to your favourite shows or a film every now and then. Calories burned are calories burned, regardless of what you're watching.

Unlike a regular stationary exercise bike, which allows you to adjust the level of resistance, this self-powered machine only has one setting. But don’t be deceived – you're still in for a challenging workout. You have to use your arms and legs to move the flywheel – the harder you pedal and the more effort you put into pushing and pulling the handles, the tougher your workout will be. Connectivity: ANT+ FE-C and Bluetooth for tablet/smartphone and heart rate monitors | Display: N/A | Weight: 44kg | Size: L100 x W50 x H112cm As a part of spin bike maintenance, you must keep your bike clean. Remember you sweat during your workouts and that sweat can cause rot, which will slowly but surely compromise the integrity of the bike. So, make sure you wipe the bike down after every workout so it can remain as new for longer. Buying a spin bike can seem a little daunting but it needn’t be. Unlike some gym equipment, spin cycles are not the hardest thing to buy and the biggest factors should be longevity and budget – and often these two go hand in hand. In other words, the more you pay the higher quality bike you should get and therefore the longer it should last – of course, things aren’t always that simple so here are a few handy tips showing what to look out for.Sporting a 20kg flywheel that is driven by a strong but smooth actioned rubber belt, the IC300 PRO features a whole host of adjustable components and has a clear focus on user comfort as well as high performance. There is magnetic resistance that is easily adjustable thanks to a turning dial which controls the distance the magnet sits from the flywheel and thus increases resistance the closer it is. We found the levels of resistance to be ample and although you don’t get a set number of resistance levels it is easy enough to set the resistance level and the range of difficulty between the highest and lowest setting is quite considerable. The centre console that comes supplied with the bike is one of the better that we saw although it is still simple by design. This is no bad thing as it keeps the cost down and allows you to easily display your own mobile device or tablet above it and use the bundled KinoMap app for live or pre-recorded training sessions and lots more besides. There is a pulse rate monitor built in to the handle bars and this can be displayed on the console but one feature that does set this apart from some of the other models is that it is compatible with standalone heart rate straps. Alternatively, if you're just looking for budget-friendly bike that does what it says on the tin then there are also plenty of options available. Storing and moving the bike: If your home gym isn't big enough to leave your bike out all the time, you may find yourself having to move it from room to room. If so, look for bikes with wheels to make this easier, or for ones that can be folded away for simpler storage. Spinning, like most forms of exercise will help you burn calories but that in itself will not necessarily be enough to help you lose weight. If you are looking to burn fat then you should look to be in a calorie deficit – in other words you need to be eating less calories than your body is burning as energy.

So the simple answer is that spinning can help you to get in to a calorie deficit but only as part of a well balanced nutritional plan (we don’t like the word diet). In professional cycling terms, an echelon occurs when the peloton is disrupted by a crosswind. As strategies go it’s pretty blatant, so much so that Peloton Interactive Inc. is currently suing Echelon Fitness LLC for "imitating the Peloton Bike experience." But you’re not here to read about legal wrangling, you want to know whether the considerably cheaper Echelon bike is any good. Does it actually disrupt the peloton? The bike itself has some nifty features, including a phone holder that also charges your phone wirelessly if your phone is suitably equipped (although we found large phones such as the iPhone 12 Pro Max don’t work), and by USB if it isn’t. The flywheel is only 4kg, but it still runs smoothly and, in our experience, provides a good challenge for even fit users, with 30 levels of magnetic resistance. On the plus side, there is a pair of USB-A outputs at the front of the bike coupled with a water bottle holder and wireless charging cradle for your phone, which is a great touch. Apex Bike review – Performance The flywheel is 15kg which is less than some of the other models we tested but it did perform well for us. It is not quite as smooth as the JLL models but it is not noticeably jerky either. In fact, we had some very enjoyable rides on the SB500 and the level of challenge afforded by the magnetic resistance was impressive. This bike has a two way chain driven system which may explain why the ride is not quite so smooth as the belt driven systems we tested but it should also mean longevity will not be an issue with this model. The pedals seem well made and have foot straps to keep your feet in place and the pedalling action was smooth with nothing out of the ordinary.The next step is adjusting the seat fore/aft position for the distance from the seat to the handlebars. To do this, you need to look at the relationship between the knee and the pedal when the pedals are level. In that position, you want the front of your kneecap to be aligned directly above the center of the pedal. As you would expect, there are three areas of adjustability with the saddle height and distance from the handlebars being adjustable as well as the height of the handlebars. This gives an additional 11cm of height and means those at the upper end of the height range will be well catered for. On a more positive note, there’s a pair of USB-A outputs at the front of the bike coupled with a water bottle holder and a wireless charging cradle for your smart devices - something the Pelton doesn’t have. Apex Bike review: performance Spin bikes are considered safe from an injury point of view as there is little chance of injury and they do not require any outdoor or road riding which can be more dangerous than stationary cycling in your garage. They can also be used no matter the weather which is just as well for any one using a spin bike in the UK.

Some of the best spin bikes on the market will provide the tools you need, namely a multi-function wrench and an Allen wrench. However, it’s recommended you have an adjustable wrench, Allen wrenches, a #1 and #2 Phillips head screwdriver, a cordless drill, a rubber mallet, rubber gloves, and a ratchet kit available on the side just in case. These are the tools that most professionals keep close by, so it’s good to follow their lead. The centre console is very basic but displays all the key data including time, speed, distance, calories burned and also your pulse rate. The pulse rate sensors are built in to the handles and work effectively. The length of the IC400 is pretty much the same as the 300 with a total length of 120cm when fully adjusted. The maximum height is greater with a total maximum height of 141.5cm and a slightly greater width of 54cm. These different dimensions don’t really impact on the usability of the bike and it is just as well suited to users of all heights just like the IC300. One of the key differences is that the 400 sports a gel seat cover which provides extra comfort to the already well padded saddle. There is also the addition of SDP compatible pedals which means you can use dedicated cycling shoes to clip in if you wish. This is a significant upgrade over the IC300 and although not all users will appreciate this upgrade it will make a big difference to dedicated spin cycle and road/mountain bike enthusiasts. It is compatible with Polar heart rate straps and can be used in conjunction with third party apps if you wish although this is great as a standalone unit. Resistance levels are super easy to change and this is controlled using a dial with no individual resistance steps. The range of difficulty between the highest and lowest setting is pretty vast and means this spin bike is suitable for all ability levels.Not all home spinning bikes have transportation wheels, which can make moving it around a real hassle if you're someone who will need to move your bike from storage into your workout space, or from room-to-room. The other great thing about this bike is the fact the screen rotates and tilts around 360 degrees meaning you can turn it to face your yoga mat when doing floor exercises and following routines. I particularly enjoyed the themed music rides, but there are plenty of others to choose from ranging from 15 minutes to an hour. There are also strength, mobility and beginner-friendly classes available. You don’t quite get the range of Peloton, which has a bank of thousands to choose from, but as Apex is new to the market, this will improve with time. It’s also worth pointing out that as someone who prefers spin to outdoor cycling, I’m not exactly Wattbike’s target market. And if you’re like me, you may find Wattbike a little heavy-handed on the performance data. But there are enough training programmes to suit every type of rider, from simulated hills to HIIT sessions. Weighing just 15.5kg in total, the F-Bike is lighter than some of its pricier rivals' flywheels alone, which is actually pretty crazy, if you think about it. With a max user weight of 100kg, it's also clearly not going to be the most robust option for some people. What it does offer though, is a lightweight, folding design, letting you easily store it out of the way when not in use.