Are Folding Exercise Bikes Any Good?
These days, a good folding exercise bike will give you virtually the same great performance as a fixed frame stationary cycle to the point where you will be hard pressed to tell the quality difference between one or the other.
The main questions to consider when buying a fold away exercise bike are as follows:
How Much Does A Folding Exercise Bike Weigh?
If it's too heavy for you to move then it is going to take up as much space as a fixed frame bike...because it will not be going anywhere! Equally, if it is too cumbersome to manage then you'll likely get tired of the idea of struggling to drag it in and out of your closet (or wherever you chose to pack it away at) and not use it. Also bad. Good portable exercise bikes will both close up easily and be lightweight and easy to move. Many will carrying handles for easy portability.
How Easy Is Your Exercise Bike To Fold Away?
Some models can simply be collapsed with one hand. Others are fiddly and require a lot of tinkering about with locks and levers. Check it out before you buy or read what other buyers had to say about it online.
Top Recommended Folding Exercise Bike
Confidence Foldable Stow Away Exercise Bike
Amazon Price: $129.99 (as of 12/26/2009)![]()
List Price: $250.00
The top rated stowable exercise bike on Amazon comes from Confidence. Customers report it is very easy to assemble and fold away, has a smooth and quiet operation and is dollar for dollar a great little piece of space saving exercise equipment which comes at a low price.
This is an issue of safety and longevity. You want a strong frame which doesn't feel unsteady when in the unfolded, upright position. Try before you buy - or read what others have said in their reviews of the product, because if it doesn't feel sturdy then you'll not be comfortable using it. Cheap folding exercise bikes might suffer from stability problems, whilst more expensive models ought not to as a general rule.
How Much Space Does It Take Up When Folded Away?
Naturally your reason for buying a space saving collapsable exercise bike it so that you can easily store it away in a closet, under your bed, behind a wardrobe or wherever. So, you'll need to find out exactly ho big the equipment actually is when it is folded down before you know whether you are going to have space for it. Some collapse in from the side, others fold from the top down in a kind of concertina motion. You will want to know how long and how wide it will be in compressed format.
Folding Recumbent Exercise Bike
Stamina 15-0200 InTone Folding Recumbent Bike
Amazon Price: $179.00 (as of 12/26/2009)![]()
List Price: $230.00
If the recumbent style of stationary bike is more to your liking then the Stamina model here is potentially perfect for your needs. Great Amazon ratings and customer reviews highlight the sturdy, comfortable, quiet running of this machine.
This is an important question to ask, especially if you are overweight or you bike might be used by someone who is. Many folding exercise bikes do have low weight tolerances than their fixed frame counterparts, as low as 200-250 lbs in some models. Check before you buy.
Mini Exercise Bike Alternative
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- dindine dindine May 30, 2008 @ 9:04 am
- Great lens.
That is a very cool alternative for a recumbent bike. They usually take up so much room
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