Best Exercise Bikes of 2026 – Tested by Cycling Experts

Although there are many exercise bikes available, it is important to consider the different brands and types available to meet your needs. We’ve rounded up this list with all types of runners in mind and what alternatives might be options if you don’t want to buy a Peloton. We test all our exercise bikes according to the same criteria.

Assembly and delivery

Although some exercise bikes include assembly with delivery, not all do. With some bikes, you may need to pay extra for this service or you will need to be comfortable assembling it yourself. We looked at whether an exercise bike brand included or offered assembly (and how much it cost), and for the bikes we had to assemble, we looked at the clarity of the instructions and the time it took to build the bike.

Features

We also looked at what makes the bike unique, whether it’s a special feature or other features. This included its features, class types, scheduling, cycling software, connections to third-party apps, and the ability to connect to wearable devices such as heart rate monitors.

Membership

Many smart bikes now include a subscription to access their classes. We looked at whether the member subscription is essential to your indoor cycling experience or if there is an option to just ride or connect to other third-party apps. For example, some subscription services offer less expensive options for adding family members.

Functionality

During the test experiment, we examined how the exercise bike works. We looked to see if any parts were arriving broken or if any parts of the bike were not working properly. We also observed how quiet the bike is and how intuitive it is to use for a beginner. While there is a learning curve, we have taken into account how quickly one needs to learn, but we also understand that this may be different for everyone.

Ease of use of the software

Most exercise bikes have an app and/or screen with the required software. We took into account the level of development of the software, its intuitive use and its technological advancement.

Guarantee

When making a large purchase like an exercise bike, it is essential to know the warranty in case of breakage. We looked at how long the warranty lasts, what parts of the exercise bike it covers, and if there is an extended warranty option.