Best spin bikes under £500

For a comprehensive home-based workout, a good quality spin bike is a must to achieve desirable results. Compared to recumbent bikes, spin bikes bring more versatility, mimic outdoor cycling more realistically, and do wonders for weight loss, muscle toning, and improving stamina.

A first-rate spin bike can be quite an investment, but you don’t need to get into debt for a decent exercise machine if you know what to look for.

We’ve prepared a review of the best spin bikes under £500 available on the UK market based on their performance rating, quality, portability, and other essential criteria to help you find the perfect fit for the best indoor workouts (please note: prices online fluctuate regularly so the prices of the bikes mentioned below may not stay below £500 when you check them).

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Buying the best spin bike under £500 – What to consider

To avoid poor-quality, flimsy ripoffs, it’s important to know what an excellent yet affordable spin bike under £500 needs to offer. Here are some things to be on the lookout for when scrolling through product specifications:

Flywheel quality and weight

A flywheel is a rotating mechanism that sets your bike in motion. It comes in the form of a disk connected to the pedalling system with a belt or a chain. When you start pedalling, the disk begins to rotate and control the resistance.

The heavier the flywheel, the more effort, and energy you need to invest to pedal, just like when you shift gears up on a regular bike.

A robust flywheel also brings more control and smoother operation as it optimizes inertia. Flywheels on spin bikes usually weigh between around 9kg and 20 kg.

Beginners looking for low-intensity workouts should opt for bikes with lighter flywheels. In comparison, advanced workout enthusiasts can get more resistance options and muscle toning from bikes with heavier and bigger flywheels.

Weight capacity

No matter the quality and brand, if a spin bike can’t withstand the weight pressure, it will eventually wear off and break. Each spin bike has a weight limit, which should be respected to ensure long-lasting use and durability. You can find heavy-duty spin bikes in our list with an upgraded maximum weight capacity of around 150 kg.

Adjustability

To ensure a perfect fit, a spin bike should have adjustable handles, seat position and height.

Beginners and elderly cyclists may struggle with the right spinning position at first, so being able to adjust your bike as you advance is vital for comfortable rides and preventing injury.

Silent operation

Nobody likes loud banging and clunking ruining their home peace. What may cause squeaking and noisy spinning is the resistance mechanism and chain-driven flywheel the bike has.

To ensure you get a quiet spin bike, choose ones that feature magnetic resistance as they use magnetic force to induce inertia. The magnets never physically touch the flywheel, making friction-free resistance with no noise. A belt-drive also contributes to smooth and silent operation.

Portability

Depending on the furniture arrangement and the space you have for a spin bike, you may need a product to be able to move around the house effortlessly. Also, look for lightweight and less bulky bikes so you can store them when not in use. All of our top picks feature transportation wheels for easy and convenient moving.

Extra features

Many brands strive to create an authentic cycling experience for their customers, so we’ve included some bikes that offer additional features, such as water bottle attachments, tablet or phone holders, extra-padded seats, etc.

With a tablet or a phone by your side, you can quickly get down to multi-tasking or play music to pump up the motivation for more effective workouts.

Best spin bikes under £500 (or slightly more) – Comparison table

Best spin bikes under £500 – Reviews

Here are some of the most popular, sturdiest, and versatile spin bikes under £500 to accommodate beginners or more advanced spinners. We’ve considered products that correspond to various customers’ needs and target features, such as weight loss, level of fitness, knee or joint problems, height differences, levels of resistance, space limitations, and more.

JLL® IC400 ELITE Indoor Bike

This sturdy stationary bike is a fantastic replacement for outdoor riding and is recommended for high-driven road cyclists. It features a 20 kg flywheel, enabling smooth and real-like cycling in nature, mimicking the forward momentum of a standard outdoor bike.

The belt-drive operating mechanism ensures stability, quiet and smooth spinning, with friction resistance technology for more challenging workouts. It also mimics regular-bike road pedals that can be replaced with SPD or racing ones.

This heavy-duty bike was made to replicate professional quality, with a maximum weight capacity of 150 kg. The handlebars and the padded seat are adjustable, so it’s suitable for taller users as well. The bike doesn’t come with a phone or a tablet holder, but the handlebars are wide enough so you can fit a larger tablet in between the monitor and the handles.

The bike comes with a clear, sleek display that tracks time, speed, distance, calorie burn, and other essential metrics.

JLL IC400 indoor bike is quick and easy to move thanks to the in-built transport wheels, just tilt the bike and roll it wherever needed.

The manufacturers offer a 1-year home use warranty in case you need any replacements.

Customers are extremely satisfied with the quality, performance, and sturdiness, comparing it to professional gym equipment.

Pros

• Mimics real outdoor cycling, for advanced cyclists
• Weight limit: 150 kg
• Adjustable handlebars and seat
• Transportation wheels
• Great resistance options, 20 kg flywheel

Cons

• It doesn’t feature magnetic resistance
• Not for beginners
• No extra attachments

Available from: Amazon / eBay

JLL IC300 PRO Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike

This spin bike is praised for its smooth and quiet operation, thanks to the adjustable magnetic resistance operation and belt-driven mechanism. This also suggests that there are many options for workout intensity, from slow-pace, high-resistance muscle defining to high-speed mountain climbing for working on fitness and calorie burn.

JLL IC300 PRO is sturdy and can withstand up to 130 kg of user weight.

In terms of extra features, an aluminium water bottle comes with the bike, with a nifty holder you can use for your own bottles.

The monitor is small but all-inclusive, tracking time, speed, distance, calorie burn, heart rate, etc.

The bike features an ergonomic seat made of breathable materials for maximum comfort and minimum impact. This exercise machine also comes with transportation wheels for easy portability.

Many customers with joint problems and knee pain opt for this bike, as the magnetic resistance system and various options for cycling offer better control and safety for the most sensitive of users. The adjustable handlebars and seat (horizontally and vertically) are also convenient for users who need some time to adjust to a comfortable spinning position.

Pros

• Magnetic resistance
• 20 kg flywheel
• Adjustable handlebars and seat
• Clear monitor
• Transportation wheels

Cons

• Assembly instructions not so straightforward
• Handlebars can get wobbly

Available from: Amazon / eBay

NordicTrack GX 3.9

NordicTrack spin bike is an ideal piece of equipment for medium-intensity, long-distance cycling. It features an 18 kg flywheel, great for newbies or high-flyers who need more challenging workouts.

An 8-level resistance feature allows you to gradually intensify your workouts and monitor progress.
Customers with bad knees and joint problems recommend this model as it offers smooth operation with an even distribution of impact.

The LCD is placed on top of the handlebars for precise tracking of speed, time, distance, calorie burn, heart rate, and more.

This spin bike also features transportation wheels for convenient moving and a water bottle holder.

The bike is recommended for up to 115 kg user weight and comes with the seat that is horizontally and vertically adjustable to fit users of various heights and sizes. What’s more, the seat is padded to maximize comfort and stability during long-distance cycling. Handlebars can also be adjusted to fit shorter users.

Replaceable pedals come with a safety strap and with ample space for a firm and snug fit.

NordicTrack guarantees durability and quality, offering a 5-year warranty for the frame and a 2-year warranty for other parts.

Pros

• Safe and comfortable for users with joint and knee problems
• Transportation wheels
• Adjustable seat and handlebars
• 8 levels of resistance
• Great warranty options

Cons

• The flywheel needs occasional lubrication
• Not sturdy enough for heavier users

Available from: Sweatband / NordicTrack

Dripex Upright Exercise Bike

The Dripex exercise bike is ideal for beginners who want to work on their fitness and burn calories.

All the features on this bike compliment comfort and safety, including the extra padded, reinforced seat suitable for heavier users or those with hip problems.

The triangular steel frame is sturdy enough to withstand up to 150 kg, yet because of the included transportation wheels, you can move it around effortlessly.

The large and heavy, belt-driven flywheel offers infinite resistance, easy to work through during your workouts.
Both the handlebars and the seat are entirely adjustable to accommodate different body types and heights. However, if you are more than 6ft tall, this bike is not for you as the seat post does not go high enough.

The monitor offers basic metrics like distance, speed, time, calorie burn, and heart rate.

The pedals are secured with wide straps to prevent slipping and wobbling during more intense cycling.

Customers mostly recommend this bike for long-distance cycling and beginners who need a little push to take up spinning.

Pros

• Solid steel construction
• Safe and comfortable for injured or elderly users
• Infinite resistance
• Adjustable handlebars and seat
• Transportation wheels

Cons

• No extra features (water bottle holder, tablet holder, etc.)
• No magnetic resistance
• Not suitable for tall people (over 6ft tall)
• Pedals complicated to assemble

Available from: Amazon / eBay

Ultra Quiet Stationary Resistance Spin Bike with LCD Monitor

Those on a meagre budget can opt for unbranded yet still remarkable stationary exercise bikes from OnBuy.com such as this Ultra Quiet Stationary Resistance Spin Bike.

With this Ultra Quiet bike, you can track your progress, stay hydrated, and enjoy a full gym-quality experience thanks to the nifty accessories that come with it.

Apart from the useful attachments, the bike itself is a heavy-duty exercise machine with a sturdy steel frame, magnetic resistance, and belt-driven flywheel. It’s suitable for heavier users, withstanding up to 150 kg.

Unlike other products we review in this article, this bike features a lighter flywheel (8kg), perfect for high-speed riding and upright-position spinning for muscle toning.

Adjustable resistance enables you to intensify the spinning, but still maintains a smooth and accelerating spinning feel.

The ergonomic padded seat and handlebars are adjustable to suit different heights and positions for cycling.
The bike also features a straightforward monitor with basic metrics like time, speed, calorie burn, distance, heart rate, etc.

The pedals are wide and reinforced with secure straps to reduce slipping and keep your feet protected during fast spinning.

Customers enjoy the silent operation and recommend this bike for avid cyclists who want to work on their spinning stamina.

If you have a little bit more budget check a similar stationary exercise bike from OnBuy.com which has a heavier flywheel (15 kg) for more challenging resistance levels but still at an affordable price.

Pros

• Lightweight flywheel for smoother spinning
• 8-level resistance
• Highly affordable
• Additional gear: water bottle + holder, table and phone holder
• Solid frame

Cons

• Isn’t challenging enough for advanced cyclists

Final verdict – What’s the best spin bike under £500?

Probably the best advice for people looking for a good spin bike is to re-examine their needs and preferences carefully. What kind of exercise are you hoping to get from the bike? Are additional features important? Who will use this bike? When you define your criteria, you can go through our list and find the perfect match for your home gym.

One of the most comprehensive machines is the JLL® IC400 ELITE Indoor Bike. It is versatile enough for all kinds of users and based on a top-quality operation system, which proved to be highly sturdy and durable for both recreational to high-level workouts.
That said, spin bikes like the Ultra Quiet Stationary Resistance Spin Bike offer more options for high-speed spinning and a real feeling of outdoor cycling. For cycling newbies and those with physical disabilities, we recommend bikes like the Dripex Upright Exercise Bike that features a more sturdy construction for controlled and safer use