Best Exercise Bike With Screen 2023

What To Keep In Mind When Buying An Exercise Bike With A Screen

Here are our top considerations when searching for the best exercise bike with a screen for you.

Content/Subscription Programming

If you’re looking for an exercise bike with a screen, you’re most likely looking for one with streaming content on the screen. For a standard ride on a bike that just tracks your metrics, there are plenty of options with LCD screens. For bikes that come with attached touch screens, you have a range of content to choose from. There are fitness platforms like iFit and Peloton available to stream directly from compatible bikes, and plenty of other platforms that include more than just trainer-led classes. Some bikes allow you to stream from apps like Netflix and some have gamified content that might be a better option. No matter what kind of content you’re into, you have options on exercise bikes. You just want to make sure that the bike you pick includes content that you’ll find appealing and engaging. After all, you want to buy a bike you’ll use and love.

Construction Features & Specs

Once you find an exercise bike, or a few, that offer the content you prefer, you’ll want to take a look at the construction. A heavy flywheel of over 20 lbs, unless the bike is specifically engineered to have a light flywheel of under 10 lbs, is what we recommend. A good rule of thumb here is to check the price, quality exercise bikes with light flywheels are typically more expensive (over $1000+). So, if you see a bike with an under 20 lb flywheel that’s affordable, you might want to consider another option.

The pedal type might be important to you if you want to ride clipped-in. Some bikes come with hybrid pedals that include SPD clips on one side and toe cages on the other. You’ll also want to make sure the saddle is narrow and lightly padded. Wide seats can cause saddle sores and aren’t best for long-distance riding.

Most exercise bikes are quiet and appropriate to use in most homes. They sometimes vary a little bit in resistance types. Most offer adjustable magnetic resistance which requires less maintenance and offers quantifiable resistance that displays specific levels on the screen. Friction resistance can require some maintenance after significant use and doesn’t display numerical resistance levels on the screen. If you’re someone who likes to know what level of resistance you’re working at, you’ll want to pay attention to the kind of resistance the bike you buy has.

Price

Finally, price is important when buying any kind of fitness equipment. Exercise bikes with touchscreens are usually more than those with LCD screens, but they still can vary in price. Some are closer to $1000 while others are over $2000. You want to make sure the bike you choose aligns with your budget.

You also want to factor in the monthly subscription fee to access the content on the touch screen, if it requires a subscription. Some brands allow you to pay for a subscription monthly or yearly, while others don’t include a fee to access the content on the touch screen. If the bike includes unique training content, it most likely requires a subscription fee, so keep this in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a spin bike with a screen?

Having an attached touch screen on an exercise bike is definitely not a requirement. If you just want to ride a bike that tracks your metrics there are plenty of quality options with LCD screens. If you want added entertainment options like workout class streaming or 3rd party app streaming built into the exercise bike, then you’ll want to check out a spin bike with a screen.

What exercise bikes let you watch Netflix?

We consider the Sole SB1200 Exercise Bike to be the best exercise bike with a screen for streaming Netflix. Netflix is one of 12 preloaded streaming apps available to log into with your account for each app to watch while you ride on the SB1200. You can also watch Netflix on the Bowflex Velocore with a subscription to JRNY.

What exercise bike can you watch TV on?

Most exercise bikes include their own subscription content on the touchscreens. Most screens don’t function like TVs but instead include specific programming. Some bikes require subscription fees to access all of the content, while others include content without a monthly membership.