An upright exercise bike is great for improving your cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health.
There are a lot of upright bike models available on the market, each of which has its own disadvantages and advantages. We have experienced and researched various models to pick all the best upright bikes in the market.
Here are the best upright exercise bikes for the money you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: Exerpeutic Folding Upright Bike
- Best Budget: Pleny Foldable Upright Exercise Bike
- Premium Choice: Schwinn 170 Upright Bike
- Best 2-in-1 Option: Harvil Foldable Upright Exercise Bike
| Top 4 Best Upright Exercise Bikes | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Exerpeutic Folding Upright Bike | Read Our Review |
Best Budget | Pleny Foldable Upright Exercise Bike | Read Our Review |
Premium Choice | Schwinn 170 Upright Bike | Read Our Review |
Best 2-in-1 Option | Harvil Foldable Upright Exercise Bike | Read Our Review |
4 Best Upright Exercise Bikes
Best Overall: Exerpeutic Folding Upright Bike
3-piece cranks
Sturdy
Quiet operation
The features are basic
Exerpeutic Folding Upright Bike has a compact and lightweight design but can support up to 300 lbs users without any shaking while operating. The sturdy frame is constructed out from heavy-duty tubular steel and powder coated in light grey.
The bike works quietly and smoothly thanks to the advanced magnetic resistance mechanism and the “high torque” 3 piece crank system.
There are not many functions on the bike but just the core functions - pedaling and tracking your workout progress. The lack of interesting functions is a drawback because they may encourage you to involve in training.
It also has the folding capacity and transportation wheels. You can move this bike easily and can store it when not using.
Exerpeutic Folding Upright Bike Specifications | |
Product Dimensions | 31L x 19W x 46H inches |
Product Weight | 43 lbs |
Weight Capacity | 300 lbs |
User Height | 5'3" to 6'1" |
Seat | Padded |
Backrest | No |
Special Features | Heart pulse sensors, LCD Display, Foldability |
Exerpeutic Folding Upright Bike is the best upright bike for the money and for small apartments.
Best Budget: Pleny Foldable Upright Exercise Bike
3-piece cranks
16 levels of resistance
Smooth and quiet
Not so sturdy
Pleny Foldable Upright Bike is also featured with magnetic resistance mechanism, 3-piece cranks, heart rate sensors, foldability, and an LCD screen - all the basic features like Exerpeutic Folding Upright Bike.
However, Pleny Foldable Upright Bike seems to be less sturdy than the Exerpreutic's one. It just support up to 260 lb.
Despite showing some shakes, the bike is quite smooth and quiet while operating. It is still a decent bike.
Pleny Foldable Upright Exercise Bike Specifications | |
Product Dimensions | 34L x 16W x 46H inches |
Product Weight | 45 lbs |
Weight Capacity | 260 lbs |
User Height | 5'3" to 6' |
Seat | Padded |
Backrest | No |
Special Features | 16 tension levels, LCD monitor, Hand Pulse sensors, Foldability. |
Pleny Foldable Upright Bike is a decent upright bike at a really good price
Premium Choice: Schwinn 170 Upright Bike
3-piece cranks
Support a wide range of height
Super solid and sturdy
Various workout and entertaining programs
Wide range of resistance
High price
Unfoldable
Schwinn 170 Upright Bike is the best upright bike so far. It's a perfect machine.
The build quality is rock-solid. It has oversized pedals, 3-piece cranks, adjustable cushioned seat, workout fan, built-in speakers, wireless heart rate receiver, 25 tension levels, angle adjustable handlebars, etc. everything you need for a good exercise bike.
The most valued features of Schwinn 170 is the console and pre-programs. The Schwinn 170 is loaded with 29 workout programs from beginner level to advanced level, in which 9 programs are controlled by heart rate, allowing for very effective workouts.
Users can connect the bike to My Fitness Pal and Schwinn apps for online data tracking and see the world as you virtually ride alongside friends in real time.
Schwinn 170 Upright Bike Specifications | |
Product Dimensions | 41.3L x 21.4W x 55.6H inches |
Product Weight | 58.4 lbs |
Weight Capacity | 300 lbs |
User Height | 5’0″ to 6’5″ |
Seat | Padded |
Backrest | No |
Special Features | Heart Rate Sensors, DualTrack LCD displays, speakers, fan, 29 programs, 25 levels of resistance |
Schwinn 170 Upright Bike is the perfect upright bike. If you can afford it, don't hesitate!
Best 2-in-1 Option: Harvil Foldable Upright Exercise Bike
3-piece cranks
Both upright and semi-recumbent bike
10 levels of resistance
Support a wide range of height
Features are basic
Harvil Foldable Upright Exercise Bike is a special bike. It can be used as an upright bike or a semi-recumbent bike. There is a knob under the seat for you to switch from an upright bike and a recumbent bike. However, it's a little too vertical compared with a normal recumbent bike.
Harvil Foldable Upright Exercise Bike operates smoothly and quietly. Using a magnetic mechanism, the bike provides users with 10 resistance tension levels. Overall, the bike gets basic tasks done well.
Harvil Foldable Upright Exercise Bike Specifications | |
Product Dimensions | 26.4 L x 20 W x 46 H inches |
Product Weight | 44 pounds |
Weight Capacity | 330 pounds |
User Height | 3' 7" to 6' 3" |
Seat | Padded |
Backrest | Padded |
Special Features | 10 levels of tension, Heart Pulse Sensors, 2-in-1 bike, LCD display |
Harvil Foldable Upright Exercise Bike is a versatile exercise bike for those want various pedaling positions
How To Choose The Best Upright Exercise Bikes?
You should not have serious problems with knees and joints to ride an upright bike as it requires some effort from you. If you have very weak knees, back, or joints, a recumbent would be a more appropriate choice.
An upright bike is more appropriate for serious workouts from improving your cardiovascular health to enhancing musculoskeletal strength. You’ll to consider these things before purchasing an upright bike:
Your budget
You need to identify your needs and budget. A typical upright bike costs from $100 up to $600.If you just want a basic upright bike for light cardio, bikes like Pleny Foldable Upright Exercise Bike is maybe enough. If your budget is big, you can consider the Schwinn’s upright bike line.
Your height and your weight
They are the most important criteria. Read the table of specifications to make sure that the bike matches your criteria.
Your specific needs
You might want to consider some special features like heart rate sensors, pre-set programs, and built-in speaker. Also, look at the dimensions of the bike to see if it is fit to your apartment or not.
Which Brands Make The Best Upright Exercise Bikes?
Exerpeutic
Exerpeutic Therapeutic Fitness is the exercise bike brand of Paradigm Health and Wellness Inc. They are one of the top suppliers to the Fitness, Health and Wellness industry in the US.
Exerpeutic has a wide range of products that are specialized for home-use exercise equipment including treadmills, ellipticals, upright bikes, training cycles, and recumbent bikes, focusing on the popular market segment with affordable price.
They are famous for their dedicated team of design engineers and physical fitness specialists. Therefore, they have provided high-quality and innovative fitness appliances for years.
When it comes to Exerpeutic equipment, you are assured of the high-quality but affordable product. They have the best upright bikes for the money.
Pleny
Pleny is a HongKong Intelligent Technology Company that is a leading design, manufacturer and international seller of a wide variety of health and fitness equipment. They produce Exercise bike, Treadmill, Spin bike, Mini Stepper, and other workout machines. So far, their products have been sold all over the world.
Pleny is famous for their 'Energy Plus' technology that ensures you are full of energy every day in your life. Their factory has been certified with ISO9001, ISO14001, BSCI, and GSV. Most of the products have been certified with GS, CE, and ROHS.
Based on the modernized management system, excellent cost performance, unique and innovative designs, Pleny's upright bikes are really the best one you can find on the market.
Schwinn
Being founded on October 22, 1895, in Chicago, Schwinn Fitness is the oldest high-quality bike manufacturer in the US with more than 100 years of experience. They use their great understanding of customer need and keep maintaining their creative innovation to make the most premium exercise bikes.
Schwinn is famous for their high-class products, including recumbent bikes, upright bikes, classic cruiser, airdyne bikes, ellipticals, and treadmills. All have a smart design and integrated technology. You can always trust Schwinn for their smart design, excellent build, and innovative integrated technology.
FAQs
Is a Recumbent Bike or an Upright Bike Better for Knee Pain?
Recumbent bikes are more suitable for those having terrible knees or having problems with balancing. A recumbent has a backrest for them to rely on and a really easy pedaling position.
Upright bikes make you work a bit harder. So if you are rehabbing in a physical therapy clinic, an upright bike is better.
How long should I ride an exercise bike?
If you aim at losing weight, you don’t need to practice intensely, you just need to practice consistently for long hours, day by day. You should pedal at least 30 minutes a day and 5 days a week. If you are in a physical therapy treatment, you'd better follow doctor's instructions.
Which is better exercise bike or treadmill?
Exercise bikes are much better for bad knees than treadmills, especially recumbent bikes. You don't need to put much pressure on your joints while using an exercise bike. However, treadmills have other advantages over exercise bikes as you have to work harder and more serious while using a treadmill.
Is an exercise bike good for seniors?
Since exercise bikes are good for knees, back, and joints, they are wonderful tools for seniors to practice cardiovascular and remain a healthy lifestyle.
Do you burn more calories on a recumbent or upright bike?
In average, an upright bike requires more effort. That means you will burn more calories on an upright bike than on a recumbent bike.
Summary
Above are my full review of the best upright bikes for the money. Hope that the information in this article will help you find the suitable upright bike for you.
