Best Folding Exercise Bike Reviews: Your Space-Saving Cardio Machine

No matter where you live, there is certainly a time of the year when going outside for a simple bike ride can be pretty unpleasant. Getting exercise in the winter is hard, and it’s often no treat in parts of the country where it is super hot in the summer.

But, by having a home gym, or at the very least, an exercise bike that you can ride year-round, you won’t have any excuses for not staying in shape.

One problem that a lot of people have when it comes to home fitness equipment is that it can take up a lot of space. Whether you are thinking about buying a treadmill, an elliptical machine, a stationary bike, or a weight bench, you need to think about how much room the equipment is going to take.

A folding exercise bike is particularly popular among those who are trying to maximize space while also getting a decent workout at home.

What Are the Benefits of Folding Exercise Bikes?

The obvious benefit of any exercise bike is that it is going to allow you to work out year round, day or night, rain or shine. That alone is reason enough to buy one! But, they are also incredible in terms of increasing aerobic capacity, leg strength, and burning calories.

If your goal is to lose weight, then a stationary bike is perhaps the easiest way for you to do it, and there is no added pressure on your lower body joints like you would get with running.

The other benefit is that folding exercise bikes take up much less room than traditional stationary bikes and they are easy to fold up and move out of the way. Some of them are so small that they can be slid under a bed or put in a closet. Of course, hiding your bike away might make it a little harder for you to get on it and exercise, but it’s nice to know that you can tuck it away if need be.

What Should You Look for in a Folding Bike?

Before making your purchase, you should put some time into deciding just what your goals are going to be. Do you want to lose weight? Perhaps you want to increase aerobic capacity for another sports? Some people choose a stationary bike simply as a way to keep on cycling during the winter months. Determining your goals will help you to choose the right bike for your needs.

There are other factors that you might want to consider, including how much room the bike will need, both while it is being used and while it is folded up. Some bikes are considerably heavier than others, and if you have limited strength, then you might want to choose a lighter weight model.

All exercise bikes have a maximum weight limit, which is also something to look out for. Take a close look at the maximum weight specification of any model before making your purchase.

Finally, there are a number of other features that may be super important to you, such as the ability to rest your book, tablet, or phone in front of you while riding. Some people also look for a bike with a large seat or one that has a lot of extra padding. Electronic features that can be important too, such as the ability to track your calorie expenditure, your heart rate, your miles, and your time.

Drawbacks to Stationary Bikes

The truth is that riding any bike can get boring, so you will want to make sure you buy a bike that gives you as many features as possible, particularly when it comes to viewing media or listing to your favorite songs. Not all stationary bikes have the full-featured consoles that you might find in a high-end bike at your local gym, but by using your own technology, you can create a riding environment that works for you.

One other drawback that pertains to almost all types of home gym equipment is that there is going to be some level of assembly necessary. Stationary bikes are generally much easier to set up than treadmills or elliptical machines, but if you aren’t particularly handy you should find a bike that has as little assembly required as possible.

Can a Collapsible Exercise Bike Help You to Lose Weight?

You’ll have to admit that it is pretty rare to see a chubby guy in a serious cycle race, and the obvious reason for that is that riding a bike burns a lot of calories! The muscles you work the most while cycling – quadriceps, calves, glutes, lower abdomen – all require a great deal of oxygen to keep going. This will help you to burn a ton of calories, but of course weight loss depends on a lot of factors.

What Is the Best Folding Exercise Bike?

There is no folding exercise bike that is “better” than all the rest since every person has their own needs when it comes to how they want to work out, but here are five folding exercise bikes that may help you to further refine what you want in a bike, how much you are willing to pay, and what features are going to help you reach your particularly goals.

#1. Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse

The Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse is one of the top selling folding exercise bikes available.

When you first see the photo of the Exerpeutic Folding Bike, what you will notice right off the bat is how small it is. It measures 31” x 19” x 46” but folds up to half that size. It weighs just 42.8 pounds, and that means that it is small enough to move easily but sturdy enough for heavier riders. In fact, it has a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds and that is much more than your average foldable bike.

This is an upright bike, which means that it is pretty easy to get on and off, and the addition of a very large seat makes it extremely comfortable. It is designed for people between 5’3” and 6”1, and the seat height can be adjusted easily to your needs.

One thing that not a lot of foldable bikes have is a large screen on which to monitor your activity, but this one certainly does. Its large LCD display measures 3.3” x 1.5” and it shows you everything you need to know while you are working out – distance, calorie expenditure, time, speed, and your heart rate.

The heart rate is obtained through the use of two heart rate monitors located on the handlebars. You can keep your hands there all the time, or just place your hands on the sensors when you want to see how your heart rate is doing – it’s up to you.

Being able to adjust the tension of your ride is important, especially if you are trying to get stronger or simply want more resistance while you are working out. This bike has an eight level magnetic tension system that controls the resistance. The tension control knob is right in front of you, and you can adjust it simply by turning the knob.

Another thing to look for in any stationary bike is just how smooth the pedaling motion is. It can take a lot of fun out of riding your bike if you are struggling with pedals that don’t move smoothly. The Exerpeutic bike has a three piece crank system that has been built to provide a smooth and consistent pedaling motion at all speeds.

It has a balanced fly wheel and a V-belt drive to ensure that you won’t bother anyone else in your home while you are cycling – this thing is quiet enough so that watching television while riding is possible.

The warranty on this bike consists of one year coverage on the frame and 90 days on other components. Assembly is super easy and everything you need to put it together is included – including a wrench. In a matter of minutes, you will have this thing put together and ready to ride. However, if you don’t feel confident in assembling it yourself, you can purchase an additional expert assembly for a reasonable fee.

As far as low-cost folding exercise bikes go, this one is a winner. As long as you are within the height and weight range, this should provide you with the workout you are looking for. With built-in heart rate sensors, a quiet ride, a large, comfortable seat, and a small footprint, this bike is well worth the money.

Check availability and price of the Exerpeutic Bike on Amazon…

#2. Marcy Foldable Upright Exercise Bike NS-652

It’s possible that you have never heard of Marcy, but this company has been a major manufacturer and distributor of all types of fitness equipment for close to 60 years. This is an American company, based in Pomona, California, and is known for providing great customer support.

The Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike is sold either with or without professional assembly, but based on most people who have bought this piece of fitness equipment, the assembly is actually simple enough for you to do yourself in a matter of minutes.

This bike measures 32” x 18” x 42” and weighs just 37 pounds. It is capable of holding riders up to 250 pounds, and between 5’1” and 6’3” tall. There is a fully adjustable seat post so that you should be able to find just the setting that is right for your needs.

One thing that really jumps out at you when you see this bike is that it is made from high quality, heavy-duty materials. The frame is constructed with 14 gauge steel so you will feel safe and secure while riding, even at a high rate of speed. If you have ever ridden exercise bikes in a gym and felt how sturdy they feel, this is the kind of ride you will get with the Marcy.

There is an easy to use resistance dial located at the front of the bike, just beneath the handlebars. You won’t have to get off the bike or stop pedaling in order to change the resistance. There are eight preset levels of magnetic resistance which can be used to enhance your workout, or simply to challenge yourself to get stronger.

Obviously, the biggest selling point of this kind of bike is its ability to fold up to a much smaller footprint. This bike folds up easily, with rubberized feet so that you won’t scratch your flooring when you do so. Its footprint is approximately half the size when it is folded, allowing you to put it into a closet, in a corner, or out in the garage with ease.

The onboard computer that this bike offers is also really handy. Although this doesn’t have heart rate monitor sensors like some bikes have, it still provides you with valuable information. For instance, you will be able to see your speed, distance traveled, time elapsed, and calories expended. All of these are great for helping you to meet your goals, whether they are in relation to losing weight or just getting more aerobically fit.

Most people probably won’t keep working out if they aren’t comfortable and that is why Marcy has paid close attention to the comfort and sturdiness of this bike. The seat is padded yet supportive, and there are several ways that you can grip the handlebars while riding.

According to many of the online buyer for this bike, the pedals operate smoothly and the ride is very quiet. Having a quiet ride is essential if you plan on catching up on your television viewing while getting your workout.

Overall, the Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike is a great deal for anyone who wants to start workout at home. Although it doesn’t have onboard heart rate sensors, it certainly has enough features to make it well worth the cost.

Check here availability and price of the Marcy NS-853 on Amazon…

#3. Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike

Not everyone who rides an indoor bike is going to want an upright one – in fact, a lot of people prefer riding recumbent bikes both on and off the road. There are a number of benefits to recumbent bikes, not least of which is that most people simply find them more comfortable to ride for longer periods of time than traditional upright bikes.

The Exerpeutic is a semi-recumbent bike, which means that you are in a seated position with your feet out in front of you, but you are seated a little higher than a regular recumbent bike. When you look at the photographs for this bike, you can see why it is so comfortable! You can still get a really good workout without putting undue pressure on your arms or your lower back. Your legs will be doing all the work with this one.

This recumbent bike measures 33” x 19” x 46” and weighs 43 pounds. When you compare that to the size and weight of a recumbent bike in any gym, you will realize just how sleek and easy to maneuver this model really is. When folded, it measures 20” x 17” x 54”, which is about half the original size. It comes with transportation wheels too, so once it is folded, you can easily wheel it into a corner or your closet when it is not in use.

The Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike is sold with or without professional assembly, but most buyer state that this bike is pretty easy to put together on your own.

Another benefit of this particular bike is that although it is light weight, it is really sturdy. Its unique semi-recumbent positioning means that it is more stable, without any of the rocking that you might get in an upright bike.

This bike fits riders from 5’2” to 6’2” with ease and is safe for people up to 300 pounds. The 3.3” x 1.5” LCD display will give you all the info you need while riding, such as calories utilized, distance, speed, and time. It even comes with 6 unique workout programs to help you stay on track with your workout goals.

Overall, if you have been thinking about an indoor folding bike, but the idea of sitting upright is not for you, then this folding semi-recumbent bike might just be the ticket. It’s sturdy, reliable, easy to get on and off of, and is one of the most comfortable bikes on the market today.

Check availability and price of the Exerpeutic 400XL here on Amazon…

#4. Exerpeutic Exerwork 1000 Desk Station Folding Exercise Bike with Pulse

If you watch enough television, you have probably seen the ads for stand up desks which allow people to sit or stand at their desk with ease. The truth is that most of us are multi-taskers these days so it should come as no surprise that some folks are even taking to working on their computer while exercising.

Even though you probably won’t get the best possible workout on a bike when you are typing or surfing the internet, it is a great option to have. The Exerpeutic Exerwork 1000 Desk Station Folding Exercise Bike makes working out a little more productive while making getting your work done more fun!

This is a semi-recumbent bike, which means that you are seated upright with your legs in front of you, rather than below you. This position is ideal for people who want to read a book, magazine, or tablet while cycling. But, the real selling point of this bike is that it has a full-size desk attached at just the right angle to get work done.

The desk is adjustable, both in terms of the angle and nearness to your body. You can push it way back if you don’t need to do any typing, or you can pull it closer so that you can send emails while clocking in miles. There are three angle adjustments as well as five height adjustments.

This entire product is really well-thought out, with a storage drawer beneath the desk, an arm rest, and a built-in LCD display that shows your speed, distance, time, and calories spent. You can change the resistance at any time simply by turning the knob in front of you, too.

This bike weighs approximately 65 pounds and measures 45.3” x 25” x 51.3”. It is capable of holding a person up to 300 pounds and will fit people from 5’2” to 6’3” with ease. The built-in hand pulse sensors allow you to check your heart rate at any time so that you can adjust just how many calories you are expending.

The large work area is 16” x 24’ and will hold up to 44 pounds, which is more than even the heaviest computer. The two built-in cup holders allow you to have a drink or two onboard, or you can use them as small storage cups for other items.

Some of the features of the Exerpeutic Exerwork 1000 Desk Station Folding Exercise Bike that buyers have really appreciated include the 2.5 inch thick AirSoft seat that measures a very substantial 11” x 15”. If you plan on riding this for an hour or more at a time (while you work, of course!), then having a comfortable seat is super important.

One additional feature that you might not think of when you first see this bike is that it can also be used as a stand-up desk. When you are tired of cycling or whenever you want to stand and stretch, you can adjust the work station so that it is horizontal and you can work while standing up.

This bike folds up for storage very easily, without any disassembly needed. When folded, its footprint is 21.3” x 25.5”, which is about half the size of when it is in use. It also has transportation wheels included so folding it up and moving it out of the way is a breeze.

This comes complete with a three piece crank system that enables a smooth, consistent pedaling motion at all times, at any speed, and its precision balanced flywheel insures a quiet ride. This means that you can watch television, talk on your phone, or do your work without having to deal with a loud cycling noise.

You obviously aren’t going to become a professional cyclist by riding a bike such as this in your home, but more and more people are opting for this kind of fitness/work combination. If you can burn calories and build strength while getting some work done, it just makes fitness all that much easier.

Check availability and price of the Exerwork 1000 on Amazon…

#5. XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Exercise Bike

Xterra is well known in the fitness world, not only as a fitness equipment company, but one that makes high quality products for triathletes, cyclists, swimmers, and other athletes. The XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Exercise Bike is therefore often chosen by fitness enthusiasts who are looking for a way to get in a little extra cycling in the office or at home.

The biggest selling point of this bike is that not only is it small when it is folded up, but it also has a uniquely small footprint when in use. It has an “X” type frame that makes it easy to fold up and also ensures a greater level of stability when riding.

It comes with an onboard console with a 2” x 1” window showing speed, distance, time, calories expended, and pulse. The heart rate pulse grips can be used at any time to get a view of your heart rate. Many athletes use heart rate data such as this as a way to estimate calorie expenditure as well as levels of exertion.

There is an easy to use resistance knob on the front of the bike that allows you to choose from eight different levels of resistance. In addition, there is a very handy accessory pocket located just below the knob that is designed to hold a phone, remote control, or perhaps even a snack!

Because you want a comfortable ride when you are working out, the XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Exercise Bike has an oversized padded seat as well as a padded back that will ensure that you are comfortable no matter how long you are working out. It even has built-in transportation wheels so you can easily roll the bike into a closet or under your bed when not in use.

This bike folds up to a very sleek 20.5” x 20” which means that it is small enough to be used in almost any home. When in use, it is 31.5” x 18” x 45.3” which is very small in comparison to other similar bikes.

Perhaps one of the only downsides to this bike it that it has a maximum weight of just 225 pounds. It fits riders from 4’10” to 5’10” tall – most bikes only fit riders that are 5’2” or taller, so this is certainly a great buy for shorter riders. On the other hand, most other bikes are suitable for riders six feet or perhaps a bit taller, so if you are on the tall side, this is not going to work for you.

Many buyer of the XTERRA Fitness FB350 Folding Exercise Bike mention how comfortable the seat is, how quiet the bike is, and how easy it is to fold up this piece of fitness equipment.

One final consideration when purchasing any indoor bike is going to be just how quiet the mechanism is. Not everyone in your household wants to hear your bike whirring away early in the morning or when they are trying to watch television. The 3.3 lb. precision balanced flywheel on this bike means that you are going to get not only a very smooth ride, but a quiet one that requires no maintenance at all. The entire mechanism is fully enclosed for safety, too.

Just check here availability and price of the XTERRA FB350 on Amazon…

Which Bike Is Right for You?

It is pretty apparent that not all potential indoor cyclists are looking for the same thing. Some folks want a bike that folds up quickly and easily and takes up as little space as possible. On the other hand, some people want a really stable ride or one that is super quiet.

The good news is that there are a lot of options when it comes to indoor folding bikes, perhaps more now than ever before.

Whether you are looking for an upright, semi-recumbent, or recumbent bike, it is important to make sure that you are well within the height and weight limitations of any bike. If other members of your household will be riding it, make sure that they are within those limitations, too.

Having a bike that comes with onboard programs to guide you toward your fitness goals may be important to you, though many people choose these types of bikes simply as a way to get a little exercise, burn some calories, and get those joints moving. It is, however, important to make sure you choose a bike that provides sufficient padding in the seat as well as the backrest (if it has one).

Whether you are looking for a way to burn a little fat while watching TV at home, or if you are using a folding exercise bike as a way to train during bad weather, these bikes are affordable and really do offer a lot of valuable features for the money.