5 Things to Consider When Buying a Recumbent Bike

So, you are interested in possibly buying a recumbent bike. Before you do that, you have a few things that you should consider so that you can make a wise choice – based on your needs and preferences and what is available on various different bikes. You may have never even used a recumbent bike before. So let’s go over some of the features that you should consider to get the best recumbent bike for you.

Indoor or Outdoor

The first and most obvious decision that will need to make is where you will be using your bike. Recumbents are divided into two main types – a recumbent road bike or a recumbent stationary bike. So picking the best recumbent bike for you starts with deciding if you will be riding indoors or outside.

Available Space

Space is not as much a deal if you will be riding your recumbent outdoors, but you should still consider having space to store it when it is not in use. Because of their unique design, recumbent road bikes are slightly longer than a regular bicycle and will take up more floor space.

If you will be using a stationary recumbent bike, then you need to consider the room you will be using the bike in and how much space it will take up there. If you have a large house, you may have room to dedicate to this, and it will not be that much of a problem. If you live in a small apartment, you may want to consider a folding recumbent exercise bike. These can be easily stored under a bed or in a spare closet. Make sure you check the dimensions of the bike in it’s folded position to see if it will fit where you plan to store it.

Comfort & Fit

Whether you are going to use a stationary recumbent bike or a recumbent road bike, comfort will be a concern. You obviously don’t want a bike that doesn’t fit you right. It would probably end up not getting used and would be a total waste of your money. That being said, recumbent bikes are, by design, made to be more “comfortable” that regular bicycles.

The seats in a recumbent bike put your body in a semi-horizontal position and also include backrests and lumbar supports. This design supports you better than a regular bicycle and keeps your body more relaxed. The added support helps to improve your posture and ensure that you are not slouching – like some people tend to do after long rides on normal bicycles. Many models of recumbent bikes also offer nicely padded seats to make them even more comfortable.

In all this, remember that you are buying a recumbent bike because you are planning to spend a good bit of time riding it. Therefore, comfort should play a major role in the decision of what is the best recumbent bike for you.

Features

This is another area that probably applies more to exercise recumbent bike than to a recumbent road bike. Most recumbent road bikes will have the same “features” (similar to what would be available on a normal road bike).

• A recumbent exercise bike, however, will have several features not found on a road bike – things like displays, resistance level adjustments, cup/bottle holders, book holders, heartbeat monitors, predefined exercise programs, and even fans.

Some of these features may be of interest to you and some may not. Some are required (resistance levels, for example) and will be present on every stationary recumbent bike. You will need to determine which features you need and will use and which you can do without. If you want to know the difference between different types of spinning bikes, go through upright bike vs recumbent bike comparison guide. The higher-end models will have more resistance levels and more programs to choose from. They may even have features that allow you to connect your phone.

So take the time to check out the features to ensure that you will get the bike that will help you achieve your workout goals – whether that is toning, weight loss, or whatever it is

Price

Although listed last, an obvious consideration is also the cost of the bike you will be using. Everyone does not have the same budget, so taking into account the price must also be a factor in your decision. Of course, you may have to give up some features when you choose a less expensive recumbent bike.

By taking your time and comparing features and prices you should be able to make a well-informed decision.