Home Exercise Equipment Adviser

What Are They?

A mini exercise bike is essentially an exercise bike that is missing the seating and handlebar arrangement that a normal exercise bike would usually have. In most cases the bike won’t have any wheel it will just be a set of pedals on a basic frame. This is especially true of the hydraulic mini exercise bikes, however you can also get motorized and magnetic eddy versions of these bikes which have the same characteristics with regard to seating and handelbars but have more complex pedal arrangements due to the way friction for resistance is generated. You are intended to provide your own chair when using these bikes so in effect can be as comforatble as you like.

What Type Of User Benefits From These Bikes?

These bikes tend to be marketed as exercise machines for seniors, for fitness beginners, for people who are short on space or who don’t find traditional exercise equipment to be comfortable to use and for those who want a portable piece of equipment that can be used under a desk whilst continuing to work uninterrupted.

These bikes are good for seniors who need a little exercise to help maintain their mobility into older age, although hydraulic models may appear to be ideal it is the motorised models that are often recommended. With these models you sit on your own chair, put your feet on the pedals and the machine turns under its own motor. The benefit comes from having your legs manipulated by the motorised cycling action giving gentle exercise that improves circulation, gently eases muscles into use and keeps joints active.

Because of the gentleness of the exercise with these bikes they are often touted as being ideal for exercise beginners who may not want to risk heavy exercise when starting a new exercise program. For those who use an exercise bike already they may have had problems getting comfortable on “one size fits all” saddles, many mini exercise bikes are aimed at these users on the basis you provide your own seating arrangements. Of course it is easy to see why these bikes are aimed at the user looking for portability or something they can use under a desk.

What Functions Can You Get?

Basic hydraulic models will have absolutely no extras and therefore no distractions. You will have a resistance knob that can alter friction but basic models come with little else bar functional extras like rubber feet to protect floor surfaces.

Higher cost hydraulic models will come with small LED displays that will count calories, time and distance. Most motorized and magnetic eddy brake models will have some sort of LED feature and push button setting for resistance, but compared to other exercise bikes all mini bikes are usually sparse on extras to keep costs down, size and weight down and because it is difficult to use extras that are likely to be located around your feet!

Any Drawbacks?

The major drawbacks with these machines are the stability of the machine in use and the amount of resistance you can achieve on the machine.

Most users find hydraulic models to be difficult to use due to stability so it is advisable to choose cheap hydraulic models carefully after reading as many user reviews as you can. Magnetic models tend to be slightly heavier so suffer less from stability problems and motorised versions tend to be the most stable in use as the user doesn’t put any force through the equipment.

The other underlying issue with these bikes is that users assume the mini version to be as effective as a normal upright or recumbent exercise bike with regard to resistance. In truth these bikes just can’t take the level of exercise an intermediate or higher fitness level individual might want to achieve because the layout of the machine is not up to vigorous resistance exercise without becoming intrinsically unstable.

Which Models Are The Bestsellers?

The top two best selling models on the market are the Stamina 15-0120 instride Cycle XL and the Paradigm 7101 Activcycle motorised mini exercise bike.

The stamina model is a hydraulic mini exerciser that is relatively low cost ($35-45) and comes from a well respected fitness equipment manufacturer. Features on the bike are minimal to keep costs low although it does include a monitor that gives basic readout, floor protection feet and adjustable tension via a tension screw.

The paradigm model is a motorised bike that is higher in cost coming in at generally around $100. You get hand held controls, carry handle built in, and an LED that monitors distance, time, calories and speed. This bike is ideal for seniors who need a little basic exercise to maintain and improve their mobility.