Establish criteria for choosing indoor bike.

[Bicycle Bill]

Appreciating the discussion that goes on here, and would like to see what everyone thinks of the choices of indoor bikes out there.

First, can we establish criteria?

Perhaps the following.

1. Price.
2. Durability. (Commercial or non-commercial)
3. Potential resistance.
4. Fit adjustability.
5. Esthetics.
6. Service support.

Jump on in.....

[LikeIseeit]

Bill,
Perhaps I am a little daft here, but what are you looking for? Do you want comments on other bikes based on the criteria listed in your post? Or are you looking for the order of criteria we keep in mind when selecting a bike?

Just a little more clarification may help to get this thread going.

[spinnster10]

Hey, Bill! Those new Giant indoor "spinners" are sweet. I'd like to see a local gym filled with those. I realize that they are not MDA sanctioned. But, after all, "It's not about the bike."

[madcyclist]

Bill,

I have experience with the LeMond RevMaster, and the new and older Schwinn bikes and the Startrac JohnnyG Spinner.

The RevMaster allows the best fit. However, I don't like the ride (feel fake to me). Because it's belt driven, the transmission belt will slip under heavy resistance (like during a HP move). I really don't care for the resistance/breaking mechanism - it doesn't do a good job of holding the resistance. For instance during an EEZ ride, I'll have to add resistance on throughout the ride to account for an apparent slippage in the mechanism. The price is about $900 retail but I'm sure you can beat that if you're buying bulk.

The StarTrac JohnnyG Spinner rides ok; somethng they did to the flywheel makes the rides feel phoney. It's almost just like the Schwinn Spinner with some enhanced body parts (for rust prevention). I like that it is chain driven which eliminates slippage in the transmission system with heavy resistance. However I don't like the resistance/breaking mechanism. The bike fit is not the best b/c of the "hole-punch" system versus the slide system that is used on the RevMaster. The handlebar fore/aft position is static. For me it's ok, but, for some of my riders, they need an adjustment that isn't offered on this bike. Don't know what they are going for, but, that shouldn't b e hard to find out.

Schwinn bikes give the most realistic ride to me. I like the chain drvien transmission (feels like a real bike). However, b/c of the similarity tot he StarTrac Spinners, bike fit is not the best. However, I like the "original style" SPINNER resistance/padded breaking mechanism that is still offered on the Schwinn bikes (and not on the other 2). Again, I don't know that they are going for but you should be able to find that out.

Overall, I like the Schwinn bike overall. Yeah they change their handlebar style from using the semi-cirvle to the "antlers" (probably due to the cat fight with MDA), but, b/c of my like of the original SPINNER, this bike is closet to that.

Hope this helps.
--

I am very interested in reading about different instructors opinions on different bikes, now that we can freely discuss non-MDA approved ones. I am about to make a purchase of about 20-25 bikes for a new studio and have been doing research on the revmaster, schwinn and bodycycle in addition to the Spinners. I am curious what your expereinces have been with respect to the different rides as well as maintenance/wear and tear issues.
Thanks.

[Satori]

Be leary of Star Trac...We have had problems with them returning our calls after we purchased the bikes. They don't seem to follow up on anything. Have any of you had similiar problems? It has been a struggle and a decision we regretted.
Satori

[Nipsi98]

I only called Star Trac once in the year since we bought our new bikes, and was quite impressed with their help.

How do the star tracs compare to the schwinns? (both int erms of the feel of the ride and the maintenance)
thanks

[BFSpin]

Yeah, what Mad said. The two I'm most familiar with are the old Schwinn Spinners and the new StarTracs. While our old Schwinns aren't looking their best anymore, they are great bikes to maintain and repair. Good, basic mechanics with a solid road-like feel. I'll take 'em anyday over the brand new StarTracs we have at one gym. They sure look nice, but they're noisy, the braking/resistance mechanisms are touchy, and they just don't have the solid feel of the Schwinns.

Beth

[zoepup]

I guess I haven't rode the StarTrac enough to notice the difference with the Schwinn (of which I ride mostly). I thought the StarTrac was a smooth ride and I liked the resistance mechanism, but I guess I need to ride it more to truly compare.
The Evolution just makes me feel crampy. I seem to set it up right but am always sore afterwards in feet and calves. It may just be the pedals they chose to put on them. I can't seem to get my big foot in far enough to be comfortable. If I had to ride this set of bikes much I would get shoes.

Z

[EastSpin]

Have had there bikes for 5 years now and have had nothing but amazing customer service. it is individual, I hate the fit of schwinn Spinner, Love V-Bike fit, like fit of Rev, but hate the feel. I like fit of Summit, but they suck. I really liked the feel of the IC Evolution, but wasn't on it long enough to really get a good feel.

[flywheel]

How are the Giant Tempos?

[Bicycle Bill]

The giant Tempo is the smartest indoor bike I have seen.
After 6 years of service experience it seemed to me the Johnny G. Schwinn Spinner me the was the toughest.
When I first saw the Tempo I was wowed with the looks.
When I took it apart to check it out, I was even more impressed.
The fly-wheel is exactly the same as the old schwinn, but the axle is centered so the bearings should last longer. The resistance pads are twice as thick, so, if lubricated properly(silicone only), should last alot longer.
The watter bottle mount is placed so it won't be kicked by te rider mounting and dis-mounting.
Altough I liked the '03 resistance knob better, the '04 is safer for commercial applications, and can be "suped-up" for the advanced at home user.
Finally a bike built with more roadlike geometry, and the adjustability of the seat and handle bar providing an almost custom fit. The handle bar can be set higher for taller riders or those that need to be higher up at the h-bar.
Well, you get the idea. It just seemed that someone took a step back, and redsigned the bike from top to bottom. Great looks, and smart mechanics.
I think the Tempo will outperform any other bike.

[rindin' high]

Who makes the Giant Tempo?

Giant, of course, makes the Tempo. :wink:

[flywheel]

Here's my take on the Giant Tempo after trying it out. Very attractive, I liked the tri-bar style of handlebar but wonder if it might get in the way of hand positions if you're on it for a while. The seatpost and handlebar sliders did not slide as nicely as the Spinner, but maybe some silicone spray might do the trick. For home use, you probably won't be changing thesettings all the time anyway. With heavier resistance, there was a vibration that bothered me. Maybe the chain was too tight on the particular bike I tried.

As far as cost, the 2003 model is going for $800. Fit adjustability is good. Not sure if there is enough resistance potential.

Overall, I thought it would be a good home bike. Not sure if it would be good for a gym environment, but I only tried it once. Maybe somebody with more technical expertise could comment.

[spinnster10]

What are the weight restrictions on the Giant Tempo, both in and out of the saddle?

[Rex]

I found the Revmaster to be the most realistic feeling ride (with regards
to resistance and momentum), but most importantly it is great because
of the ability to get a perfect fit. On the Spinner, you have so much weight on the rim of the flywheel, it automatically carried more momentum, where the Lemond Revmaster is a more evenly distributed wheel, and therefore forces you to do a little more work to keep it going. In that way if feels more like a real bike to me. The 3 months I've spent using the Revmaster have really helped my outdoor riding, wheras the Spinner didn't seem to benefit me quite as much.

[cyclecat]

I like the Lemond the best and actually just purchased one for my home gym! I have taught or at least ridden on them all. Lemond had the best adjustments (especially nice for me since I am tall) and just feels smoother. I tried the Giant, and while it looks great, I did not like how the resistance was changed by screwing or unscrewing this little tube around a wire, and at the least amount of resistance possible, it felt like I was climbing!

My two cents!

[cyclecat]

I like the Lemond the best and actually just purchased one for my home gym! I have taught or at least ridden on them all. Lemond had the best adjustments (especially nice for me since I am tall) and just feels smoother. I tried the Giant, and while it looks great, I did not like how the resistance was changed by screwing or unscrewing this little tube around a wire, and at the least amount of resistance possible, it felt like I was climbing!

My two cents!

[cyclecat]

I like the Lemond the best and actually just purchased one for my home gym! I have taught or at least ridden on them all. Lemond had the best adjustments (especially nice for me since I am tall) and just feels smoother. I tried the Giant, and while it looks great, I did not like how the resistance was changed by screwing or unscrewing this little tube around a wire, and at the least amount of resistance possible, it felt like I was climbing!

My two cents!

[Rex]

Cyclecat... I'm going to take you to the bank with me next time. Somehow you made your 2 cents turn into 6 cents...

[cyclecat]

Sorry about that! I certainly did not mean to post a reply 3 times thus adding my 6 cents! And Rex, you can come ride my Lemond any time you want!

:lol:

Cyclcat

[Rex]

Thanks Cat! See you in the morning. 6AM?

Anyways, the OP asked for a list of criteria...

My order of priority would look like this, were I buying a ride for myself.

1- Fit/Adjustability
2- Ride quality (resistance, smoothness, stability, etc...)
3- Durability/Repairability/Service Support
4- Cost $$$
5- Peripherals (bottle cage location, handle bar type, wheels for transport)


If I'm going to bite the bullet, I'm sure as heck not going to skimp on any of the first 3 to save a couple hundred bucks. Too illogical for me. Without 1 and 2 it won't be worth riding, and without 3, I won't be riding it much if it aint workin'! Since in my opinion the Lemond is best or equal in all of the first 3 categories, then its worth the $1000 price tag (and hey, shipping is free... yahooee!)

[cyclecat]

I was able to get $100 off the price tag of my Lemond by mentioning that I was a spinning instructor and personal trainer. Better than nothing!

Cyclecat