Best Exercise Bikes UK (2026)
An exercise bike's resistance system and screen quality matter more than raw price, since a bike that feels lifeless will get abandoned quickly. This guide compares bikes tested by Men's Fitness over at least a month each, pairing them with apps like Zwift and assessing build quality after sustained use.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
Peloton Bike+ with Peloton IQ
Best overall
Men's Fitness found this one of the most immersive and motivating indoor fitness experiences money can buy, with Peloton IQ's built-in camera tracking movement during strength classes like a personal trainer watching your form. A vast, high-quality class library and swivel screen make it a full-body training hub, though the subscription is essential to unlock its full value.
- Highly polished, immersive workout experience
- Vast, high-quality class library
- Peloton IQ adds off-bike workout tracking
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peloton Bike+ with Peloton IQ | Best overall | Swivelling HD touchscreen, front-facing camera for movement tracking, Sonos audio | Check price |
| Wattbike Atom | Best for experienced riders | 22 integrated gears, crank position read 1,000 times/second, Smart resistance mode | Check price |
| Garmin TACX Neo Bike Plus | Best for realism | Built-in road-surface simulation motor, climbs up to 25%, programmable shifters | Check price |
| Bowflex VeloCore | Best for dynamic workouts | Tilting lean mode, 100 resistance levels, includes 1-year JRNY app membership | Check price |
| Assault Fitness AssaultBike Classic | Best air bike | Air resistance flywheel, belt drive, upgradable/replaceable parts | Check price |
| Apex Smart Bike | Best budget | Bluetooth/WiFi/USB connectivity, app-based training, under £1,000 | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best overall
Peloton Bike+ with Peloton IQ
Men's Fitness found this one of the most immersive and motivating indoor fitness experiences money can buy, with Peloton IQ's built-in camera tracking movement during strength classes like a personal trainer watching your form. A vast, high-quality class library and swivel screen make it a full-body training hub, though the subscription is essential to unlock its full value.
- Screen
- Swivelling HD touchscreen
- Camera
- Front-facing movement tracking
- Audio
- Sonos
Pros
- Highly polished, immersive workout experience
- Vast, high-quality class library
- Peloton IQ adds off-bike workout tracking
Cons
- High upfront cost plus essential subscription
- Power metrics may not satisfy data-driven cyclists
Best for experienced riders
Wattbike Atom
The number one exercise bike in public gyms and elite fitness spaces, Men's Fitness found it sturdy enough for years of abuse yet precise enough for exact shifting. The Wattbike Hub's pedal efficiency score and training plans let you replicate tough pro-circuit climbs, though it's noisy and geared more toward experienced cyclists.
- Gears
- 22 integrated (manual or Ergo auto mode)
- Precision
- Crank position read 1,000x/second
Pros
- Easy set-up
- Genuine real-ride feel
- Automatic Smart resistance mode
- Wealth of insights via Wattbike Hub
Cons
- Noisy
- Feels geared more toward experienced cyclists
- Requires bringing your own screen
Best for realism
Garmin TACX Neo Bike Plus
Men's Fitness calls this the pinnacle of exercise bikes, with a built-in motor replicating the 'rumble' of cobbles or gravel and resistance mimicking climbs up to 25%. Programmable shifters mimic Shimano, SRAM or Campagnolo, and it pairs with Zwift, Strava and TrainerRoad for a genuinely immersive ride, though the drop bars have some flex.
- Max simulated gradient
- 25%
- App compatibility
- Zwift, Strava, TrainerRoad, Garmin app
Pros
- Excellent app compatibility
- Immersive real-road feel with surface rumble
- Highly controllable cooling fans
Cons
- Some flex in the drop bars
Best for dynamic workouts
Bowflex VeloCore
No bike works the core quite like the VeloCore, which morphs from a stationary bike to a tilting one at the press of a button, adding a whole new dimension to workouts. Men's Fitness found the ride smooth and quiet with a large screen in two sizes, though the design is bigger and heavier than most indoor bikes.
- Resistance levels
- 100
- Screen options
- 16in or 22in
- Subscription
- 1-year JRNY included
Pros
- Unique leaning feature targets core and arms
- Decent selection of riding modes
- Smooth and quiet ride
- Free year of JRNY app included
Cons
- Bigger and heavier than most indoor bikes
- Expensive
Best air bike
Assault Fitness AssaultBike Classic
The original air bike still found in commercial gyms everywhere, with Men's Fitness praising its dialled-in ergonomics and super-smooth belt drive. Almost every part can be upgraded or replaced as an aftermarket purchase, making it a genuinely long-term investment, though the console can be hard to read.
- Resistance
- Air (fan-based)
- Drive
- Belt drive
Pros
- Robust, long-lasting design
- Easy to programme workouts
- Upgradable parts extend its lifespan
Cons
- Console can be hard to read
Best budget
Apex Smart Bike
Refreshingly affordable against rivals costing two grand or more, Men's Fitness found it well made and easy to set up despite the lower price, with a stylish design that won't look out of place at home. There's no built-in screen, relying instead on the Apex app via your own device, and the seat can be slightly uncomfortable.
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth, WiFi, USB
- Screen
- None (uses companion app)
- Price guide
- Under £1,000
Pros
- Competitive price
- Modern, stylish design
- Well made and easy to set up
- Extensive class and instructor library via app
Cons
- No built-in screen
- Seat can be slightly uncomfortable
Buying guide
Do I need a screen built into the bike?
A built-in screen, like the Peloton or Bowflex here, gives the most seamless experience but adds significantly to the cost. A screen-free bike like the Apex, paired with your own phone or tablet, gives access to similar app-based classes at a much lower price if you don't mind propping up a device.
What resistance type should I choose?
Magnetic or electronic resistance, found on most smart bikes here, gives smooth, quiet, app-controlled adjustment. Air resistance, like the AssaultBike here, gets harder the faster you pedal, giving an intense, simple workout with no subscription needed. Realistic road-feel systems, like Garmin's TACX Neo, add simulated gradient and surface texture for outdoor-like immersion.
Is a subscription worth the ongoing cost?
A subscription unlocks the class libraries and structured training plans that make premium bikes like the Peloton or Wattbike genuinely motivating long-term. If you'd rather just pedal without guided content, a subscription-free option like the AssaultBike Classic avoids that recurring cost entirely.
How much floor space does an exercise bike actually need?
The bike's main body is often fairly compact, but check the footprint of the stabiliser stand and any handlebar extensions or screen housings, which can extend well beyond the bike itself. This overhang matters most if you're fitting a bike into a smaller room rather than a dedicated home gym.
Sources
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