Indoor cycling is a type of activity that is performed with exercise bikes and rollers, and is ideal for improving cardiovascular endurance and strength without leaving home. However, not all exercise bikes work for indoor cycling, it is essential to choose a model adapted to the requirements of this sport, which allows, among other things, a correct adjustment of the resistance and the use of shoes with cycling cleats. Experts explain how to choose a suitable exercise bike model.
Choosing a suitable exercise bike for cycling can be a complex task, since not all options offer this possibility. When selecting among the type of bikes, you should choose a model suitable for indoor cycling, avoiding classic exercise bikes or recumbent bikes. An indoor cycling bike gives the user the opportunity to pedal both seated and standing, supports a greater weight and allows intensive weekly use of the bike. However, it must be taken into account, on the other hand, that within the indoor cycling bicycle market there is also a wide variety of options, and that there are countless competing brands, although the quality of their products varies greatly. One of the most recognized and demanded by professional cyclists, as well as by fitness enthusiasts, is the Zycle.eu brand, which currently has two specific models of indoor cycling bikes, the ZBike 2.0 and the ZBike FREE.
Their bikes have positioned themselves as one of the best options for their value for money (their price is not the lowest, like that of basic exercise bikes, but neither is it the highest in the indoor cycling market) and, of course, for their performance. Examples of the latter are its state-of-the-art resistance, low noise and connectivity, which are essential according to experts in any indoor cycling model.
A realistic cycling experience: fixed or freewheel?
The pedaling experience can change considerably from one bike to another in the indoor cycling market, and this is one of the main aspects to pay attention to. In the case of the popular ZYCLE brand it is possible to find two options, the well-known ZBike 2.0 fixed gear bike and the modern ZBike FREE freewheel bike. The former is the most common on the market, while the freewheel system is less common and provides an even more realistic cycling experience as the pedaling is almost identical to outdoor bikes – with the exception, of course, of bikes with backpedal brakes. The realistic cycling experience is not only achieved by the pedaling system, but also by the type of resistance, as well as the inclination capacity of the indoor models, which in the cases mentioned above offer a maximum gradient of 20%.
Choose an advanced magnetic or electromagnetic type resistance.
Another essential aspect when choosing an indoor cycling bike is the resistance. There are several options currently available, such as friction, magnetic and electromagnetic resistors, and air resistors. The most recommended for indoor cycling are magnetic and electromagnetic resistors, which work with a system of magnets that move towards or away from the flywheel depending on the setting. Friction resistors, on the other hand, work by applying pressure to the flywheel through pads, which implies greater wear in addition to less efficient braking; while air resistors offer greater resistance and power, so their use is recommended for more intense strength training such as Crossfit. In addition to the above, experts stress the importance of checking the maximum power offered by the bicycles in question, especially at high revolutions per minute (RPM). In any case, they recommend that the power of the indoor cycling bike should be around 2000 W at 120 RPM.
Loudness, one of the main aspects to consider when cycling at home
Another of the most important aspects is the noise level of the bicycle, since it will be used indoors. To avoid disturbing the neighbors and to be able to use it at any time and in any room of the home, it is essential to choose a silent device, as is the case of ZYCLE indoor bicycles. To do this, it is convenient to look at the transmission system, which in this case is based on a Poly-V type transmission belt.
Connectivity with leading simulators and automatic resistance
Connectivity is an indispensable feature of indoor cycling smart bikes. An advanced and modern connectivity will allow you to enjoy a stable connection when using a cycling simulator. However, not all brands work with all simulators, in fact, most of them usually offer compatibility with only a couple of them. For this reason, it is necessary to look at which ones are compatible with the bike and which ones are to the user’s liking, so that the resistance of the smartbike automatically adjusts to the track conditions at all times when making use of them. This is indispensable for providing a realistic cycling experience. ZYCLE smartbikes are compatible with ROUVY, BKOOL, Bestcycling, Kinomap, MyWhoosh and FulGaz.
Ability to review results and data accuracy
Generally, exercise bikes include a screen or an app to install on your cell phone that allows you to monitor data in real time and later to check the effectiveness of your workout. It is important that this data is reliable and accurate, for example, in the precision of the estimation of the power developed. The ZYCLE app allows live review of power with a margin of error of less than 2% and cadence. In addition to changing the resistance through the app and other functions such as activating the warranty.
The millimeter adjustment of the bike for the user
And last but not least is the fit of the bike to the user. This is also influenced by the design of the frame and whether it is suitable for both men and women (as is the case with unisex V-shaped frames, such as the ZYCLE frame). It is also important to pay attention to the Q-Factor, as well as to the micrometric adjustment of the handlebar and saddle height, and to the multi-position cranks with different distances for comfortable training.
