A good-quality spin bike is essential for a full home workout. Compared with recumbent bikes, spin bikes are more versatile, replicate outdoor cycling better, and help with weight loss, muscle toning, and stamina building.
A top-notch spin bike can cost a bit, but you don’t have to overspend if you know what to look for. Below is a review of the best spin bikes around the £500 mark on the UK market, judged by performance, build quality, portability, and other key factors to help you choose the right bike for your home workouts. Note: online prices change often, so some models listed may be above £500 when you check.
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How to choose the best spin bike under £500
To avoid flimsy, low-quality bikes, look for these features when checking specs:
Flywheel quality and weight
The flywheel is the rotating disk that drives the bike’s motion, connected to the pedals by a belt or chain. A heavier flywheel needs more effort to pedal—similar to shifting to a higher gear on a road bike—and it delivers smoother, more controlled motion by improving inertia. Spin bike flywheels typically range from about 9kg to 20kg.
Beginners or those wanting low-intensity workouts should choose lighter flywheels. More experienced cyclists will benefit from heavier flywheels for greater resistance and muscle work.
Weight capacity
Each bike has a maximum user weight. Exceeding that can cause premature wear or failure. Look for models built for heavier users; some in this guide support up to around 150 kg.
Adjustability
A good spin bike should let you adjust the seat and handlebars for height and position. This makes it easier to find a comfortable riding position and helps prevent injury—especially important for beginners and older users.
Quiet operation
Nobody wants noisy clanking when they exercise at home. Noise often comes from the resistance system and chain-driven flywheels. Magnetic resistance is the quietest option because the magnets don’t touch the flywheel, creating friction-free resistance. Belt drives also help keep things smooth and quiet.
Portability
If you need to move or store the bike, choose a lightweight, compact model with transport wheels. All our top picks have wheels for easier moving.
Extra features
Some bikes include extras like water bottle holders, tablet or phone mounts, and padded seats. A tablet or phone holder lets you watch workouts, play music, or multitask while you ride.
Top spin bikes (around £500) — quick comparison
BIKE NAME — MAX WEIGHT — FLYWHEEL WEIGHT — GREAT FOR
JLL® IC400 ELITE — 150 kg — 20 kg — Advanced cyclists
JLL IC300 PRO — 130 kg — 20 kg — Intense workouts; users with joint issues
NordicTrack GX 3.9 — 115 kg — 18 kg — Medium-intensity, long rides; beginners and those wanting more challenge
Dripex Upright Exercise Bike — 150 kg — 6.35 kg — Beginners looking to build fitness and burn calories
Ultra Quiet Stationary Resistance Spin Bike — 150 kg — 8 kg — High-speed riding and upright spinning for toning
Best spin bikes under £500 — Reviews
Here are several sturdy and popular spin bikes under (or close to) £500, suitable for beginners and more advanced riders. Models were chosen with different needs in mind—weight loss, varying fitness levels, joint issues, height differences, resistance options, space limits, and more.
JLL® IC400 ELITE Indoor Bike
This solid bike is an excellent stand-in for outdoor riding and suits driven road cyclists. It has a 20 kg flywheel for smooth, realistic cycling and a belt drive for quiet, steady operation. Resistance uses friction technology for tougher workouts. The pedals mimic road bike pedals and can be swapped for SPD or racing versions.
Built like professional equipment, it supports up to 150 kg. Handlebars and a padded seat are adjustable for taller riders. It doesn’t include a phone or tablet holder, but the wide handlebars can hold a large tablet between the display and handles.
The clear display shows time, speed, distance, calories, and other key stats. Transport wheels make it easy to move. The manufacturer offers a 1-year home use warranty. Customers praise its gym-quality feel and sturdiness.
Pros: Feels like outdoor cycling; 150 kg limit; adjustable handlebars and seat; transport wheels; 20 kg flywheel with strong resistance.
Cons: No magnetic resistance; not ideal for beginners; no extra attachments.
Available from: Amazon / eBay
JLL IC300 PRO Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike
This model is known for its smooth, quiet ride thanks to magnetic resistance and a belt drive. It offers a wide range of intensities from low-pace, muscle-toning sessions to fast, calorie-burning climbs. The bike is solid and supports up to 130 kg.
It comes with an aluminium water bottle and holder. The compact monitor tracks time, speed, distance, calories, and heart rate. The seat is ergonomic and breathable. Transport wheels are included for moving.
Many users with joint or knee issues choose this bike since magnetic resistance offers better control and lower impact. The handlebars and seat adjust both horizontally and vertically for a better fit.
Pros: Magnetic resistance; 20 kg flywheel; adjustable seat and handlebars; clear monitor; transport wheels.
Cons: Assembly instructions can be unclear; handlebars may wobble.
Available from: Amazon / eBay
NordicTrack GX 3.9
This NordicTrack model is great for medium-intensity, long-distance cycling. It has an 18 kg flywheel and eight resistance levels to gradually increase intensity. Users with joint issues recommend it for its smooth cycling and even impact distribution.
The LCD sits above the handlebars and tracks speed, time, distance, calories, heart rate, and more. It includes transport wheels and a water bottle holder. Seat and handlebars adjust horizontally and vertically; the seat is padded for comfort during long rides. Pedals are replaceable and have safety straps.
The bike supports up to 115 kg. NordicTrack offers a 5-year warranty on the frame and 2 years on other parts.
Pros: Comfortable for users with joint problems; transport wheels; adjustable seat and handlebars; 8 resistance levels; strong warranty.
Cons: Flywheel may need occasional lubrication; not ideal for heavier users.
Available from: Sweatband / Amazon
Dripex Upright Exercise Bike
This Dripex bike is a good choice for beginners focused on fitness and calorie burn. It emphasizes comfort and safety with an extra-padded, reinforced seat that helps users with hip problems or heavier weights.
The triangular steel frame holds up to 150 kg and has transport wheels to move it easily. The large, belt-driven flywheel provides continuous resistance that’s easy to adjust during workouts. Seat and handlebars are fully adjustable, but the seat post may not rise high enough for people over 6 ft.
The monitor shows distance, speed, time, calories, and heart rate. Pedals have wide straps to prevent slipping. Many customers recommend it for long-distance rides and for beginners.
Pros: Sturdy steel frame; safe for injured or older users; infinite resistance; adjustable seat and handlebars; transport wheels.
Cons: No extra features like bottle or tablet holders; no magnetic resistance; not suitable for very tall users; pedals can be tricky to assemble.
Available from: Amazon / eBay
Ultra Quiet Stationary Resistance Spin Bike with LCD Monitor
For tight budgets, unbranded but capable bikes from retailers like OnBuy can be a solid option. This Ultra Quiet model includes useful accessories and offers a near-gym experience.
It has a strong steel frame, magnetic resistance, and a belt-driven flywheel, supporting up to 150 kg. Its lighter 8 kg flywheel is suited to high-speed riding and upright spinning for toning, with adjustable resistance for smooth acceleration.
The adjustable padded seat and handlebars fit different heights. The simple monitor shows time, speed, calories, distance, and heart rate. Wide pedals with straps reduce slipping during fast rides. Customers praise its quiet operation and recommend it for building spinning stamina.
A similar OnBuy model with a 15 kg flywheel is available if you want tougher resistance at a slightly higher price.
Pros: Lightweight flywheel for smooth spinning; 8 resistance levels; very affordable; includes bottle and device holders; solid frame.
Cons: Not challenging enough for advanced cyclists.
Final verdict — Which spin bike is best under £500?
Think about what you want from a spin bike before buying. What type of workouts do you plan to do? Do you need extra features? Who will use the bike? Once you know your priorities, you can pick the best match from the list.
The JLL® IC400 ELITE is one of the most well-rounded choices—durable and versatile enough for a wide range of users, from casual riders to high-intensity athletes. The Ultra Quiet model is a good option for high-speed spinning and a cheaper way to enjoy a realistic cycling feel. For beginners or users with physical limitations, the Dripex Upright Exercise Bike offers a solid, stable option.
Related content:
Best spin bikes under £300
Best Exercise Bike for Tall Person
Author bio
Sofia Alves is a fitness enthusiast who loves running and helping others adopt and stick to healthy habits. She keeps learning and training to expand her knowledge and believes the worst workout is the one you never started.