Hello Everyone, (Original Post made Nov 30th, 2019 / More updates to the end of the post)
After reading so many reviews on various websites and considering all my options on various models of spin bikes, I made the following purchases (comments along my purchases for the reasons why I made that selection):
Bike
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike with 300 lb User Weight Limit, 44 lb Flywheel, Cage Pedals and Tablet Holder - SF-B1805
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FCJH59R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Along reading all the websites, I made an Amazon Wish List, and then used a website called camelcamelcamel that track prices changes on Amazon. The waiting game started!!. The bike went down on Black Friday for 389.99 + tax (24.37) = $414.36. That bike has all that I needed on a spin bike.
I was searching for a bike that is from a reputable company, comfortable seat, that have Magnetic Belt (very reliable-low maintenance), that is sturdy (Weight Limit 300lb), that don’t have any electronic that will be outdated soon, that have a heavy flywheel >40 pounds, and if possible to have either table holder or SPD/Cage Pedals. That bike had everything I wanted except the pedals. If you find that bike with any price on the low $400 buy it. Is the best bike for under <500 based on all the reviews and resources that found.
Pedals
Wellgo E229 Shimano SPD Compatible 9/16" Thread Spin Bike Pedals
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IM2K1QU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I picked these pedals based on good reviews. They are dual cage and SPD. The bike comes with cage pedals but everyone said that is better to ride with a clip on shoes. For that reason I want to have my options open. If I want to just ride the bike (Zwift, FulGaZ, Rouvy), I’ll use the cage, if I want to do a spin class (Peloton), I’ll use the SPD side. These pedals come with Shimano SPD compatible cleats and is 9/16” thread, perfect for that bike. I got the pedals for 49.90 + tax (3.12) = $53.02
Heavy Duty Equipment Mat & Heart Monitor
Supermats Heavy Duty Equipment Mat 13GS Made in U.S.A. for Indoor Cycles Recumbent Bikes Upright Exercise Bikes and Steppers (2.5 Feet x 5 Feet) (30-Inch x 60-Inch) (76.2 cm x 152.4 cm)
CooSpo Fitness Tracker Ant+ Heart Rate Monitor Chest Strap IP67 Waterproof with Bluetooth for Wahoo Strava Zwift DDP Yoga Map My Ride Peloton Bike
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001THTUAO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BS6B4PD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It goes without saying that if you use the bike indoor you need to protect either the carpet or the floor. The Heart Rate monitor have great reviews and it was more reliable that the wahoo monitor that I considered. If you have more money to spend go to a higher Scosche Rhythm monitor that is also a good choice.
The Mat was on sale and the monitor was down 20%. Mat + Monitor 42.78 + 2.68 tax = $45.46
Cadence & Speed Sensors
Wahoo RPM Cycling Speed and Cadence Sensor, Bluetooth/ANT+
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E0YRQIA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It was on sale and I found a video on YouTube (https://youtu.be/xyUPrT5rvT8) of how to place correctly the speed sensor on this spin bike and use it later on Zwift. It cost me 55.99 + 3.50 tax = $59.49
Shoes
Giro Rumble Vr MTB Shoes Mil Spec Olive/Black 44
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QX361TC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Solid choice, to be used indoor and outside if needed without a problem. One of the things I liked (beside the price), is that u can walk with the cleats on and be comfortable without a problem walking. They cost me 44.95+Shipping 7.95+tax 2.81 = $55.71
To summarize the prices, it cost me (without any peloton, Zwift, Rouvy, or FulGaz subscriptions): $628.04
Bike $414.36
Pedals $53.02
Heavy Duty Equipment Mat & Heart Monitor $45.46
Cadence & Speed Sensors $59.49
Shoes $55.71
Here is the catch!
Everything should be in my doorstep, in couple days. After using for couple days, I’ll post an update.
Happy Ride to all
Ps. I am doing this to lose weight and finally to feel good for myself. Appreciate in advance all your support and I am here to answer any questions.
***** UPDATE 12/05/2019
Most everything arrived today and started the assembly. Here is my first impressions of all the items:
The bike: The box of the sunny bike is EXTREMELY HEAVY - Don't attempt to move it alone. I managed to drag it to my garage and slowly bring everything piece by piece to my office inside my house where my bike will be placed. It took me about 2h to get the bike assembled, the instructions are clear (be aware of how to install the pedals - those are tricky). It is a very well made bike, very sturdy. I'll update more upon my first adjustments and after my first ride.
The Pedals & Shoes: I decided to return both the pedals and the Shoes. It seems that the cage pedals that came with the bike along with my regular gym shoes will do the job instead of using special SPD clips and new shoes for no reason. If i became more active in the future and realize that my interest for cycling grows and really want to invest on shoes and special pedals, then maybe I'll make the switch. For now, I want to just get started and do it slowly, with a easy clip-on pedals and regular shoes that don't feel too tight.
ps. The shoes are remarkable and well made but if you order, do yourself a favor and order a size up. They do run small.
Heavy Duty Equipment Mat: Amazing and very durable. My bike already found a good spot on it.
Heart Monitor: Have not arrived yet
Cadence & Speed Sensors: They work like a charm.
That bring the total of my setup from $628.04 to $519.31
Cant wait for my first ride / will post more soon
***** UPDATE 12/14/2019
Fantastic Results!!!!
The heart rate monitor is picked-up by the app and the colored level indicators tell you if you overworking yourself. I managed to stay under the red zone and it showed on the upper left corner of the pelaton digital screen above my cadence number.
Since i send back the pedals and the shoes, I ordered instead a nice Under Armour Men's Charged Rogue Running Shoe for $44.99 https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CVCV66L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and it works great with the pedals.
Here is what happen,
Couple days ago, on my first ride it was all about getting experience. I did a 10' fulgaz coast ride (my trial ready to expire) and a 20' peloton ride. I adjusted my seat and the handlebar several times until i found myself pedaling with comfort. (watched several youtube videos of how to setup your spin bike). Everything went well but I didn't feel it.
Today, I did something different. I found out that the resistance on the bike has a + and a -. Turn it all way out and count +10 for every full circle starting with the + sign on the 12noon.
When the instructor said, keep your resistance between 20-25 that means that you turn your resistance 2 1/2 times to get to 25. Every full round is +10. Hope that makes sense.
So, the cadence and heart rate is shown on the screen and you'll figure out the resistance on your own as I did following my proposed method if you like.
I did a 30' beginner/advance ride and i sweat bullets!!! I burned over 500 calories and felt great. My butt is sore for a little but that can be solved if periodically you try to stand a little on your pedals and ride with lower cadence (it worked for me).
I am currently 258 pounds and my goal is to get to 180. All your blessings, prayers and hope are welcome.
Happy riding
***** FINAL UPDATE 01/18/2020
Everything works as a charm.
The bike is AMAZING. There was a time that i heard some noise but i tighten up the screws at the base and the noise is gone. So, be sure to tight up all screws well.
The heart monitor is a MUST especially with Peloton. It shows you not to over do it.
I start my peloton from 2 times a week down to every other day now. It gets easier as you do it. I did couple beginner riders and now went to advanced beginner. Is an amazing workout. I feel much stronger and did help me along with my diet to lose pounds (still far from my goal but I am confident that will get there).
My last word is, get a bike, put it in a visible area in your way to remind you that you need to ride it, get a heart monitor and sign up for peloton. It will change your life.
God bless you and good luck
My husband and I have our DIY setup in our garage and absolutely love it! I was hesitant to purchase a new Peloton since I had never been the workout-at-home type and was worried this expensive piece of workout equipment would become a dust collector in our garage. We decided to try the DIY workaround before investing a lot of money into the "real" thing.
We use a Sunny B1805 with the Wahoo Cadence sensor attached to the crank arm. I really wanted a magnetic belt drive and this one was probably the most affordable we found. I wish we had spent a little more and invested in a bike that comes with SPD pedals since I know we will be upgrading those in the near future. Other than that the bike is great and I highly recommend it!
We live in CA where the weather is mild pretty much all year so we decided to put the bike in our garage. We screen cast the classes to a TV we have hung up on the wall using an AppleTV and use our phones to view cadence in the Wahoo app. I also have a FitBit Versa that I use for HR purposes, though it does not sync with the Peloton app (huge bummer).
Other odds and ends we have in our setup: WiHoo Mini Handheld Portable Fan we attach to the tablet holder, floor fan, a set of Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbells for strength classes (we don't do weights on the bike), and a basic Yoga mat.
It has surprised me just how happy I am with this setup! I thought I would feel like I was missing out by not having the leader board and not being able to track my stats. But I have yet to take a live class since the times don't work well for us west coasters with 9-5 jobs and commutes. And while I would like to be able to see output and resistance, I don't feel like my workout is suffering for not having them. I used to take spin classes regularly and most of those were about feel rather than exact numbers.
We've been using this setup since July and, honestly, I don't see myself buying a Peloton now. If anything I may upgrade to a better bike at some point. But for $20 a month I am getting an excellent workout that dips and sways with my schedule. I don't think I could justify being locked into $40 a month when I don't feel I am missing out much on the extras that come with the full price.