If we’re talking about the best cardio machines then the exercise bike will always be one of our favorite options. They provide a low-impact workout, burn lots of calories, improve cardiovascular fitness, and offer multiple levels of difficulty. But there’s one other thing that makes the bike one of the best options for home workouts – they can be compact and foldable too.
If you live in a smaller space or need something that’s substantial for cardio but that can be stored away after your workouts, look no further. We’ve put together a list of the 10 best folding exercise bikes to ride into 2022 and achieve your fitness goals.
Treadmills, rowers, and ellipticals, while excellent pieces that do much of the same thing, are usually larger and heavier and do not fold away with the exception being some treadmills. The bike tends to have the smallest footprint while still being one of the most popular exercise tools you can use.
What is An Exercise Bike and What Are The Benefits of Using It?
An exercise bike is a type of indoor stationary workout machine or piece of equipment that resembles a bicycle both in looks and function. They’re usually equipped with a saddle, pedals, and handlebars although there are many different variations of this machine including the design, size, and functionality.
There are many benefits of using an exercise bike of which we’ve explained below.
Excellent for burning calories
Because exercise bikes are essentially cardio machines, they’re a great calorie-burning option. Of course, how many calories you can burn will depend on many things such as weight, workout intensity, duration of exercise.
Improves cardio health
Using an exercise bike is a heart-healthy activity and many use it solely for improving their cardiovascular health. It’s a low-impact, low-stress activity that can be done while watching your favorite TV show.
Fitness and performance
Athletes and fitness enthusiasts use exercise bikes all the time to build up their fitness and endurance. Like any cardio machine, most have multiple options for resistance, but the low-impact nature of the bike offers another advantage to the athlete especially for recovery from activities hard on the joints.
Low-Impact
One of the biggest advantages of using an exercise bike is that it’s low-impact and easy on the joints. This is beneficial for people who are overweight, recovering from injuries, or recovering from workouts.
Carrying excess body weight in combination with high-impact activities places unhealthy stress on the joints. Consequently, low-impact activities are strongly recommended. Additionally, if you have an injury or need some joint recovery from training, the exercise is a great choice.
Exercise in privacy
One of the amazing reasons to have your own workout equipment is that you can get a great workout in the comfort and privacy of your own home or space. Some days you just don’t want to be bothered by making the trip to your training center or maybe you just prefer to exercise at home instead.
Top Folding Exercise Bikes:
- Xterra Fitness FB150 – Buy here Editor’s Choice
- Exerpeutic Upright Folding Exercise Bike – Buy here
- Advenor Upright Exercise Bike – Buy here
- Vive X-Bike Upright Folding Exercise Bike – Buy here
- Marcy NS-654 Upright Foldable Exercise Bike – Buy here
- Leike Fitness Leike X Upright – Buy here
- Ativafit 2 in 1 Folding Exercise Bike – Buy here
- Exerpeutic Gold 500 XLS Exercise Bike – Buy here
- Bulbhead Slim Cycle – Buy here
- Pexmor 3 in 1 CF-917FM Folding Folding Bike – Buy here
1. Editor’s Choice – Xterra Fitness FB150
At sub-$150, the Xterra Fitness FB150 seems to be one of the best values out there. For that reason it’s our top pick although that does not mean the other options on this list are any less awesome.
The FB150 is a super-compact and lightweight machine at just 32 pounds. It has an X-frame design for extra stability.
The machine has a 3.3 lb flywheel and uses magnetic resistance to create a challenge during your exercise sessions. You have the option to choose from 8 levels of resistance of which you can adjust using the large dial located beneath the console.
Your tushy will also be very happy about the giant padded seat. Nothing is worse than having a sore or uncomfortable butt however this shouldn’t be an issue here. Talking about the seat, it’s also adjustable for users of different heights.
You also get a 2″ x 1″ LCD screen that displays various performance statistics.
The transport wheels make it easy to roll the bike to its place of storage.
Overall, we really like the sleek and lightweight design of the Xterra FB150 and for the price it’s just a really good simple option.
Assembled dimensions: 31.89 x 18.1 x 43.3 inches
Folded size: 18.1″L x 18.1 “W x 50.79” H
Machine weight: 32 pounds
Weight limit: 225 lbs
Recommended height range: 4’10” – 5′ 10″
Pros
- Aesthetic
- Padded oversize seat enhances comfort
- Adjustable magnetic resistance
- Very affordable
- Lightweight
- Designed for smooth and quiet operation
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Not ideal for people taller than 5’10”
- Some users felt the resistance was not enough
About the brand
Based in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the focus of Xterra Fitness is to “Make fitness accessible to everyone”. Their product line consists of workout machines that range from affordable and compact to more higher end options. They also take pride in having US-based customer service that is unrivaled.
2. Exerpeutic Upright Folding Exercise Bike
Another very popular brand that offers a lot of quality options is Exerpeutic and for that reason we had to include a folding exercise bike from them on our list.
It too is a sleek design that has 8 levels of magnetic tension, each of which targets a specific aspect of performance like rehab, cardio and improved endurance.
One feature that this one has is heart rate pulse monitors that measure your heart’s performance by simply holding onto the handlebars.
The 3.3″W x 1.5″ H large screen displays distance, calories, time, speed, scan and pulse which is a nice addition.
Assembled dimensions: 31″L x 19″W x 46″H
Folded size: 22″L x 20″W x 55.5″H
Machine weight: 39 pounds
Weight limit: 300 lbs
Recommended height range: 5’3″ – 6’1″
Pros
- Good for taller users up to 6’1″
- Equipped with heart pulse monitors
- Large LCD screen displays performance metrics
- Phone and tablet holder are convenient
- Large pedals and straps provide extra secureness
- Easy assembly
Cons
- Design is more semi-recumbent than upright as advertised
- Few complains about noisy operation
- Some feel the quality isn’t the best
About the brand
Exerpeutic is a brand of Paradigm Health and Wellness, a leading supplier of fitness products that is headquartered in Southern California, United States. The goal of Paradigm is to continuously bring innovative and in-demand products to the market and offer great customer service.
3. Advenor Upright Exercise Bike
We like the aesthetics and color scheme of the Advenor bike but it’s a feature-rich bike that also sits below the $150 price point making it a very good value.
Let’s talk about the things that come on the Advenor exercise bike. The ergonomic and comfortable multi-grip handlebars give you various grip options and we all know that this is great to have for longer training sessions. Speaking of the handles, there are built-in heart pulse monitors.
The extra-large seat cushion is necessary for those who spend enough time on a bike plus the seat is adjustable so whether you’re 5’3″ or 6’1″, you can find the best position for you. They also included large pedals and straps to keep your feet secure.
There’s 8 levels of resistance that can be easily adjusted based on your goals and experience and the flywheel is designed to give you smooth and quiet operation so you can train with little to no noise.
This machine comes with an LCD screen as well and has wheels for easy rolling.
Assembled dimensions: 26.38″L x 15.75″W x 44.41″H
Folded size: 12.99″ L x 51.18″ H
Weight limit: 280 lbs
Recommended height range: 5’3″ – 6’1″
Pros
- Good value
- Multi-grip handlebars
- Handles have built-in heart pulse monitors
- Large pedals and straps offer better secureness
- Extra-large seat may provide more comfort for longer rides
Cons
- Display only shows measurements in metric
- May not feel substantial to support long-term use
About the brand
The motto of Advenor is “Commit to get fit”. The brand prides itself on offering quality workout equipment but at prices that are affordable, fast delivery times and great customer service. That’s confidence and peace of mind right there.
4. Vive X-Bike Upright Folding Exercise Bike
Making a spot on our list is an upright folding exercise bike from Vive Health. It’s one of the pricier options in our list of best folding exercise bikes but we think it’s worth it.
There are a few unique things that we noticed about this machine compared to our other picks including the no front handlebars (has seat handlebars) to hold onto which is similar to a recumbent bike. And while the product description says it’s an upright bike it does resemble a recumbent style design.
Another difference is that the seat and backrest are also different from what we’ve shown you so far as they’re much larger. It’s more like you’re sitting in a chair compared to a bike with a seat.
The bike has adjustable resistance and a two-way flywheel system for optimal performance. The micro tension feature means easy adjustability to lower or raise the intensity and we also like that the armrests are padded for comfort.
The Vive X-bike experience should be comfortable and effective and the LCD display is a standard feature that helps you to track your progress.
Assembled dimensions: 45.47” by 18.9” by 7.87”
Folded size: Not sure
Machine weight: 39.68 lbs
Weight limit: 220 lbs
Recommended height range: 5’2″ – 6’2″
Pros
- Supports most user heights
- Very compact
- Includes a phone holder
- Larger seat and backrest
- Includes seat handlebars
- Compatible with Vive Fit app that includes exercises
Cons
- Recumbent only bike
- Pricier than other options but worth it in our opinion
About the brand
Vive health is an online medical equipment store that offers a variety of options that meet different user needs. They actually design and develop their own brands of product and there’s no middlemen involved.
Another great reason to consider buying from Vive is they have great customer service to address customer needs.
5. Marcy NS-654 Upright Foldable Exercise Bike
Marcy is a very recognizable name in fitness and training equipment and a household name with over 35 years of experience in the industry.
We’ve actually included their products in several of our other reviews too.
The NS-654 model is an upright bike that folds up into a small package. It’s height adjustable to accommodate different body types and has a high density fully padded seat.
You get the standard 8 levels of resistance that you can change depending on how fit you are.
The large LCD display should also be a standard feature on these bikes and Marcy made no exception here.
We are impressed by the small size and look of this exercise bike.
Assembled dimensions: 34L x 19W x 44H inches
Folded size: 18.5L x 18.5W x 51.5″ H
Machine weight: 37 pounds
Weight limit: 250 lbs
Note: You also have the option to purchase the recumbent style bike.
Pros
- Brand has a long history of offering good quality products
- Height adjustable
- Lightweight
- Foldable and easy to store away
Cons
- Not good for shorter users and taller people above 5’10”
- Seat is too high for shorter users
- Few complaints about functionality
About the brand
Marcy is a brand of IMPEX, an industry leader that was established in 1982 that eventually acquired and licensed various high profile brands that also included Steelbody, APEX, Hers, and more. Their success is believed to be a result of their commitment to providing ultimate customer service and offering innovative products at competitive prices.
6. Leike Fitness Leike X Upright and Recumbent Folding Bike
If you’re about the flashiness then you might want to turn your attention to the Leike Fitness Leike X folding exercise bike.
And oh it doesn’t come up short when it comes to offering good performance and features. One thing it has that the others on the list up to this point do not is 10 levels of magnetic resistance. There are different modes depending on the magnetic resistance range.
- Resistance level 1-3: Relaxed mode
- Resistance level 4-6: Motion mode
- Resistance level 7-10: Captain mode
The seat has 7 levels of adjustment for all user heights although we’re not sure of the ideal height range recommendation by the brand.
Other features include heart rate sensors, a phone and pad holder and an LCD display as expected.
Assembled dimensions: 26 x 16 x 47 inches
Folded size: 18.5L x 18.5W x 51.5″ H
Machine weight: 38.5 pounds
Weight limit: 300 lbs
Recommended height range: Not sure
Pros
- Cool-looking and solid built
- Good bang for the buck
- 10 levels of resistance
- Foldable seat and backrest
- 7 levels of seat adjustment
- Monitors heart pulse
- Convenient phone/pad holder
- Lightweight
Cons
- Few complaints about missing pieces
- Some find it noisy
- Seat not comfortable for some users
- Cannot find recommended height range
About the brand
Leike Fitness specializes in the design, manufacturing and marketing of cardio and strength workout equipment with a full lineup of training equipment.
7. Ativafit 2 in 1 Folding Exercise Bike
Now we’re moving up in price compared to the options prior to this recumbent exercise bike by Ativafit but we wouldn’t recommend it if we didn’t think it was worth considering.
It looks more robust and comes with more features too.
Two extras that we haven’t yet seen are resistance bands below the console that you can use for arm training and a convenient feature is the phone/device holder.
The three expansion modes is a really good option because you can use the bike in an upright position which is more suitable for burning calories and improving your fitness, while the recumbent position allows you to recline a little but still get a good workout from pedaling. The last expansion mode is when the machine folds up and it comes with wheels.
It also has heart rate sensors and an LCD display that shows distance, speed time and heart rate, an upgraded large black cushion for the adjustable seat and 8 levels of difficulty.
Assembled dimensions: 43.31 x 15.75 x 7.87 inches
Folded size: 18.5L x 18.5W x 51.5″ H
Machine weight: 38.5 pounds
Weight limit: 265-275 lbs
Recommended height range: 5’1″ – 6’2″
Pros
- Good for shorter and taller users
- Can be used as an upright or recumbent bike
- Equipped with resistance bands for arm training
- Phone and tablet holder offer easy entertainment or performance tracking
- Lightweight
Cons
- Few found issues with pedal quality
About the brand
The Ativafit brand has been involved in the exercise equipment industry since the 1990s. They’ve worked with many different brands to design and produce reliable and affordable products for customers.
8. Exerpeutic Gold 500 XLS Exercise Bike
The aesthetics of this exercise bike are something we can appreciate. It’s an all-gold bicycle that’s made with more heavy-duty steel that supposedly supports up to 400 lbs.
It also supports a wider range of user heights from 5’1″ to 6’5″ and has a large and comfortable seat.
Yeah it comes with a little higher of a price than many of the other best folding exercise bikes but it’s well worth it.
Assembled dimensions: 39 x 26.4 x 48.4 inches
Folded size: 26.4″ L X 24.8″ W x 57.5″ H
Machine weight: 51.6 pounds
Weight limit: 400 lbs
Recommended height range: 5’1″ – 6’5″
Pros
- Supports up to 400 lb
- Really good for various heights
Cons
- A little heavier than others but more substantial
9. Bulbhead Slim Cycle
As seen on TV, the Slim Cycle really is a slim device that offers a 2 in 1 workout of cardio and upper body resistance training. That’s because while you can pedal against resistance, there are built-in bands to strengthen and build the arms. The machine can be used as an upright or recumbent bike which offers more training versatility to support various goals.
The machine has an extra-wide seat, backrest, and handles of which is something we did not find with the previous options.
It does have 8 resistance levels like most bikes plus a nice digital display.
A really cool addition to the bike is a free app called Echelon that offers 8 on-demand classes and 6 scenic rides. You’ll have the option to do a free trial of which you can then pay extra to continue taking advantage of all the features it offers.
Then, of course, the bike folds up like all of the options on this list and it’s lightweight and easy to put away in the closet or out of the way.
Assembled dimensions: 42-inches H x 21.5-inches W x 43-inches L
Folded size: 52-inches H x 21.5-inches W x 22-inches L
Machine weight: 39 pounds, 6 ounces
Weight limit: 300 lbs
Recommended height range: 4’11” – 6’4″
Pros
- Functions as an upright and recumbent bike
- Built-in strength training resistance bands feature
- Heart rate monitors built into handlebars
- Compatible with free Echelon training app
- Better than most options for supporting shorter and taller users
- Very lightweight
- Easy to store away
- Easy to put together
Cons
- Few users not happy with build quality and functionality
About the brand
The Slim Cycle was the brainchild of Bulbhead, a place where researchers continue to raise the bar by working together to create innovative products in a variety of categories.
10. Pexmor 3 in 1 CF-917FM Folding Folding Bike
The Pexmore 3 in 1 folding exercise bike comes in at under $150 yet you can use it three different ways – recumbent, semi-recumbent, and upright.
This is definitely something that makes this model stand out and for the price, it’s a super value.
It too has 8 levels of magnetic resistance and was designed with an upgraded 5.51 lbs flywheel to enhance the smoothness of using the machine and reduce noise. The seat also adjusts in 5 levels to support various user heights.
You’ll also really like that this folding exercise bike has built-in resistance bands to train those guns and your leg muscles as you build your heart muscles and improve cardio fitness.
LCD display allows you to customize and track exercise performance and has a backlight for low light situations.
Assembled dimensions: 26.7-inches L x 16.2-inches W x 40.6-inches H
Folded size: 12.6-inches L x 16.2-inches W x 51.2-inches H
Machine weight: 41.9 lbs
Weight limit: 300 lbs
Pros
- Offers three performance options – recumbent, semi-recumbent and upright
- Built-in resistance bands for arms and legs workouts
- Hand pulse handle with pre-assembled exercise monitor
- 16 levels of resistance
- Upgraded 5.5 lbs flywheel
- Upgraded PU padded seat offers comfort
- Adjustable for different heights
- Smooth and quiet function
- Small and easy to move
Cons
- Few complaints about noise from unit
- Many users not happy about the condition bike arrived in
About the brand
Founded in 2018, Pexmore is a sporting goods brand that offers a variety of products in multiple categories including weight training, yoga, basketball, billiards, chess and so much more. The brand was built on the belief that sports makes people better.
Choosing An Exercise Bike
Not all exercise bikes are created equally and hence it’s a good idea to know what to look for before choosing one for yourself.
Style of bike
There are a few variations of exercise bikes. Why it’s important to know the difference is so that you can choose the one that suits you best. Comfort and performance should be the two biggest factors in deciding the proper option for you.
Folding exercise bikes are typically designed to function as one or more of the following.
Recumbent – these types of bikes place the user in a slightly reclined position of which the legs are extended forward toward the front of the machine where the pedals are. Sometimes there are handles in front and there’s usually handlebars on the seat.
This variation is great for low-impact cardio and is easier on the joints compared to upright bikes which makes it great for the elderly, those with joint pain and injuries and recovery between high-impact activities. The recumbent style bike is ideal for more relaxed exercise sessions.
Semi-recumbent – As the name implies, this version is a combination or hybrid of recumbent and upright style bikes. They’re easier to get on and off compared to the other types of bike and are a great tool for low-impact exercise and recovery.
Upright – Unlike the recumbent bike, the user sits more upright and holds onto the handlebars in front of them when using an upright bike. The upright bike is designed to resemble more the position and function of a typical bicycle. This position is better suited for higher-intensity exercise and burning more calories .
Features
Some of us care for the features while for others a functional machine is all we really care about.
Sure bells and whistles can be nice but they do add an extra cost. Most exercise bikes have an LCD display at the minimum and these can be helpful for customizing and tracking your workouts.
On the other hand, many machines have heart rate pulse monitors built into the handlebars, a phone holder, bluetooth connectivity, app compatibility and more.
These are what you could consider extras and what will boost the price compared to a more no frills option. Choose whichever has what you need and if your budget permits, what you want in an exercise bike.
Folded size and portability
So while the size of a folded bike does not matter to some, for others, space is everything. You may have a small apartment or are limited by the space of a bedroom. Make sure that the size of the folded bike is suitable for the space you’ll be storing it in. You should also check if the bike has wheels or if it’s easy to move around.
Weight and height recommendations
Before you decide on a bike, make sure that you are aware of the weight and height recommendations. Many people do not check these two things beforehand and as a result are very disappointed with their experience.
We’ve provided these details for most of the options on our list as some products do not list this information.
Resistance
Folding exercise bikes typically use magnetic resistance although there are other types of resistance technology often used for other exercise bike variations like air bikes for example.
Magnetic resistance is when magnets create tension against a flywheel inside of the bike. The magnets don’t touch the flywheel, however, the magnetic force increases or decreases the resistance as it moves toward or away from the flywheel. The resistance can be adjusted using a knob or dial on the bike which you’ll find on all of the options we reviewed in this article.
Flywheel technology is usually quiet, smooth and low-maintenance.
Price
You know the saying “you get what you pay for”. This is most often true.
The cost of exercise bikes varies as with anything else because of quality and features. The more features a machine has and the better quality it is the more it’ll likely cost while something with less bells and whistles and not as great build quality and attention to detail will typically be lower priced.
That doesn’t necessarily mean a cheaper option is a bad option. It’s just that you can expect quality, performance, and durability relative to the price tag.
With that being said, most of the folding bikes that we’ve included here are below $200 with some being sub-$150. The other options are priced in the $200 range.
So while we understand that budget is important to many people, we think these exercise bikes are very well priced and affordable overall and compared to other cardio machines.
Ride Into 2022 With One of These Best Folding Exercise Bikes!
Overall, exercise bikes offer advantages over other cardio machines mostly because they can be so compact yet substantial and affordable in comparison.
Indoor cardio equipment is a must-have for many whether to avoid unfavorable weather conditions, skip the gym, exercise more often, or to recover from an injury or high-impact physical activities.
It’s nice to have so many great options to choose from and the decision can be tough but hopefully we helped you to narrow it down.
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