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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Q: Best Indoor spin bikes (industrial grade)

 
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KEAU

Oct 5, 08 21:26

Post #1 of 6 (259 views)
Q: Best Indoor spin bikes (industrial grade) Can't Post
For you spinners out there that have tried multiple bikes, I was wondering which brand you like the best and why.

We are thinking about ordering spin bikes for the college rec center. If you know a retailer, please refer.

Thanks!

K


Tribato

Oct 5, 08 22:23

Post #2 of 6 (245 views)
Re: Q: Best Indoor spin bikes (industrial grade) [KEAU] [In reply to] Can't Post
i teach spin classes at the local gym and we have STAR TRAC brand spinner NXT bikes. they retail for about $1700 but are absolutely industrial-grade.

http://www.startracusa.com/...-11-spinner-nxt.aspx

if i'm not mistaken you can order direct thru the manufacturer and negotiate a better price if you're buying in bulk. our club bought 30 so i know they were discounted. the NXT is HEAVY (in a good way) and feels rock solid when you climbing out of the saddle. also the resistance feels "linear". i've been on cheap spin bikes where every quarter turn on the tension knob gives results in different resistance.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Michael in Fresno
"Do you spend time with your family? Good. Because a man that doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man" V. Corleone

(This post was edited by Tribato on Oct 5, 08 22:26)


radial2000

Oct 6, 08 0:30

Post #3 of 6 (224 views)
Re: Q: Best Indoor spin bikes (industrial grade) [Tribato] [In reply to] Can't Post
The NXT's are a good bike but I do have some complaints over them.

The geometry of the bike itself is not refined enough. The seatpost only goes up in 1/2inch increments as well as the handlebar height.

Theres a small teflon spacer and washer that slides under the saddle positioner that ALAWYS comes loose and stabs you in the back of the hamstring.

The stem length of the handlebars is not adjustable.

When you sweat up the bike, the sweat solidifies inside the handlebar riser and sometimes is IMPOSSIBLE to move.

They are a SOLID bike and very smooth in the resistance dept and this is thier forte.

However for mm perfect adjustments of geometry, the V2 is cheaper and Very Adjustable.

Only complaint I have had is that in the newer generations of this bike, the non-driveside crank comes loose (square taper so its just a nut to tighten) and sometimes if you tighten the seat height or handlebar height adjusters too tight you can strip them in the adjuster and they are a bugger to get out.

The resistance is NOT as smooth as the NXT tho, Its sorta like riding a Harley vs a Yamaha.

I have over 200 of them (some are NXT's) and I would recommend the V2 over the NXT.


Hope this helps a bit


SpinHo

Oct 6, 08 3:49

Post #4 of 6 (188 views)
Re: Q: Best Indoor spin bikes (industrial grade) [radial2000] [In reply to] Can't Post
I used to own my own spin studio and have been teaching for over 10 years. The bike I like best is the Scwhwinn- original Johnny G spinner. They keep improving it over the years, and it is bullet-proof. I especially like that it is TOTALLY a fixed gear, without any play in the bottom bracket (better for spinning- I don't like to "spin" on a bike that feels like a road bike) and the fly wheel is a hefty 30 lbs- gives you a much better "kick."





"In order to arrive at what you are not, you must move throught the way in which you are not."
T.S. Elliot


albush1

Oct 6, 08 5:05

Post #5 of 6 (160 views)
Re: Q: Best Indoor spin bikes (industrial grade) [SpinHo] [In reply to] Can't Post
Of the spinning bikes I've used, I prefer the Lemond Revmaster. It's super quiet and smooth. Is high-end industrial and has many adjustments. The silence of it compared to the others is what sold me on it. Adam


ghc19127

Oct 6, 08 5:45

Post #6 of 6 (138 views)
Re: Q: Best Indoor spin bikes (industrial grade) [albush1] [In reply to] Can't Post
I also went with a RevMaster. Some of the details made it feel less like a gym bike and more like a bicycle trainer. I found one used for less than $500. I went that way vs. purchasing a new wind trainer thinking it would put less wear on my bike. I rode a groove in my Cycleops Magneto in one winter. It seemed like spending the money on a spin bike was the good long term investment. Plus I convinced my wife it was her birthday present. (I reserve the right to edit that last commend prior to future devoce procedings.)

I've been meaning to map it to some fit dimensions to see how it lines up. There seem to be enough adjustments to get it pretty close. I'm 6'1" and it feels like it might get small for someone larger. The only gripe I have is with the handlebars. There is an aerobar looking bend in it. Resting on that isn't really comfortable. I just take a towel and lay it across the bar for some padding and it isn't too bad.

FYI: StarTrak is offering free shipping through 10/15. That was not an insignificant expense when I considered ordering from them directly.
http://www.startracusa.com/s-11-spinners.aspx