Hello,
If you ask about indoor rowers people will almost always recommend the Concept 2. Is there a stationary bike that has as good of a reputation (similar feel to the real thing) as the C2 rower?
There are a lot more bike manufactures than indoor rowers so online searches return tons of results and nothing seems to stand out. I'm looking for something with as close to the feeling of the real thing as possible.
Odd question for a rowing forum, but thought I'd ask...
Thanks!
Concept2 Equivalent for Indoor Biking
-
Citroen
- SpamTeam
- Posts: 8064
- Joined: March 16th, 2006, 3:28 pm
- Location: A small cave in deepest darkest Basingstoke, UK
Re: Concept2 Equivalent for Indoor Biking
http://wattbike.com is the exercise bike of choice for the TeamGB cyclists. It's using the same air damped flywheel and a equivalent performance monitor as a C2 rower.
Exercise bikes are horrid (because playing with the traffic and avoiding the weather on the open roads is much more fun), the Wattbike is much less horrid than any other gym equipment of it's genre and would suit me if the roads were impassable.
Exercise bikes are horrid (because playing with the traffic and avoiding the weather on the open roads is much more fun), the Wattbike is much less horrid than any other gym equipment of it's genre and would suit me if the roads were impassable.
Re: Concept2 Equivalent for Indoor Biking
kurt kinetic? If you have a rear mounted speedometer there is also an uncalibrated mph -> watts plot available.
Re: Concept2 Equivalent for Indoor Biking
The Schwinn AC Sport (or AC Performance) is a great indoor bike that has a real bike feel due to magnetic resistance. The only real difference between the two is the Sport is a steel frame and the Performance is Aluminum to prevent rust (and is more expensive). AC stands for Authentic Cycling.
The AC's are chain driven and have similar geometry and adjustments to a road bike. I use mine just about every day and I wouldn't trade it for any other indoor cycle. While they uses magnetic resistance instead of air dampening like the C2, there is a full range of resistance on these bikes so that you are able to crank up to the point where you can't turn the pedals, similar to what you could experience on the road.
http://schwinnequipment.com/bikes/ac-sport/
The Schwinn AC's are quite common at fitness clubs and cycling studios and many people own them personally. They are priced similar to a Concept 2 without the computer. The optional computer monitor offers similar metrics to what a C2 does, and has an additional optional wattage module as well. The monitor allows you to download your workout data to a USB drive after each workout. There are a number of online sites where you can track your workouts and performance. Total cost with a computer should be around the cost of a model E.
I don't know if anything compares to the C2 website and community, but the Schwinn website is quite complete and has lots of support information and videos, repair parts are easily available and reasonably priced, and these bikes get great reviews by owners. There are some places that sell demo and refurbished units, but the new ones are actually not much more expensive. There are some good deals on ebay and so forth.
The AC's are chain driven and have similar geometry and adjustments to a road bike. I use mine just about every day and I wouldn't trade it for any other indoor cycle. While they uses magnetic resistance instead of air dampening like the C2, there is a full range of resistance on these bikes so that you are able to crank up to the point where you can't turn the pedals, similar to what you could experience on the road.
http://schwinnequipment.com/bikes/ac-sport/
The Schwinn AC's are quite common at fitness clubs and cycling studios and many people own them personally. They are priced similar to a Concept 2 without the computer. The optional computer monitor offers similar metrics to what a C2 does, and has an additional optional wattage module as well. The monitor allows you to download your workout data to a USB drive after each workout. There are a number of online sites where you can track your workouts and performance. Total cost with a computer should be around the cost of a model E.
I don't know if anything compares to the C2 website and community, but the Schwinn website is quite complete and has lots of support information and videos, repair parts are easily available and reasonably priced, and these bikes get great reviews by owners. There are some places that sell demo and refurbished units, but the new ones are actually not much more expensive. There are some good deals on ebay and so forth.
Re: Concept2 Equivalent for Indoor Biking
I'd second the Schwinn AC Sport/Performance as a great indoor bike. I've had mine for a couple of years and it is bullet proof. I put a pair of Speedplay pedals on it and us my road bike shoes and its an outstanding combo. The bike needs very little maintenance and has a superb feel. I enjoy the Spinervals workout series and the bike works great for this. I also use it for longer steady state rides while watching television, and again it works great.
Just last week I bought a Concept2 Model E to complement my workout equipment. My initial impression of the Concept2 is of a similar build quality to the Schwinn AC bike - definitely a major positive!
I also have a Kurt Kinetic trainer. I like it as well and it's solidly built. I have an old road bike on it, but I tend to gravity towards using the Schwinn most of the time unless someone else is riding the Schwinn.
Just last week I bought a Concept2 Model E to complement my workout equipment. My initial impression of the Concept2 is of a similar build quality to the Schwinn AC bike - definitely a major positive!
I also have a Kurt Kinetic trainer. I like it as well and it's solidly built. I have an old road bike on it, but I tend to gravity towards using the Schwinn most of the time unless someone else is riding the Schwinn.