Are mini exercise bikes useful?

[Norris2019]

Has anyone found using a mini exercise bike helpful to their health / circulation in any way? Thank you.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Yes, they are up to a point. A regular exercise bike feels more natural and you can get a stand with variable resistance rollers to use with a standard bike. Do pay that bit extra as the cheapest ones are rubbish (to be polite). The first one I had the pedals did not rotate in a vertical plane and the resistance varied randomly.

[Norris2019 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks Michael. I think that’s the way to go. Thank you.

[Sunnie2day]

If you're talking about those just pedals on a triangle-like base thing - aka 'granny half-bike', I have one and when I got it I felt cheated of my £60 paid. It has a tension adjustment and also an 'odometer', and 'glowing reviews' which is what prompted me to buy it. But when I opened the box, I did feel cheated.

Until I gave it a go.

Now the only thing I don't like about it is the way I have to perch on a chair or low kitchen stool to get proper pedal action - I can't sit on the sofa and get enough height to work the pedals properly.

Otherwise I have grown somewhat fond of it. After I 'ride' a few miles I put it on the table and work the pedals to get an upper body work-out, and between the two (floor and table), I do feel it's helping.

I got it after we 'downsized' and I had no room for the elliptical (which I miss - but I miss my rowing machine even more!). When I'm done with my 'work-out' I can fold it down to a smaller profile and it is a real space saver.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Sunnie2day]

My first one was about £25 - totally carp! 🐠

[Sunnie2day in reply to MichaelJH]

I don't subscribe to the 'You get what you pay for' school of retail shopping but in this one item, paying more is usually wiser than going bargain. I saw one for £12.99 and another at £19.99 (exclusive of P&P) and both were identical - my husband kept saying 'Oh yes, that looks good, they're identical so get the £12.99 one!' but I went for the more expensive one and I'm glad I did.

But honestly, when I unboxed it I did think I'd made an expensive mistake - until I gave it a go.

Have you upgraded to a better model?

[Norris2019 in reply to Sunnie2day]

Hello, thanks, I have not upgraded yet. I was a bit unwell the last couple of days so I’ve been resting. On Sunday was the last time I went on it. So I will look at it with fresh interest today. Thank you.

[Norris2019 in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thanks Sunnie, my apologies for the delay in my reply. Your reply was like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. How you turned an initial doubt into an important asset. That’s what I will try to do. Thank you.

[Sunnie2day in reply to Norris2019]

I hope you're feeling much better, and the half-bike you have is helpful.

I went for the £60 one (found on Amazon) and I do find it is working to give me a decent work-out. Not as good as my elliptical and the rowing machine were, but considering my stage of recovery (acute flare of my recurrent pericarditis) it is just the right amount of work-out to help me regain fitness.

And it is such a space-saver - work-out, fold and put back in the corner. I hated giving up my elliptical and rowing machine (really hated - I cried saying goodbye to them when the neighbour with a bigger home jumped at the chance to have those items) but there just is not enough room in our little downsizer cottage for those bulky items.

[Norris2019 in reply to Sunnie2day]

Hello Sunnie2day, I did a little exercise on mine before. Subsequently I feel better, I didn’t overdo it. You turning a negative into a positive is a guiding light. I hope your pericarditis eases as much as it can. I have to admit my knowledge of pericarditis is limited, so my apologies if I’ve said the wrong thing. I will try to improve my knowledge over the coming days.

Kind regards

[Sunnie2day in reply to Norris2019]

That's so nice of you, and no worries - you've said just the right thing I'm just about recovered from this latest flare *YAY*, thank-you for your good wishes!

All the best to you with your return to fitness using the half-bike.

[Norris2019 in reply to Sunnie2day]

Good day Sunnie2day, I read a little on the internet regarding pericarditis. The gap between reading about a condition and having the condition can be as big as there is. And of course, the personality of every one is a massive part. But I just want to say thank you for taking the time out to help me. Thank you