A quality stationary bike will give you control over the intensity of your workout, options for specific courses designed to replicate the road bike experience, and they'll be quiet enough not to drive you nuts with noise. Where to buy One popular bike that isn't included in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers is the Schwinn Airdyne. The Airdyne was one of the first exercise bikes to find its way into homes, and continues to be a big seller. But experts say they're louder than other machines, due to their fan resistance system. On fan bikes, the only way to get a more intense workout is to pedal faster, which makes the bike even louder.
Experts also complain that the pedaling motion is jerky on a fan bike.
Tunturi F520 or one of the newer Schwinn models discussed below. These Lifecycle bikes offer 20 resistance levels, several workout modes, a cordless heart-rate monitor, and a great message center. Posters at Epinions like how these features help alleviate the boredom that can come with 30-minute sessions on a bike. The moving parts are fully enclosed to cut down on noise, so you can watch TV or read a book while you work out. Plus, your own pedaling powers the alternator, so you don't need to plug the bike in.