At-home exercise is an awesome and convenient method to ensure your body is active regardless of your daily schedule. One of our favorite methods of in-home exercise is the stationary bike. Since there are many options on the market, we want to help you find the right indoor exercise equipment by offering thorough reviews on some very competitive selections. We will first be outlining the Keiser M3 Indoor Cycle and all that it will offer you.
By performing an honest comparison on the Keiser M3 and some of its leading competitors, we are confident you will make a solid and informed decision for which bike is best fits you and your needs. This is an excellent selection of bikes! Let’s get started.
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What is Keiser M3?
Our highlighted indoor cycle is the Keiser M3 by Keiser. Keiser focuses on a wide range of fitness equipment founded on innovative design. Leaders of the fitness equipment industry, Keiser produces quality gear that responds to the ever-changing times of technology and engineering advancements. The Keiser M3 Indoor Cycle is a gym-standard bike for spinning and fluid stationary riding.
Product Specs
The Keiser M3 has 24 levels of magnetic resistance equipped offering a generous spectrum of riding options from light to extreme resistance. This bike comes ready to ride after assembly with Shimano Combo pedals, no electricity required, a wireless heart monitor, and a 9″ W x 26″ L footprint. The Keiser M3 comes with a small but advanced computer for ride data, statistics, and records.
The Shimano Combo pedals are a standard foothold on one side and SPD-compatible on the flip-side. The drive system in the bike is Eddy Current magnetic resistance, the highlight of the bike that is responsible for such slick rides. The bike itself weighs 140lbs with the ability to support a user up to 300lbs. Great for users between the heights of 4’10” and 6’5″.
The Keiser M3 for 2018 has updated from the original model with added M3 Plus/M3i Adjustability, giving its seat and handlebars the ability to adjust vertically and horizontally. This compact bike glides like a road bike and is easily adjustable to fit your needs for a fun, smooth, and intuitive exercise experience.
Keiser indoor cycles are the standard for spinning classes and are a great addition to your home gym for a more private, tailored, and accessible ride.
Pricing
As is consistent with the Keiser brand, the Keiser M3 is a high-end stationary cycle. You can purchase this cycle for around $$$$ on Keiser.com and Amazon.com.
How it Compares
Image via Unsplash
We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.
- Spinner Fit Authentic Indoor Cycle
- Schwinn Fitness AC PERFORMANCE PLUS Indoor Bike
- Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Group Exercise Bike
Keiser M3
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Price ($$)
- Ease of Use
- Assembly Time
- Design Quality
- Warranty
This bike is very straightforward in design, assembly, and workout. Riding the bike is as easy as a real road bike and the overall ride experience is extremely smooth. The Keiser M3 comes with small yet sturdy wheels for quick mobility to and from any part of your home.
The bike is protected to pack and shipped well; it arrives with easy to follow directions, excellent customer service, and only a few large parts to assemble. Specialized tools are required to ensure the safe operation of this bike; we recommend consulting with customer service before purchasing to assess your tool inventory. Assembly time is about 30-45 minutes and accessible by all users.
It is important to highlight the Keiser M3’s design innovations, as it is one of the highest quality cycles on the market. The overall design of this indoor cycle is very sleek, sturdy, and thoughtful. The Keiser M3 uses Keiser’s perfected Eddy Current magnetic resistance system to give this bike amazing fluidity and ease in transitioning amongst its 24 gears.
This magnetic resistance system uses a design that never asks the drive system parts to touch one another, so there is very minimal wear over time for this cycle. The flywheel supports your momentum from the back of the bike which creates space between the wheel and your body’s sweat. Excess sweat from riders is a common cause for the wear of mechanics on a stationary bike.
The Keiser M3 Indoor Cycle comes under a 3-year all inclusive warranty covering its mechanical parts. A 10-year warranty covers the M3 frame under normal use conditions, should anything occur that is a result of initial manufacturing and fabrication.
A 6-month warranty is included for wearable parts, which will cover your T handles, pedal cages, pedal straps, and saddle fabric. We think that this warranty is nothing special for the price point, but it will give you three solid years of protection.
Pros
- Excellent quality manufacturing made in the USA
- Thoughtful design: sleek and portable for easy use at home
- High-end Eddy Current magnetic resistance system makes riding smooth and fun
- Sturdy and reliable design
- Quality, compact ride computer for tracking ride data and gear precision
- Great customer service
Cons
- Small bike for very large people—comfortable up to 6’5″
- Price range—not accessible for the average user
- Requires specialized tools to complete assembly
Spinner Fit Authentic Indoor Cycle
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The first bike we are looking at and comparing with the Keiser M3 is the Spinner Fit Indoor Cycle by Mad Dogg Athletics. This is a gym-quality stationary bike that will offer you an affordable and authentic cycling experience in the comfort of your own home.
This bike is great for users who like to extend their riding season year-round indoors and also for athletes looking to stay in excellent shape at home in the off-season. Mad Dogg Athletics is a worldwide leader in cycling programs, gear, and studio instruction for both commercial and home users. The Spinner Fit Indoor Cycle is a great cycle for users all ages and abilities at a price point that is as accessible as a gym membership.
Price ($)
This bike is great for beginners or cyclists who are looking for a more affordable indoor riding option. You can purchase the Spinner Fit Indoor Cycle on Amazon.com and Overstock.com for around $.
- Ease of Use
- Assembly Time
- Design Quality
- Warranty
Overall, this bike is a decently easy bike to ride, in the sense that you can easily adjust the settings, seat height, and mechanics of the bike while riding. Our critique of this aspect of the bike is that the ride is not very seamless and it’s tough to maintain a smooth speed while shifting gears.
Great for mid-size users with height around 5’3″ to 5’10”. Larger people will find this ride to be uncomfortable. The bike is also fairly loud while riding, which can cause issues in smaller homes or places where excess noise may be in an issue.
The Spinner Fit is a fairly easy bike to assemble though it requires a special crank which the manufacturer provides. This bike has several knobs and wheels for machine mobility, which adds to the put-together time and process. The machine is lightweight and easy to maneuver by just one person.
Spinner Fit is a well-designed bike at the lower price point, intended for easy use and durability. We find that this bike is best used by hobby cyclists who need an economical option for their home exercise space. This bike comes with a weighted flywheel for the momentum that builds, offering a non-impact riding experience and smooth pedaling.
The Spinner fit is driven by an easy-to-use knob for altering resistance levels, with an adjustable saddle and handlebars. The max weight for a user is 250lbs. The Spinner Fit has a footprint of 18″ W x 44″ L and weighs 90lbs.
It is important to highlight that the Spinner Fit does not come with a computer or data screen, so the bike is entirely manual with no electronics. The bike also arrives with a variety of Spinning DVDs and a Spinning Guide.
The Spinner Fit comes with a one-year warranty on the manufacturer’s parts.
Pros
- Low-end price point/affordable for average users
- Easy-to-use design
- Great for home use and portability throughout the home
- Straightforward assembly
Cons
- Uncomfortable for large users
- Mechanics are noisy
- Awkward gear shifting/lack of fluidity
Schwinn Fitness A.C. PERFORMANCE PLUS Indoor Bike
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Next, we will move on to check out Schwinn’s Fitness AC Performance Plus Indoor Bike. This sleek and beautifully modern Schwinn is equipped with superior and durable handlebars and the Schwinn Fit System, which truly gives riders the ability to adjust to their preference, whether seeking comfort or precision.
Schwinn calls this model the A.C. as an ode to their dedication in creating an “Authentic Cycling” experience for the indoor biker. The Schwinn Fitness A.C. Performance Plus achieves this by offering a magnetic resistance system, a heavy-weighted flywheel, and a 6-magnet fluid brake system which gives the rider amazing control and customization.
The weighted flywheel gives this Schwinn an amazingly “real” feeling while riding as if one was cruising outdoors. This bike is ultra light-weight with an aluminum frame and compact with a footprint of 21″ W x 50″ L, which is great for moving around your home. One of the top competitors for high-end indoor cycles on the market.
Price ($$$)
This Schwinn bike is a higher-end price point that provides a professional level experience to all of its users. This cycle can be purchased for around $$$$ on Amazon.com and Fitnesszone.com.
- Ease of Use
- Assembly Time
- Design Quality
- Warranty
This bike is incredibly easy to use, and Amazon even offers an option for the bike to come fully assembled for a fee. This bike also comes with the option to add a computer console which tracks ride statistics, ride time, level adjustments, and more.
This bike is quick to assemble upon arrival, with picture instructions and intuitive setup design. Assembly time is around 1 hour and accessible by all users.
The Schwinn Fitness A.C. Performance Plus Indoor Bike is heavy-duty for both commercial and home use. We like the design of this bike and think that it has a lot to offer for avid cyclists, athletes, or cyclists looking to make a worthwhile investment into their off-season training.
The user capacity is 300lbs though the product weight is only 102lbs. This sturdy yet lightweight bike is driven by the Carbon Blue™ belt drive by Gates. This belt features a carbon fiber belt with grip for a performance that is strikingly similar to a real road bike. The Schwinn Fitness A.C. is recommended for users with heights of 4’11” to 6’8″.
This Schwinn’s resistance system is run by six magnets with non-contact resistance. Its standard pedals are Double Link pedals with an optional upgrade to Schwinn Triple Link™. It is recommended that a computer console is added to the bike and there are several options for you.
The Schwinn Fitness A.C. is an awesome bike to invest in for the avid cyclist at home. The warranty is decent on the bike though, at this price point, we would expect it to be more encompassing than the Keiser M3—but that is not the case. This Schwinn comes with a 2-year warranty on the manufacturer’s parts and six months on wearable components.
Pros
- Sturdy and thoughtfully designed, built to last
- Carbon Blue™ belt drive by Gates offers an authentic ride experience
- Accessible for a wide spectrum of users
- Easy to use
Cons
- Inconsistent customer service
- No onboard computer system (expensive add-on)
- High-end price point
- Foot straps can be difficult to adjust and maintain
Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Group Exercise Bike
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Our last cycle comparison is the Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Group Exercise Bike. The Lifecycle GX is engineered and designed for the user to experience a low-maintenance and durable everyday indoor bike. This bike, similar to the Keiser M3, has a rear operating flywheel that offers clean and unobtrusive spinning.
Ergonomics are central to the Lifecycle GX design; this bike offers an ergonomic saddle and micro-adjustable handlebars to give the rider extra control and comfort. The adjustments are generous, allowing for a more diverse user range.
This indoor cycle is sturdy with a steel frame and anti-rust coating to protect your investment. The Lifecycle GX comes with a computer console which will report speed, distance, cadence, calories, time, heart rate and resistance level.
Price ($$$)
This bike is in a high-end price point and can be purchased for around $$$$ on Amazon.com.
- Ease of Use
- Assembly Time
- Design Quality
- Warranty
The Life Fitness Lifecycle is very easy to use after assembly and offers intuitive handgrip and pedal options. This bike is quiet, sturdy, and easily adjusted for comfort.
The Lifecycle GX is easy to put together with simple instructions, and all included necessary parts. Assembly can be expected to take around 45 minutes to an hour.
The overall design of the Lifecycle GX is solid and sturdy, with some thoughtful components. The bike comes equipped with a dual-magnetic brake resistance system, magnetic Eddy Current drive, dual-sided SPD compatible pedals, rear, and a multi-ribbed belt drive.
These specifications make for a very smooth ride with clean transitions between gears and intensities of your ride. The footprint of this cycle is 23″ W x 54.6″ L, with a total weight of 111lbs. Weight capacity for users is around 300lbs. Ergonomic design gives the rider great comfort and flexible customization.
The warranty on this bike is great for its price point. The Lifecycle GX comes with a 5-year warranty on the frame, 3-year warranty on manufacturer’s hardware, 1-year warranty on the saddle, pedals, and computer. Lastly, it comes with a 90-day warranty on all wearable items such as the saddle upholstery, the pedal straps, and manufacturer labor.
Pros
- Ergonomic design built for comfort and customization
- Magnetic braking and Eddy Current drive for an ultra-smooth ride
- Sturdy and comfortable for a wide variety of users
Cons
- High-end price point
- Possible issues with pedal construction and stability
- Not very portable throughout the home due to its steel frame and rear wheel
Conclusion
Image via Unsplash
After checking out these quality bikes, we are confident to conclude our overall assessment of the Keiser M3. We rate this bike an overall 4 out of 5 stars for its excellent quality made in the USA, the high-end Eddy Current magnetic resistance system, its lightweight and compact design, and great customer service with a quality warranty.
Unlike all the other bikes, the Keiser M3 delivers a long-term return for your purchase with a 10-year warranty on its frame. Although it is at a higher price point, this bike is a worthwhile investment and compliment for your home life with its wide accessibility, compact aesthetic, and superior customer support. Featured image via Unsplash