Spin bikes / Indoor rowers

[TANGO.ECHO.KILO]

Im picking up some equipment for personal use. Im likely going to pickup a Concept 2 rower because I have the most experience with them, unless someone has some better alternatives. Im really looking on input for the best buy in the home spin bike market. I know these things get crazy expensive, Im looking for something that will have a long life and withstand abuse but not willing to shell out the top end dollar as Im not a serious cycler by any means. This brand has reviewed very well and it looks like you get all the features and durability of a serious model but without the electronics. Any one have experience with them or any other suggestions?

they run about $250 which sounds like a steal compared to some of the other manufacturers popular in the commercial market. The Concept 2 rower will probably run about $900 delivered.

http://www.sunnyhealthfitness.com/product.php?pid=68&xcSID=098b

 

[gr8whitetrukker]

Buy a huffy and ride the hills
Cheaper and alot more fun
Used to be a staple of mine. Long since stopped
I developed some great legs when i was big on it. Better than running. Especially for the knees

 

[TANGO.ECHO.KILO]

Buy a huffy and ride the hills
Cheaper and alot more fun
Used to be a staple of mine. Long since stopped
I developed some great legs when i was big on it. Better than running. Especially for the knees

different training.
This is strictly low impact cardio training. I ride a lil freeride/downhill, that's anything but low impact though. There is a serious cycling community here in the mtns but these dudes are crazy, single lane mtn roads with blind curves and no yellow line? No thanks, plus there is all sorts of gravel washed in the roads. I wanna sit in the barn with my contractor trashbag sauna suit

 

[gr8whitetrukker]

True
One of the worst wrecks i ever had that took half the skin off the entire right leg down to the calf. All due to high speed and a gravel washout at the base.
Not fun

I just use the ones in my gym and stare at the hot pants walking around. Motivation!

 

[New to HRT]

If there is enough population around you, I'd go craigslist. At least on the cycle.

 

[TANGO.ECHO.KILO]

If there is enough population around you, I'd go craigslist. At least on the cycle.

probably within a 100 mi radius...but $250 for a new bike doesnt sound bad at all considering these thing get into the $600 range quick, lots in the $800 range too. If i use it 3x week $250 new delivered is in my range.

 

[New to HRT]

I hear ya.

I went to the gym, and since rowing was on my mind I decided to do 500m as hard as I could. I tried to stay under 1:40, was around 1:37 the whole time and crashed the last 15 seconds, the last number I saw was 1:40. Ruined my workout too, felt like crap.
Losing VO2 with age is real. Worse than losing strength I think.

 

[romaleos]

Schwinn Airdyne bike. I think the new generic crossfitty one out these days is called ASSAULT. The schwinn's probably found on Craigslist for cheap.

 

[flenser]

The problem with the spin bike you are looking at is the seat post clamp. If you end up hating the seat, you won't be able to change it out easily. You need on with standard rails. Seats are pretty personal, and minor differences can result in some awful chafing when you spend a lot of time on one that doesn't fit right.

 

[gr8whitetrukker]

I dont think my chode could take that abuse these days.
Im 100 lbs heavier than i was in my riding days

 

[devildog93]

I used to love biking when i was younger and lighter. If the choice is between rowing and biking i will pick the rower 10 times out of 10. This is the model i bought and i don't regret it at all. https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/spo/5588745397.html

Like was said above, i have no problem maintaining strength as i age so far, but gas tank....yea that is a problem. The rower puts that cardio into a workout that takes me 8 minutes tops. Can't really beat that. I try to do 2000m in 8 min. once a week and one more day of cruise at a more moderate pace for 1500-2000m. So far i think it is helping.

The rower is almost no impact and doesn't bore me to tears. It seems like it is more aggressive than biking/stairsteppers/etc. without and joint stress. I consider it 1000 bucks well spent. Heck, you might even be able to find one used for far cheaper. I have seen them go for 750 around here in flawless shape. I would think a used one would be lightly used and have plenty of life left in it.

 

[TANGO.ECHO.KILO]

The problem with the spin bike you are looking at is the seat post clamp. If you end up hating the seat, you won't be able to change it out easily. You need on with standard rails. Seats are pretty personal, and minor differences can result in some awful chafing when you spend a lot of time on one that doesn't fit right.

hmm thanks for looking out! I read reviews extensively but maybe I confused the models they make a ton of them with only slight variation. One of the highlights for me was guys talking about the ability to swap parts of their bike...saddle, pedals, etc. One lady noted the seat post needed another hole for short ladies but her husband was able to drill it, ample room to place another hole as well if necessary. Most guys just clip on water bottle holders or electronics etc. I like the idea of the belt drive, should take some abuse, Im not to concerned with noise which i guess could be it's downside.

I need to shop some saddles I guess once I start clockin time. I know nothing about road cycling, I rode a lot of hard tail and dirt jumpers growing up. Mostly freeride now with some downhill, average at best though its not my claim to fame by any means...I have a feeling im gonna be spending a lot more time on my ass than Im used to

 

[TANGO.ECHO.KILO]

I used to love biking when i was younger and lighter. If the choice is between rowing and biking i will pick the rower 10 times out of 10. This is the model i bought and i don't regret it at all. https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/spo/5588745397.html

Like was said above, i have no problem maintaining strength as i age so far, but gas tank....yea that is a problem. The rower puts that cardio into a workout that takes me 8 minutes tops. Can't really beat that. I try to do 2000m in 8 min. once a week and one more day of cruise at a more moderate pace for 1500-2000m. So far i think it is helping.

The rower is almost no impact and doesn't bore me to tears. It seems like it is more aggressive than biking/stairsteppers/etc. without and joint stress. I consider it 1000 bucks well spent. Heck, you might even be able to find one used for far cheaper. I have seen them go for 750 around here in flawless shape. I would think a used one would be lightly used and have plenty of life left in it.

Im the same way...cycling is a new pursuit, very lil experience spinning outside self programmed gym stuff and a couple classes. I want to incorporate spinning more often for a more balanced routine, train the legs a lil differently, and I tweaked my knee a bit so Im experimenting more now.

Thanks for the heads up looks like a nice unit!

 

[MindlessWork]

The Concept 2 you can't go wrong with. I once owned one and had it for 4 years but had to sell it as I could not fit it into my smaller apartment after I sold my condo. My gym has 2 of them as well.

I am sure you can find a concept 2 on Craigslist for reasonable from someone who needed to get rid of one.

 

[flenser]

hmm thanks for looking out! I read reviews extensively but maybe I confused the models they make a ton of them with only slight variation. One of the highlights for me was guys talking about the ability to swap parts of their bike...saddle, pedals, etc. One lady noted the seat post needed another hole for short ladies but her husband was able to drill it, ample room to place another hole as well if necessary. Most guys just clip on water bottle holders or electronics etc. I like the idea of the belt drive, should take some abuse, Im not to concerned with noise which i guess could be it's downside.

I need to shop some saddles I guess once I start clockin time. I know nothing about road cycling, I rode a lot of hard tail and dirt jumpers growing up. Mostly freeride now with some downhill, average at best though its not my claim to fame by any means...I have a feeling im gonna be spending a lot more time on my ass than Im used to

I could be wrong about the seat. The drawing in the manual makes it look like it's not the standard double rail setup. I had a similar one years ago I got from a gym auction. I ended up machining my own seat clamp for it, because the one it came with was completely useless.

I always did my road rides on a mountain bike. It made me feel a little safer being able to navigate any terrain at speed. There were also some, er, urban obstacles along my regular ride to play on when there weren't any cops around. I mostly ride XC these days. I just don't heal like I used to, so the free ride bikes are sitting in the shed gathering dust.

 

[TANGO.ECHO.KILO]

I could be wrong about the seat. The drawing in the manual makes it look like it's not the standard double rail setup. I had a similar one years ago I got from a gym auction. I ended up machining my own seat clamp for it, because the one it came with was completely useless.

I always did my road rides on a mountain bike. It made me feel a little safer being able to navigate any terrain at speed. There were also some, er, urban obstacles along my regular ride to play on when there weren't any cops around. I mostly ride XC these days. I just don't heal like I used to, so the free ride bikes are sitting in the shed gathering dust.

pinkbike dot com if you decide to liquidate

I abused my body pretty badly, took recovery for granted for sure, some of it was avoidable. Like all those cased dirt jumps, nothing shittier than poppin out and realizing Im bout to knuckle the fuck outta this landing. This mountain single track is unforgiving too, exposed roots and technical rock gardens.

Id like to ride more loose stuff, had a blast out in Moab. We have granite, quartz, lil topsoil, and clay. All your berms are hand cut with love, tall n deep cupped, its a lot of work to cut trails here in the dense hardwood forest. There is really no loose soil but plenty of gravel and down debris in the tree lines. I dont mess with ladders much anymore, I like to charge and lost my fair share of battles...guys are gettin silly with the ladders these days anyway. Lately just spot lines in cow pastures and hoof it, avoid the crowds. Find a spine or a boulder and few mins worth of work you got something to play with.

 

[flenser]

pinkbike dot com if you decide to liquidate

I abused my body pretty badly, took recovery for granted for sure, some of it was avoidable. Like all those cased dirt jumps, nothing shittier than poppin out and realizing Im bout to knuckle the fuck outta this landing. This mountain single track is unforgiving too, exposed roots and technical rock gardens.

Id like to ride more loose stuff, had a blast out in Moab. We have granite, quartz, lil topsoil, and clay. All your berms are hand cut with love, tall n deep cupped, its a lot of work to cut trails here in the dense hardwood forest. There is really no loose soil but plenty of gravel and down debris in the tree lines. I dont mess with ladders much anymore, I like to charge and lost my fair share of battles...guys are gettin silly with the ladders these days anyway. Lately just spot lines in cow pastures and hoof it, avoid the crowds. Find a spine or a boulder and few mins worth of work you got something to play with.

It's funny how much less my knees hurt doing heavy ass squats than when I rode trail 5 days a week.

I may sell my Rune II, but the other stuff is older and probably wouldn't get enough to make it worth the effort to ship. I'm still sort of attached to the Rune, though!

Mostly pine and beach forest around here. A lot of trails are more root than dirt. First time I went out west I couldn't believe how well maintained the trails were.