Stationary Bike Stands

In these times of economic uncertainty (did anyone mention inflation yet?!), we’re all on bit of a mission to save some of those hard-earned dollars. And for those of you hunting for a decent stationary bike trainer at a very decent price, we know that some of the more expensive trainers out there might leave you – and your wallet – a little frustrated. They’re great trainers of course, but not cheap.

Which is why we decided to create this post, in order to round up the three best trainers on the market – all for less than $90! In fact, if you’re lucky and shopping on the right day (unfortunately we don’t have control over the prices!), some of these trainers can be snapped up for around $50-60. Which, we have to say, is a mighty fine deal, as any one of these trainers will do more than just an OK job!

OK, so here they are, the THREE best stationary trainers for less than $90…

The Topselling Unisky Bike Trainer

When affordability and quiet efficiency are the name of the game, it’s no wonder that this trainer from Unisky is selling like hotcakes on Amazon! This trainer transforms your bike into an effective indoor cycling machine, so you can wave goodbye to your gym membership if fitness is what you’re after!

The magnet-induced resistance is designed for efficiency and quiet performance, though it does have to be said that it does generate some noise; particularly when it is used with a mountain bike with those knobbly tires (we always recommend putting on a training slick for ultimate noise reduction).

The trainer has a sturdy frame made of heavy-duty steel that easily folds to a compact size for portability and easy storage. You can keep it under your bed or stow it in your car when you travel. It also suits the training requirements of most average bikers since it has SIX resistance levels that you can adjust by a remote controller (that is easily attached to your handlebars). You can use it with road and mountain bikes fitted with 26” – 28″ and 700c wheels (and some reviewers also mention it is suitable for 29 inchers). More importantly, the sturdy frame is known to be super strong, so if you’re on the large side, this trainer should take you OK.

By the way, there are THREE colors available, but the black and yellow versions are slightly more expensive (add another $20), so if you’re on a tight budget and can live with the green version, you should stay under $80.

All in all, this bike trainer is a great investment and has gotten a ton of good reviews online, especially online at stores like Amazon. For the latest discounts and reviews on this Unisky trainer, click HERE.

Another great budget option: the RAD Cycle Portable Trainer

Keeping fit the whole year round, particularly during the cold, wet winter months, is not going to be a problem anymore if you have an indoor trainer like the RAD Cycle Portable trainer!

This affordable stationary trainer combines durability, stability, and portability in its design and construction. And although the trainer generates some noise as you pedal, it will give you a smooth ride with variable resistance which is easily adjusted by shifting the gears of your bike.

It also has extra wide legs that provide maximum support and stability for you and your bike. Even better, the feet cups can be rotated to find the best fit when your floor is uneven. Its steel frame is light yet durable, and can be folded into a compact size when you travel. Setting it up is also easy (don’t miss this video if you need further help in setting up your trainer, whatever model you choose); all you need to do is unfold the frame and ensure the legs are sturdy and positioned well on the floor. Then just insert the rear skewer that comes with the trainer to fix the rear wheel of your bike to the trainer.

The magnets embedded in the flywheel induce the resistance that creates drag on the rear wheel. It gives a smooth and (almost) noiseless ride with sufficient resistance to develop strength in your leg muscles. And with its robust construction and use of lightweight steel, rest assured this one should be able to take many, many training sessions.

A great option to consider – read our full review here.

Last – but definitely not least – the super-budget Bike Lane Pro Trainer

The budget-friendly Bike Lane Pro Trainer is another great option for those with wallets that have shrunk over recent times…

With its robust construction, durability, and affordable price, many bikers will find this trainer a great investment, with Bike Lane a decent name and brand in the stationary trainer world. When riding outdoors over the winter months becomes impossible, this is a great asset to have tucked away under your bed or in the cupboard (yes, it folds away neatly and flatly, just like an ironing board).

The trainer has seven levels of resistance that are induced by rotating magnets in its 850-gram machined steel flywheel, giving you a quiet and smooth ride. You can adjust the resistance level using the resistance controller, or by shifting the gears on your bike. The package comes with a Riser Block (typically priced around $15-20), which will hold your front wheel steady and level your bike for a natural ride. And you won’t need to worry too much about family and neighbors, because this trainer does a great job at keeping the noise levels down.

The sturdy materials and robust construction of the Bike Lane Pro Trainer make it durable, while its four legs and wide frame ensure stability. It fits road bikes with 700cc wheels and mountain bikes with 26-inch wheels. It folds into a compact form similar to an ironing board so you can easily store it or stow it in your car.

A great option, and very popular on Amazon. Read our full review here.

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There you have it, the best 3 cheapest stationary bike stands on the market today – no excuses, eh?!

If you’re looking for more decent trainers and not sure what to buy, you might want to check out our Bestsellers of 2024 for a great guide on the best models currently out there.

With an absolute deluge of bike stand brands and models to consider these days, it’s easy to get lost when considering the best stationary bike stand to fit your purposes – especially when you’re looking for something both budget-friendly and for training.

With most of us worrying just a little more about each and every dollar (especially in these times of pending recession, which has followed fast on the tail of COVID-19 landing on our doorstep – OMG, what a crazy last couple of years!), it’s fairly easy to wind up paying for something you might soon feel you’ve wasted your hard-earned cash on. For this reason, we’ve compiled a list of the 5 best stationary bike trainers of 2024 to make your decision-making process easier!

The stationary bike stands featured in this post have been chosen based on quality and value for money; they range in price from around $100 to way and beyond $300. But expect to get some very decent bang for your buck when you invest in one of these trainers for that 2024 Corona-and-recession busting training program!

In no particular order (even though we’ve numbered them!)…

1. The bestselling Alpcour bike trainer

When a trainer starts racking up hundreds and hundreds of great reviews in a relatively short time, you know you’ve got a winner on your hands!

The Alpcour bike trainer, a relative newcomer to the market, has fast become a market leader, and in our opinion, currently deserves its spot as the number one choice for anyone looking for a very decent trainer! It might not have the brand of other big name trainers on this list, but if you’re after excellent value for an excellent price (around $160), you won’t need a lot of convincing…

Expect a very sturdy unit (with the added bonus of being very easy to fold up and take with you almost anywhere – complete with its own carry bag), with an easy to adjust wheel gizmo that controls 6 levels of resistance.

It gives a great ride – as over 800 FIVE STAR REVIEWS on Amazon testify! And being quick and eay to setup, together with the free front wheel stand, you’ve got one sweet package. Yes, it’s even one of the more quieter trainers you’re going to find out there, another bonus!

In summary, the Alpcour trainer has to be on your shortlist – highly recommended!

Click HERE for the latest discounts & reviews on Amazon

Read our FULL review here!

2. The magnificent (& smart) Kurt Kinetic Road Machine

Seriously, if you’re looking for durability and an authentic outdoor riding feel in a stationary bike stand, then you will love the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine. This particular model (we’re reviewing the amazing new smart Control model) joins our list largely because of the innovative features it offers, and its extra stable frame that can hold up to vigorous stand-up riding (though not quite as much as its sister product, the Kinetic Rock and Roller, see below). There is even a lifetime warranty with no conditions on the platform, which goes to show the level of sturdiness you can expect.

One of the defining factors for the Road Machine is its huge flywheel (14.4 pounds!), which is one of the heaviest around and delivers just about the same inertia as you would experience with on-road riding. In addition, the resistance unit features a sealed fluid chamber designed using a patented leak-proof magnetic drive system; included also as part of the components are 80 silent cooling fans which dissipate heat to the thermodynamically neutral silicone fluid in order to maintain resistance. A leaky fluid chamber is something that won’t happen with this stationary bike stand!

Another awesome feature is its Bluetooth compatibility with various smart apps (it also comes with 6 months of free access to the Kinetic fit app) – what was previously an amazing off-road experience has become even better. Now you can even experience inclines of 10% and up to 1800 watts of power!

With all of these features, you can expect smooth resistance, a leak-proof fluid chamber, a sturdy frame, and a more natural road-like experience when using this bike stand. It’s suitable for bikes with tires between 22 and 29 inches – note that you can also purchase an optional wheel adapter to make the trainer compatible with 16-21 inch mountain bikes.

Click HERE for the latest discounts & reviews on Amazon

Read our FULL review (old model) here!

3. A legend among bike trainers: the CycleOps Fluid 2

This is one stationary bike stand that we’ve come to love over recent months, after purchasing the recently updated model.

The CycleOps Fluid 2 is a fluid resistance based bike trainer that gives you that elusive feeling of riding on the open road. As your cycling pace increases, so does the resistance, giving you the most authentic road-like feel – without any noise (well, almost!). What helps the Fluid 2 give an impressive ride is its patented Power Band technology, which works much like a gear or cadence adjuster. This mechanism generates power, varying between 20-725 watts, in order to add more challenge to the resistance level; no matter how much power you produce, you won’t have to worry about inconsistent resistance due to heat build-up thanks to the Fluid 2’s cooling system.

When it comes to frame sturdiness, the CycleOps 2 Fluid trainer does not disappoint. It has the same trapezoidal leg design as the Road Machine from Kurt Kinetic (see above), which keeps power and motion on the flywheel alone. The construction of this model is a rugged 2-inch 16-gauge solid steel frame. It also has adjustable footpads for ultimate comfort and stability when cycling on uneven surfaces.

Another reason why this stationary bike stand makes our list of the Best of 2024 is because of its ease of use – mounting your bike on this stand is very easy. Slot your rear wheel in, tighten with the clutch knob, and then turn the yellow adjusting handle 2.5 times to squeeze up against your tire. Wheels with a 26 to 29 inch diameter fit snuggly and you won’t have to readjust the trainer once it has been clamped into place.

Click HERE for the latest discounts & reviews on Amazon

Check out our FULL review here!

4. Budget-friendly and quiet: the Sunlite F-2 Trainer

The Sunlite F-2 (also sometimes known as the Forza F2) is another one of the top stationary bike stands to consider buying in 2024 (and it’s been around for a long long time, meaning there must be something very right about this trainer!).

The cheapest trainer on our list, this one is a constant bestseller on Amazon, but is definitely one to consider if you’re not looking for dirt cheap and want something with just a little more…and with the Sunlite F2 you’ll be able to cycle away in the comfort of your own home and not have to worry about an obnoxiously loud bike stand that doesn’t give you that real-road riding feel. All this is thanks to Sunlite F-2’s silent magnetic resistance technology.

Setting up your bike on this trainer is a breeze. The frame is designed to hold 26” wheelers or lower via a quick-release skewer. If you have bolt-on axels (we know a few of you still have these types of axels), you can purchase the axel adapter separately for easy fastening.

For around $100, you can’t really go wrong with this one, especially in 2024 when many of us will be counting the pennies.

Click HERE for the latest discounts & reviews on Amazon

Check out our COMPLETE review here!

5. The ultimate road-like experience: the Kinetic Rock n Roll Trainer

Though priced a little higher than the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine (see above), this stationary bike stand is a good option if you want even more value from your training sessions AND the ultimate swaying action you typically experience on climbs.

The Kurt Kinetic Rock n Roll trainer comes with all the standard features you’d expect from the boys at Kinetic (including an impressive UNCONDITIONAL lifetime guarantee!). This includes a weighted flywheel (6.25 pounds!), leak-resistant fluid chamber, magnetic drive system and cooling fins for heat dissipation. However, that’s where the similarities end between the Rock n Roll and Road Machine Kinetic indoor trainers.

One of the unique differences with this particular stationary bike stand is the frame design. On the Kinetic Rock n Roller, you have a longer base that increases the unit’s footprint coverage for added stability. The floor frame extends to the right and left, so there will be extra stability for that rocking and rolling you’ll be able to experience. And don’t worry, the custom-designed PVC feet come off easily when it’s time to store away your trainer.

Even better with this updated smart model is its compatibility with Bluetooth apps – meaning you can connect to apps like Kinetic Fit, Zwift, Trainer Road, and Fit for the ultimate ride!

The patented Road Resistance unit that Kurt Kinetic uses to design the Rock n Roll bike trainer really does make this stationary bike stand one to think about, especially if you’re pining for a real road-like experience during your 2024 indoor bike trainer sessions.

Click HERE for the latest discounts & reviews on Amazon

Read our FULL review (old model) here!

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We’re done! The stationary bike stands above are 5 of the best we definitely recommend for 2024 – for any level and budget. Of course, there are even more trainers out there you can check out (see our Reviews section for starters – and yes, there are even trainers for 29 inch wheels!), but if you want the best bike stands in terms of quality and price range, the list above has to be the best starting point out there!

Good luck, and feel free to shoot us with any questions if you have them – or check out our Buying Guide and FAQ pages! And most importantly, stay safe!

I know I know, in these stressful COVID days we’re all after a great deal that will save us some serious $$, and especially on Black Friday, when the Internet is simply bursting with some crazy savings!

But look, if all that online craziness means we get to save some serious dollars, then I think it’s time you made Black Friday YOURS! To help you on your quest for some savings, we’ve rounded up a few deals that will definitely perk your interest, especially if you’re shopping for a stationary bike stand or accessories on Black Friday!

The deals below may disappear at any time and price changes are beyond our control, but we have done our best to find you the BIGGEST reductions out there in Black Friday week…and if you don’t have the patience to browse through them, just click the image immediately below (or check out our guide to the best bike trainers in 2024)!

Save 27% on this Alpcour trainer, currently selling like crazy on Amazon!

This trainer from Alpcour has really been doing some amazing sales over the last year or so, and is very popular with reviewers – it’s ranked with well over 800 FIVE STAR reviews! Due to its popularity, we wrote up a review of it right here, and yes, we were just as impressed as those five star reviewers!

Seriously, what’s not to like? This superb magnetic trainer, with 6 different resistance settings and completely foldable, is typically priced at around $220. But click on the button below and you can save yourself $60! This is perhaps the perfect Black Friday deal for you or a loved one!

Save 19% on the Zen Road trainer, a new Amazon bestseller!

This awesome little trainer is now priced at well under $130, perfect for some festive Black Friday shopping! It’s easy to install, comes with SIX resistance settings, and will handle almost any road or mountain bike of wheel sizes 26″ to 28″, or 700cc. It also comes with the quick-release skewer and a riser block for the front wheel, plus a rather handy carry bag.

Typically priced at around $150, this is a great Black Friday deal! We don’t know about you, but we love the look of this one, and that carry bag is cool!

Save 17% on this awesome RAD Cycle trainer!

OK, so if a long-term player in the stationary bike stand industry is what you’re after, this great little RAD Cycle trainer could be a deal-clincher! Aside from the awesome SEVEN levels of resistance, this trainer (we’ve reviewed it in full HERE) is light and extremely mobile – oh yes, you can fold it down and pack it away! RAD Cycle products have been around for some time, and they are renowned for producing quality, value-packed trainers – this one comes in at under $70 this Black Friday!

A question we’ve been asked countless times now, is what stationary bike stand is suitable for my 29 inch wheels?

29 inch wheels have fast become a common size for those of us buying a new bike in the last few years, but if you’re the owner of a shiny new 29er bike and feeling a little frustrated at the apparent lack of 29er bike trainer options for your bike, fret not! We’ve written up the guide below for those of you hunting high and low for a decent stationary bike stand that suits your bike!

To sum it up, there are actually FOUR main options for those of you with 29er wheels looking for a decent bike stand:

• Buy a stationary bike trainer that supports 29 inch wheel sizes (there are a number of options available, see below)
• Fit a training slick to your rear wheel, instead of that knobbly (and noisy) MTB tread (more details below)
• Replace your 29 inch wheel with something like a 26 inch wheel, just for indoor training sessions
• Splash out on a roller trainer or direct drive trainer

Bike trainers that support 29 inch wheels

OK, so yes, there are a number of bike trainers that come by default with the ability to support 29 inch wheels. We’ve collected FOUR of them below…

Kurt Kinetic Road Machine: This, without question, is one of the very best bike trainers out there (although be aware that there are a number of different models available now). It has all you need, regardless of your riding level. It’s also a bit on the expensive side (we’re talking a wee bit over $400 for the Smart 2 version, which includes a lot of the latest and greatest inride sensors), but it’s seriously one of the best your money can buy, and one of the Best 5 Trainers we highly recommend. Full review here.

Unisky V Type Fluid Trainer: Unisky have become big players in the stationary bike trainer world over the last couple of years, and this model has received some terrific reviews online (currently, some 1400 ratings!). Also coming with its now famous double lock button, this trainer will set you back around $170 – but may well be your preferred choice if you’re trying to save a few $$$. Full review here.

Alpcour Fluid Trainer: We love the trainers from Alpcour (a different Alpcour trainer makes our list of Top 5 trainers!) and this one is a great option for 29ers: it comes with all the trimmings and an especially silent fluid mechanism that’ll keep your neighbors and family members happy! Full review here.

Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer: This old classic was revamped in 2019, and typically comes in at under $100. It does the job very nicely thank you, complete with an excellent steel roller to ensure your trainer lasts longer. Full review here.

Fitting a training slick to your 29 inch wheel

With road bikes also being 29 inch in size (but referred to as 700cc), you can change your MTB tires to a road slick or trainer specific tire, and then you should be able to fit most trainers. AND you’ll save your normal tires from wear and tear and be a lot less noisy (those knobbly MTB tires make a ton of noise!). Once you have that trainer/road slick on, your big 29er tires will be like any other 700cc road tire, the fact it’s a 29er won’t make a difference.

If you need a very decent training tire, try this highly-rated tires from Continental or this one from Vittoria.

Replace your 29 inch wheel with a 26 inch wheel

If you’ve got another 26 inch wheel handy, this option could be perfect for those of you with 29ers and struggling to get it to fit your trainer. Just swap the wheels over to the 26 inch wheel for indoor training purposes only (WARNING: you really don’t want to try taking the bike outside for a ride once you’ve made the switch!).

One thing you should remember – with the indoor trainer there’s no need to worry about braking (there’s a reason they’re called “stationary”!), so there’s no need to worry about the brake discs and having the technical knowledge to free them/put them back together…

Splash out on a roller trainer or direct drive trainer

If none of the above options work for you, it could be time to think about a roller or direct drive trainer.

Rollers can make things very interesting, and some serious cyclists swear by them. But they do take some getting used to, and need a certain level of skill and concentration. We’re sure you’ve seen the videos of would-be roller riders getting into difficulties on their new rollers, so, yes, be careful, be patient, be strong!

One of the big advantages with rollers is they are quiet(er) and you don’t have to worry about burning through your tires or being locked into a trainer. If you’re looking for a decent roller to get started with, try one of these.

Direct drive trainers are fairly new to the scene of indoor trainers but offer a great alternative, albeit a little more on the expensive side (think anywhere in the region of $700 – $1000). They enable you to remove your entire back wheel and slot your chain right onto the trainer. As most bikes now come with a quick release, this is typically a job that takes a matter of seconds. Some excellent direct drive options to consider here are the Saris H3 and the Tacx Flux.

If you have any further questions about finding the right bike trainer for your bike, feel free to contact us!

Well, this is a question we get asked more often than you’d believe, especially by newbie cyclists worried about the impact of cycling on their crown jewels. But will cycling really make you impotent? Will it have any impact on your sex life, somewhere down the road…?

Seriously, can cycling screw up a man’s sex life? It’s definitely an issue for some, with some even taking the decision to steer clear of the two-wheeled monster in order to preserve their manlihood.

But let’s cut to the chase. We’ve mentioned it before, but cycling, as has been scientifically proven, is good for your sex life, for so many reasons. Impotence is definitely in the back of the minds of many would-be cyclist males, but we’re betting that’s all down to some old misconceptions – and even a fabled 1997 Bicycling magazine article.

In that article, famed urologist Irwin Goldstein said that if you cycled for a long time, you are likely to apply high pressure on the perineum, located between the genitals and anus. Because this specific area is crammed full of nerves and blood vessels, that excessive pressure can cause damage to some of the nerves, while also having some impact on the blood flow in that area. Hence the possibility of impotence.

But there’s been no real verification of these facts over the years. Of course, any of us sitting in the saddle for a long period of time are likely to experience a certain discomfort, even for the ladies out there, but that’s generally the extent of the problem. Yes, we can repeat, you might experience a bit of numbness, but that’s about it. No reason to fear the big I.

And the big question you might be asking yourselves – aren’t the overall benefits of getting out on the bike (or, of course, on your stationary bike stand at home!) worth the slight discomfort and numbed nether regions? Just think of all those healthy benefits you can get from cycling, especially all that cardio goodness…

More good reads:

• The BEST 5 stationary bike stands to buy in 2024!
• How your stationary bike stand can keep your heart healthy
• How a daily bike ride can help reduce the risk of cancer
• Plan for early morning rides if you REALLY want to stay fit and sexy!

So, when bike trainer season hits us every year, we always end up on the lookout for an awesome new trainer to take our training to the next level. We recently came across the Alpcour bike trainer, and have to say, it ticks all the right boxes – and then some!

Coming in at around $160 (you might be able to sneak in a bit of a discount over Black Friday or in the run up to Christmas, so keep your eyes peeled!), this isn’t one of the cheapest trainers we’ve ever checked out, but it certainly offers some great value with some superb features.

This indoor trainer will turn your off-road mountain bike into a stationary bike within minutes, and yes, it will save you trekking down to the gym or suffering out on the road during the winter season (and yes, could well make our BEST OF THE YEAR list which we update annually – check out the current list here). It also has over 800 five star reviews on Amazon – not something to sneeze at!

Alpcour bike trainer features

A quick run-through of some of the features that might just convince you to splash the cash on this awesome little trainer:

• Super quiet magnetic technology
• SIX levels of fixed resistance
• Extra wide base for extra stability
• Made from durable, heavy duty stainless steel
• Folds up easily to take anywhere (comes with its own travel bag)
• Compatible with most 26-28 inch and 700c wheels
• Supports up to 260 pounds

The Alpcour bike trainer: FIVE things we really liked

This trainer has a lot about it to like, but these are FIVE things we really liked:

• The unit seems very sturdy and it was particularly easy to adjust the wheel gizmo that controls the resistance and stability.
• We love being mobile and taking a trainer or two on our travels, so the Alpcour trainer especially hit the sweet spot with its ability to fold up pretty flat. It also comes with a decent bag to store/carry it.
• The magnetic flywheel with its 6 levels of resistance (which are accessed via the controller which clamps easily onto your handlebar) provides the perfect ride for cadence as well as a solid workout.
• Thanks to Amazon’s awesome service, it shipped quickly and was soon on my front porch – exactly as described. It was very easy to assemble – and the front wheel stand is definitely a bonus (as they can typically set you back an additional $20).
• It is pretty darned quiet – perfect if you need a session while listening to the radio or watching your favourite Netflix show while you ride.

Something about the Alpcour trainer we didn’t like…

Some reviewers have complained about the noise on this trainer, but if you look closely at their comments, they’re typically riding a mountain bike with knobbly tires. A quick change to a training slick, and you’re sorted.

What did disappoint us slightly was the wear and tear on our tires. Again, it could be down to the wrong tire, or perhaps a tweak is needed to adjust the flywheel when it rubs against the tire. Something to watch out for perhaps.

So, is the Alpcour trainer a buy…or an ABSOLUTE MUST buy?

In our opinion, when we look at what this Alpcour bike trainer offers in comparison to some of the famous old stalwarts out there (think: Cycleops Fluid 2 and the Road Machine), it’s an ABSOLUTE steal. A very decent magnetic trainer, with good levels of resistance, easy to setup, quiet, and easily stored…you can’t really ask for much more. Add it to your training program now!