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How to Buy an Indoor Cycling Bike

How to · Tech

How to Buy an Indoor Cycling Bike

Upgrade your home gym with a high-end bike by timing the market and spreading the cost interest-free.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $1,400 before anything else
Across the 0% window $77.78/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $1,400 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

A high-end indoor bike is an investment in your fitness that should last you for years of daily sweat sessions. If you choose a solid model now, you won't need to replace it when it breaks down in a few months.

Brands usually drop new models in early spring, which makes the post-new-year clearance events your best bet. You can grab last year's tech for a fraction of the cost while the retailer clears space for the latest shipments.

The 18-month window is a deadline, not free money. If you have a balance remaining after that period ends, you will start paying interest on the remaining amount, which can get expensive quickly.

The steps

  1. 01

    Wait for the January clearance

    Retailers dump older inventory right after the new year to make room for spring stock. Watch the sites of major fitness brands in mid-January. You can often find the same bike for hundreds less than the original retail price.

  2. 02

    Budget for the monthly cost

    If you are spending $1400, break that number down into manageable pieces. Setting aside $77.78 per month ensures you aren't hit with a massive bill later. Treat this like a utility payment you have to make.

  3. 03

    Use the right card

    The Citi Simplicity® Credit Card offers 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. This lets you pay off the bike in those 18 months without paying a cent in interest. Just make sure you stay on schedule.

  4. 04

    Check the hidden costs

    The bike price isn't the only thing you will pay. Factor in shipping, professional assembly if you need it, and a subscription for the training app. These extras can easily add a few hundred dollars to your total.

  5. 05

    Test the bike quickly

    Assemble your bike the day it arrives and put it through a hard workout. If there are mechanical issues, you want to know immediately while the return window is still open. Don't let it sit in a box for weeks.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

Should I buy a used bike instead?

Buying used can save you a lot, but check the warranty. Many warranties don't transfer to a second owner, so if something breaks, you are stuck paying for the repairs yourself.

Do I really need the monthly app subscription?

Most advanced bikes are built to work with an app. You can use the bike without one, but you will lose the classes and tracking data that make the bike worth the high price.

How much space does one of these bikes actually take up?

They take up a footprint of about four feet by two feet. Measure your space carefully and leave room to actually move your legs while riding.

What happens if I miss a monthly payment?

If you miss a payment, you might lose your promotional rate. Always set up automatic payments so you never accidentally miss the due date.