The Bike
When I started my research, I was delighted to find that you can purchase a bike for about $300, but you will get what you pay for — and a headache trying to return it.
After comparing the features of several bikes across a wide range of prices, I settled on the Bowflex C6 Bike ($999). It's still an investment, but a worthwhile one in my experience. Much like more expensive options, the Bowflex C6 comes with magnetic resistance, complete with 100 micro-adjustable resistance levels and a pair of 3-lb. dumbbells that rest just below the handlebars. Dual-link pedals have a side with toe cages for conventional shoes and a side equipped to handle cleats with SPD clips. You'll also get a Bluetooth-enabled heart rate armband monitor.
While the Bowflex bike doesn't offer a large screen or its own streaming classes, it does have a media tray on the handlebars that can hold a tablet or phone. My fiancé and I use an iPad to stream cycling workouts from apps we've installed. The bike also comes with a backlit LCD screen that tracks RPM, time, speed, calories, distance, resistance level, and pulse. And if you're using one of the third-party cycling apps the bike connects with via Bluetooth, the bike will display your speed on the screen of your phone.
One of the best features of the bike is its adjustability. I'm 5'1", so I need the bike to adjust into a compact position, which is difficult to find in all models on the market. My fiancé, on the other hand, is 6'4", so he needs a bike that will adjust for someone twice my size. After about two months of use, we're both thrilled with the fit and the ease of use adjusting the seat and handlebars.