Peloton bikes have been gaining popularity in the past years. It is one of the best ways to exercise and cycle without going outside the comfort of your home. However, a Peloton bike can be too expensive, especially if you did not save for it.
So, if you do not have the money to shell out for a deluxe exercise bike, is there a way to get your own stationary bike?
Well, we have found ways on how to turn a bike into a stationary bike where you can save money and exercise at the same time. This includes getting the right stationary stand, attaching the bike, and ensuring that saddle and handlebars are set properly.
For full details, continue to read our guide about making your bike stationary.
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Benefits of Converting Your Bicycles into Stationary Bike
Turning bike into stationary bike has its own benefits. You can easily exercise without gearing up too much if you have it installed inside your house. It is more accessible than mobile ones because you do not need to get the bike from the garage. Stationary bikes are easier to maintain and have less percentage of being damaged as well.
More than that, for those who dislike going outside because of the blistering heat of the sun, stationary bikes are the perfect alternatives. You can just find the ideal place to install the bike and cycle as much as you like. Also, you can always bike and develop your locomotor skills without worrying about changing weather. Even in heavy rains, you can use stationary bikes.
It is also easy to stay energized and hydrated when you choose to bike indoors. Food and drinks are readily accessible within the comfort of your home. You can just take a break from cycling, and boost your energy level with nutritious food and drinks.
Stationary bicycles are the best ways to be more entertained when biking. You can install it in front of a television for a more enjoyable and entertaining riding experience. It is a great way to do two things at the same time, where you can update yourself about your favorite TV series.
Repair and maintenance is less expensive when you choose to convert your bike into a stationary type. There is less chance of the bike being damaged because it will not undergo difficult roads or challenging terrain. The chances of it getting damaged or broken is very slim compared to using a bike outdoors.
You can sweat and do fitness workouts unlimitedly if you have a stable machine or equipment at home. Keeping yourself healthy and always in shape is easier with the use of a stationary exercise bike.
Factors to Consider When Transforming Bicycles into Stationary Bikes
Of course, you cannot make a bicycle stationary overnight. You have to consider several factors to make the conversion successful. To make it easier for you, here are the things you should always take into consideration if you are planning to convert your bike into a stationary one:
1. Space
Setting up your bike inside your house will take a certain amount of space that you should always take note of. Bicycles are not small-sized gym equipment like dumbbells that do not require much space. When you decide to have it installed in your home, you must allot an area of your house where you can place it.
You can choose an empty room or a portion of your living room to place your stationary bike. For this one, you have to consider the size of your bike and how much area you can provide for the setup. Always be ready to adjust some of your interior and furniture to accommodate your machine.
2. Ventilation
If you want to turn bike into exercise bike, you have to find a place with perfect ventilation. Unlike biking outdoors, using a stationary bike limits the air you breathe while biking. It is important to look for a place or room inside your house with a good ventilation system.
In this way, the air will circulate well while you sweat and exercise. You choose a spacious room with big windows where air can go in and out of the room. With proper ventilation, you will be able to have more oxygen when you workout.
3. Dampening mat and workout towels
Since your bicycle will be intended to use for indoor cardio workout, it is essential to keep your space dry at all times. You should put a sound dampening mat on the surface of the floor to prevent too much noise coming out of your room. It will also keep your workout space dry and out of moisture.
Also, given that there is limited air coming into the room when using an indoor bike, you will sweat out more when you exercise. It is helpful to put workout towels nearby when you start pedaling as well.
After you consider all these factors, you are now ready to convert bike to stationary bike. For a successful transformation, here are the basic steps you must follow:
Setting up Your Stationary Bike
If you have already decided to convert your bike into an indoor bike trainer, there are critical steps that you should follow. These include the following:
1. Use stationary bike stand
The most important tool that you should have during the conversion process is the bike stand. Bike stand is the foundation of your stationary bike. You can use some of the most reliable stands like SONGMICS Indoor Bike Trainer Stand and Health Line Product Bike Trainer Stand for the transformation.
It is essential to lay out the stand parts in a position where you want them to be set up. There are two-piece stands that need to be fitted first to your bike for proper installation. Or, you can opt to use a one piece stand for easier setup.
For this step, you have to make sure that you are setting up the stand into its permanent position. In this way, you will not remove it or reinstall it anymore once you decide on the final spot for the stationary bike.
2. Attaching the bike
After you have identified the spot and already set up the stand, you are ready to proceed to the next step. When you install your bike into the stand, it is vital to place the back end of the machine on the stand initially. You have to clamp the back wheel as tight and solid as possible for a steady setup.
Then, you can work on the front wheel next. For this part, you need to install the front wheel securely to prevent the bike from sliding. For a more solid setup, ensure that you tighten both the back and front wheel to the stand properly.
3. Check your work
At this point, you have already installed your bike to the stand and turned it into a stationary bike. It is now time to check your work by assessing how proper and stable the bike was installed. You can take a few steps backwards and check whether the machine is evenly mounted.
If you observe that it is not evenly mounted or you saw a dip both in the front and back wheels, reposition the bike accordingly. To ensure a more solid installation, you can wiggle the bike from side to side.
Position the Saddle and Handlebars Properly
Now that you already have a converted stationary bike, ensure that you are comfortable riding on the bike. You need to get the right position of the handlebars as well as the saddle height. You can take note of the following:
1. Saddle height
The height of your saddle can significantly affect how comfortable your bike trainer is. To get the right saddle height, you can stand next to the bike trainers. Next, check whether the saddle is at the intersection of the femur and hip. You can do this by sitting on the saddle and pedaling momentarily.
If you can feel some sort of inconvenience, you can adjust the spin bike accordingly. Take note that you should be able to pedal at full circle without tiring your legs too much.
2. Handlebars
The second thing that you must check are the handlebars. It is ideal that the handlebars are almost the same height as the saddle. In this way, you will feel more comfortable when you are training using your spin bike. You must always have a firm grip at various levels when using the bike.
Furthermore, To know more tips to make exercise bike seats more comfortable, check it out here!
3. Adjust the saddle horizontally
The last thing to check is whether the saddle was adjusted horizontally. For this part, ensure that the pedal is carefully aligned with the front area of your knees.
Conclusion
Biking on a stationary bike is a great way to exercise without having to worry of unpleasant weather conditions. You can always keep track of your health and fitness without leaving the comfort of your home.
For people who find spin bikes expensive, there are certainly cheap ways to turn your bike into a stationary type. May the guide we mentioned above give you ideas on how to turn a bike into a stationary bike.
We keep them simple and easy to follow after all.
“I ride my bike to work for years, but is that enough? Our carelessness towards our surroundings has taken a toll on the environment. And now, everyone is responsible for changes; even the most minor contribution is counted. With this hope and spirit, I started with my partner to establish Biketoworkday to help more individuals commute to their work sites on their bikes.”