# Exercise bicycle that feels like a real one? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 6, 2013, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercise-bicycle-that-feels-like-a-real-one/660304 "2013-06-06T16:45:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercise-bicycle-that-feels-like-a-real-one/660304/1 "2013-06-06T16:45:10Z")
I have tried several static bikes and I hate them all! The pedals have a weird spongy feeling. It is like a real bicycle that is stuck in a huge bubblegum vat. Are there any static bikes that have the feeling of a real bike? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercise-bicycle-that-feels-like-a-real-one/660304/2 "2013-06-06T16:58:27Z")
[You could just ride your real bike inside.](http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=3403551) ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercise-bicycle-that-feels-like-a-real-one/660304/3 "2013-06-06T17:12:01Z")
I don’t think any indoor bike has the feeling of a real bike. What works for me is a [spin bike](https://www.google.com/search?q=spin+bike&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=i8KwUZnPIOnFyAHq_IGICQ&ved=0CHwQsAQ&biw=1053&bih=817). You can actually get a real workout on them, even if you’re in-shape for biking (a lot of standard exercise bikes are simply too easy), and I think workout out on a spin bike translates to riding outside. You work a lot of the same muscles. They feel pretty good, too. Not spongy at all. They are, however, not cheap. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercise-bicycle-that-feels-like-a-real-one/660304/4 "2013-06-06T17:15:31Z")
Ditto on the spin bike. Some clubs have them decked out with installed videos of mountains, etc to mimic what your bike is doing. > **[Virtual Mountain Bike Racing Simulator](https://www.geekalerts.com/virtual-mountain-bike-racing-simulator/)** > > Biking is one of the best forms of exercise around. But unless you're Lance Armstrong, weather tends to be an inhibiting factor when it comes to actually biking outside. Stationary bikes are the logical alternative to biking when the weather doesn't... ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercise-bicycle-that-feels-like-a-real-one/660304/5 "2013-06-06T19:13:01Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > [You could just ride your real bike inside.](http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=3403551) This. Get rollers or a trainer and ride the outside bike inside. It will still feel a little different, but it’ll be a lot closer than most exercise or spin bikes. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercise-bicycle-that-feels-like-a-real-one/660304/6 "2013-06-06T19:31:12Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > This. > > Get rollers or a trainer and ride the outside bike inside. It will still feel a little different, but it’ll be a lot closer than most exercise or spin bikes. I third this advice. I use a fluid trainer with my road bike. It is an excellent workout. A fluid trainer automatically increases resistance the faster your wheel spins so it simulates the increase in wind resistance with speed when riding outdoors. A magnetic trainer will have a dial that let’s you set the required resistance. Resistance also increases with the use of harder gears in both trainer types.