A spin bike is the better fit when you want a cycling position, adjustable resistance and sessions that include faster efforts or changes in intensity. An upright exercise bike is usually the simpler choice for steady home cardio, a more upright seated position and a compact setup.
Our range also includes an air bike and an erg bike, which use air resistance and bring a different training feel. The right choice comes down to how you want to ride, how much room you have and whether you prefer steady pedalling or full-body conditioning.
- Choose a spin bike for cycling-style sessions and adjustable resistance.
- Choose an upright bike for straightforward seated cardio and a compact footprint.
- Choose an air bike when you want moving handlebars and resistance that rises with effort.
- Choose an erg bike when you want air resistance with adjustable handlebars and performance readouts.
What Is the Difference Between a Spin Bike and an Exercise Bike?
The main difference is the riding position and the style of workout each bike is built to support. Spin bikes are designed around a cycling position, with adjustable seats and handlebars and resistance suited to changes in pace. Upright exercise bikes keep the rider in a more upright seated position and are often chosen for steady cardio at home.
The phrase exercise bike is often used as a broad term for stationary bikes. In this article, we use upright bike to describe the traditional seated exercise bike, and spin bike to describe the more cycling-focused design. Both provide indoor cycling, but they do not feel identical.
| Bike type | Riding position | Resistance and feel | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spin bike | Cycling style position with adjustable seat and handlebars | Resistance designed for controlled changes in effort | Cycling sessions, intervals and riders who prefer a road style position |
| Upright exercise bike | More upright seated position | Magnetic resistance with set levels on the Essential model | Steady cardio, simple sessions and smaller home spaces |
| Air bike | Upright seat with moving handlebars | Air resistance rises as you pedal harder | Full body conditioning and high intensity intervals |
| Erg bike | Seated bike position with adjustable handlebars | Air resistance with 10 levels on the Erg Bike Classic | Functional conditioning and riders who prefer air resistance |
How a Spin Bike Works
A spin bike places you in a more cycling-focused position. The seat and handlebars adjust so you can set a comfortable riding posture, while resistance lets you make a session easier or harder. That combination is useful for steady rides, short intervals and sessions that mimic the rhythm of an indoor cycling class.
Our spin bike range includes the Spin Bike Essential and Spin Bike Elite. The Spin Bike Hire collection also includes the Air Bike Classic and Erg Bike Classic, so you can compare several cycling styles in one place.
Who Should Choose a Spin Bike?
Choose a spin bike when you enjoy cycling sessions and want the option to change resistance during a ride. The adjustable seat and handlebars help you set the bike around your position, while the heavier cycling feel suits sessions built around pace, hills and intervals.
What to Know About Pedals and Shoes
You do not automatically need specialist cycling shoes for every indoor bike. Pedal designs differ between models, so the shoes you use should match the pedals fitted to the specific bike. Our team can show you the setup on the model you are hiring and explain the pedal arrangement at delivery.
When an Upright Exercise Bike Makes More Sense
An upright exercise bike is a straightforward choice when you want to sit upright and pedal at a steady pace. It is often easier to fit into a small room than a treadmill, and it gives you a cardio option that does not require a running deck or a large operating area. The upright format can also feel more familiar if you have used a traditional stationary bike before.
Our Upright Bike Hire collection includes Essential, Classic and Elite models. The Upright Bike Essential has eight levels of magnetic resistance, an adjustable seat, an LCD display and a 135 x 52 cm footprint.
Where Air Bikes and Erg Bikes Fit In
An air bike brings the upper body into the session through moving handlebars. Resistance increases as you pedal harder, so the effort responds to your pace rather than staying at one fixed level. The Air Bike Classic is suited to people who want full-body cardio or high-intensity intervals, and it does not require a power point.
The Air Bike Classic has moving handlebars, air resistance and a commercial-grade frame. It is a different choice from a spin bike because the arms work with the legs throughout the movement.
Choose by the Workout You Actually Want to Do
The easiest way to choose is to start with the type of session you expect to repeat. A bike that feels right for your preferred workout is more useful than choosing by name alone. You do not need the most advanced bike in the range if a simpler model covers the way you want to train.
For Steady Cardio and Everyday Movement
An upright exercise bike is a sensible starting point for steady riding. The seated position, adjustable seat and magnetic resistance make it a practical option for home cardio. If the main goal is to pedal regularly at a comfortable pace, begin with the upright range.
For Indoor Cycling Sessions and Intervals
A spin bike is a better fit when you want a cycling-focused position and a session that changes between easier and harder efforts. It gives you a more purposeful indoor cycling setup than a basic upright bike.
For Full Body Conditioning
An air bike brings the arms and legs into the same movement. The resistance responds to effort, which makes it useful for short, demanding intervals as well as easier sessions. Choose it when you want a different challenge from seated cycling.
For Air Resistance and Workout Readouts
The Erg Bike Classic adds adjustable handlebars and an air resistance system with 10 levels. Its console records watts, speed and RPM alongside time, distance and calories. It suits people who like to track the details of a session.
Space, Noise and Setup at Home
A stationary bike usually needs less floor space than a treadmill, but the frame still needs room around it for access and use. The Upright Bike Essential measures 135 x 52 cm, while the Erg Bike Classic measures 122 x 61 cm. The Air Bike Classic measures 123 x 65 cm. A spin bike model has its own footprint, so use the product information for the exact bike you choose.
Noise also varies by design. Our upright bikes are described as smooth and quiet, while air resistance models use a fan and create a different sound as effort increases. If you are setting up in a shared home or apartment, think about the room position and the time of day you expect to train.
Try a Bike at Home Before You Buy
Hiring gives you time to learn whether the riding position, resistance and footprint work for your routine. Our minimum terms are 3, 6 and 12 months, with weekly, fortnightly, monthly and upfront payment options. You can extend your hire after the initial term, or arrange collection when you are finished.
After the minimum term, 50% of the total rent paid can be credited towards buying eligible equipment. The credit excludes Concept2 rowers. This gives you a way to try the bike at home and decide whether you want to keep it.
What Australian Exercise Guidance Says
The Australian Government recommends that adults include regular physical activity across the week, with muscle strengthening activities on at least two days. Its recommendations for adults aged 18 to 64 also encourage people to break up long periods of sitting and include a variety of activities.
For general guidance on cycling and activity, the Better Health Channel explains the health benefits of cycling. The Heart Foundation also shares practical advice on getting started with physical activity. These resources can help you think about activity more broadly, while the right bike still comes down to your preferred position and workout.
FAQs
Which Bike Is Easier for Beginners?
An upright exercise bike is often the simplest starting point because it has a familiar seated position and straightforward resistance controls. A spin bike is also suitable for beginners when the seat and handlebars are adjusted correctly, and the resistance is set at a comfortable level.
Do I Need Cycling Shoes for a Spin Bike?
Not every spin bike requires cycling shoes. Pedal types differ, so use footwear that suits the pedals fitted to the machine. Our team can explain the pedal setup on the model you hire.
Which Bike Is Quieter?
Our upright bikes are described as smooth and quiet. Air bikes use fan resistance, so they have a different sound profile as the effort increases. The noise you hear also depends on the room and floor where the bike is placed.
Can I Change Bikes During My Hire?
You can contact us to discuss changing equipment during a hire. We will explain the options, any price difference and how a change can be arranged around the current agreement.
What Is the Difference Between an Air Bike and an Erg Bike?
Both use air resistance, but the Air Bike Classic has moving handlebars that work the upper body alongside the legs. The Erg Bike Classic has 10 resistance levels and adjustable handlebars, with a console that records workout data.
Find the Bike That Fits Your Training
Spin bikes, upright exercise bikes, air bikes and erg bikes each create a different indoor cycling experience. Compare the riding position, resistance, available space and workout style before choosing. We can help you match the bike to the sessions you plan to do at home.
Browse our Spin Bike Hire collection, compare Upright Bike Hire, or read How It Works before booking. Still deciding? Contact us and tell us what kind of riding you want to do.