Do you love your Concept2 BikeErg?

September 30, 2023 8:33 AM

We've researched the Concept2 BikeErg and it seems to meet our requirements: solid, quiet, provides a good workout, app options, doesn't have a huge footprint, two people (5'6" and 6' with inseams in the recommended range) can use it comfortably, two people can carry it up to a third floor apartment and set it up without professional intervention. Before dropping coin I wanted to ask the BikeErg owners of MeFi: 1. What do you love about it? 2. What do you NOT love? 3. What do you wish you had known before buying it? Thank you!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide to Health & Fitness (1 answer total)

Best answer: I just got one secondhand a week ago and it’s been great. Prior to getting it I had been using it at the gym, so was familiar with how it feels - it’s a really smooth ride and I like that you can adjust the resistance levels unlike on a traditional airbike.

I’m a pretty casual rider and I’ve never owned an exercise bike, so ymmv. I havent done anything fancy like program workouts or track my progress on the app so I cant comment on the user friendliness of those functions. For me it’s a pretty good way to get a bit of low impact cardio on a regular basis without having to go out in the heat, and it complements the other strength-based workouts that I do. The display is clear and simple and similar to that of the rower/ other airbikes- so it gives me all the information I need to adjust the intensity of my ride and I have no complaints on that front. I like how the seat and handlebar heights are easily adjustable too. The smartphone holder it comes with is a little crap / not very useful but that’s a minor issue - you can easily purchase a separate 3rd party one if you really need a sturdy phone holder. Also you have to reach all the way down to adjust the resistance level and it may be a bit inconvenient to do so while cycling. But that doesn’t bother me as I don’t do that.

However given the price and my casualness as a rider I’m not sure I would purchase it brand new - I don’t think I ride often enough to justify it. But it is a great machine and should hold up well over the years.
posted by pandanpanda at 4:58 AM on October 1, 2023 [1 favorite]