When you live with others or have close neighbors like in an apartment and you want to workout you need to be considerate of them otherwise it’s going to cause some stress to say the least.
Spin bikes are quieter than many other forms of cardio training and equipment as there is no pounding or motors to generate noise.
However, there are some that are quieter than others. The bikes with a belt drive and magnetic resistance that have all the moving parts properly adjusted are most quiet.
You are going to be able to use them in the quiet of the night and not disturb anyone sleeping (other than the most light sleepers) elsewhere in the home or next door. The loudest sound is going to your breath when you start to breathe heavily as a result of your exertions for the bikes listed here.
To make this best quiet spin bikes and indoor cycles list the following criteria has been used:
Magnetic Resistance. This works using the eddy current principle. There are magnets either side of the flywheel – to increase the resistance the magnets move closer to flywheel without ever touching it and thereby no noise is generated
Belt Drive. Unlike a chain drive there is no clinking noise as it drives the flywheel round and is almost silent.
Smooth Ride. The cycling motion should be smooth and fluid without choppiness that can cause impact and make it difficult to stand on the pedals.
Durable and Stable. The bike needs to give a stable platform for the ride without any rocking and be able to take the beating of high intensity workouts without breaking down.
Console. This is not vital but it is something I like myself. The Top 3 bikes here all have basic computers to help with keeping you on track while you workout.
Priced. Although I’ve gone for quality in this without regard to price, there is one budget bike pick. It has a belt drive but not magnetic resistance. Nor does it have a console.
Keiser M3i
This is part of the highly rated and popular M3 series of bikes. They are notable for their great looking style with the flywheel at the back of the bike.
It has a very light flywheel so you don’t get the momentum you get on traditional bikes to pull the pedals through.
The cycling is smooth but you do need to concentrate on your form so you don’t end up with more of an up/down stroke that can be impactful on the joints.
The handlebars are a bit weird and don’t have a central loop but can be used for aero position but is not best shaped for the central spinning hand position.
Resistance is controlled with a lever on the handlebars that works with the console to let you know the level of resistance you’ve applied.
It is a very quiet bike with magnetic resistance, belt drive and well constructed bike all round.
Read the complete review here
Lifecycle GX
This looks more like a traditional bike but it does have the flywheel at the back of the bike which helps to keep it out of the way of sweat.
Resistance is controlled by a lever at the top of the handlebar post. Levels are marked on the lever as well as on the console.
This bike also has a lightweight flywheel of 8.85 lbs, so you do need to concentrate on your cycling form as you don’t get the help you do with a heavier flywheel.
This flywheel does behave like an outdoor bike as the faster you pedal at each level of resistance there is a small increase in resistance.
Importantly it is a very quiet bike with little noise coming from the bike. It is stable and durable and can be used a wide variety of people of different heights and fitness.
Check out the full review here
Sole SB900
This more a standard style bike with a heavy flywheel at the front of the bike. The flywheel weighs 48 lbs that has the momentum to pull the pedals around the cycling motion helping with standing on the pedals and cadence.
It is fully adjustable to fit people between 5 ft and 6 ft 2 inches.
It can be used by people of all abilities although very strong users may find it not as tough as they’d like. Adjustments are quick and easy to do.
Resistance is controlled by a knob on the frame and like most spin bikes there are no resistance levels marked.
It has dual pedals that will fit normal athletic shoes on one side with toe cups and straps and the other side fits SPD cleats.
The bike is well constructed to provide a stable riding experience in and out of the saddle. It is very quiet.
The full review can be found here.
Best Quiet Spin Bike Budget Pick
Sunny Health and Fitness Belt Drive Indoor Cycle
This bike doesn’t come with magnetic resistance nor does it have a console. The bike is well made and doesn’t make that much noise. It is stable and durable and is highly rated by users with them saying they are surprised at how high the quality is considering the price.
Resistance is provided by a single felt pad that sits on top of the flywheel and controlled by the resistance knob that you turn.
It is adjustable to fit people between the range of heights from 5 ft 3 inches to 6ft 8 inches.
The 49 lbs flywheel provides the inertia to pull the pedals through the 360 degree motion helping to reduce impact on joints as well.
Customers say when they are using the bike They don’t have to turn up the TV or speak up to be heard. It therefore shouldn’t disturb others in the house or neighbors