Best budget exercise bikes

Top pick: MERACH S08 Recumbent — the safest budget buy. Recumbent seating is kind on your back and hips, it's rated to 300 lb, and it's the best-reviewed cheap bike here. Best if you want comfort over sweat.

Who the others suit:

• DeerRun S500 Pro — tall riders; long frame and 32 magnetic resistance levels.
• MERACH S26 — upright riders who want a dumbbell rack for upper-body work.
• Merach S19 Recumbent — a step up in comfort and reviews if you'll ride longer.
• Sunny Synergy — spin-style training with the strongest review base of the lot.
• SoulCycle At-Home — a premium bike for far less, but it's pre-owned.

Skip the ultra-cheap listings: a $15 Peloton listing is almost certainly parts or a scam, not a bike.