Exercise bikes and ergometer bikes are the classic home exercise machines. The even rotation is easy on the joints and places significantly less stress on the knees than does jogging, for example. Exercise bikes offer great cardiovascular exercise for everyone.

What distinguishes ergometer bikes from exercise bikes is the electronically controlled pedal resistence and precise output measurements. According to German and European standard DIN EN 957-1/5, ergometer bikes must measure performance in watts, whereas conventional exercise bikes indicate only the level of resistance. Because of this strict precision requirement, ergometer bikes are well suited to the demands of physical therapy. If you do not need to follow any watt requirements and just need to get moving, or if you want to do your heart and circulation a favor, then an exercise bike is the right tool for you. Ergometer bikes are to be recommended for rehab, when a physician determines the goals and limits of the workout, as well as for athletes who want to measure their performance and progress.

As with any kind of fitness machine, the exercise bikes and ergometers of various manufacturers come with a variety of different features: Resistance:

• Band brake: A synthetic band slows the rotation of the flywheel. This not only produces noice, but causes an uneven movement of the flywheel, as well.
• Magnetic brake: Resistance on the flywheel is produced by magnets. Since the brakes make no contact with the flywheel, there is (virtually) no noise and the flywheel rotates evenly.
• Shoe brake: The familiar brake on your bicycle.
• Eddy-current brake: With the fully electronic eddy current brake, a computer regulates peddle output independent of the r.p.m. This results in a significantly more precise resistance than that produced by other braking systems. And the electronic eddy current brake is every bit as quiet as the magnetic brake.

Drive mechanism: The belt drive is much quieter than the chain on our bicycle.
Training computer: A higher price generally means a wider array of training options. The better machines offer you additional workout programs.
Flywheel mass: As a general rule, a greater flywheel mass ensures gentler and more even movement. Two exceptions to the rule are the Tunturi T-Serie Ergometers and die Daum Ergobikes. Despite a smaller mass, these machines achieve an exceptionally smooth movement due to the unusually high rotation speed of the flywheel.