Reasons to travel to Wales, Scotland, England, Spain, Italy and Egypt.

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Beaufort House is a charming brasserie-style restaurant located on the stylish King’s Road in Chelsea, London

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Investing in a cheap exercise bike over Black Friday? Want to get a kick-start on your new exercise routine ahead of the new year? Owning an exercise bike at home will prove to be handy, especially during winter. No having to leave your home and face the cold to visit your gym, no waiting around until an exercise bike becomes free and best of all: no monthly membership! Need we really say any more?

Buy a cheap exercise bike once and it ought to last you for years of use. Whether that’s inside your living room, spare bedroom or garage is your choice. A choice we can help you with is deciding on an exercise bike for your needs. Yes, our experts have been trying and testing exercise bikes at home, throughout lockdown and even afterwards, but most importantly, these exercise bikes are all less than £500. Though we’re calling them “cheap exercise bikes” this definitely doesn’t recipricate when it comes to their features. We’ve listed foldable exercise bikes and even app-compatible models in our list, too. These exercise bikes are great for daily use, and for those who are on a budget.

Related: Best yoga mat – our favourite buys for home workouts

Exercise bikes are an extremely popular piece of home gym equipment – and for good reason since they can make your heart rate rise fast. Since we are recommending affordable exercise bikes, it should go without us saying that you will get what you pay for. We would recommend choosing a bike with programmes, though this is not essential, but it will make your workout easier. Don’t forget to check out the flywheel weight of each bike listed below, as the heavier it is, the tougher it is to ride. This should give you a good indication on what to buy based on your fitness level.

See our comprehensive exercise bike guide to get sweaty from home. This way you can squeeze in a quick 15 in your lunch hour, cycle in front of the TV or workout before work. We’ll list Black Friday exercise bike deals here, as they come in, from now until the 26th of November.

What is the best exercise bike?

Our overall best exercise bike for home use, especially if you are looking for something to use daily, is the Viavito Satori exercise bike. We’ve tried it, tested it and we love it. It’s sturdy, easy to use, it has a 9kg flywheel, 32 resistance levels and a whopping 12 pre-set programmes. Plus more – but you’ll have to read the rest below.

Best exercise bikes 2021

1. Viavito Satori

The best cheap exercise bike for home use

Image credit: Viavito

Flywheel: 9kg
Resistance: 32 levels
Programmes: 12

The Viavito Satori exercise bike is great for anyone, whether you are a beginner or a pro. It’s also compact and it’s on wheels for easy moving around your home. We’ve been using this exercise bike for a number of months now and we love it for daily use – whether for 15 minutes of intense exercise or 30 minutes of light cycling.

Though not foldable, this Viavito bike still manages to be quite small when tucked into a corner. It weighs 31kg in total, and in terms of size, it measures 130cm, 100cm long and 54cm in depth. It has an impressive maximum user weight of 140kg.

This bike has a whopping 32 levels of resistance while boasting a heavy 9kg flywheel for an intense workout. You can, of course, control the resistance to suit your fitness level by using the round button on the console. Its handlebars also feature pulse sensors. There are 12 programmes on this bike, all of which are varied, and you can tailor each one to suit your preferences – from time to distance and calories. Your stats will show on the console, and you can use this console to view your progress throughout. There are four user programmes so each member of your family can use this bike, while it’s impressively quiet while in use.

We think this exercise is great value for £350 – it’s something you can use on a daily basis while watching TV, or even if the kids are in bed. Thanks to its heavy flywheel it can suit everyone, no matter how experienced they may or may not be, while it’s sturdy and completely adjustable. The only thing we aren’t too keen on is that it doesn’t have a smartphone or tablet holder. Other than that, we love it.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

2. Reebok ZJET 460 Bluetooth Exercise Bike

The best cheap exercise bike with Bluetooth

Image credit: Reebok

Flywheel: 9kg
Resistance: 24
Programmes: 19

This Reebok exercise bike doesn’t just look the part but it connects via Bluetooth to the Reebok Fitness App to enhance your workout. It’s similar to our top pick, the Viavito Satori, but it’s slightly less bulky and with the added bonus of the app compatibility, you can plan, track and analyse your workouts with ease. You can also sync it with an Apple watch.

In terms of size, this exercise bike clearly isn’t foldable, but it is quite small at 140cm high, 41cm wide and 109cm deep. With a maximum user weight of 120kg and a total weight of 35.5kg, it’s even on wheels for moving it from room to room.

With an easy to read console and 19 user programmes, this bike has a 9kg flywheel so that even pros can use this bike, and 24 resistance levels make it easy to adapt it to suit your needs. It’s completely adjustable with strap pedals, and there are handgrip pulse sensors on the handlebars. It has suction-cupped feet to keep the bike firmly on the floor no matter how fast you are pedalling.

Overall, this exercise bike is a great pick for those who are willing to spend a tad more money in order to properly track their workouts and analyse their progress. It’s best for daily use, whether that be five times a week or seven times a week.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

3. JOROTO X2 Exercise Bike

The best luxury exercise bike on a budget

Image credit: JOROTO

If you want to buy something that’s impressive and also under the £500 mark, then this is the exercise bike for you. It’s pretty sizeable and looks similar to a spin bike, in our opinion. This means that it is not foldable or compact – but rest assured it will make a decent addition to a home gym. Smooth in motion, quiet when in operation and sleek in looks, this sturdy bike is made with a 50mm thickened frame tube and it has 7 levels of magnetic resistance.

In terms of actual size, it’s fully adjustable to suit a range of users. Plus, it has an extra-wide seat to ensure comfort when using for long periods. It can sit at any height from 150cm to 195cm and in total, it weighs 42.6kg with a 136kg maximum weight limit. With caged toe pedals and adjustable straps, your feet will stay exactly where you need them to be for the entirety of your workout. The best part? It sits on wheels to make it easy to move around your home or room.

With a 16kg flywheel behind it, this bike ought to provide a tough home workout. You can track your stats as you sweat thanks to its digital monitor. Refer to this for your speed, time, calories and distance.  a dual groove multi-use holder to support things that you need for exercise (such as a tablet, mobile phone, water bottle, weights, and other things), 2 transportation wheels to move easily, and multi-grips handlebar to fulfill different workout position.

Other features we love include its multi-use holder for carrying your phone, water or even some weights. It also has an emergency stop button for safety purposes that’s within easy reach while you are pedalling. Just make sure that you have enough space inside your home to store it. This is, without a doubt, our best luxury pick for those who don’t want to spend more than £500 on an exercise bike.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4. Ultrasport F-Bike and F-Rider

The best cheap exercise bike under £200

Image credit: Ultrasport

Flywheel: 1.5kg
Resistance: 8
Programmes: 0

The Ultrasport F-Bike is feature-packed yet foldable. It’s also affordable and great for smaller spaces. It comes in a range of colour options to suit your home decor, too. We’ve been using this exercise bike for a few months now, and so far we’re enjoying it. It’s definitely best for beginners, but it’s undeniably great for those who are short on storage space – and on a budget.

Foldable and lightweight, this Ultrasport bike weighs 15.5kg and when folded it measures 131cm high and 45cm wide. It’s worth noting that this bike is not on wheels, and it has a maximum user weight of 100kg. It’s pretty easy to move around your home, though, and it can slot neatly behind or under furniture.

With eight levels of adjustable resistance and a 1.5kg flywheel, this bike is better suited for beginners – or those who will be using it for a light to medium-paced workout. Whether you choose to work your way up to resistance eight or work at this level for your entire workout is up to you. Saying that, resistance can easily be tailored to you by spinning the dial in between your legs. The bike’s seat is adjustable from 78cm to 86cm. Though be aware that at this price point you can’t expect the seat to be comfortable. After around 30 minutes it may start to become a tad hard. It also has an LCD display so that you can see your time, distance, speed, calories burned and heart rate. We found this display to sometimes be inaccurate, but we always use our trusty Fitbit to track our exercise.  There are hand pulse sensors to check your heart rate, and these always seem to be bang-on.

At just over the £100 mark, this exercise bike is a bargain. It has all of the features a beginner needs, and it’s foldable so it’s great for smaller spaces. 

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

5. JLL JF100 Exercise Bike

The best cheap exercise bike that’s compact

Flywheel: 4kg
Resistance: 10 levels
Programmes: 0

The JLL JF100 is affordable, compact and it’s great for all fitness levels – though it’s not the best option for those who love a spin class as you shouldn’t stand up on it. Makers of some of the best home gym equipment out there, rest assured that JLL products will last.

Compact in size although not foldable, this exercise bike is on wheels to make it easier to move around the home. With a max user weight of 100kg and a total weight of 18.1kg, an adjustable seat and pedals. 

Offering 10 levels of magnetic resistance for total control of how hard you work, this belt-driven bike has a 4kg two-way flywheel. Ideal for use by pros and beginners alike, just don’t stand up on this upright model. It has a six-function monitor so you can see stats such as time, speed, pulse, distance and odometer.

Price-wise, this exercise bike is a great investment when you consider its features and that it can be used by all fitness levels. It’s also definitely worth the money if you have a small home yet don’t want a foldable option.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

6. Pro Fitness FEB2000 Folding Exercise Bike

The best cheap foldable exercise bike

Image credit: Pro Fitness

Flywheel: 3kg
Resistance: 8
Programmes: 0

This Pro Fitness exercise bike is without a doubt our best foldable option for those who have little to no floor space in their home to store an exercise bike inside. It’s also from Argso so that you can click and collect or get it delivered to your front door, while it comes in at a really reasonable price tag considering its features.

Foldable and compact when both upright or splayed out, this exercise bike is also on wheels – a big bonus when it comes to wheeling it into a cupboard for safe-keeping once you are finished sweating. It weighs a total of 16kgs with a 100kg weight limit. It also has an adjustable seat and self-levelling pedals. Those with an eager eye will have noticed that this bike seat comes complete with a back, for extra support when you need it the most. This means it can be used by anyone, at any age.

It also has a total of 8 levels of resistance and an impressive 3kg flywheel – this is double the weight of the Ultrasport F bike, making this bike a better option for those looking to push themselves a little harder. It’s still meant for beginners and occasional use, though you’ll probably be able to get more use out of this bike as you gain strength and get used to it. You can use this Pro Fitness bike to track your progress with help from its compact console. Here you can see everything from your workout time to distance, calories, speed and more. It also has sensors to monitor your heart rate as you work out.

In terms of price tag, this bike is only a tad more expensive than the other foldable options on our list. Something to think about if you’re tight on space and a tad more flexible with your budget. Similar to other foldable exercise bikes, we wouldn’t recommend them for everyday use but it’s undeniably perfect for occasional exercise and light use.

7. Opti Folding Magnetic Exercise Bike

The most affordable exercise bike that’s worth your money

Flywheel: 1.6kg
Resistance: 8
Programmes: 0

If you are a beginner and you don’t want to feel too overwhelmed by an exercise bike, then this Opti bike is the best option for you. 

Foldable to a very small size and also lightweight at 13.1kg, this exercise bike really is a smart buy for smaller spaces. Despite its small size and lightweight, it still has a maximum user weight of 100kg. Though it’s not on wheels…

Boasting a magnetic resistance system that can be controlled with a knob, it has a light 1.6kg flywheel. With pedal straps to keep your feet in place, as well as an adjustable seat and handlebars, it even has pulse sensors on the handles, too. A console sits in your eye line while working out, to tell you everything from your speed to the number of calories you have burned, the distance you have travelled and more.

There’s no doubt that this Opti exercise bike is worth every penny. At under £80, it’s even worth buying for sporadic use or just until gyms open again.

Ideal Home’s rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Black Friday exercise bike deals

If you’ve been waiting for Black Friday to invest in an exercise bike, then we can help you do so – and help you find one that’s worth your money. Whether it’s something for daily use or a bike for the entire family – perhaps you’re only planning on using it once a week? Here are the lowest priced exercise bikes on the web right now. Black Friday deals will be coming soon…

What should I consider before buying an exercise bike?

There are several things to consider before buying an exercise bike:

• Think about the size of the exercise bike before you buy, as well as how much space you will ideally need to use it at home. Some exercise bikes are foldable for when it comes to storing.
• Another thing to be mindful of is the exercise bike’s resistance. This is usually manual or electric. Ensure this can be adjusted by you so that the bike can be used by all fitness levels.
• Also have a look at how easy it is to change resistance, and where this can be done. Some exercise bikes will have a control on their console, while others may have a knob that will sit in between your legs.
• Consider the maximum user weight of each bike to ensure that everyone in your household can use it before you buy.
• All exercise bikes all have a flywheel – the heavier this wheel, the harder the bike will be to use. Beginner? You may want to choose a bike with a lighter flywheel.
• It’s worth noting if your new exercise bike is adjustable – we’re talking about its seat height and handlebars, as well as the pedals in some cases.
• Heart rate monitoring is another feature to look out for when choosing a bike. Some models have built-in sensors on the handlebars.
• Finding a bike that is on wheels will prove handy if you are going to be moving it back into a cupboard or corner of a room after use.
• The majority of exercise bikes have a display console so that you can see your stats while riding. If you have a fitness tracker, then you may not need this. Otherwise, this is handy as they usually sit in your eye line.

Where to buy a cheap exercise bike?

Where else to buy cheap exercise bikes? See below and click through to shop exercise bikes from low to high prices. You’ll be sure to find something to suit your budget.

• Argos cheap exercise bikes
• Amazon cheap exercise bikes
• eBay cheap exercise bikes
• Sweatband cheap exercise bikes
• John Lewis & Partners cheap exercise bikes
• Aosom cheap exercise bikes
• Decaathlon cheap exercise bikes
• OnBuy cheap exercise bikes
• Sports Direct cheap exercise bikes
• Powerhouse Fitness cheap exercise bikes

Read our exercise bike guide above to find the best option for you.

The post Best cheap exercise bikes – 7 affordable buys under £500 appeared first on Ideal Home.

Understanding solicitor fees for buying a house can feel like entering into a legal minefield. Buying a property inevitably comes with lots of technical jargon, tonnes of paperwork and a great deal of communication between different parties.

So you need to find a team you can trust to do the job effectively, efficiently and legally correctly.

‘Buying a house is likely to be the biggest transaction of your life, so choosing who will act for you is an important thing to consider,’ says Mick Fallon, Director & Conveyancing Solicitor at Howells Solicitors.

Solicitor fees for buying a house, explained

Image credit: Future Plc

This Q&A guide will breakdown solicitors fees for buying a house and the role a solicitor or conveyancer plays in the purchase of a home.

We’ve included a detailed list on what you can expect to pay for their expert services. Uncovering all the hidden costs and reveal how to choose the right expert for the job.

1. How much are solicitors’ fees for buying a house?

Costs vary from solicitor to solicitor but most charge either a percentage of the value of the property or a flat fee, which tends to work out as between £500 and £1,500. ‘

The price will usually be based on the amount of time your conveyancer believes they will need to spend on the matter, and the level of risk they think is involved,’ says James Smith, Director and Solicitor at Holden Smith.

Bear in mind that, as with most things, you get what you pay for. ‘Firms that charge very low conveyancing fees have a focus on keeping internal costs low. With very small margins, their priority is to complete as many cases as possible,’ says Mick. ‘Whereas more costly solicitors will likely have a smaller case load, enabling them to spend more time on your matter.’

Once you have a good solicitor in place you’re one step closer to planning your moving house checklist.

2. What does a solicitor do?

‘In very simple terms, they transfer the legal title of a property from one person to another,’ says James. There is lots of paperwork involved with a house purchase, with many forms to fill in and a vast amount of evidence that needs to be supplied – such as proof of identification and proof of funds. These all need to be sent off to your solicitor.

They will then work through all the paperwork, as well as obtain a draft contract and other necessary documents such as the title of deeds for the property you are buying. They will also carry out searches on the property to uncover any potential hidden risks.

‘There are often issues with adequate rights of way, consents for recent work carried out, and onerous clauses in the deeds restricting what a buyer can do with the land,’ says James. ‘They will also establish if the property you are buying is freehold or leasehold.’

‘If there is a mortgage lender, the solicitor is also expected to act for them and manage their many requirements, too,’ says James.

Once all the information is collected, your solicitor will prepare a report for you and run through any risks with you before buying. Once he or she is satisfied with their searches and answered all queries, they will advise you are ready to exchange contracts and the purchase becomes legally binding.

Image credit: Future Plc

3. How long do conveyancing searches take?

‘For the environmental, water and drainage and most other specialist searches, you would normally expect the results to be available within a week or two after your conveyancer or solicitor has submitted the request,’ says David Jabbari, CEO of UK conveyancers, Muve.

Local authority searches vary from council to council. ‘Some can usually turn around a search within a few days, while others can take a month or more,’ says David.

Something to currently bear in mind is that staff shortages and disruptions linked to Covid-19 are currently affecting the speed at which searches can be undertaken. ‘A number of councils are currently taking a lot longer than usual to process search requests, sometimes by as much as three months,’ he warns.

4. What are conveyancing disbursements?

These are third party costs incurred by your solicitor which the buyer has to pay, and are separate to solicitor fees. ‘Your solicitor will need to download deeds from the Land Registry, for example, and submit searches with the local authority, all of which incurs a cost,’ says James.

5. Are there any additional fees that I have to pay?

There are unavoidable searches and fees which must be done to complete the house-buying process. ‘This will include stamp duty tax, local authority searches for things like planning applications, environmental, water and drainage searches, indemnity insurance, land registry fees, bankruptcy searches and bank transfer fees,’ says Mick.

Mick suggests requesting a breakdown of solicitor fees for buying a house so you know exactly what amounts of money are going where.

James agrees: ‘It’s always a good idea to discuss your case with your preferred solicitor. And ask them to make you aware of any areas where additional costs could be incurred before you instruct them,’ he says.

Image credit: Future Plc

6.  When should I pay my solicitor?

‘Like with most things, you tend to pay a small amount upfront to your solicitor and then the remaining amount is due once the process is complete and you’ve exchanged on the new house,’ says Pete Mugleston, MD and Money Expert at Online Money Advisor.

However, all firms work slightly differently. Some might ask for small increments to cover costs throughout the process and some solicitors will work on a no completion, no fee, basis.

Make sure you’re aware of how the solicitor you choose is going to bill you. ‘Doing a bit of research before committing to anything is a good idea, so that you can find a firm that fits your financial constraints,’ says Mick.

7. What are the solicitor fees for buying a house with cash?

Technically, you could save money on some conveyancing fees when purchasing a house with cash by omitting the searches usually required by a mortgage provider. Such as affordability checks and valuations.

However, although optional, make sure you’re not leaving yourself in a vulnerable position. ‘With less legal processes involved, it’s possible that potential issues to the property that would normally arise during normal legal checks won’t become apparent when paying with cash,’ says Mick.

Image credit: Future Plc

8. How do I choose the right solicitor?

Research is key in finding the right person to handle the legalities for your house purchase and recommendations are a good place to start.

‘Your bank or mortgage broker will likely be able to recommend someone they work with, and it’s also worth asking family and friends for recommendations, too,’ says Nicola Schutrups, Managing Director at The Mortgage Hut.

Make sure you feel comfortable talking with your chosen solicitor. ‘Ask questions about who will be dealing with your file. What experience does that person have? And how you will be contacted and kept updated throughout the transaction,’ says James.

‘There is nothing worse on the day of completion than trying to find out where your keys are and having to speak to a call centre with – an unknown person who is not familiar with your file.’

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