Challenging Convention: Comparing the Sway Movement of a New Type of Indoor Cycle
While indoor cycles have been barely-differentiated copies of one another since the original design was created in the 1980's, some companies have decided to branch out into unknown waters (known as the rest of your body above the waist). These innovative new products attempt to make indoor cycling more realistic and more effective by adding additional movements to the mechanics of the bikes. The indoor cycles that are trying to replicate the sway motion of outdoor bikes are the Real Ryder, Evo Fitness Bike, and Trixter.
Each bike promises to take indoor cycling to new, functional levels with the additional movement. The need to make indoor cycling more dynamic is evidenced by the practice of some trainers who have tried to compensate for the lack of core and upper body engagement by adding weights or hopping off their indoor cycles to incorporate another form of training.
Each of these indoor cycles is unique in how they achieve the sway movement. Here we will examine each one and some of the benefits of using their indoor cycles versus fixed framed bikes.
Trixter X-Bike
The Trixter X-Bike uses a patented handlebar mechanism that moves from side to side as you ride. Unlike the Evo Fitness Bike or the Real Ryder, this is the only swaying system that allows different levels of resistance. The company claims that this additional resistance recruits core and upper body movements. The Trixter X-Bike is also the only indoor cycle that isolates the handlebars from the rest of the indoor cycle; both the Evo Fitness Bike and the Real Ryder allow the entire frame to move.
Real Ryder
The Real Ryder uses its "Articulating Bicycle Frame" to create a swaying movement that incorporates the entire indoor cycle. To sway the bike, you simply turn the handlebars from one direction to the other. As you turn, the entire frame swings out underneath you, leaning your body to either direction. This movement seems to be more akin to leaning into a turn rather than balancing upright.
Evo Fitness Bike
The Evo Fitness Bike also incorporates the sway motion into the entire indoor cycle frame, but achieves the movement in a different way than the Real Ryder. While the Real Ryder has multiple pivot points, the Evo Fitness Bike only has one. The sway movement is achieved through the use of urethane pads that "push" off the frame as you balance and pedal. The movement allows 10 degrees of sway to either side. Unlike the Real Ryder and the Trixter, the handlebar cannot move in relation to the frame.
It's difficult to say which of these indoor cycles incorporates the most effective, realistic swaying movement unless you try them all. Check them out at the next big fitness expo or see if your local fitness store has them in stock and give them a shot!
While indoor cycles have been barely-differentiated copies of one another since the original design was created in the 1980's, some companies have decided to branch out into unknown waters (known as the rest of your body above the waist). These innovative new products attempt to make indoor cycling more realistic and more effective by adding additional movements to the mechanics of the bikes. The indoor cycles that are trying to replicate the sway motion of outdoor bikes are the Real Ryder, Evo Fitness Bike, and Trixter.
Each bike promises to take indoor cycling to new, functional levels with the additional movement. The need to make indoor cycling more dynamic is evidenced by the practice of some trainers who have tried to compensate for the lack of core and upper body engagement by adding weights or hopping off their indoor cycles to incorporate another form of training.
Each of these indoor cycles is unique in how they achieve the sway movement. Here we will examine each one and some of the benefits of using their indoor cycles versus fixed framed bikes.
Trixter X-Bike
The Trixter X-Bike uses a patented handlebar mechanism that moves from side to side as you ride. Unlike the Evo Fitness Bike or the Real Ryder, this is the only swaying system that allows different levels of resistance. The company claims that this additional resistance recruits core and upper body movements. The Trixter X-Bike is also the only indoor cycle that isolates the handlebars from the rest of the indoor cycle; both the Evo Fitness Bike and the Real Ryder allow the entire frame to move.
Real Ryder
The Real Ryder uses its "Articulating Bicycle Frame" to create a swaying movement that incorporates the entire indoor cycle. To sway the bike, you simply turn the handlebars from one direction to the other. As you turn, the entire frame swings out underneath you, leaning your body to either direction. This movement seems to be more akin to leaning into a turn rather than balancing upright.
Evo Fitness Bike
The Evo Fitness Bike also incorporates the sway motion into the entire indoor cycle frame, but achieves the movement in a different way than the Real Ryder. While the Real Ryder has multiple pivot points, the Evo Fitness Bike only has one. The sway movement is achieved through the use of urethane pads that "push" off the frame as you balance and pedal. The movement allows 10 degrees of sway to either side. Unlike the Real Ryder and the Trixter, the handlebar cannot move in relation to the frame.
It's difficult to say which of these indoor cycles incorporates the most effective, realistic swaying movement unless you try them all. Check them out at the next big fitness expo or see if your local fitness store has them in stock and give them a shot!