 You deserve a recumbent bike that will not be hard on your back or knees just because you are tall.
If you are just like me then you know how hard it can be for a tall person sometimes. Finding the perfect pair of jeans, shoes and even car can be such a hassle for tall people like us.
Recumbent bikes are no easier. You really have to dig deep to find the perfect bike that won’t make your knees weirdly bend or just simply leave your back aching in all sorts of places.
Luckily for you, I’ve gone through all that trouble for you. I’ve researched on all the countless recumbent bikes available to find the best ones for tall people. Here is a look at the best recumbent bikes for a tall person.
8 Best Recumbent Bikes for a Tall Person- A comparison table
Model |
Resistance Levels |
Weight Capacity |
Action |
Exerpeutic 900XL |
8 |
300lbs |
|
Schwinn Recumbent Bike Series (270) |
25 |
300lbs |
|
Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RB4708 |
8 |
350lbs |
|
Marcy ME-709 Recumbent Bike |
8 |
300lbs |
|
Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR |
8 |
400lbs |
|
Nautilus R616 |
25 |
300lbs |
|
Schwinn A20 |
8 |
275lbs |
8 Best Recumbent Bikes for a Tall Person
Exerpeutic 900XL- Our best pick
[amazon box=”B07NDJFB2D” template=”horizontal” ]The 900XL is easily our top pick because it is designed to fit even the really tall users.
Specs
- Wide height range of 5’3â€-6’6â€
- Maximum weight capacity is 300lbs
- Precision based flywheel and a V-belt drive mechanism
Exerpeutic 900XL is the best for tall people because it can be easily adjusted for a wide height range. The seat, for instance, can be adjusted for users who are 5’3â€-6’6â€. Once assembled, you also get an efficient workout with this bike. It has an 8 level tension system that can be tweaked for a challenging workout.
To add, Exerpeutic 900XL comes with all the fancy tech-features you would expect in a really expensive bike. For example, you can use the MyCloudFitness app with this bike to monitor your workouts. Through the app, you can track the calories you have burned as well as the time and distance you are hitting.
Pros
- Durable, heavy-duty frame
- Offers a smooth yet high-torque ride
Cons
- Only comes with a 1-year warranty
Verdict
While other recumbent bikes offer a longer warranty, Exerpeutic 900XL is worth the purchase because it has the optimal design for tall people.
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Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike Series- Comes with many workout programs
[amazon box=”B01MS7EWR9″ template=”horizontal” ]The Schwinn bike series has many well-rated and reputable recumbent bikes. One of its top contenders is the Schwinn 270. While its one of the pricier ones in this series, it is really worth the buy.
Specs
- Maximum weight capacity is 300lbs
- Comes with 29 workout programs you can choose from
- Two LCD display monitors
- Can be adjusted for users who are 5’0â€-6’3â€
Schwinn 270 is a sturdily built bike. It can comfortably handle up to 300lbs. Also, no matter your fitness skills, you are bound to get a pumped workout from this bike. It comes with 29 workout programs to keep you interested as you ride. The programs include 9 for heart rate control, 2 fitness tests as well as others on recovery, quick start and profile workouts. It even comes with a fan to keep you cool.
Another winning feature of the Schwinn 270 is that you can set your individual fitness goals and then track how well you are working towards them. This bike allows up to four users to set their goals on it.
Schwinn 270 also comes with the tech-features you would need. It has a USB port to charge your phone or tablet. You can also use the MP3 input to ride along to your favourite playlist. Do keep in mind that you need to plug this bike into an electrical outlet.
Pros
- Works smoothly and quietly
- Sturdy and durable build
- Easy to adjust so that you are comfortable
Cons
- Does not come with replacement parts
Verdict
Schwinn 270 is the best recumbent bike because while it is quite expensive, you get the high-end features to match. It also has Bluetooth connectivity and other tech-specs to make your workouts something you can look forward to.
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Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4708- Offers a full-body workout
[amazon box=”B072JHYQGC” template=”horizontal” ]With a high weight capacity and adjustable settings to fit tall people, the SF-RB4708 is a good buy from Sunny Health and Fitness.
Specs
- 8 levels of resistance
- Maximum weight capacity is 350lbs
- Can be adjusted for users who are between 5’0†and 6’5â€
SF-RB4708 comes with 8 levels of resistance. Depending on your fitness level, you can go for a challenging workout or a less intense one. To add, you can get a full-body workout with the SF-RB4708.
It comes with arm exercisers to make sure you are toning your upper body as you cycle to work your lower muscles. This in turn means that you can get even more calories burned if you use both exercises.
This recumbent bike is also a good buy for tall riders because of its oversized back and seat. You get to experience a comfortable workout on this bike as it is large enough to support the upright and correct posture. The adjustable pedals and seat are also notable features. The Sunny health SF-RB4708 is designed to keep you at an optimal distance from all its features.
Pros
- Comes with moveable handlebars
- Offers a smooth, quiet ride
- Reasonably priced
- Easily adjustable to be a good fit for a wide variety of height ranges
Cons
- Assembly process can be a tad hard for some
- Needs some maintenance (grease) every so often
Verdict
While the Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RB4708 does have its imperfections, its maximum weight capacity easily makes it good value for money. It is easily adjustable, durable and can handle users who weigh up to 350lbs.
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Marcy ME 709- Reasonably priced bike that is designed to work smoothly
[amazon box=”B002KV1MJU” template=”horizontal” ]Marcy ME 709 is one of the lowest priced recumbent bikes that does not compromise on its quality. It is designed for tall users as well as those on the heavier side.
Specs
- Heavy duty steel tubing frame (14 gauge)
- Maximum weight capacity is 300lbs
- Counterbalanced pedals
While it does not fold, Marcy ME 709 works well for people with smaller spaces because it has a set of transportation wheels. Once you are done working out, you can easily move this recumbent bike from one room to another. Marcy ME 709 also comes with a wide range of adjustments that makes it a good fit in this list. For example, seat and pedals are adjustable.
To add, Marcy ME 709 hass with 8 levels of resistance. Depending on the kind of workout you want, you can tweak the resistance levels using the tension tightening knob. You can monitor how you are progressing using the large display monitor. It shows the stats you need to keep track of like the speed and calories you are hitting.
Pros
- Can be easily assembled and mounted
- Easy to read LCD screen
- Runs quietly and smoothly
Cons
- Seat could use more padding
- Does not come with a pulse monitor
Verdict
Overall, this bike has many pros. An added plus is it comes with an affordable price tag.
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Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR- Folding recumbent exercise bike with wide variety
[amazon box=”B01MTUKQMU” template=”horizontal” ]This is a foldable bike that is a popular choice given its reasonable pricing and high weight capacity.
Specs
- Designed for users who are up to 400lbs
- Can be adjusted to fit users between 5’2†and 6’5â€
- 3-piece cranking system (high-torque)
Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR is an easy-to-assemble bike. Depending on your height, you can easily adjust the parts to make it as comfortable as can be for you. Its wide range of 5’2†to 6’5†means its ideal for tall people.
It also comes with 8 levels of resistance that you can easily flick through to get the kind of workout you want. With the LCD display, this bike helps you keep track of your progress. Using the hand pulse grips, Exerpeutic Gold also has a heart rate monitor.
Finally, the Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR is an excellent option because it is a comfortable fit for riders who are up to 400lbs.
Pros
- Compact sized and easily folds to half its size
- Works quietly and smoothly
- Comes with a large backrest and seat
Cons
- Seat is a tad uncomfortable
Verdict
Apart from the back rest that is not well-ventilated, Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR is good value for money.
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Nautilus R616- High-end recumbent bike
[amazon box=”B077GLLLWY” template=”horizontal” ]Costing around $500, Nautilus R616 is quite pricey but it does come jammed with premium features.
Specs
- 25 levels of magnetic resistance
- 29 built-in workout programs
- Works with users who are 5’0â€-6’3â€
Nautilus R616 comes with 2 LCD displays that show up to 13 workout stats. To add, this recumbent bike helps you keep your workouts interesting. You can choose from the 29 workout programs that are in-built. It also has 25 resistance levels to fit all riders no matter there fitness skills.
Finally, Nautilus R616 is good for tall people because of its adjustability features. The seat and backrest can all be adjusted to fit.
Pros
- Easy to assemble and use
- Sturdy and stable
- Wide range of workout programs to choose from
Cons
- Does not come with a chest strap
Verdict
Nautilus R616 is an all-round premium quality bike. The only drawback is that it cannot be folded but it is easy to move around because of its transportation wheels.
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Schwinn A20- Comes with 7 preset workout programs
[amazon box=”B00D4LEG3O” template=”horizontal” ]Beyond being ideal for tall people, this recumbent bike has quality features like its LCD display and collapsible frame.
Specs
- 8 levels of magnetic resistance
- Adjustable fan (three-speed)
- MP3 input, USB port
- Maximum user weight is 265lbs
Schwinn A20 is ideal if you are tight on space. It is a compact recumbent bike and it has a collapsible frame. The wheels attached to it also makes it easy to have it stowed away.
This recumbent bike also helps you keep track of your workouts. You can check how many calories you have burned as well as the speed, time and distance you are doing on the LCD display.
If you are feeling low on motivation, this Schwinn bike comes with 7 workouts that you can flick through. You can also use the MP3 input to ride along to your favourite workout music.
The built-in speaker works well for this. With its goal track technology, up to two users can load their fitness goals on it. You can also sync this bike with the Schwinn Trainer app and MyFitnessPal for added tracking of your sessions.
Like other Schwinn bikes, do note that you need to connect this bike to a power outlet. Luckily, they do not take up too much electricity.
Pros
- Works great for people who do not have a lot of space
- Comfortable yet sturdily built
- Designed to be a good fit for tall people
Cons
- Electric cord is quite short
- Only allows two user profiles
Verdict
While this bike only allows two users to load their profiles, it easily makes up for this drawback with other features. It has Goal Track capability, an adjustable fan, USB port and MP3 input.
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What to consider before purchasing Best Recumbent Bikes for a Tall Person
Stability
Even if you are not one to go for highly-intense workouts where you really hit the pedal hard, you should not compromise on stability. You should go for a recumbent bike that does not wobble around as you workout. One way to make sure you are getting a really stable bike is to check if it is designed to support your weight. Also, the bike’s center of mass ought to be as low as can be to maximize on stability.
A recumbent bike usually reclines so you want to go for one that can comfortably do that.
Adjustability
One of the keyto look out for in a recumbent bike is adjustability. This is especially true if you are a tall person. Some of the parts that need to be easily adjustable include: height of the seat and backrest, seat distance from the pedals and the seat’s back angle.
A proper recumbent bike is one that is adjustable to comfortable fit your body no matter how tall you are.
Comfort
Right off the bat, recumbent bikes are designed to be comfortable. This is one thing you should not compromise on no matter the product you settle for. First, you want a bike that has a well-padded seat so that you are not left feeling sore after lenghty workouts. Secondly, you should go for a seat that is well ventilated. Pedals that can be adjusted to give you a snug fit is also an added bonus.
Accessories
Beyond the features you require from a recumbent bike, it would not hurt to go for one with accessories. For instance, a recumbent bike that comes with a water bottle holder usually proves handy. MP3 inputs and USB ports are other additional features that can go a long way in making one recumbent bike standout from another. For example, the Schwinn 270 comes with all the fancy features like a 3-speed fan, Bluetooth connectivity and a charging USB port.
To add, consider going for a recumbent bike that comes with loaded workout programs to remove the boring out of indoor cycling.
Warranty
While this might not be the first thing you look at in a recumbent bike, it should be something you fully consider. You should go for a company that stands by its products and offers a long enough warranty. The Schwinn bike series, for instance, usually offers a 10 year warranty on its frame. A good quality budget bike should also offer at least 1 year warranty.
Conclusion
Getting the most comfortable and efficient indoor equipment for tall people can be quite hectic. I hope that after going through this guide you are better off at finding the best recumbent bike for you. In this article, I have listed many quality options ranging from the high-end ones to those that are more affordable. I have also expounded on the features you should look out for in a proper recumbent bike.
With all these in mind, you can rest easy knowing that you can find the best recumbent bike for tall people. A well-designed recumbent bike should be one that can accommodate your entire height as well as be comfortable and efficient to hit your fitness goals.
FAQ’s
-
How do you check if a recumbent bike is good for a tall person?
The right recumbent bike for a tall person is one which is comfortable and takes care of these sensitive areas of your body. You should also go for one that has a tall enough back. The pedal straps and seat also ought to be easily adjustable to fit all heights
-
Are recumbent bikes ideal for tall people?
Unlike most of the other indoor cycling equipment, recumbent bikes are designed to make your workouts efficient and easy for tall people as well. Also, recumbent bikes are ideal for tall people because they are gentle on the back and knees.
-
Do these recumbent bikes require maintenance?
Yes. With minimal maintenance like greasing, you can make them last longer.