Turn Bike Into Stationary Bike (Everything You Need to Know!)

If you love riding your bike outdoors as part of your regular fitness routine, but the weather outside is stopping you from taking your ride, you can easily turn bike into stationary bike. By doing so you can ride your bike any time and stay in shape in all weather.

Riding a bike is a great form of exercise because apart from burning lots of calories, you also get to enjoy the scenery and breathe in the countryside air. But when the weather gets bad, your bike has to stay in the garage and you can’t enjoy your daily rides. You may not have the money to spend on a stationary bike that you can use when the weather gets rough outside, you can turn your normal bike into a stationary bike by using stationary bike stands.

Benefits of using a stationary bike

Apart from allowing you to continue with a sport you enjoy, temporarily converting your bike into a stationary bike has its own benefits.

• It’s a very good way of burning calories.
• It’s also a great way of keeping yourself healthy by getting the recommended 75-150 minutes of moderate-intense cardio per week regardless of the weather outside.
• This form of regular aerobic activity can help improve your mood, stamina, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, strengthen your immune system, and it makes you feel good.

How to turn bike into stationary bike

If you’re not so handy with the toolbox, you’ll need a trainer or a compatible stand because the stand will depend on the bike you have. Like mountain bikes and road bikes require different stands because of the different sizes of their wheel, so you don’t want your wheels to be too small for the stand because you can slip off and hurt yourself. There are two types of stationary bike stands;

One is a trainer that clamps your bike’s back wheel leaving the front wheel free to move. There are more advanced stands that have a resistance feature that contains fluid-filled chambers that mimic that resistance you would get if you were riding outdoors.

The other is the roller bike stand that elevates the bike leaving both wheels free to spin. This is for the more advanced cyclist but is less stable than the trainer. When using the roller, it’s best to place two chairs on both sides or in the doorway to help you when getting on and off the bike. You can easily lose balance so pedal at a steady pace.

Get a good location

Find the perfect spot in your home that has enough space for your bike and also space to mount the bike. If possible the space should be level and without a carpet. The space will allow you to easily assemble the stand parts, as some stands are on two parts while others are just one piece. This will prevent any injuries or damage while you exercise. A level floor that has no rugs or carpet reduces your risk of slips and falls.

Assemble the stands

Most bike stands are very easy to assemble while some come already assembled. A bike stand that requires assembling will come with instructions that you can easily follow and you’re ready to go. Ensure that all the bolts and screws are tightly secured in place for your safety, but not too tight to cause rubbing or failure of the bearings on your bike.

Install the bike

After you’ve ensured the stand is properly assembled and secure, it’s time to install your bike on the stand. Place the rear wheel of your bike on the stand and use the clamps on either side of the stationary stand to secure the wheel and make sure you attach them properly to hold the wheel firmly in place.

Turn the pedals with your hand to test if the wheel is moving and make sure there is no imbalance in the bike. If your stand has a front-wheel component, fix it in front and place your wheel in place, but if the trainer doesn’t have one, place a towel or a cloth underneath the front wheel to catch your sweat as you ride and also prevent dirt and mud from your bike’s front tire being deposited on your floor.

Inspect your work

After you’ve assembled and mounted your bike on its stand, it’s time to take a step back and inspect your work. Ensure that your bike is evenly mounted. If there is a slight dip in the front or back wheels of your bike, reposition them so that they’re evenly aligned. Ensure that you double-check all the bolts and screws to make sure they’re properly tightened for your safety. Your bike should be positioned at the center of the stand, but if it’s leaning on one side, make sure you correct it before using it.

Try out the bike

After assembling the bike, now it’s time to take your first ride. Be careful and support yourself with either the couch or a chair and before you start pedaling, make sure that the bike is stable enough. Whichever bike stand you’re using, don’t try to steer, relax your grip and just pedal.

If need be, make sure you can shift gears which will give you more resistance. During this test run, check to see if there is enough room for you to freely move when pedaling, movement of the rear wheel, the rotation, etc. by setting all the parameters correctly, you can easily operate the bike.

Final thoughts

Turn bike into a stationary bike is an easy DIY exercise that you can carry out in your garage or bedroom if you’re trying to turn your normal bike into a stationary bike. With the right parts and a bit of creativity, you can easily turn your bike into an exercise bike and continue enjoying riding your bike even if the weather outside is chilly, snowy, rainy, or too hot. This is also an excellent way of keeping fit before you can venture out again with your bike.