Since the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic when gyms closed and people struggled to workout, it’s natural that people have become more interested in home gym equipment. One of the best workout activities is cycling. To replicate the experience indoors, the bike needs to have a resistance system. When you’re considering an indoor cycling bike, magnetic vs friction exercise bike models will be the main choice. They are very different, and we will take a closer look at them in this brief guide.
What is Magnetic Resistance?
When you investigate the magnetic vs friction exercise bike differences, you will notice that more models are starting to use a magnetic resistance system. To create resistance the system uses magnets. The most basic design would have a pair of magnets in a parallel configuration with the flywheel mounted in the center.
The flywheel is metal, it acts as a conductor, and it spins through the magnetic fields of the two magnets. This creates an eddy current, and the name is derived from the eddy swirling motion that you may notice in a stream. This energy flows within a closed-loop circuit which is situated in a perpendicular orientation to the magnetic field.
The resistance knob can be turned to increase or decrease the magnetic resistance to make the pedaling easier or harder. As the knob is turned, the magnets are moved closer to or further away from the flywheel. As the magnets get closer, the magnetic field is increased, the resistance is higher and vice versa.
What is Friction Resistance?
Up until recently friction resistance has been the standard for indoor exercise bikes. Friction occurs when two different objects slide past each other in close proximity. In an exercise bike, this is achieved with fabric covered pads that are applied directly to the flywheel.
Squeezing those pads against the flywheel can increase or decrease resistance as required. The pads are positioned on both sides of the flywheel, and they are moved closer or further away when the resistance knob is turned. The most common pad material is cotton, but some bikes even have leather pads.
Magnetic vs Friction Exercise Bike
When you look at Magnetic vs Friction Exercise Bike alternatives, it’s easy to see that they are both designed to perform the same function. But, they work in fundamentally different ways and this affects the following characteristics:
The Feel of Riding an Indoor Exercise Bike
Getting the correct feel when you’re cycling indoors is important and these two resistance systems feel very different. The magnetic resistance system has a barely perceptible lag from when the resistance knob is turned and when that resistance is applied. For a cyclist that is accustomed to the feel of a real bike or a friction resistance system, they can feel strange, and it does take time to adjust to the difference.
The friction resistance exercise bikes offer an experience that is closer to a real road bike ride. The resistance changes are instant when the knob is turned and the changes are smooth and consistent.
The Sound of the Exercise Bike
When you ride an indoor exercise bike, and you can hear a whoosh noise then you’re riding a friction resistance bike. The sound is the pads applying direct pressure to the spinning flywheel. A magnetic resistance bike makes no sound, the flywheel is spinning through magnetic fields and there is no direct contact. If you enjoy the feel of magnetic resistance and you need a quiet bike this is the ideal option.
The Exercise Bike Resistance
Most indoor friction resistance bikes don’t have a clear way to identify the resistance level settings. This is a flexible approach; the rider simply adds or subtracts resistance as required during the ride. Magnetic resistance systems have a monitor that will identify the resistance level used and these levels can vary depending on the manufacturer. The more elaborate magnetic resistance models can have up to 100 different levels of resistance. This system is well suited to an experienced rider that wants to set goals to strive for during their next ride.
Maintenance of an Indoor Cycle
The initial purchase price is a significant factor when deciding between the various types of exercise bikes and their resistance systems. But, there are ongoing maintenance costs to keep the bike running at optimal efficiency. When you choose between Magnetic vs Friction Exercise Bike models, there are a couple of things to bear in mind.
Friction resistance models need more resistance over time when compared to a magnetic alternative. The friction resistance systems use a front mounted flywheel, and this is in the “sweat zone” where we work hardest. When we sweat, it can drip onto the mechanical components below and it can cause corrosion problems. The fabric pads that meet the flywheel will need to be changed every 6-12 months because they wear out.
Magnetic resistance bikes don’t have components that require frequent replacement. No direct friction is used to create the resistance, and this means that there are no pads to wear out. The flywheel can be front, or rear mounted depending on the brand and model. Those with rear flywheels are less prone to sweat based erosion and corrosion. So, it’s fair to say that magnetic resistance exercise bikes require less maintenance than friction models.
Magnetic vs Friction Exercise Bike Purchase Price
Magnetic resistance bikes tend to be more expensive than a friction-based alternative. They are more expensive to manufacture, and this cost is passed on to the end user. If you have a tighter budget, a friction resistance bike with good reviews may be preferable.
Magnetic vs Friction Exercise Bike Which is Best?
As you can see, there are considerable differences when you compare Magnetic vs Friction Exercise Bike models. It would be fair to say that on average magnetic indoor bikes are better. But they cost more, and it takes time to get used to them. Choosing a magnetic bike with a heavier flywheel weight delivers a smooth, noise free and challenging workout at home. Friction exercise bikes deliver a more genuine riding experience, they are less expensive, but they are much noisier. The felt pads need to be changed every 6-12 months or the resistance is diminished, and the power output is compromised. The final choice is yours to make, and we hope that this guide has helped.