Exercise bikes and ergometers are the classic home exercise machines. Their smooth rotation is easy on the joints and places significantly less stress on the knees than does jogging, for example.

Ergometers, unlike conventional exercise bikes, are adjusted electronically and convince with very precise intensity control and high display accuracy. According to national and European standard DIN EN 957-1/5 ergometers must show the user's performance in watts, exercise bikes may indicate an intensity level only. Because of strict precision requirements, ergometer bikes are well suited to the demands of physical therapy.

Recent Stiftung Warentest test results:
Fit for Fun's 12/2008 issue presents the results from their latest ergometer test!
Various exercise bikes with intensity display (ergometer) and one recumbent bike were tested. Some criteria tested were, among others: quality of the training, handling, safety, features etc. Stiftung Warentest rated the following ergometers "GOOD" :

1st place: Daum ergo_bike Premium 8, mark: 2,0
2nd place: Kettler Ergometer X3, mark: 2,1
3rd place: Reebok B 5.7e ergometer and Buffalo Montreux ergometer, mark: 2,2
4th place: Finnlo 3176 Exum XT egometer, mark: 2,3 (we sell the improved version Finnlo Exum XTR Snow with an extremely comfortable saddle and a handy drinking bottle holder!)

The only recumbent ergometer tested was the Kettler RX7 recumbent ergometer with a "GOOD" and mark 2,2. Kettler's recumbent bike convinced with its easy entry/exit and support handles on either side. The Kettler RX7 recumbent ergometer is also recommended for back problems.

The Daum ergo_bike Premium 8's uncompromising features, quality and technology provide a superb feel during the workout. The extra low entry, smooth motion, diverse programmes, data storage on the memory card and much more round off the test winner's overall impression. The Daum ergo_bike Premium 8 is suitable for sports and therapeutic use.
The Kettler X3 ergometer has a very good price/performance ratio. Its electronics, mechanics and ergonomics are perfectly attuned and ensure a varied training.
Both ergometers already meet highest safety requirements which are not in place yet but will be soon. Should the heart rate signal be lost for example, the ergometer's resistance will be reduced after one minute at the latest!
The tested Kettler X3 ergometer's successor is the Kettler X5 ergometer. It also cnvinces with integrated heart rate control and a PC interface. Compared to the Kettler X3 ergometer, the Kettler X5 ergometer has a notably sturdier frame and very low frame entry. This ensures easy access even for the elderly.

Different ergometers, just like any kind of sports equipment, have great feature differences:

Braking system, watt display: All featured ergometers have a magnetic braking system (some eddy current, some induction) which controls the resistance; the output is a lot more precise than that of exercise bikes as ergometers are standardised and electronically adjusted precisely, which is why the output in watts may be indicated.
Rotation speed dependent ergometers merely indicate the current the current output in watts. Rotation independent ergometers enable the user to choose the wattage; the faster the user the more the resistance decreases; the lower the speed the more the resistance increases, this keeps the user at the predetermined resistance level. Therefore, an rpm-independent ergometer enables the user exercise in a precise and comfortable way having set the output him/herself (or the output having been set by one's GP). As a result, these models are very suitable for therapeutic and rehabilitative use, cardiovascular training and even for top sports.

Console: As the price increases the variety of function increases. Higher-quality equipment furthermore provides stored exercise programmes.

Flywheel: Generally applies: The heavier the flywheel, the smoother runs the piece of equipment. Exemptions are ergometers from Tunturi's T-Series and Daum Ergobikes as they achieve precise running even with a lighter flywheel due to a high rotation speed.