First, before the inevitable discussions on cost, let’s look at the reasons for getting a stationary bike. You don’t have to hit the road in inclement weather and if you live in the city you get to avoid traffic and exhaust fumes. They are not a substitute for road or trail riding but they are a good way to get regular practice when you don’t have time to hit the road.

The RealRyder ABF8 Stationary Bike takes it up a notch from a lot of the models that are on the market, it is more of a mechanical simulator, allowing riders to practice leaning and steering as well as cycling. It is a pretty good effort, but there is a but.

A stationary bike that can steer is all well and good, but I don’t really see how it is going to improve a person’s steering unless there is visual feedback. I would like to see some of the better stationary bike manufacturers team up to create a quality software package that would turn good quality stationary bike into a totally kickass simulator. The costs would be too prohibitive to make it worthwhile for one company to go it alone, but get a few of them together and it would most certainly be worthwhile.

Price: $1,995 [Oh Gizmo via Coolest Gadgets]

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