Related: Spin Bike vs Exercise Bike: What
I've been teaching spin for fourteen years, and my garage is a graveyard of bikes that came with garbage accessories. I've seen riders quit because their phone bounced off the handlebars mid-sprint, or their seat felt like a brick wrapped in sandpaper.
The right accessories can save a ride, and the wrong ones can turn a ~$1,200 bike into a clothes rack.
I tested a pile of the most popular add-ons over three months, riding five days a week, sweating through every one.
The best overall is the WILD MAN phone mount bag, but at 0.5 pounds it's not the lightest option out there.
WILD MAN Bike Phone Mount Bag, Waterproof Mountain Bike Accessories with 3D Hard EVA & TPU Touch Screen for Phones Under 6.5'
Rock-solid on the handlebars, waterproof, fits every phone
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Exercise Bike Tablet Holder
Enhance your indoor cycling experience with this exercise bike tablet holder, designed to mount securely on top of your bike’s display. It provides a convenient way to watch workout classes, virtual r
Visit on Amazon →
ANZOME Bike Seat Cushion, Wide Foam & Extra Soft Gel Exercise Bike Seat Cushion for Women Men Everyone, Compatible with Cruiser, Stationary Bike, Exercise Bike, Fit Wide 8.5-10in(Rain Cover Included)
Enhance your indoor cycling experience with this exercise bike tablet holder, designed to mount securely on top of your bike’s display. It provides a convenient way to watch workout classes, virtual r
Visit on Amazon →How I tested
I didn't test these in a lab. I tested them in my converted garage with Finn, my 65-pound lab mix, snoring in the corner. I rode 50-mile weeks on my Keiser M3 and my beat-up Sunny, alternating between the accessories every few days.
I did standing sprints at full resistance, I did 90 RPM climbs, and I dripped enough sweat to corrode a lesser bike.
I also packed the phone mount and tablet holder into my gym bag, carried them to the studio, and used them on the commercial Keisers there.
Three months of this. I checked for rust, for loose screws, for anything that felt like it would snap mid-class.
Some of these accessories earned their keep. Some of them are going in the trash.
Analysis & test results
Every accessory was tested on the same four things: stability, sweat resistance, ease of use, and whether I'd trust it with a student's expensive phone. The phone mounts had to survive my sprint intervals, where I'm out of the saddle and the bike is shaking.
The seat cushions had to survive a 45-minute climb without me wanting to cry. The tablet holders had to hold a 12.9-inch iPad without wobbling, because a wobbling iPad is a distraction, and a distraction is how you skip a ride.
The WILD MAN mount won because it's the only one that didn't move. Not a millimeter. The rubber straps grip the handlebars like a vice, and the clear touchscreen window means I can actually use my phone without taking it out.
It's waterproof, which matters when I'm dripping enough to fill a water bottle. The downside? It's a bit of a brick.
If you want something sleek, this isn't it. But if you want something that works, this is it.
The Qsxou tablet holder is a different beast. It's designed for bikes with screen-top consoles, like the Peloton or the Echelon, where the tablet sits on a flat surface above the handlebars. It clamps on tight and holds an iPad Pro without any wobble, even when I'm sprinting.
But if you have round handlebars, it won't fit. And the plastic feels a little cheap, like it might crack if you over-tighten it.
For ~$30, it's a solid pick if your bike has the right setup.
The ANZOME seat cushion is the budget hero. For under ~$20, it transforms a torture device into something you can actually sit on for 45 minutes. The memory foam and gel combo absorbs the shock, and the cover is sweat-resistant.
But it adds two inches of height, which threw off my saddle position at first. I had to lower my seat to compensate.
And it wiggles a little when you're out of the saddle, which is annoying. But for the price, it's a no-brainer if your stock seat is killing you.
Best Overall
I've tried a dozen phone mounts over the years. Most of them are janky plastic contraptions that let my phone bounce around like a jackhammer. The WILD MAN is different. The rubber straps are thick and grippy, and they wrap around the handlebars in a way that doesn't budge.
I rode a 90-minute class with my phone in the mount, following a training app, and it didn't move a single millimeter.
The clear touchscreen window is responsive enough to swipe between screens, and the waterproofing held up against my sweat, which is basically a fire hose.
The bag itself has room for my keys, a gel pack, and a phone. The zipper is sturdy, and the whole thing feels like it'll last longer than the bike it's attached to. The only downside is the bulk. It's not sleek. If you're the type who wants a minimal setup, this might feel like too much. But if you want a mount that actually works, this is it. At ~$25, it's a steal.
Best for Screen-Top Bikes
This one surprised me. I was skeptical of the plastic construction, but the Qsxou snapped onto my studio's Peloton like it was made for it. The clamp is adjustable, and it held my 12.9-inch iPad Pro without any wobble, even during a standing sprint.
The tablet sits at eye level, which is perfect for following a class or watching a movie. The padding on the clamp prevents scratches, and the whole thing is surprisingly stable.
The catch? It only works with screen-top bikes. If you have a bike with round handlebars, this won't fit. And the plastic feels a little thin in places, so I wouldn't crank it down too hard. But for ~$30, it's a solid upgrade if you're riding a Peloton or an Echelon. I'd trust it with a student's tablet, which is more than I can say for most accessories in this category.
Best Value
I've said it before and I'll say it again: the stock seat on any budget bike is a torture device. The ANZOME cushion is the cheapest fix I've found. For under ~$20, it adds a layer of memory foam and gel that makes a 45-minute climb actually bearable.
I tested it on my Sunny, which has a seat that feels like a brick, and it made a real difference. My sit bones didn't go numb, and the sweat-resistant cover didn't soak through.
The downsides are real, though. It adds two inches of height, so I had to lower my saddle to keep the same leg extension. And it wiggles a little when I get out of the saddle, which is distracting. But if you're on a budget and your seat is killing you, this is the answer. It's not a permanent solution, but it'll get you through the first few months until you're ready to upgrade the whole seat.
What else to consider
The storage king: A cheap handlebar bag. If you're commuting or just want to carry your phone and keys, a basic handlebar bag is a solid pick. The WILD MAN does this, but if you want something lighter, there are generic options for ~$15 that work fine. Just check the strap quality, because the cheap ones tend to rip after a few weeks.
The minimalist: A simple phone case with a strap. If you don't need a mount, a strap-on phone case that loops around your arm is a good option. It's not as secure as a mount, but it's lighter and more portable. I'd only recommend this if you're doing low-intensity rides, because it bounces around during sprints.
The splurge: Clip-in pedals and shoes. This isn't an accessory you buy on a whim, but if you're serious about spin, clip-ins are a real upgrade. They keep your feet locked in, which means you can pull up on the pedals as well as push down. It takes a week to get used to, but it's worth it. Budget at least ~$100 for a decent pair of pedals and shoes.
The skip: Fancy resistance bands. I've seen people buy these little rubber bands that add resistance to the flywheel. They're a waste of money. They slip, they stretch, and they don't provide consistent resistance. Save your cash and just dial up the resistance knob.
Should you buy the WILD MAN?
If you ride with your phone, yes. It's the most stable mount I've tested, and it'll survive years of sweat and abuse. At ~$25, it's a no-brainer.
Should you buy the Qsxou?
Only if you have a screen-top bike. If you do, it's the best tablet holder on the market for that setup. If you don't, skip it and get the WILD MAN instead.
Should you buy the ANZOME?
If your stock seat is a torture device, yes. It's the cheapest fix you'll find, and it'll get you through the first few months. Just be ready to lower your saddle an inch or two.
The bottom line
The right accessories can make a ~$300 bike feel like a ~$1,500 one. The wrong ones will make you quit. I've seen it happen. A rider buys a budget bike, rides it once, and the phone mount dumps their phone on the floor mid-sprint.
They never touch the bike again. Don't be that person. Spend the ~$25 on the WILD MAN mount, and if your seat hurts, spend the ~$18 on the ANZOME cushion.
That's ~$43 total, and it'll keep you riding. That's cheaper than a single spin class, and it'll last you years.