JOROTO X2 Review: A Heavy-Flywheel Spin Bike That Punches Up

The JOROTO X2 is an indoor cycling bike that has quietly become one of the most popular spin bikes on Amazon UK, and for good reason. It pairs a heavy 18kg flywheel with quiet magnetic resistance and a sturdy frame rated to 160kg, a spec sheet that usually belongs to more expensive bikes. It is aimed at people who want a smooth, reliable spin bike for home cardio and HIIT without paying a premium or signing up to a subscription. The headline verdict is that the X2 nails the fundamentals of a good ride, and its main compromise is simplicity: this is a straightforward manual bike, not a screen-and-software smart bike.

The heavy flywheel is the thing you feel first. More flywheel weight means more momentum, so the pedal stroke is smooth and road-like rather than the lurching, dead-spot feel of cheap bikes. Combine that with belt-driven magnetic resistance and you get a bike that is both smooth and genuinely quiet. Regular indoor cycling is an effective way to build fitness: a systematic review found it can improve aerobic capacity, blood pressure, blood-fat levels and body composition (systematic review of the health benefits of indoor cycling), and the X2 gives you a solid, affordable platform to do it on.

Who it is for

The X2 suits people who want a proper spin bike for regular home cardio and interval training and care most about a smooth, quiet, stable ride. Its heavy flywheel and high weight limit make it a strong pick for taller and heavier riders, and for anyone who trains hard out of the saddle. It is less suited to those who specifically want automatic resistance, built-in classes or a large touchscreen, since the standard X2 keeps things deliberately simple. If connected features are a priority, the JOROTO X2 Pro adds app support, and our best smart exercise bike UK guide covers screen-equipped options.

Build and ride feel

The X2 feels far sturdier than its price suggests. The frame is stable and planted, with none of the wobble that plagues cheap spin bikes, which is exactly what you would expect from something rated to 160kg. Owners consistently praise how smooth and quiet the ride is, thanks to the heavy flywheel and belt drive. The seat adjusts up, down, forwards and back, and the handlebars adjust for height, so getting a comfortable fit is easy for most riders.

The pedals are caged with adjustable straps, which keep your feet secure for trainers, and there is a holder for a bottle and one for a tablet. As with almost every spin bike, the standard saddle is on the firm side, so if you ride for long stretches you may want padded shorts or a gel cover, both cheap fixes.

Resistance and performance

The magnetic resistance is smooth and progressive. You adjust it with a tension knob rather than preset levels, and because it is magnetic there is no felt pad rubbing the flywheel, so nothing wears out and the resistance stays consistent over time. There is enough range to make climbs genuinely tough and sprints fast, which covers steady rides, HIIT and everything in between. The quietness is a real everyday advantage: you can ride early or late, or while others watch TV, without the noise a friction bike makes.

The honest limitation is that this is a manual bike. There is no automatic resistance and no on-screen control, so if you follow a class you change the resistance yourself when the instructor calls it. The LCD monitor is basic, showing your core numbers but no programs or backlight, and it runs on batteries. None of this is a fault at the price, but it is the clear line between the X2 and pricier smart bikes like the Renpho AI Smart Bike, which controls its own resistance.

Value

At around £399 at the time of writing, the X2 is hard to beat on the fundamentals. An 18kg flywheel, quiet magnetic resistance and a 160kg-rated frame usually cost more, and the bike has earned thousands of positive owner ratings that back up the smooth, sturdy ride. You give up the smart features, screens and programs of dearer bikes, but if what you want is a reliable, quiet spin bike to put the miles in on, it delivers exactly that. Regular sessions will comfortably help you hit the NHS target of at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week (NHS physical activity guidelines), and you can read JOROTO's own overview on the official X2 product page. To see how it fits the wider market, browse our best spin bike UK guide and read whether an exercise bike is good for losing weight.