Sunny Health & Fitness Recumbent Bike SF-RB4806

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Resistance	Console	Warranty
Sunny SF-RB4806 Check Discounted Price	L:47" W:26" H:48.5"	220 lbs	Manual magnetic, 8 levels	Time, Distance, Speed, RPM, Calories, Pulse, Scan, Goals, Recovery, BMI	Frame: 3 years Parts: 180 days

The Sunny SF-RB4806 recumbent exercise bike is comparable in terms of design with the Body Champ BRB3558. However, its console offers several extra features, such as a BMI calculator and a recovery function. It’s a bike made for light cardio workouts and recovery training. It’s also an affordable machine, currently priced under $300.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 47L x 26W x 48.5H inches (119L x 66W x 123H cm)
• Assembled weight: 59.4 lbs (27 kg)
• Weight capacity: 220 lbs (100 kg)
• Seat: Adjustable
• Pedals: With straps
• Resistance: Magnetic, 8 levels
• Console: Time, distance, speed, RPM, calories, pulse, BMI, recovery, goals, scan
• Warranty: Frame 3 years / Parts 180 days

Frame construction

The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4806 features a steel frame which combines cylindrical, ovalized, and rectangular bars. All the steel bars within the frame are powder coated with a corrosion-resistant finish; the color used is gray, this being the only color available for this exercise bike. Of course, the bike’s frame also has several ABS plastic parts, some of the most notable being the covers of the drive and resistance elements.

The bike’s main chassis is a one-piece structure for extra sturdiness; the sustaining bars of the seat rail are precision-welded to the base longitudinal bar. The frame features a step-through construction. This particular feature offers easier entry and exit, which may be a plus for users with certain disabilities.

The fully assembled trainer isn’t extremely large, compared to other recumbent bikes, such as the LifeSpan R3i, for example. It is approx. 47″ (119 cm) long, and 26″ (66 cm) wide, but it is recommended to leave at least two feet of clearance all around the unit for ease of access. Also, in case you’re wondering, the bike doesn’t fold, nor it can be stored in a vertical position to save space. Thus, once it is assembled, it remains at the aforementioned dimensions.

The bike isn’t extremely heavy, which can also be considered a plus. It only weighs approx. 59 lbs (27 kg). Therefore, it can be carried and assembled by only one person. Plus, once it is assembled, its transport is facilitated by its front small wheels.

The bike’s rear base is curved for extra stability. It is also equipped with two polygonal caps which can rotate, offering the possibility to level the unit on an irregular floor if it’s the case. It is recommended, though, to place and use the bike on a rubberized mat.

Seat and handlebars

The Sunny SF-RB4806 features a fairly comfortable seat. Even though the backrest and the seat pad do not integrate air-cell cushioning, they do feature a layer of foam padding which provides optimal comfort. It is pretty large, approx. 12″ (30.5 cm) long, and 17″ (43 cm) wide, providing plenty of contact surface. Also, its upholstery is made of durable vinyl material, silver on the sides and black on the middle sections for both the backrest and the seat.

The seat is adjustable. It is attached to a steel monorail rated for a user weight capacity of 220 lbs (100 kg). The adjustment system involves a lever, not a pop-pin, which means you can easily adjust the position of the seat while seated.

The seat rail provides an adjustment span for an inseam length between 23″ and 32″ (58 – 81 cm). This being said, the bike should be able to accommodate users between 5’0 and 6’3″ (153 – 190 cm) with no problem, allowing a complete range of motion.

The backrest cannot adjust independently from the seat. It does not recline, nor it can move up and down on the bar it is attached to. However, it is fairly long, so it provides plenty of support even for taller users.

This Sunny exercise bike is equipped with two sets of handlebars. One is attached to the front mast, the other is part of the seat assembly. They are both non-adjustable. The seat handlebars feature pulse sensors, so by holding on to them, the bike’s console can monitor your heart rate.

Drive and resistance

The bike’s drive system involves a perimeter-weighted flywheel, which means the bike provides a steady pedaling motion. The weight of the internal flywheel is not specified, but considering that the bike’s weight does not exceed 60 lbs, the weight of the flywheel shouldn’t be more than 20 lbs (9 kg).

The flywheel is bi-directional; this means you can pedal in reverse if you want, to put some diversity into your workouts. Also, the console should continue to track your workout stats even if you pedal in reverse.

The internal drivetrain features a heavy-duty belt, resistant to stretching. As a general idea, a belt drive system comes with several advantages. First of all, it produces less vibration than a chain. Second of all, the pedaling motion is very quiet, almost completely silent. And third of all, it does not require any lubrication.

The Sunny SF-RB4806 is a magnetic exercise bike. It integrates a magnetic brake which is connected to the tension knob found on the front mast of the bike by a steel cable. By turning the knob clockwise, the magnetic brake moves closer to the flywheel increasing the overall resistance and pedaling difficulty.

Since the bike’s resistance system is manual, you don’t have to connect it to a power source. Also, the console does not play any role in the bike’s resistance adjustment and doesn’t have any pre-set programs as it is the case for the bikes with a motorized resistance system.

There are 8 resistance levels available. The first one offers the possibility to undertake a light workout, while the top, 7-8 settings promote a more intense training regimen.

One last aspect to mention here regards the bike’s pedals. They are made of durable nylon material and have a metallic core. They feature a textured surface for superior adherence and adjustable straps to keep your feet secured during exercising. They are also weighted; therefore, they always turn face-up if you remove your feet from them.

Console

The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4806 recumbent bike includes a console which provides quite a few extra features over a basic unit. To begin with, it has an LCD display divided into several subsections in order to show multiple workout metrics at once. It tracks time, distance, speed, RPM, calories, and pulse. Speed and distance are shown in imperial units (MPH and miles). However, the unit is not telemetric, so it can only read your pulse through the sensors within the seat handlebars.

The console does not have any preset programs, but you can select targets for time, distance, calories, and pulse. Once a target is selected, it will countdown from it until it reaches zero. In case you select a target for your pulse, once your pulse reaches the selected target, the console will emit a beeping sound to notify you.

A scan function is available for the unit. If selected, the top larger display will show all the workout metrics in a sequence; each metric will remain on-screen for 6 seconds. By pressing Mode, you can select any of the workout metrics to be shown on the top display all the time, with the exception of Speed and RPM which always remain on a 6 sec. sequence.

The console unit also has a Recovery function and a Body Mass Index function. The Recovery function measures the time required by your heart to bring your pulse to normal after the workout. Based on the result, it will provide you with a rating between F1 (The Best) and F6 (The Worst). This way you can make an idea of your current fitness level. The BMI function determines your body fat percentage based on your height, weight, gender, and age.

The unit is battery powered. It requires two AA batteries. In idle mode, it shows room temperature, date, and clock. It wakes up when you begin pedaling or when you press the Mode button.

The console makes available two other notable features. Its top section has a sticker which displays a grid with the heart rate zones that you should aim for depending on your age, in order to benefit from a better aerobic output, fat burn, etc. This is a plus, as many other machines only show this grid in their manuals, so you usually don’t have it at hand when exercising. And finally, a tablet holder is also integrated. This accessory is placed above its LCD display, so if you put your phone or tablet on it, it won’t block the view of your workout metrics.

Assembly and Maintenance

The main body of the bike with all the drive and resistance elements comes pre-assembled. Therefore, you only need to attach the two base bars, the front mast, the front handlebars, the console, the seat with the two cushions and its handlebars, the pedals, and connect the resistance cable. This shouldn’t take more than one hour. All the necessary tools are included, and the manual provides clear assembly instructions.

All the internal parts are pre-lubricated from the factory and shouldn’t need any maintenance for a long time. Therefore, once the unit is assembled, you only need to check for loose bolts and parts from time to time.

The Pros

• Sturdy frame construction;
• Adjustable stabilizers on the rear base;
• Transport wheels on the front base;
• Step-through frame design for easy access to the seat;
• Seat handlebars with pulse sensors;
• Front handlebars included;
• Cushioned seat and backrest;
• Lever-based seat adjustment system;
• Quiet magnetic resistance system;
• Adjustable resistance offering distinctive 8 levels;
• Weighted pedals with adjustable straps;
• Exercise meter that can track time, distance, RPM, speed, calories, and pulse; 
• Goal settings for time, distance, pulse, and calories;
• Body Mass Index function;
• Recovery function;
• Tablet holder included;
• Fairly easy to assemble;
• Little to no maintenance required;
• Decent warranty.

The Cons

• No backlight on the console;
• No bottle holder.

Summary

The Sunny SF-RB4806 is a recumbent bike made for home use, featuring a manual magnetic resistance system, a comfortable seat, and a console that tracks the most important workout metrics. It also has a BMI and a Recovery function. It’s a bike for light cardio exercising, recovery training, stamina development, muscle toning, and weight loss. It’s also an affordable trainer, offering excellent value for the price.