| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Console | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bladez Fusion GS Check Discounted Price | L: 45" W: 21" H: 48" | 275 lbs | Felt-pad | Basic | Frame: lifetime Parts: 1 year Wear: 1 year Console: 1 year Labor: 90 days |
Most of the more expensive indoor cycling bikes or spin bikes come with a full range of features, providing a really solid overall construction and extra micro adjustability options. If you look carefully though, you can still find several bikes offering an array of features pretty close to the most expensive ones, but for a price under $300. One of these bikes is the Bladez Fitness Fusion GS.
The Fusion GS model from Bladez Fitness is actually a full featured indoor cycle. Even though it’s not exactly a commercial grade one, it’s simply perfect for home use, and can serve you well for many years. Just as with any spin bike, you’ll see fast results if you stick with the training on the Fusion GS bike.
Details and Specs
- Assembled dimensions: 45L x 21W x 48H inches (114L x 53W x 122H cm)
- Assembled weight: 86 lbs (40 kg)
- Flywheel weight 40 lbs (18 kg)
- Supported weight: 275 lbs (125 kg)
- Handlebars: 4-way adjustable
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Pedals: With toe cages
- Drive mechanism: Chain
- Brakes: Direct-contact, top-to-down felt pad
- Resistance: Adjustable
- Bottle holder: Yes
- Computer: Basic
- Warranty: Frame lifetime / Parts 1 year / Console 1 year / Wear parts 1 year / Labor 90 days
Frame
When it comes to the frame of this bike, all of its main tubing is steel-made. Even though it’s not as heavy as other bikes designed for home use, weighing only 86 pounds when fully assembled, it’s still a really stable bike. Any user up to the maximum supported weight of 275 lbs (125 kg), should not fear that this bike would wobble or rock in its place, even during the most demanding workout sessions. The main tubing of the bike is double coated with anti-corrosive paint, with a nice red, shiny finish. Also the main frame of the bike has more gentle lines than other bikes in this price range, which feature a more generic frame design. Simply put, it’s a bike that really looks smashing.
The footprint of the Fusion GS is pretty similar to other bikes. It takes about 45″L x 21″W (114 x 53 cm) of floor space, and should fit well even into a smaller room. The bike’s bases are finished with plastic caps, and adjustable levelers. Thus, you should be able to stabilize the bike perfectly on just about any type of floor. The front base also has small transport wheels for the easier relocation of the fully assembled bike.
Handlebars
One of the best aspects regarding this bike’s handlebar is the fore to aft adjustability. Not many bikes in this price range offer this feature. Not only this gives you the possibility to adjuste the bike to fit perfectly to your body, it also considerably increases its workout postures spectrum.
Evidently, the handlebar is adjustable height-wise as well. At its minimum height setting, the handlebar is 45″ (114.3 cm) from the floor, while at its highest, is at 48.5″ (123.2 cm).
The handlebar features a multi-grip design, but with a pretty simple construction, nothing too fancy. It supports several workout postures, similar to just about any road bike. It’s almost fully coated by rubber foam fabric for a more comfortable grip, and to prevent any damage to the hands which may relate to prolonged workout sessions.
Seat
Even though the seat supplied with the Bladez Fusion GS bike is 4-way adjustable just like the handlebar, it’s not exactly one of the most comfortable seats. Most cyclists should be used to this type of seat, and have no problem with it. However, new users may find it a bit uncomfortable, at least for the several first workout sessions. The good news is, it features a standard connection system, and you can easily find a replacement.
The bike isn’t made for extremely tall users though. The seat’s main post enables the bike to accommodate users between 5’0″ – 6’2″ (152.5 – 188 cm). At maximum height setting, the bike’s seat stands cca 40″ (101.6 cm) above the floor, while in minimum position setting, it’s at 34.3″ (87 cm).
Drive system
The Fusion GS indoor cycle trainer uses a chain to set the flywheel in motion. And since it’s a chain-driven bike, you don’t have to worry much about the durability of the transmission. A chain will not stretch, nor require any adjustments as a belt might. It does requires some maintenance though. It’s also a standard chain, similar to the ones present in most road bikes.
The Fusion GS model has a slightly lighter flywheel then the Bladez Master GS. However, it’s still a heavy flywheel. At 40 lbs (18 kg) it surely can supply a consistent momentum. It’s also perimeter-weighted, promoting a smooth pedaling motion. The crankset is also pretty solid, featuring all-steel parts, contributing by a lot to the sturdiness of the bike. To put it differently, this bike can withstand a user up to the listed maximum capacity, in full, stand-up pedaling routine.
The pedals supplied with the bike feature toe-cages, but no adjustable straps. They do have standard threads though, and you should be able to easily find replacements, in case you wish to use clipless pedals.
The Q factor of the bike is rather wide. At 8.7″ (220 mm) it quite above the average Q factor of most road bikes, which is 150 mm (5.9″). A wider Q factor is quite common in exercise bikes though. If this is an issue, the Sunny Pro SF-B901 features a narrower Q Factor, of 7.1″ (180 mm), similar to the average mountain bike.
The last aspect related to the drive system of this exercise bike regards its step up height. The distance between the lower pedal and the floor is 6.3″ (16 cm), rendering the bike quite easy to mount.
Resistance system
The Fusion GS bike model from Bladez Fitness features a direct contact resistance system, involving a top-to-down felt pad. The resistance is adjusted via the tension knob, placed on top
of the main tube of the frame, like in most bikes with friction system. There aren’t any levels specified on the tension knob; you can basically turn the knob for up to the point you cannot pedal anymore.
Evidently, resistance can be adjusted during pedaling. Pedaling in reverse is also possible, but with the same resistance the bike is currently set at. Its also recommended that the flywheel should be stopped before you begin to pedal in reverse, to avoid any accidents. The resistance knob also acts as an emergency brake, so in case you want to pedal in reverse, or in case you want to quickly stop the flywheel from spinning, you simply have to push the knob down.
Accessories
The main and most important accessory supplied with this bike, is its console. It’s not exactly an 
advanced piece of electronic equipment, but this little gadget will help you track your speed, distance, time and calories. It also has an odometer function, allowing you to track the cumulated distance up to a total of 9999 KM or Miles. Speed / Distance can also be indicated both in KM and miles.
The console has only one button and it’s quite easy to operate. It’s powered on when you begin to pedal and will automatically enter sleep mode, 4 minutes after ceasing to pedal. It has a SCAN function which will cycle through the mentioned values, indicating each one for 6 seconds.
The console uses 2x AA size batteries, which are included with the box.
Another accessory is the water bottle holder, which comes attached to the front, middle part of the handlebar. Not an extremely significant feature, but still good to have.
Assembly and Maintenance
Flywheel, crank system and chain come already attached to the frame and connected together with the chain guard also in its place, covering the chain and crank. Brake pad and resistance knob are also attached and functional. Thus, assembly only requires the adding of the frame bases, seat, handlebars, pedals, and the connection of the console. It shouldn’t take more than 20-30 minutes. The the tools and the owner’s manual are also included.
Due to the fact this bike has a chain drive and a friction resistance system, some maintenance is required. Chain must be lubricated from time to time, while the felt pad may also require lubrication. The brake pad will also wear out after a while, and will require replacement. The pad supplied should last for at least one year of use though.
Other than this, the bike pretty much doesn’t require other maintenance. Just remove the dust from time to time.
The Pros
- Sturdy frame, with a smooth design;
- Great micro adjustability, both seat and handlebars are 4-way adjustable;
- Multi-grip handlebar;
- Balanced, heavy flywheel, for a consistent momentum, and smooth pedaling;
- Chain drive, which can basically last a lifetime;
- Quiet drive system;
- Solid crank system, able to hold the user in stand-up pedaling position;
- Pedals with toe cages, and standard threads, which can easily be replaced, if needed;
- Performance monitor included;
- Bottle holder included;
- Not an extremely heavy bike, easy to transport;
- Really easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required;
- Excellent warranty package, a lot better than in other bikes in this price range.
The Cons
- Not an very comfortable seat, but in can easily be replaced, or equipped with a gel cover.
- A rather wide Q factor, not recommended for users with knee problems, as it may put too much strain on the knees.
Summary
The Bladez Fusion GS is actually one of the best, and most inclusive indoor cycling bikes, under $300. It offers superior micro adjustability, a solid build and a performance monitor, accessory most other bikes in this price range do not come with. It’s a bike fit for users of all levels, great for cardio, stamina building, muscle toning and weight loss. You can actually burn 5-600 calories on this bike per hour. All in all, it’s a bike that offers great quality for the price.