| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Fitness meter | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
pooboo A1 Check Discounted Price | L: 51" W: 21" H: 49" | 280 lbs | Manual magnetic | Time, Distance, Speed, RPM, Calories, Scan | 12 months limited |
The pooboo A1 is a rear-drive indoor cycling bike featuring a magnetic resistance system similar to the Body-Rider BCY6000 or the Efitment B015. It has a thicker frame, though, and a standard handlebar setup. Although it reminds of the construction of a light-commercial bike, it is nonetheless a trainer made for home use and offers only a basic range of features.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 51L x 21W x 49H inches (130L x 53W x 125H cm)
- Assembled weight: 66 lbs (30 kg)
- Supported weight: 280 lbs (127 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 13 lbs (5.8 kg)
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Drive: Belt
- Resistance: Magnetic
- Fitness meter: Time, speed, distance, calories, RPM, scan
- Extras: Tablet holder
- Warranty: 12 months
Frame construction
Like most other rear-drive indoor cycling bikes, the pooboo A1 features a V-type frame made of thick steel
tubing. All the bars in its construction flat and ovalized for improved sturdiness and aesthetics. All the steel parts in its construction are coated with a durable paint finish, highly resistant to abrasion and corrosion. The color used is black, the only exception being the flywheel which is made of aluminum alloy and has its natural metallic finish.
Compared to most other standard spin bikes, the pooboo A1 is considerably lighter. However, it still weighs 66 lbs (30 kg) which is quite a bit more than the average road bike. It has a low center of gravity which improves its overall stability. Plus, both its base bars feature adjustable levelers so you can perfectly stabilize it even if the floor is irregular.
Considering that the bike isn’t extremely heavy, it can be transported and assembled by only one person. Once it is assembled, it’s even easier to move and handle as its front base features two transport wheels.
Most of the base frame of the bike along with the drive and resistance elements are concealed by two sturdy ABS covers. These are also black to match the rest of the bike, with the “pooboo” logo written in white.
The fully assembled bike is a few inches longer than the average spin bike. It is approx. 51″ (130 cm) long, and 21″ (53 cm) wide. Plus, it is recommended to allow at least 24″ (61 cm) all around it for ease of access and safe usage.
Seat and handlebars
The pooboo A1 includes a pretty standard saddle. Its top is made of PU material with a thin layer of padding. 
Its cushioning isn’t too thick but the saddle is slightly larger than the average spin or race saddle, so it provides a bit of extra contact surface and comfort. It also offers a bit of flex so it adapts better to your movement during seated workouts.
The bike’s seat offers four-way adjustability (up, down, front, back). Its upright post has several adjustment notches while the horizontal slider offers several extra inches of back to front adjustment. This being said, the bike should be able to accommodate comfortably users between 5’1″ and 6’4″ (155 – 193 cm) allowing a complete leg extension. Also, the seat assembly is durable enough to support users up to 280 lbs (127 kg).
As we’ve mentioned above, the pooboo A1 indoor cycling bike comes with a standard handlebar, not the type included with the Keiser M3i model, or the Efitment B015. It has a multi-grip design, offering a climb grip, an off-road grip, a standard grip, and an aero grip. The aero bars are unified and pretty long. Also, they can serve as support for your tablet along with the small tablet holder included with the bike.
It’s important to mention that the bike’s handlebar do not integrate pulse sensors. Also, the included exercise meter doesn’t have a pulse reading function. And in terms of padding, only the side grips have a layer of rubberized foam material; the center aero bars feature a black paint finish like the rest of the bike.
Drive and resistance
The pooboo A1 indoor cycling bike features a magnetic resistance system with manual action. This means 
you don’t have to connect the bike to a power outlet and it doesn’t need a power adapter to make the resistance available. But on the other hand, the bike cannot adjust the resistance automatically and does not offer workout programs like the more expensive models, such as the NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle S15i.
The bike’s resistance system consists of an internal magnetic brake connected to the tension knob on the front bar of the bike. By turning this knob left or right, the brake covers more or less from the flywheel, adding or reducing the pedaling difficulty. It also has the emergency brake function; you can press it down to immediately stop the flywheel from spinning.
Unlike other exercise bikes with a magnetic resistance system, the pooboo A1 doesn’t have pre-determined tension settings. Therefore, you have to turn the knob until you find the pedaling difficulty that fits your needs.
The bike is equipped with an aluminum alloy flywheel. It weighs 13 lbs (5.8 kg) and does not have a perimeter-weighted design as most spin bikes with a friction resistance have. This being said, the pedaling momentum is not as consistent, especially when using the first resistance levels.
The flywheel is bi-directional. Therefore, you can alternate forward pedaling sessions with reverse pedaling sessions to focus more muscle groups. It’s important to mention, though, that coasting on the bike is not possible. And when pedaling in reverse, you get the same pedaling resistance as when pedaling forward.
Like most other stationary bikes with a magnetic brake, the pooboo A1 has a belt drive system. This type of transmission comes with a few advantages. One, you don’t have to ever lubricate it. Two, it delivers a very smooth pedaling motions. And three, the usage of the bike is whisper-quiet.
Last but not least, this pooboo exercise bike is equipped with a sturdy three-piece crankset. The pedals are metallic as well, so the bike can withstand cycling while standing up on the pedals with no problem, as long as the user does not exceed the 280 lbs (127 kg) weight limit.
The pedals feature adjustable toe cages and a non-slip design but they don’t have SPD elements for spin shoes. However, their threads are standard (9/16) so you can always find compatible replacements for them.
Exercise meter
The pooboo A1 includes a basic exercise meter. It doesn’t have preset programs or online connectivity. It 
features an LCD display that tracks time, distance, speed, RPM, and calories burned. As we’ve mentioned above, the unit does not have a pulse tracking function and the bike is not equipped with any pulse sensors. Therefore, if you need to monitor your pulse during workouts, you will have to use a separate device.
The meter unit is very easy to use. It has two buttons – Mode and Reset. The Mode button allows you to scroll through the workout metrics and select the ones you want to view. Also, you can select the Scan function which rotates all the metrics showing each one for a few seconds. Needless to say, the Reset button clears all the values on the meter to zero.
The meter unit is battery-powered. It starts up when it detects flywheel movement, and also has a self shut down function; it automatically turns off after a few minutes of inactivity on the bike.
Assembly and Maintenance
The main body of the bike with the flywheel, magnetic brake, and all the other drive and resistance elements, comes pre-assembled. However, you still have to attach both base bars, the seat, the handlebars, the pedals, and the exercise meter. This shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes of your time, though. The task is fairly simple, the manual provides step-by-step assembly instructions, and a basic toolkit is also included.
Once the bike is fully set up, maintenance doesn’t require much. It’s important to keep the unit clean and wipe off the sweat that might fall onto the frame. But other than this, the internal parts shouldn’t need any lubrication or maintenance for a long period of time.
The Pros
- Sturdy V-frame;
- Aesthetic design;
- Transport wheels on the front base;
- Adjustable stabilizers on both base bars;
- 4-way adjustable seat;
- Multi-grip handlebar;
- Balanced flywheel for a smooth pedaling motion and solid momentum;
- Heavy-duty crank for spin workouts;
- Durable, metallic alloy pedals with toe cages and straps;
- Frictionless magnetic resistance;
- Silent belt drive;
- Fitness meter that tracks time, speed, distance, RPM, and calories;
- Tablet holder included;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- No goal settings on the exercise meter;
- No backlight on the exercise meter;
- No pulse reading function;
- No bottle holder.
Summary
The pooboo A1 is an indoor cycling bike featuring a manual magnetic resistance system, a super-quiet belt drive, and a 4-way adjustable seat. It also includes a basic exercise meter that can track time, distance, calories, speed, and RPM. It’s a sturdy and good-looking exercise bike, perfect for a wide range of cardio workouts, muscle toning, stamina and strength development, interval training, and weight loss.