| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Flywheel weight | Resistance | Console |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Merax Silver Check Discounted Price | L:41.5" W:21.1" H:48.4" | 330 lbs | 30 lbs | Friction, leather pad | Time, Distance, ODO, Speed, Calories, Scan |
The Merax Silver indoor cycling bike is similar in terms of features with the Yosuda L-001A. It has a slightly lighter flywheel but features a cowhide resistance pad that should withstand wear and tear better than a felt pad. It also has a greater weight limit.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 41.5L x 21.1W x 48.4H inches (105L x 54W x 123H cm)
- Flywheel weight: 30 lbs (13.6 kg)
- Supported weight: 330 lbs (150 kg)
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Pedals: With toe cages
- Drive: Belt
- Resistance: Friction, cowhide pad
- Fitness meter: Time, speed, distance, total distance, calories, scan
- Accessories: Bottle holder, device holder
- Warranty: 1 year limited
Frame construction
The Merax Silver indoor cycle features a triangular frame combining ovalized and rectangular bars in its
construction for improved sturdiness and aesthetics. Needless to say, the bike’s frame is made of steel. The fully assembled bike weighs approx. 70 lbs (31.7 kg), a weight that provides plenty of stability. Plus, both base bars are equipped with adjustable stabilizers.
Although the bike is fairly heavy, it is easy to move once it is assembled. Its front base is equipped with two small wheels which facilitate its relocation. By using these wheels to move the bike, you won’t be handling more than 30% of its total weight.
The bike’s frame is coated with a corrosion-resistant and chip-resistant paint finish. As the title suggests, the main color is silver. The only exception is the flywheel which has a chrome finish. Also, the belt cover, the brake pad cover, and the flywheel side guards are made of durable ABS material.
Like most other spin bikes, the Merax Silver cycle is not an extremely large fitness machine. With all the parts assembled, it is 41.5″ (105 cm) long, and 21.1″ (54 cm) wide. Also, with the handlebar extended to its maximum position, the bike’s highest point is approx. 48.4″ (123 cm). It is recommended, though, to leave at least 24″ (61 cm) of clearance all around the bike for ease of access and safe usage.
One last aspect to mention here regards the short horizontal bar which connects the seat tube and the main oblique tube. This bar can be used as a step-up element or as support for stretching and other exercises. It also allows the execution of various spin workouts that require you to dismount and mount multiple times.
Seat and handlebars
The Merax Silver indoor cycle is equipped with a soft saddle, designed for superior comfort. To begin 
with, the top of the saddle is made of durable, double-stitched faux leather and has a large groove in the middle for improved breathability. It integrates a thick layer of foam cushioning to reduce the impact on your buttocks and tailbone. It also has two suspension springs at the rear which allow it to flex in order to adapt better to the movement of your body during seated workouts.
Another important aspect to mention here about the saddle regards its connection system. It features a standard collar-based attachment system. This means that if you will ever need to replace this saddle, compatible options are widely available.
The bike’s seat is four-way adjustable (up, down, forward, backward). Its upright bar has several adjustment positions while its horizontal slider offers a few extra inches of fore/aft adjustment. This being said, the bike can accommodate users between 5’1″ and 6’4″ (155 – 193 cm) allowing a complete leg extension. It is also durable enough to support users up to 330 lbs (150 kg).
The bike is equipped with a pretty standard handlebar. The main bar offers three grip possibilities. These are climbing grip, parallel grip, and standard grip. The handlebar assembled also has a small loop bar in the middle to which the exercise meter need to be attached. This bar offers the possibility of a close grip.
As opposed to the seat, the handlebar only offers upright adjustability. It doesn’t have a horizontal slider for front/back adjustment. It offers an adjustment span of approx. 5.4″ (13.7 cm), between 43″ and 48.4″ (109 – 123 cm). The handlebar is not equipped with pulse sensors. Its side grips feature a layer of rubber foam material for extra comfort.
Drive and resistance
The Merax Silver bike is equipped with a mid-range flywheel. It weighs 30 lbs (13.6 kg) and has a
perimeter-weighted construction for improved inertia. It is also bi-directional. Therefore, you can pedal in reverse as well. However, it is important to mention that coasting is not possible on this Merax exercise bike. When pedaling in reverse, you will get the same resistance as when you pedal forward.
The bike’s drivetrain uses a belt. This type of transmission comes with several advantages. First of all, the belt doesn’t require lubrication. and second of all, it contributes to the overall smoothness of the ride as it generates less vibration than a chain.
The Merax Silver stationary cycle is equipped with a manual friction resistance system. This means you don’t have to connect the bike to a power source. It also means that the bike cannot adjust the resistance automatically.
The bike’s resistance system consists of a cow’s hide brake pad connected to the tension knob on top of the main tube of the frame. It comes in contact with the flywheel in a top-down manner. Since it’s a cow’s hide pad, and not a felt pad, it offers a higher resistance to wear and tear, so it shouldn’t need replacement for at least a year of daily use.
The bike’s tension knob doesn’t have pre-determined resistance settings on it. You simply tighten it until you get the pedaling resistance that fits your needs. The brake can basically be tightened up to the point you can barely pedal. It also has the function of an emergency brake; you can press it down to immediately stop the flywheel from spinning if needed.
Since it’s a bike designed for spinning, the Merax Silver is equipped with a heavy-duty crankset featuring solid electro-plated arms. The pedals are also metallic; they feature non-slip elements on the sides as well as adjustable toe cages. They don’t have SPD clips for spin shoes but their threads are 9/16 (standard) so you can always replace them if needed.
Exercise meter
The included exercise meter doesn’t have any pre-set programs, goal settings, or online connectivity. It 
features an LCD display that tracks time, distance, total distance, speed, and calories burned. It does not have a pulse reading function and the bike does not have any integrated pulse sensors. Therefore, if you want to benefit from a pulse reading during your workout, you will have to use a separate device.
The exercise meter unit is very easy to use. It only has one button. By pressing the button repeatedly you can select any of the workout metrics to view on the display, or you can select the Scan Mode which rotates all the metrics, showing each one for a few seconds. By pressing and holding the button, you can reset all the metrics to zero. There are no preset programs, and you cannot select targets for time or distance.
The meter is battery-powered. It has a self-shutdown function. It turns off automatically if it doesn’t detect any flywheel movement for four minutes. To wake it up, you can either press its button or begin pedaling.
Assembly and Maintenance
Most of the drive and resistance elements come pre-assembled and attached to the main frame of the bike. However, you will still have to attach the two base bars, the seat post, the seat, the handlebar post, the handlebar, the exercise meter, and the pedals. This shouldn’t take more than one hour of your time, though. The manual provides pretty clear assembly instructions, and all the necessary tools are included.
For maintenance, the bike’s brake pad may need lubrication and replacement after it completely wears out. Other than this, you only need to keep the bike clean and periodically check for loose bolts and parts.
The Pros
- Sturdy construction – can support users up to 330 lbs;
- Small footprint, a great choice for a cardio fitness machine if space is an issue;
- Four-way adjustable seat;
- High-comfort saddle with thick foam cushioning and a median groove for extra breathability;
- Multi-grip handlebar;
- Solid crankset, can support just about any spin workout;
- Metallic pedals with toe cages and standard threads;
- Friction resistance, virtually limitless;
- Abrasion-resistant cow’s hide brake pad;
- Smooth and quiet belt drive;
- Exercise meter included – it tracks time, distance, total distance, speed, and calories burned;
- Little maintenance required;
- Phone holder included;
- Bottle holder included;
- Easy to assemble;
- All the assembly tools are included.
The Cons
- No backlight on the fitness meter;
- No pulse reading function.
Summary
The Merax Silver indoor cycling bike features a 30-lbs perimeter weighted flywheel, a standard friction resistance with a leather pad, a heavy-duty crank, and a basic exercise meter. It’s a pretty sturdy bike, rated for users up to 330 lbs. It’s designed to support any spin workout, great for high-intensity cardio training, intervals, muscle toning, stamina development, and weight loss.