| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Exercise meter | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stamina 1308 Check Discounted Price | L:30.5" W:19.5" H:47.75" | 300 lbs | Magnetic, 8 levels | Time, Distance, Odometer, Speed, Calories, Pulse, Scan, Goals | 1 year |
The Stamina 1308 is one of the upright exercise bikes released by Stamina Fitness in 2020. It’s an affordable bike made for home use featuring a compact design and a standard manual magnetic resistance system. In terms of features, it can be compared with the Marcy NS-1201U or the TechFit B400.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 30.5L x 19.5W x 47.75H (77L x 50W x 121H cm)
- Assembled weight: 45 lbs (20.4 kg)
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Seat: 2-way adjustable
- Resistance: Manual magnetic, 8 levels
- Console: Time, speed, distance, calories, pulse, scan, goals
- Extras: Bottle holder, device holder
- Warranty: 1 year limited
Frame construction
Although it’s a pretty light exercise bike, the Stamina 1308 is constructed on a steel frame. The 
only major ABS parts in its construction are the covers of the drive and resistance elements. All the steel tubes in its construction are coated with a rust-resistant paint finish. The color used is black, this being the only color available for this model.
The bike does not have a folding frame, like the Efitment B019, for example. However, it is only 30.5″ (77 cm) long, and 19.5″ (50 cm) wide. Therefore, it can fit in a small room pretty well, but it still is recommended to leave at least two feet of clearance all around it for ease of access.
This Stamina exercise bike is not too heavy either. Its net weight is only 45 lbs (20.4 kg). Therefore, it can be assembled by only one person. Plus, its front base features rotating caps which can be used as wheels for easy relocation. The rear base bar also has rotating caps, but these are polygonal. They can serve as levelers.
Seat and handlebars
The Stamina 1308 is equipped with a standard saddle. It’s quite a bit wider 
than the average race bike seat so it provides plenty of contact surface. Its top is made of urethane material, so it has a bit of flex to it. It integrates a layer of foam padding and is contoured for extra breathability.
The height of the seat is adjustable. Its upright post features 7 adjustment positions. It’s important to mention, though, that the bike is not equipped with a horizontal slider for the seat, like the Marcy ME-1016U, for example. This being said, the bike can accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’1″ (153 – 185 cm) allowing a complete range of motion. It is also rated for a weight capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg) which is quite impressive for an exercise bike made for home use.
The bike’s handlebar offers several grip possibilities. Its side grips are covered by a thick layer of rubber foam for improved comfort. Also, they integrate metallic pulse sensors and the included performance monitor has a pulse reading function.
As opposed to the seat, the bike’s handlebar is non-adjustable. It attaches to its post by several screws so you cannot adjust its angle. The handlebar post also attaches to the base frame via bolts, so you cannot adjust its height.
Resistance and drive
The Stamina 1308 upright exercise bike is equipped with a standard magnetic resistance system with 
manual action. This means you don’t have to connect it to a power source. But on the other hand, it also means that you can only adjust the resistance manually; the bike does not have pre-set workout programs and cannot change the resistance automatically.
The bike’s resistance system consists of a flywheel with an incorporated magnetic brake. The brake is connected to the tension knob on the front upright bar of the bike. By turning the knob, the magnetic brake moves closer or farther from the flywheel which increases or decreases the workout load.
The bike offers 8 levels of resistance. The first level delivers a fairly light workout load which is great for recovery training or muscle toning. Conversely, the 8th tension level delivers considerably more resistance, great for improving stamina, and burning more calories.
Most exercise bikes equipped with a magnetic resistance system feature a belt drivetrain; the Stamina 1308 does not make an exception. It integrates a poly-v belt (320-J5 type) which is highly resistant to stretching. A belt drive comes with a few advantages. For example, you don’t have to lubricate it and it generates considerably less vibration than a chain.
The exact weight of the bike’s internal flywheel is not specified. But since it’s total weight is only 45 lbs (20.4 kg), the flywheel probably doesn’t weigh more than 15 lbs (6.8 kg). It’s a balanced flywheel designed to deliver a smooth and quiet pedaling motion.
The bike’s flywheel is bi-directional. However, the bike does not allow free-wheeling. This means that the pedals continue to spin for as long as the flywheel is spinning. Also, when pedaling in reverse you will benefit from the same resistance as when pedaling forward, given by the selected tension level.
The bike is equipped with a pretty durable crankset featuring steel arms and weighted pedals. However, since it’s not a spin bike, standing up on the pedals is not recommended. Even if the pedals can support your whole weight, pedaling while standing up may cause damage to the internal parts or cause the pedals to wear out more quickly.
The included pedals feature a metallic core but their main surface is made of tough, textured plastic. The weight elements enable them to always rotate face-up if you remove your feet from them. They also have adjustable straps.
Performance monitor
As we’ve mentioned above, the Stamina 1308 features a manual magnetic resistance system. Therefore, the
included computer cannot adjust the resistance and does not have pre-set workout programs. It features an LCD display that tracks time, distance, total distance, speed, calories, and pulse.
Speed and distance are shown in English units (miles per hour and miles). There is no option for metric units. Also, the performance monitor unit is not telemetric. This means it can only track your pulse if you hold on to the integrated sensors. It cannot read your pulse from a Polar or ANT+ heart rate chest strap.
The monitor unit is very easy to use. It has three buttons: Mode, Set, and Reset. The Mode button allows you to scroll through the workout metrics and lock the one that you want to view on the screen. You can also select the Scan Mode which rotates all the metrics showing each one for 6 seconds.
The Set button offers the possibility to set up a workout goal for time, distance, and calories. If a goal is selected, the monitor will show the remaining value until you reach zero. And finally, the Reset button clears all the values to zero.
The monitor unit is battery-powered. It requires two AAA batteries (which are not included). It starts up when you begin pedaling or when you press one of the buttons. It also has a sleep function which is initiated if there is no activity on the bike for 4 minutes.
The performance monitor also integrates a device holder. This accessory consists of a small shelf placed above the unit’s display. It can accommodate most tablets and smartphones. But it is important to mention that the performance monitor unit does not have any connection ports for your device (no USB, no AUX).
Assembly and Maintenance
The main body of the bike comes pre-assembled. You only have to attach the two base bars, the seat post, the saddle, the handlebar post, the handlebar, the performance monitor, and the pedals. This shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. The manual provides very clear instructions for it, and all the necessary tools are included.
Once the bike is assembled, you don’t have to worry too much about maintenance. Its internal parts don’t require any lubrication. So, basically, you only have to keep your exercise bike clean and periodically check for any potential loose or broken parts.
The Pros
- Sturdy steel frame, excellent weight capacity (300 lbs);
- Transport wheels on the front base;
- Adjustable stabilizers on the rear base;
- Multi-grip handlebar;
- Pulse sensors integrated into the handlebar;
- 2-way adjustable seat;
- Large, padded saddle;
- Quiet belt drive;
- Zero friction magnetic resistance;
- 8 resistance settings;
- Weighted pedals with adjustable straps;
- Performance monitor included – it tracks time, distance, total distance, speed, calories, and pulse;
- Scan mode and goal setting functions available on the performance monitor;
- Bottle holder included;
- Device holder included;
- All the necessary tools for the assembly are included;
- Little maintenance required;
- Easy to assemble.
The Cons
- No backlight on the exercise meter;
- The handlebar is non-adjustable;
- The pulse reading function is not too accurate.
Summary
The Stamina 1308 is a basic upright exercise bike made for home use. It features a manual magnetic resistance system with 8 levels, a large padded seat with 7 upright adjustment positions, and a fitness monitor with goal settings for time, distance, and calories. It’s a fairly small and light trainer, easy to assemble and handle. It’s a trainer for light to medium-intensity workouts, muscle toning, stamina development, and weight loss. And finally, it’s an affordable exercise bike, offering a fairly decent value for the price.