| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Flywheel weight | Resistance | Console |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOLE SB900 Check Discounted Price | L:42" W:21" H:40" | 300 lbs | 48 lbs | Manual magnetic | Time, Speed, Distance, RPM, Calories, Pulse, HR target |
The SOLE Fitness SB900 is one of the indoor cycling bikes released in 2014, however, it’s still available at the moment. Over the years, it has received several upgrades such as a better fitness monitor and a device holder. It has a similar construction to the SOLE SB700 model that we’ve already covered here, but this particular bike has magnetic resistance.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 42L x 21W x 40H inches (116L x 53W x 102H cm)
- Assembled weight: 133 lbs (60 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 48 lbs (22 kg)
- Supported weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Handlebars: 4-way adjustable
- Drive mechanism: Belt
- Resistance: Magnetic
- Fitness monitor: Time, speed, KCal, RPM, distance, pulse
- Extras: Device holder
- Warranty: Frame lifetime / Parts 3 years / Labor 1 year
Frame construction
The SOLE Fitness SB900 exercise bike is designed for spin workouts. However, it does not have the standard
triangular frame like most other models. It’s rather an X-type frame with a slightly higher center of gravity.
The bike’s frame is made of steel tubing. It combines oval and cylindrical tubes in its construction for improved aesthetics. The main frame is double-coated with a black paint finish (as opposed to the older versions which had a burgundy red finish). The seat post, the handlebar post, and the flywheel are chrome-plated.
The bike also integrates several plastic parts. The most notable ones are the drivetrain cover, the brake cover, and several other covers, as well as the tablet holder. These are made from a durable thermoplastic material.
Like most other spin bikes, the SOLE SB900 is not a large fitness machine. Its fully assembled footprint is approx. 42″L x 21″W (116 x 53 cm). It is recommended, though, to allow at least a few feet of clearance all around it, for easy access.
The bike is also pretty heavy. Its net weight is approx. 133 lbs (60 kg). Therefore, its transport may require two persons while it’s packaged, or at least a box trolley. However, once it is assembled, it can easily be moved by only one person. That’s because its front base is equipped with transport wheels. Also, its weight not only that it provides superior stability, both its base bars have adjustable levelers.
Seat and handlebars
The SOLE SB900 is equipped with a four-way adjustable (up, down, front, back) seat. Its post offers several adjustment
positions while its horizontal slider adds a few inches of front-to-back adjustment. This being said, the bike should be able to accommodate users between 5’1″ and 6’5″ (155 – 196 cm). It is also rated for a maximum user weight limit of 300 lbs (136 kg).
The included saddle is designed for superior comfort. First of all, it integrates a thick layer of foam cushioning. Its cover combines synthetic fabric with red faux leather. It features a contoured design with a groove in the middle for improved breathability.
It’s also important to mention here that the bike’s saddle is pretty easy to install and remove. Its attachment system is pretty standard, collar-based. This being said, you should be able to find a wide range of compatible saddles, in case you will ever want to replace it.
The bike’s handlebar also offers four-way adjustability (up, down, front, back), just like the seat. Its highest position is approx. 45″ (114 cm) above the floor. Its horizontal slider adds several inches of front-to-back adjustment.
The handlebar features a multi-grip design. It offers the possibility to adopt a climbing grip, an off-road grip, a standard grip, and a parallel close grip. You can also adopt an aero grip if you don’t install the tablet holder. The handlebar is fully covered by a layer of PVC foam material. It does not have pulse sensors but the fitness monitor can read your pulse from a wireless transmitter.
Drive system
The SOLE Fitness SB900 indoor cycling bike is equipped with a chrome-plated flywheel featuring ABS side covers.
The flywheel has a perimeter-weighted design which is great for spinning as it provides a consistent pedaling motion and high inertia. It weighs 48 lbs (22 kg) which is one of the heaviest flywheels that you can find on a spin bike.
The bike is equipped with a belt drive system. This being said, you don’t have to worry about its lubrication. Also, the belt generates less vibration than a chain, so it contributes to the overall smoothness of the ride.
The bike’s drivetrain allows reverse pedaling. However, when pedaling in reverse, the resistance remains constant, depending on the selected tension level. Coasting is not possible on this bike. Also, when pedaling in reverse, the monitor continues to track your data.
The bike is equipped with a heavy-duty crankset. Its arms are steel-made, coated with a black paint finish. They’re approx. 170 mm (6.7″) long. Also, the bike’s Q-Factor (spacing between the pedals) is approx. 180 mm (7″) which is pretty narrow, so you shouldn’t experience any lateral stress on the knees during pedaling.
The included pedals are made of durable aluminum alloy. They have SPD elements for spin shoes and toe cages. They also have 9/16 threads so you can easily find replacements for them in case you will ever need to change them.
Resistance system
As we’ve mentioned above, the SOLE SB900 bike features a magnetic resistance system, as opposed to the SOLE SB700
model which has a friction resistance system. It is not a motorized bike, so you don’t need to connect it to a power source.
The bike’s resistance system consists of a magnetic brake attached to the frame above the flywheel. This brake is connected to the bike’s tension knob on top of the frame. Therefore, when you turn this knob left or right, the distance between the magnets and the flywheel changes, which leads to more or less resistance.
The bike’s braking system is also equipped with a small lever and a small felt pad. When you press this lever down, the felt pad comes in contact with the flywheel and stops it from spinning. This emergency brake is actually quite necessary as the flywheel is heavy and trying to stop it with your feet from the pedals may lead to injuries.
Needless to say, the main advantage of the magnetic brake is that the magnets do not touch the flywheel. Thus, they don’t wear out and the flywheel spins freely, leading to a very smooth and quiet pedaling motion.
Fitness monitor
The SOLE Fitness SB900 exercise bike is equipped with a fitness monitor that offers quite a few extra features over a
basic one. To begin with, it features an LCD display divided into several sub-sections, in order to show as many workout metrics as possible at once. It tracks time, speed, distance, RPM, calories, and pulse.
As we’ve mentioned above, the bike is not equipped with pulse sensors, so the monitor can only read your pulse if you wear a wireless (ANT+) heart rate chest strap. This accessory is not included. Also, speed and distance can be set either to metric units or to British Imperial units.
The monitor unit is pretty easy to use. It has two buttons. The left button covers the Mode/Reset functions, while the right button covers the Start/Confirm functions. The unit does not have pre-set workout programs and does not play any role in the bike’s resistance adjustment. However, you can set a heart rate target with an alarm in order to keep yourself in a certain HR interval. You can input your weight and gender for a better calorie calculation. The unit also has a clock function which is shown on the bottom display when the unit is in idle mode.
The monitor unit is battery-powered. It requires two AAA batteries. The internal RPM sensor is also battery-powered and requires two AAA batteries. The monitor unit starts recording your data when it detects flywheel movement. It also enters idle mode after a few minutes of inactivity on the bike.
Assembly and Maintenance
The bike’s main body comes pre-assembled. The flywheel, the crankset, the drivetrain, and the magnetic brake are already installed. You only have to add the two base bars, the handlebar, the seat, the pedals, the fitness monitor, and the tablet holder. This shouldn’t take more than one hour of your time. The manual provides step-by-step assembly instructions and a basic toolkit is also included.
For maintenance, you only have to keep the bike clean. The drivetrain and the brake do not require lubrication. Other than this, it is also recommended to periodically inspect the bike, to make sure that all the fixed parts still hold in place and the moving parts still function properly.
The Pros
- Sturdy steel construction – can support users up to 300 lbs;
- Aesthetic design;
- Adjustable levelers on both bases;
- Transport wheels on the front base;
- 4-way adjustable seat;
- 4-way adjustable handlebar;
- Multi-grip handlebar with aero bars;
- Large cushioned saddle with a groove in the middle for extra breathability;
- Metallic pedals with SPD elements and toe cages;
- Narrow Q-factor for reduced lateral stress on the knees;
- Maintenance-free belt drive system;
- Super-heavy (48 lbs), perimeter-weighted flywheel;
- Frictionless magnetic resistance;
- Emergency brake function;
- Fitness monitor included – it tracks time, speed, distance, RPM, KCal, and pulse;
- Target heart rate function;
- Clock function in idle mode;
- Device holder included;
- Little maintenance required;
- All the tools necessary for the assembly are included;
- Easy to assemble;
- Excellent warranty.
The Cons
- The fitness monitor does not have backlight;
- The handlebar does not have pulse sensors;
- A heart rate monitor accessory is not included.
Summary
The SOLE Fitness SB900 is a light-commercial grade, heavy-duty indoor cycling bike. It is equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system, a 48 lbs flywheel, a belt drive system, and a fitness monitor that tracks the most important workout metrics. It offers superior micro-adjustability (both the seat and the handlebars are 4-way adjustable), and it is rated for a maximum user weight limit of 300 lbs. It’s a bike for users of all levels, for high-intensity spin workouts. It’s not exactly the most affordable exercise bike but definitely offers excellent value for the price.