| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Fitness meter | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Star Trac 7220 Check Discounted Price | L:57" W:21" H:42" | 350 lbs | Friction, Leather-pad | Time, Distance KCalories, Watts, RPM, Heart rate | Frame: 10 years Parts: 2 years Wear: 1 year |
The Star Trac Spinner Blade ION is definitely a commercial quality bike, designed for 24/7 usage within the premises of a gym facility. It features a very solid construction, high weight capacity, and superlative quality in all of its components. As opposed to other models, the ION bike includes an exercise meter with a decent array of functions.
In this review, we’ll address all the features of this spin bike. But before we proceed with the full presentation of each and every feature, there’s one more important aspect to be mentioned. This is the Star Trac model number 7220, the bike that features a chain drive, friction resistance and does include the exercise meter.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 57L x 21W x 42H inches (144L x 57W x 107H cm)
- Assembled weight: 130 lbs (59 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 50 lbs (22.7 kg)
- Max. user capacity: 350 lbs (159 kg)
- Handlebars: 4-way adjustable
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Pedals: Dual-sided (SPD/Toe cages)
- Drive mechanism: Chain
- Brakes: Friction, leather pad
- Resistance: Adjustable
- Accessories: Bottle holders
- Performance monitor: Included
- Warranty: Frame 10 years / Parts 2 years / Labor 1 year
Frame construction
The Star Trac Spinner Blade ION indoor cycling bike features a full steel frame construction, with a heavy frame, weighing 130 lbs (59 kg). This weight, plus the user’s weight, render the bike extremely stable even during the most intense spin workouts. It’s 
definitely an authentic spin bike, design to support just about any spin workout ever designed. Its stability is furthermore enhanced by its adjustable, rubberized stabilizers, which also delivered a decent grip onto the floor, preventing the bike from sliding forward or sideways. These being said, this cycle trainer doesn’t require to be placed on a rubber mat, but this accessory is recommended.
Although the Star Trac 7220 is a rather heavy item of fitness equipment, its relocation is not that difficult once it’s already assembled. Its front base integrates a set of rubber wheels, which facilitate its handling and relocation. Also, even though the bike weighs more than 4 times than a mountain bike, by leaning it on its front wheels, you will basically handle half of its total weight.
The bike’s frame is double coated with corrosion resistant and scratch resistant paint, black in color. The Spinning logo is painted white on the bike, and blue on the flywheel, these colors being specific to the 7220 model. The upright posts of the handlebar and the seat feature a chrome finish, which is also corrosion resistant.
The bike’s construction includes very few PVC (non-metallic) parts. These are the chain cover, the adjustment knobs of the seat and handlebars, and the water bottles support. Evidently, these parts don’t play any role in the bike’s sturdiness and stability.
One last aspect to mention here regards the cycle’s footprint. Although it’s not a large fitness machine, such as a treadmill or an elliptical, it’s a bike a bit bigger than other models, such as the Bladez Echelon GS, or the IRONMAN H-Class 520. It takes 57″L x 21″W (144 x 57 cm) of floor space, but still, it can fit even in a smaller room.
Seat and handlebars
Since it’s a spin bike, the Star Trac ION 7220 is not a bike mean for comfort. It’s a bike built to support high-intensity interval workouts, and pretty much the full range of spin 
workouts. Thus, it’s equipped with a slim seat, characteristic to most spin bikes. The seat has a contoured surface, it integrates a thin layer of padding, and delivers all the comfort specific to a spin bike. Also, its connection part to the upright post is standard; therefore, you should easily find a replacement for it, in case you desire a different model.
The seat is 4-way adjustable, up, down, back and forth. The adjustment holes are approx. 1/2″ wide apart, therefore the bike offer superior micro-adjustability, making it possible to find the most comfortable position to you. The handlebar is also 4-way adjustable. It features a multi-grip design and integrates a double bottle holder. It’s also fully covered by rubber foam material, to supply a comfortable, sure grip. These being said, the bike can accommodate users between 4’10” – 6’10” (147 – 208 cm), and up to 350 lbs (159 kg).
Drive system
The Star Trac Spinner Blade ION 7220 is equipped with a chain drive system. It supplies a smooth and quiet ride. The only sound that you will hear during your workouts is the soft whirring generated by the chain. As opposed to a belt drive, the chain drive does require 
some maintenance, in other words, periodic lubrication. However, in the long run, it may be preferable to a belt, as a chain can basically last a lifetime, also replacements being highly available.
This spin bike is equipped with one of the heaviest flywheels. Its flywheel weighs 50 lbs (22.7 kg), 12 lbs heavier than the one on the Star Trac 6960. It’s perimeter weighted, offering a consistent momentum and a smooth, stable pedaling feel. Its perimeter is rounded not flat, like in most other indoor cycles, which leads to a better grip of the brake pad onto it.
Evidently, since it’s a spin bike, and on top of that, a bike made for gym use, its crank assembly is really sturdy. It features two solid steel, thick crank arms, being able to support even the heaviest users in stand-up spinning routines, or just about any spin workouts. It also offers quite a narrow Q-Factor of 158 mm, similar to the Q Factor of race bikes, which results in a more natural pedaling motion, and a much lower impact on your knees.
The crank arms are finished with metallic, dual-sided pedals, with toe cages on one side, and SPD clips for spin shoes on the other. They also have standard threads, therefore replacements for them are highly available.
Resistance system
This spin bike is equipped with a friction resistance system, similar to the one on the Spinner NXT. It consists of a foam and leather pad, which comes in contact with the 
flywheel in a top-to-down manner. Resistance is adjusted by turning the tension knob situated on the top end of the handlebar frame tube. The tension knob also functions as an emergency brake. By pressing it down you will automatically stop the flywheel.
There are no resistance levels specified on the knob. You can basically turn it until you find the resistance that feels most comfortable to you. But as a general idea, the resistance level can be set up to the point you can barely pedal. Evidently, resistance can be adjusted while you pedal.
Exercise meter
Many other spin bike models do not include an exercise meter, but the Star Trac 7220 does, which is quite a plus. The meter unit supplied with the bike is a mid-range one, offering quite a bit more than the average, basic unit. First of all, it features a multi-panel display, 
with LED backlight. It can track heart rate, RPM, watts, kcalories, time and distance. You can view up to 4 of the workout metrics on screen at one time, 4 different combinations of metrics being available. Distance is calculated in miles only. Also, in order for the meter unit to read your heart rate, you will have to use a compatible ANT+ HR strap transmitter, an accessory which is not included.
The unit can also summarize your workout stats, offering peak power, average power, time, average heart rate, average cadence, total distance and total calories. Data readings are taken once every 250 milliseconds (4x per second) and update the computer display once every second. Max. watts can be determined at one-second intervals.
The meter unit offers the possibility to program workout intervals. It’s easy to operate, having only three buttons: Backlight, Mode and Reset. The Backlight button allows you to turn on/off the unit’s backlight. The Mode button allows you to swap the metrics view and set up interval workouts. And the Reset key is naturally used to reset values.
The meter is battery powered. However, the bike is also equipped with a self-powering flywheel generator which supplies additional power to the unit, saving battery power.
Assembly and Maintenance
Most of the bike comes pre-assembled. Therefore, assembly requires attaching the bases to the frame, the seat and handlebar posts, the seat and handlebar, pedals and console. This shouldn’t take longer than 30 min. Assembly manual and tools required are supplied.
Since the bike has a chain drive, its chain requires periodic lubrication. This is far from being a difficult process, though. You only need to take off the chain guard, apply some chain lube onto the chain, spin the pedals a couple of times while holding the chain with a piece of cloth, in order to wipe off the lubricant excess and make sure all its links are lubricated.
The resistance pad may also require a bit of lubrication, especially when it’s new. For that, you only need to apply a silicone-based lubricant onto the contact surface of the flywheel. This way, any squeaking that the brake pad may generate, will be eliminated. Also, its grip onto the flywheel will improve. Of course, when the brake pad wears out (usually after a few years), it requires replacement.
The Pros
- Heavy-duty construction, highly durable frame, made for all spin workouts;
- Elegant, professional design;
- Extremely solid crank assembly;
- Adjustable foot stabilizers;
- Comfortable, narrow Q-Factor, reducing stress on knees;
- 4-way adjustable seat;
- 4-way adjustable handlebars;
- Accommodates users between 4’10” – 6’10”;
- High user capacity (350 lbs);
- Quiet, smooth and durable chain drive;
- High-inertia, heavy flywheel;
- Basically limitless resistance settings;
- Hybrid pedals, with clips for spin shoes, and toe cages;
- Bottle holders;
- LED backlit fitness meter, with programmable intervals;
- Little maintenance required;
- Easy to assemble;
- Excellent warranty plan.
The Cons
- Seat may not be too comfortable for users new to spinning.
Summary
The Star Trac Spinner Blade ION 7220 is a commercial grade, authentic spin bike, with a solid construction and a friction resistance system. It’s a bike for users of all levels, also featuring a high weight capacity. It’s definitely made to support any spin workout. It has superior micro-adjustability, both its seat and handlebar being 4-way adjustable. It’s equipped with an exercise meter designed for interval training, which can also track your heart rate. Finally, even though it’s not exactly an affordable cycle trainer, it’s still a few $100s cheaper than other commercial quality indoor cycling bikes.