L NOW Indoor Cycling Bike LD-577

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Flywheel weight	Resistance	Fitness meter
L NOW LD-577 Check Discounted Price	L:46" W:21" H:52"	551 lbs	44 lbs	Friction, felt-pad	Time, Speed, Distance, Pulse, ODO, SCAN

The L NOW LD-577 is one of the newest indoor cycle trainers released in 2017. It’s definitely a model designed to support all spin workouts. It features a commercial construction, made to withstand 24/7 usage within the premises of a gym club. It’s similar in sturdiness to the Star Trac ION 7220 or the Spinner NXT.

As opposed to the L NOW LD-598 that we’ve previously reviewed here, the LD-577 offers a higher weight capacity, a much thicker frame, a higher adjustment span for the seat, and a more advanced exercise meter.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 46L x 21W x 52H inches (117L x 53W x 132H cm)
• Assembled weight: 134.5 lbs (61 kg)
• Flywheel weight: 44 lbs (20 kg)
• Supported weight: 551 lbs (250 kg)
• Handlebars: 4-way adjustable
• Seat: 4-way adjustable
• Pedals: With toe cages
• Drive: Belt
• Resistance: Direct-contact, top-to-down felt pad
• Bottle holder: Yes
• Computer: Time, speed, RPM, distance, and pulse
• Warranty: 1 year limited

Frame construction

The L NOW LD-577 features an all-steel frame construction, being one of the bikes with the highest user capacity; it’s rated for 551 lbs (250 kg). It’s also quite heavy, approx. 3 times heavier than the average mountain bike, its assembled weight being 134.5 lbs (61 kg). This means that the bike offers superlative stability. You can be sure it won’t wobble or slide over when you engage in a more demanding spin workout. On top of that, its base tubes are equipped with rubberized, adjustable stabilizers which supply a solid grip onto the floor. Plus, the box also includes a rubberized mat.

Although it’s a bit larger than other indoor cycle trainers, this L NOW exercise bike still isn’t as large as a treadmill or elliptical trainer. It takes only 46″L x 21″W (117 x 53 cm) of floor space. Thus, it can be a great choice for a cardio machine, for anyone who lacks storage space. The bike’s frame doesn’t fold. However, its front base is equipped with two silicone wheels which make it easy to relocate. Also, by using the wheels, you won’t be handling the full weight of the bike, but only approx. 35% of its total weight.

The frame’s joints are precision welded; in fact, it has very few parts attached with bolts and screws, these being only the bases, the belt guard, and a few other cosmetic/protective parts.

The bike’s frame is double coated with industrial paint, resistant to corrosion and scratching. The colors used on the frame specifically for the LD-577 model, are dark gray, blue and white. The upright posts of the seat and handlebars feature a chrome finish, also highly resistant to corrosion.

Seat and handlebars

Many spin bikes feature a slim seat, not particularly designed for comfort. The seat supplied with the L NOW LD-577 is considerably larger, featuring a thick layer of padding, and a contoured surface. It has a groove along its midsection and a small hole, designed to improve blood circulation and reduce stress during prolonged pedaling sessions. Thus, we can safely say that this exercise bike features a seat notably more comfortable than other spin bikes.

The seat is 4-way adjustable, up, down, front and back. Its adjustment span is designed to accommodate comfortably users between 5’0″ – 6’5″ (152 – 195.5 cm). Of course, taller users should also be able to use this exercise bike, but they may not benefit from a complete leg extension.

The handlebar features a multi-grip design, being completely covered by a sheet of rubber foam material, for optimal comfort and hand adherence. The lateral handlebars integrate stainless steel pulse sensors. The handlebar assembly also features fixed aero bars plus a dual bottle holder.

Just as the seat, the handlebar is 4-way adjustable. Both the seat and the handlebar are equipped with large knobs, easy to grip and turn. Therefore, the bike’s adjustment takes less than a minute. Also, both the handlebar and seat upright posts are ovalized, preventing the potential sideways twist of the handlebar or seat during a more intense workout.

Drive and resistance

The L NOW LD-577 stationary bike features a belt drive system, which comes with several advantages over a chain drive. First of all, a belt doesn’t require periodic lubrication, and second of all, the belt generates less noise and vibration than a chain drive, the pedaling motion being almost silent.

The bike’s crankset is extremely sturdy. It’s definitely solid enough to support the user in standing up pedaling routines. The crank arms are made of solid steel, featuring a chrome finish. The pedals are also made of a metallic (aluminum) alloy, featuring toe cages. They’re not SPD pedals, but on the other hand, their threads are standard, so you can easily find replacements for them.

This L NOW indoor cycling bike is equipped with one of the heaviest flywheels. It weighs 44 lbs (20 kg), also being perimeter weighted. This means that the pedaling motion is smooth and steady, the flywheel generating a consistent momentum.

Pedaling in reverse is possible, but when pedaling in reverse the bike will retain its resistance, unlike a road bike. Thus, you cannot coast on it. Also, the pedals will continue to spin while the flywheel is spinning. Therefore, prior to changing the direction of your pedaling, it’s recommended to use the bike’s brake, to stop the flywheel in order to prevent any accidents.

The bike’s resistance system is friction-based. It consists of a small felt pad, connected to the knob on top of the main tube of the frame. By turning the knob clockwise, the brake pad comes closer to the flywheel, increasing drag. There are no pre-defined resistance levels specified on the tension knob. You simply turn it until the bike delivers the required amount of resistance for your workout. Also, the tension knob fulfills the purpose of an emergency brake. By pressing it down, you can quickly stop the flywheel from spinning.

Exercise meter

The exercise meter supplied with the L NOW LD-577 indoor cycle trainer, is a mid-range one, offering more than the basic units. First of all, it features a 5-panel LCD display, showing several metrics simultaneously, so you won’t have to use a SCAN function to rotate them all the time. It can track speed, distance, time, RPMs, and pulse.

The unit is battery-powered but the batteries are not included. It has a pulse reading function, but it’s not telemetric. In other words, it can only read your pulse if you use the EKG sensors integrated into the handlebars. It doesn’t work with Polar HR chest strap transmitters.

The unit allows you to set up values for time, distance and calories. Therefore, you can select a goal for any of these metrics and it will count down from it until it reaches zero. This way, you can keep a better track of your progress.

 

Assembly and Maintenance

This exercise bike is fairly easy to assemble, a process that shouldn’t take longer than 30 minutes. The flywheel, belt, resistance pad, and crankset are already assembled. All you have to do is attach the base tubes to the frame, mount the seat and handlebars, the pedals, and the fitness meter. The manual provides pretty clear step-by-step assembly instructions and the tools required are included.

As we’ve mentioned above, since it’s a belt-drive bike, its transmission does not require any lubrication. Therefore, all you have to do for maintenance is periodically check for loose bolts and parts, and replace the resistance pad when it wears out. This part should last for at least one year of daily use, though.

The Pros

• Commercial grade construction;
• High weight capacity – 551 lbs (250 kg);
• Appealing design;
• Bases with adjustable, rubber levelers;
• Extra comfortable seat for an indoor cycle, featuring a thick layer of padding, contoured surface and a longitudinal groove to promote a healthy blood circulation;
• The seat is 4-way adjustable (up, down, front, back);
• Multi-grip handlebar, with double bottle holder and fixed aero bars;
• The handlebar is also 4-way adjustable;
• Pulse sensors integrated into the handlebar; 
• 44 lbs heavy, balanced flywheel for a smooth pedaling motion and solid momentum;
• Heavy-duty crank, able to support any user up to the maximum listed weight, in upright pedaling position;
• Heavy-duty, metallic alloy pedals with toe cages for extra thrust;
• Fitness meter included;
• Quiet operation, great for apartment use;
• Rubberized mat included;
• Really easy to assemble;
• Little maintenance required.

The Cons

• Resistance pad requires replacement once it wears out.

Summary

The L NOW LD-577 is an indoor cycle trainer designed for spin workouts, with an impressive user weight limit, being able to support anyone up to 551 lbs (250 kg). Even though it’s not an authentic spin bike, it definitely has the construction and the features of one, and on top of that, it comes with a fitness meter. It’s a great bike for light to intense cardio workouts, perfect for interval workouts, for building stamina, strength, toning muscles and losing weight. It’s not exactly an affordable stationary bike, but since it’s built to commercial standards, it definitely stands up to the price.