ASUNA Minotaur Cycle Exercise Bike 7150

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Resistance	Console	Warranty
ASUNA Minotaur Check Discounted Price	L:57" W:27.2" H:49.2"	330 lbs	Friction	No	Frame: 5 years Parts: 90 days

One of the newest exercise bikes from Sunny Health & Fitness for 2017 is the ASUNA Minotaur 7150. This is a commercial grade indoor cycling bike which features a heavy-duty construction, similar to the Star Trac ION or Schwinn AC Performance. Just as other commercial exercise bikes, this model doesn’t include a fitness meter, and it’s also pretty expensive. But on the other hand, it can support just about any spin workout ever created.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 57L x 27.2W x 49.2H inches (145L x 69W x 125H cm)
• Assembled weight: 132.8 lbs (60.2 kg)
• Flywheel weight: 33 lbs (15 kg)
• Supported weight: 330 lbs (150 kg)
• Handlebars: 4-way adjustable
• Seat: 4-way adjustable
• Pedals: Dual-action (SPD clips + toe cages)
• Drive mechanism: Belt
• Resistance: Friction
• Fitness meter: Not included
• Bottle holders: Included
• Warranty: Frame 5 years / Parts 90 days

Frame construction

The Sunny ASUNA Minotaur features a heavy construction, with a one-piece, all-steel frame, with precision machined welding points. The only frame parts that attach to the main frame via bolts are the bike’s bases.

The bike is able to withstand users up to 330 lbs (150 kg). In fact, considering its bulky frame and the thick bar of the seat, it should be able to support even heavier users. However, the 330 lbs is its specified maximum user weight capacity.

Most of the bike’s frame is powder coated with industrial-grade corrosion-resistant and scratch-resistant paint. The only color available for this bike is black (at least for the moment). The ASUNA logo is painted blue, while the Minotaur name is white. The seat and handlebar posts and sliders feature a chrome finish, also corrosion resistant.

One of the important aspects regarding this Sunny Health & Fitness exercise bike is the stepping pad above the crank. This particular element makes available several spin workouts that require the user to dismount and step onto the frame in order to focus different groups of muscles. Many other indoor cycle trainers do not have this feature.

The ASUNA Minotaur has a footprint a bit larger than other indoor cycling bikes. With the frame fully assembled, it is 57″ (145 cm) long, and 27.2 (69 cm) wide. This larger footprint, along with its 132.8 lbs (~60 kg) weight play an important role in its overall stability. Plus, both base tubes feature adjustable stabilizers with rubber caps. Therefore, you can be sure that it won’t rock or wobble even if you engage in some of the most demanding spin workouts.

The front base of the bike integrates a set of transport wheels. By using these wheels you won’t be handling more than half of the bike’s weight when relocating it.

The only non-metallic elements in the bike’s construction are the top guard of the flywheel and resistance pad and the belt guard. These are made of durable PVC material, and can easily be removed if you need to lubricate the brake pad or check the belt.

Seat and handlebars

The seat supplied with the ASUNA Minotaur 7150 is a spin bike seat featuring a large longitudinal groove to promote a healthy blood circulation during seated workouts. However, like most spin bike seats, it’s not designed for comfort. Although it’s consistently cushioned, it still is a slim seat, and for a user new to spinning may seem uncomfortable. But nonetheless, it has a standard design and compatible replacements are widely available. Plus, you can always improve its comfort by a gel cover.

The seat can be adjusted up, down, back and forth. It’s adjustment span is 10″ (25.4 cm), from 28.5″ (72.4 cm) to 38.5″ (98 cm). Differently put, the bike can accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’7″ (153 – 201 cm).

The handlebar features a multi-grip design, with integrated aero bars and bottle holders. Just as the seat, it is 4-way adjustable, offering an adjustment span of several inches vertically and horizontally. The whole handlebar is padded with high-density foam, in order to provide a secure, comfortable grip.

Both the seat and the handlebar feature large, adjustable levers, easy to grip and turn. Thus, setting up the bike for your own size shouldn’t take up more than one minute.

Resistance and drive

Like most other commercial spin bikes, the ASUNA 7150 Minotaur uses a manual friction resistance system. It consists of a leather pad attached to the tension dial atop the main tube of the frame. The brake pad is concealed by the plastic cover which also shields the top part of the flywheel.

To add resistance, you have to turn the dial clockwise; this enables the brake pad to apply more friction onto the flywheel, resulting in greater pedal resistance.

There aren’t any resistance settings or “clicks” specified on the resistance knob. You simply have to tighten it until you obtain the desired resistance. The knob also acts as an emergency brake; you can push it down to immediately stop the flywheel.

The ASUNA 7150 features a 33 lbs (15 kg) aluminum and steel alloy flywheel. This flywheel is a bit lighter than for other Sunny Health & Fitness exercise bikes, such as the SF-B901B, for example. But nonetheless, it can generate a very consistent momentum. It’s also perimeter-weighted which means that the pedaling motion is very smooth and steady.

The flywheel is bi-directional. In other words, the bike gives you the possibility to pedal in reverse. When pedaling in reverse it will retain its tension, though.

The bike uses a belt drive, powered by a heavy-duty belt, designed to last for many years of use. This belt drive comes with two main advantages. One, it quieter than a chain; in fact, the bike generates very little noise when in use. And second, it doesn’t require any maintenance.

Since it’s a commercial grade bike, it is equipped with a very solid crankset with steel crank arms which can hold the entire weight of the rider with no problem. Also, the pedals supplied with the bike are dual-sided. They feature SPD elements for spin shoes on one side and toe cages with straps on the other.

The bike’s Q-Factor (spacing between the pedals) is 140 mm. This is actually a pretty narrow Q-Factor, offering superior biomechanics that improve comfort and optimal efficiency. Differently put, your feet are positioned on the pedals naturally, without any extra lateral stress on the ankles or knees. This results in longer workouts and a lower chance of developing any post-workout joint pain.

Assembly and Maintenance

The ASUNA Minotaur exercise bike comes partially assembled. The flywheel, the belt, crankset, resistance pad and their covers are already attached to the frame. Therefore, you will only have to attach the two bases, the seat, the handlebars and the pedals. This shouldn’t take longer than 20 min. All the tools required for the assembly are included. Also, the supplied manual offers all the necessary assembly instructions.

Since the bike doesn’t have a chain drive, its transmission doesn’t require any maintenance. Therefore, you only have to check for loose bolts and parts from time to time. Also, in case the resistance pads develop a burnt scent due to friction, lubricating them with a little bit of silicone lubricant is an excellent solution.

The Pros

• Sturdy construction, with a decent weight capacity of 330 lbs (150 kg);
• Aesthetic design;
• Adjustable, rubberized stabilizers on both base tubes;
• Transport wheels;
• 4-way adjustable seat;
• Large longitudinal groove on the seat for a healthy blood circulation;
• 4-way adjustable handlebar;
• Multi-grip handlebar with integrated aero bars and two bottle holders;
• Accommodates users between 5’0″ – 6’7″;
• Step-up pad for various spin workouts; 
• 33 lbs perimeter-weighted flywheel, which delivers a consistent momentum and a smooth pedaling motion;
• Solid crank assembly, which can support all kinds of spin workouts, including standing up pedaling routines;
• Dual-sided, ultra-durable metallic pedals, with SPD clips on one side and toe cages on the other;
• Extra-quiet, maintenance-free belt drive;
• Basically limitless resistance settings;
• Little maintenance required;
• Really easy to assemble.

The Cons

• No exercise meter.

Summary

The ASUNA Minotaur 7150 is a heavy-duty, commercial quality indoor cycle trainer. It features a sturdy frame, and crankset, being able to support users up to 330 lbs. It’s equipped with a friction resistance system, a durable, maintenance-free belt drive, and a heavy flywheel for a consistent momentum. It’s definitely a bike made for the whole range of spin workouts. It’s great for intense cardio training, endurance and strength training, intervals and weight loss. And finally, it’s not an affordable bike, but its overall sturdiness and the quality in its components definitely match the price.