Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Desk Exercise Bike SF-RBD4703

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Resistance	Fitness meter	Warranty
Sunny SF-RBD4703 Check Discounted Price	L:52.8" W:23.6" H:53.5"	350 lbs	Manual magnetic, 8 levels	Time, Distance, Total distance, Speed, Calories, SCAN	Frame: 3 years Parts: 90 days

In the second part of 2017, Sunny Health & Fitness has released the “desk” series of recumbent bikes. The Sunny SF-RBD4703 model that we’re going to review here, has a much sturdier build than the FitDesk v2.0. It actually has a frame similar to the Sunny SF-RB4708 model that we’ve recently reviewed. But on the other hand, it’s not foldable.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 52.8L x 23.6W x 53.5H inches (134L x 60W x 136H cm)
• Desk dimensions: 15D x 22W inches (38L x 56W cm)
• Assembled weight: 94.8 lbs (43 kg)
• Supported weight: 350 lbs (159 kg)
• Seat: Adjustable, with backrest
• Pedals: With straps
• Resistance: Magnetic, 8 levels
• Fitness meter: Included
• Other accessories: Tablet holder, bottle holder
• Warranty: Frame 3 years / Parts 90 days

Frame construction

The Sunny SF-RBD4703 recumbent desk exercise bike features a very sturdy construction, all the parts in its frame being made of steel tubing. The bike is actually able to support users up to 350 lbs (159 kg), which is quite impressive for a non-commercial model. The only plastic parts in its construction are the flywheel covers, the desk, and the covers of the base bars. 

Compared to other desk bikes that we’ve covered here, such as the Exerpeutic Workfit 1000, for example, this exercise bike offers a slightly larger footprint and overall weight, factors that considerably improve its stability. It’s assembled footprint measures 52.8″L x 23.6″W (134 x 60 cm), while the assembled weight is approx. 99 lbs (43 kg). On top of that, the rear base is equipped with adjustable stabilizers, so you can perfectly level it on basically any type of surface.

Although this bike is considerably heavier than the average road bike, its transport or relocation shouldn’t be too difficult once it is assembled. Its front base bar integrates two transport wheels which facilitate its relocation. But as we’ve mentioned above, its frame does not fold, nor it can be stored vertically.

Like many other Sunny Health & Fitness bikes, the Sunny SF-RBD4703 features a gray finish. This type of coating is resistant to corrosion and scratching. However, even though the paint is corrosion-resistant, the bike is meant for indoor use only. By storing it and using it outside, moisture may eventually damage its internal components, or the screws and other parts which are not coated can catch rust.

Desk

One of the best parts with regards to the Sunny SF-RBD4703 recumbent desk exercise bike is that its desk offers plenty of adjustability. It’s 4-way adjustable (up, down, front, back). Its upright adjustment span is 3.75″ (9.5 cm), with a distance from the floor between 37.5″ – 41.25″ (95.2 – 104.7 cm). Its front to back adjustment span is 12″ (30.4 cm), with a distance from the seat’s backrest between 12″ – 24″ (30.4 – 60.9 cm)

The bike’s desk is made of durable PVC material. Its surface integrates several anti-slippage, rubberized areas so that your laptop or tablet won’t slide over. Also, the user side of the desk is padded with a sheet of rubber foam to provide more comfort for your wrist while you work on your laptop. Plus, there’s a cup holder accessory which can be attached to the side of the desk platform.

The whole desk platform is detachable from the handlebar. It doesn’t connect to the bike’s handlebar by any screws or bolts so you can easily remove it if you want to use the bike’s multi-grip handlebar.

Seat

The bike’s seat is also adjustable. It’s attached to a metallic frame, which can support users up to 350 lbs (159 kg). Its sliding rail is oblique, offering an adjustment span between 26″ – 33″ (66 – 84 cm) from the pedals. This being said, the bike can accommodate users between 5’0″ – 6’3″ (153 – 190 cm).

Both the seat and its backrest feature a durable nylon upholstery. They integrate a fairly thick layer of foam padding in order to deliver optimal comfort. The backrest has a contoured surface to provide excellent lumbar support.

The backrest does not adjust independently from the seat, though. It is attached directly to the same metallic bar as the seat and will move back and forth on its slider, along with the seat. It also doesn’t recline.

Resistance and drive

The Sunny SF-RBD4703 is equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system. It consists of a magnetic pad connected via a steel wire, to the lever on the front frame bar. By moving the lever up and down, the magnetic pad changes its position in relation to the bike’s flywheel, which results in a pedal resistance adjustment.

There are 8 resistance settings available. The first 1-3 settings offer a very light workout, while the top, 7-8 settings provide the possibility to undergo a more intense workout. But as a general idea, this is not a bike for a very intense cardio training. To put it differently, it provides a light to medium workout, being an adequate choice for users who require recovery training or elderly users.

This recumbent desk exercise bike is equipped with a belt drive. It uses a stretch-resistant, heavy-duty belt, designed to last for many years of use. Since it’s a belt drive, it doesn’t require any lubrication. Also, the amount of noise generated during pedaling is almost nonexistent. So, this being said, you can use it in an office, for example, without bothering your colleagues.

The integrated flywheel is not extremely heavy. Its weight is not specified, but for most bikes in this feature range, it usually weighs between 8 and 12 lbs. It’s perimeter weighted, though, which means it delivers a smooth motion.

The bike’s crankset is quite durable, but since this is a recumbent bike, it’s not made for spin workouts. In other words, you shouldn’t pedal while standing up. The pedals supplied with the bike are made of durable nylon material. They have adjustable straps to prevent slippage, and they’re also weighted. They also have standard threads, so it’s easy to find replacements for them if needed.

Last but not least, this Sunny exercise bike features a narrow Q-Factor. This means that your feet are positioned correctly and naturally on the pedals, which results in no lateral stress on the ankles and knees.

Exercise meter

The meter unit supplied with this Sunny Health & Fitness recumbent desk bike is quite basic. It’s not programmable, doesn’t have online connectivity or other features. It has an LCD display which tracks time, speed, calories, distance and total distance. It has a SCAN function which rotates all these values showing each one for four seconds. It has a MODE button which allows you to toggle the SCAN function ON and OFF. This way you can select any of the mentioned values to be shown on screen.

The MODE button also covers the unit’s reset function. By pressing and holding it for 3 seconds all the values will be cleared to zero, except the odometer.

The unit is battery powered and the required batteries are included with the bike. It’s powered on when you begin pedaling or when you push the MODE button. It also features a sleep function into which it will enter after four minutes of inactivity on the pedals.

Finally, although the bike is equipped with a whole desk accessory which can hold your laptop, the console itself is also equipped with a tablet shelf. So, in case you won’t be using the desk, you’ll still have a place to store your tablet or smartphone to keep yourself entertained while exercising.

Assembly and Maintenance

The bike’s base frame with the resistance and drive elements comes pre-assembled. You will only have to add the bike’s front and rear base bars, the seat rail, the seat, the backrest, the handlebars upright adjustment bar, the handlebars, the console, desk and the pedals. The assembly task is pretty easy; the manual provides all the instructions you need to do this yourself, without any professional help. Also, the bike comes with all the tools required for the assembly. So, the whole task shouldn’t take longer than 30-40 minutes.

Maintenance is basically inexistent. For this matter, you have to keep the bike free of dust and moisture, and periodically check for loose bolts and parts. The internal parts of the bike shouldn’t require any greasing for a long period of time.

The Pros

• Solid frame for a light recumbent bike, with a max. user capacity of 350 lbs;
• Adjustable stabilizers on the rear base;
• Transport wheels on the front base;
• Step-thru frame design;
• 4-way adjustable desk;
• Large removable desk, with an anti-slippage surface and padding;
• Adjustable seat – can accommodate users between 5’0″ – 6’3″;
• Cushioned seat and backrest, for maximum comfort;
• Quiet magnetic resistance system;
• Adjustable resistance (8 levels);
• Weighted pedals with adjustable straps and standard threads;
• Fitness meter that can track time, distance, total distance, speed, and calories;
• Tablet holder integrated into the meter unit;
• Cup holder included;
• Easy to assemble and operate;
• Transport wheels and rear stabilizers;
• Little to no maintenance required.

The Cons

• No seat handlebars (or armrests);
• A laptop display will block the view of the bike’s exercise meter;
• The exercise meter doesn’t have backlight.

Summary

The Sunny SF-RBD4703 is a recumbent desk exercise bike, featuring a durable and removable desk platform, a comfortable seat, manual magnetic resistance, and a basic fitness meter. It’s quite a sturdy fitness machine as it can support users up to 350 lbs. It’s not a bike for intense cardio training, but can definitely help you bolster your heart rate while working on your laptop. This can lead to a healthier cardiovascular system, toned muscles, improved stamina, and even weight loss. And finally, it’s not an expensive exercise bike, offering excellent value for the price.