| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Flywheel | Console |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kettler Giro S Check Discounted Price | L:40.5" W:21" H:45" | 285 lbs | Friction | 40 lbs | Speed, Time, Distance, ODO, Calories, Pulse, Countdown |
The Giro S is actually one of the older indoor cycling bikes from Kettler; it was released in 2015 but it’s still available. To be clear, this is the Kettler exercise bike part number 07639-000.
The Kettler Giro S is not classified as an exercise bike for commercial use. However, it has a body construction and an overall sturdiness pretty close to one. It also includes a telemetric fitness meter with a multi-panel display. There’s a lot to be said about this exercise bike, so in this post, we’re going to cover each and every important aspect regarding it.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 40.5L x 21W x 45H (103L x 53W x 113H cm)
- Assembled weight: 114 lbs (51.8 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 40 lbs (18 kg)
- Supported weight: 285 lbs (130 kg)
- Handlebars: 2-way adjustable
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Drive mechanism: Belt
- Resistance: Friction
- Fitness meter: Time, speed, distance, odometer, calories, RPM, pulse, SCAN
- Extras: Bottle holder
- Warranty: 3 years
Frame construction
As we’ve mentioned above, the Kettler Giro S indoor cycling bike features a sturdy construction, pretty close to the light commercial spin bikes. Its frame is made of heavy-duty steel tubing designed to support riders up to 285 lbs (130 kg). 
This fitness trainer doesn’t have an extremely large footprint. With the frame fully assembled, it takes approx. 40.5″L x 21″W (103 x 53 cm) of floor space. However, it is recommended to assign at least two feet of clearance all around it, to be able to perform any spin workout without any hindrance.
Although it’s a rather small bike compared to other models, its frame is rather heavy. It weighs approx. 114 lbs (51.8 kg) when fully assembled. This weight is reflected in its overall stability; you can be sure that the bike won’t rock if you pedal while standing up, or if you engage in a more demanding spinning routine. Plus, the bike rests on large rubber stabilizers which provide a good grip onto the floor; the rear stabilizers are also adjustable, so you should be able to perfectly level the trainer on any type of flooring.
Despite its weight, this Kettler exercise bike isn’t too difficult to transport once it is assembled. Its front base features transport wheels. By using these wheels to relocate the bike you won’t be handling more than 40% of its total weight.
This exercise bike features a top-quality powder coating finish, resistant to rust and abrasions. The color used is light gray for most of the bike’s main body, but the seat and handlebar upright posts feature a chrome finish. Also, the bike’s construction integrates several plastic covers, which is quite a plus, as they prevent perspiration to reach some of the parts or bolts that are not corrosion-resistant.
Seat and handlebars
The Kettler Giro S trainer is equipped with a road saddle which provides a bit more comfort than the slim spin seats. This type of saddle features a longitudinal groove to promote a 
proper blood flow and airflow underneath the user. Its side sections integrate a layer of foam cushioning for optimal comfort.
The seat has a standard design. This means you can easily find a compatible seat replacement for the bike if it’s the case. It’s 4-way adjustable (up, down, front, back), offering a pedal down to saddle min./max. adjustment span of 31″ – 35″ (74 – 90 cm). This being said, the bike can accommodate users up to 6’5″ (196 cm). The seat’s angle can also be adjusted, but this requires additional tools. And finally, the seat with its post and slider can support users up to 285 lbs (130 kg).
The bike’s handlebar features a multi-grip design, with middle aero bars and integrated pulse sensors. It’s rubber-coated so it provides a comfortable and reliable grip. However, as opposed to the seat, the handlebar is only 2-way adjustable (up, down); it doesn’t have a horizontal adjustment slider.
Resistance and drive
The Kettler Giro S exercise bike features a manual friction resistance system. It consists of a top-to-down brake pad attached to the tension knob on top of the main bar of the frame. To adjust the resistance you must turn the knob clockwise so that the resistance pad will apply more friction to the flywheel. In case you’re wondering, the console doesn’t play any role 
within the resistance adjustment as for the Giro GT model.
As opposed to most exercise bikes with a manual-magnetic resistance, such as the Marcy NS-40504U for example, this Kettler bike doesn’t have any adjustment levels specified on the tension dial. You can basically tighten it up to the point you can barely pedal.
The bike features a belt-drive system, integrating a longitudinally ribbed belt for a superior concentricity and minimal generated noise. As opposed to a chain drive, a belt drive comes with the advantage that it doesn’t require lubrication, and generates less vibration, so that the pedaling feel is smoother.
The bike’s flywheel is fairly heavy. It weighs 40 lbs (18 kg) and has more weight placed in its perimeter, in order to provide a more aggressive inertia and a more consistent momentum. It’s also bi-directional; in other words, the bike gives you the possibility to pedal in reverse if you want. However, you cannot coast on this bike. The pedals continue to move for as long as the flywheel is spinning. Also, it is recommended to use the emergency brake (press the resistance knob down) every time you need to stop pedaling, to avoid any injuries.
The bike’s crankset is quite a durable part. It features solid steel crank arms equipped with metallic alloy pedals. As long as the user doesn’t exceed the specified 285 lbs weight capacity, the crank should withstand any spin workout, even those that require the user to be standing up on the pedals.
The pedals don’t have SPD elements for spin shoes. However, they do have adjustable toe cages. They’re also standardly threaded so you can easily find replacements for them.
The bike’s gear ratio is 1:8. This means that every complete pedaling motion is quite satisfactory. The Q-Factor is 7.5″ (19 cm), a bit wide for a training bike, but still not extremely wide to pose a significant lateral stress on the knees. However, if you do have bad knees or recovering from knee surgery, it’s best to opt for a bike with narrower Q-Factor, such as the Sunny Evolution Pro SF-B1714, or the Efitment IC031.
Exercise meter
The Kettler Giro S indoor cycling trainer features training meter which can offer quite a few more features than the average basic meter. First of all, it has a 6-panel LCD display, which means that it can show up to 6 workout metrics simultaneously. It can track time, distance,
total distance, speed, RPM, calories, and pulse. The three panels on the bottom left cover time, distance/odometer, calories, while the other two bottom panels on the right cover pulse and speed/RPM. The unit also has a SCAN function; if the SCAN function is ON, all the workout metrics will rotate on the top, larger panel, each one remaining on the display for 6 seconds.
The meter is telemetric. It can read your pulse via an optional wireless HR chest strap or ear clip. However, if you don’t opt for any of these accessories you can still benefit from a pulse reading via the EKG sensors integrated into the handlebars. Also, the meter has two preset cardio intervals, for 65% and 75%, and a manual interval which allows you to set a value between 40%-90%. Based on the age formula (220-age formula), the training computer calculates the maximum heart rate.
The meter unit has countdown functions for time, distance, and calories. In other words, you can select a value for any of these metrics, and it will begin to countdown from it until it reaches zero. This way, you can set up a workout goal for the day.
A recovery function is also available with this exercise meter. This gives you the possibility to calculate your fitness level. Based on the heart rate at the end of the workout it will give you a fitness rating between F1 (Excellent) – F6 (Poor).
The meter unit is battery-powered; it requires 2AA batteries. It starts up when you begin pedaling or when you press a button, and also has a sleep mode to which will enter after 4 minutes of inactivity on the bike.
Assembly and Maintenance
Most of the bike’s components come ready-assembled. You only need to attach the base bars and their covers, the pedals, the handlebar, the console, and the seat. This shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes. All the tools you will need for the assembly are included. Also, the manual provides excellent assembly instructions and schematics.
Since the bike has a belt drive system, its transmission doesn’t require lubrication. The only part that may need lubrication is the brake pad in case it emits squeaking noises when in contact with the flywheel. To lubricate it you simply have to apply a few drops of silicone lubricant on the edge of the flywheel. Other than this, it’s recommended to periodically check for loose bolts and parts.
The Pros
- Durable frame, sturdy construction for a home use bike;
- Can support users up to 285 lbs;
- Adjustable stabilizers on the rear base;
- Transport wheels included;
- 4-way adjustable seat;
- 2-way adjustable handlebar;
- Can accommodate users up to 6’5″;
- Multi-grip handlebar;
- Pulse sensors integrated into the handlebar;
- Smooth, almost silent belt drive;
- Bi-directional, 40 lbs flywheel for a consistent momentum;
- Durable, metallic alloy pedals with toe cages;
- Friction resistance, which basically offers tension up to the point you can barely pedal;
- 6-panel, LCD display exercise meter included – it can track time, distance, total distance, speed, RPM, calories, and pulse;
- Goal settings for time, distance, and calories;
- Bottle holder included;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- Only metric units for the fitness meter;
- No backlight on the fitness meter;
- No angle adjustability for the fitness meter;
- No fore-aft adjustment for the handlebars.
Summary
The Kettler Giro S is a well-built, compact indoor cycling trainer, designed for spin workouts. It features a friction resistance system, a comfortable seat, a telemetric fitness meter with goal settings for time, distance, and calories, and can support users up to 285 lbs. It’s an excellent trainer for light to intense cardio workouts, endurance training, interval training, and weight loss. It’s not an affordable trainer, but considering that it has a construction similar to the light-commercial bikes, and comes with a fitness meter, we can safely say that it offers excellent value for the price.