| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Workout Apps | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Precor UBK 835 Check Discounted Price | L:48" W:21" H:62" | 350 lbs | Magnetic, Self-powered | 12 | Frame: Lifetime Parts: 10 years Labor: 1 year |
There are several commercial-grade upright bikes under the brand name of Precor, and the UBK 835 is one of them. It’s a unit part of the Experience Series designed to combine reliability with ease-of-use and comfort. It’s a bike equipped with a self-powered, eddy current resistance system, but features a basic console compared to other models, and this is one of the reasons it’s a bit more affordable.
Technical Details & Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 48L x 21W x 62H inches (122L x 53W x 157H cm)
- Net weight: 160 lbs (73 kg)
- Weight capacity: 350 lbs (159 kg)
- Seat: 2-way adjustable
- Resistance: Eddy current, self-powered, 25 levels
- Console: 12 workout programs
- Extras: Accessory tray, reading rack
- Warranty: Frame lifetime / Parts 10 years / Labor 1 year
Frame construction
As we’ve mentioned above, the Precor UBK 835 is a commercial-grade exercise bike, and therefore it features a frame construction
that meets all the commercial standards. To begin with, it’s frame is made of thick steel tubing and double-coated with a corrosion-resistant and chip-resistant paint finish. There are two versions available in terms of color for the console mast and base bars, one gloss metallic silver, the other black pearl.
Compared to other commercial upright bikes, such as the Star Trac E-UB for example, this Precor model is considerably heavier. Its fully assembled frame weighs approx. 160 lbs (73 kg), and this weight renders the unit solid and stable as a rock. You can be sure that it won’t wobble or rock under you even if you’re close to the maximum 350 lbs (159 kg) weight capacity, and you engage in a high-intensity workout.
Despite its overall impressive weight, the machine is not extremely difficult to relocate once it is assembled. Its front base features a set of wheels which ease its handling.
The unit’s stability is also improved by its rear levelers. These elements are adjustable and allow you to perfectly level the bike on any type of floor. The front base also rests on two rubber pads which improve the unit’s grip on the floor. However, due to the unit’s weight to which your own weight will be added, it is recommended to place and use this exercise bike on a rubberized mat.
The Precor UBK 835 is not an extremely large fitness machine, compared to treadmills or elliptical trainers. However, it’s still considerably larger than other upright bike models. With the frame fully assembled, it is approx. 48″ (122 cm) long, and 21″ (53 cm) wide. Plus, it is recommended to leave at least two feet of clearance all around the unit, for safe access and operation.
One of the important aspects that we must mention here, regards the bike’s drive and resistance covers. The top cover of the internal mechanism can easily be removed to allow the access to the internal parts without removing the pedals or the crank arms. Although this Precor exercise bike offers supreme quality and its internal parts shouldn’t need any maintenance for many years, ease of access to them is always a big plus.
Seat & handlebars
Similar to other commercial grade upright exercise bikes, the Precor UBK 835 features a seat that is only 2-way adjustable. The 
lack of a horizontal slider, as for the Diamondback 910UB for example, shouldn’t be a problem, though. The seat is designed to accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’6″ (153 – 198 cm).
The upright bar of the seat offers 14 positions of adjustment; regardless your height, you should be able to find the perfect fit. Also, the seat adjustment system uses a lever placed under the front part of the saddle. Therefore, you can adjust the seat height while you’re already seated; there is no need to repeatedly mount, dismount, and adjust the seat until you find the right position.
The saddle itself is designed for maximum comfort. It’s 10.5″ (27 cm) wide at the rear, with a narrow nose and a longitudinal ergonomic groove. It integrates a generous layer of padding, and its surface is made of a thick, durable vinyl material, designed to last a lifetime.
The bike’s handlebars are non-adjustable. They attach directly to the console mast. They offer three comfortable riding positions, these being upright, cruising, and neutral. The handlebar assembly is fairly wide, providing comfort and stability for the entire forearm during the cruising position. It also has a urethane cover to improve grip.
The handlebar features two sets of pulse sensors. Two are integrated into the top grips, while the other two are at the bottom grips. This being said, you can monitor your pulse during a race grip or an upright grip. However, the included console is telemetric; it can read your pulse via an HR chest strap transmitter.
Resistance & drive
The Precor UBK 835 upright bike is equipped with an eddy current, self-powered resistance system. This means you don’t have to
connect it to a power source as it produces the necessary energy to power up the console as you pedal. It integrates a 3-phase generator which doesn’t require any backup battery in order to efficiently power the bike. Also, the resistance adjustment is done from the console.
The main internal resistance elements are an electromagnetic brake and a servo motor. As you select a certain tension level from the console, the servo motor will adjust the position of the magnetic brake, in order to increase or decrease the intensity of the internal magnetic field. This way, the overall pedaling resistance is adjusted.
The bike makes available 25 resistance levels. For reference, at level 1 and 20 RPM, the output is 18 watts, while at level 25 and 150 RPM, the output is 750 watts. Differently put, the first levels of resistance offer the possibility of a light workout, while the top resistance settings provide the training setting for a highly intense cardio workout.
The Precor UBK 835 is equipped with a two-stage drive system. In other words, it integrates an intermediary pulley, along with the main crank pulley. this leads to a smooth pedaling feel and a steady motion with reduced impact. It also has a lower start-up resistance and a more consistent resistance progression than single-stage drive systems.
Evidently, the internal drive mechanism uses high-grade rubber belts for transmission. Therefore, they don’t require periodic lubrication. The operation of the bike is almost completely silent, and the characteristic vibration during pedaling is close to zero.
The internal flywheel which also plays an important role in the bike’s resistance adjustment features a perimeter weighted structure. It’s not similar to the flywheels of spin bikes, though; it is smaller, and not built for an aggressive inertia, but does provide a bit of momentum consistency even when the bike is set on the level 1 of resistance.
The bike is equipped with a 3-piece crank, featuring 170 mm crank arms. Its durable enough to support most users in standing up pedaling positions. However, this is an upright bike, and spin workouts are not recommended.
And finally, the bike is equipped with dual sided pedals, with straps on one side. This being said, you can use them with or without the straps. They’re extra wide, accommodating feet of all sizes comfortably. They also feature standard 9/16″ threads, so you can easily find compatible replacements for them, if necessary.
Console
As we’ve mentioned above, the Precor UBK 835 is equipped with one of the basic type consoles. In other words, it only has a LED-
based display and does not have online connectivity, or a sound system. But nonetheless, it makes available plenty of features in order to keep you motivated.
To begin with, the console unit features four small displays on its top section. The first from left covers speed, RPM, and distance. The second from the left shows the calories burned. The third displays your heart rate, and the fourth shows the time elapsed or the time remaining. The middle larger display shows the profiles of the selected workout.
The console offers personal settings for height, weight, and age, so it can calculate the amount of calories burned more accurately. There are both English and Metric unit settings for speed and distance. Also, there are 8 language settings available, these being Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Romanized Russian, Spanish, Japanese.
The unit not only that can monitor your heart rate through the integrated sensors, it is also telemetric; it can track your heart rate via an HR chest strap transmitter, but this accessory is not included.
The console unit does not offer online connectivity, nor it is compatible with any online fitness apps. However, it does offer 12 workout programs to keep you motivated. These programs are divided into 6 categories, each category featuring its own button on the console. These are: Manual, Variety (Cross Country, Random, Custom Resistance), Weight Loss, Interval (1:1, 1:2, 1:3), Heart Rate Control (Basic HRC), and Performance (Fitness Test, Hill Climb, and Watts Control). Each program can be modified. Each program will auto-adjust the resistance of the unit during pedaling, with the exception of the Manual program, which gives you the possibility to pedal freely, adjusting the resistance manually from the main dial as you pedal.
Assembly & Maintenance
The base frame of the unit comes pre-assembled. All you have to do is attach the console mast, the handlebars, and the console. This may take up to an hour. However, the manual provides very clear assembly instructions and schematics.
Maintenance doesn’t require much. The internal elements come pre-lubricated and shouldn’t need any lubrication or any other intervention for a long period of time. Therefore, you only have to inspect the unit for loose parts and bolts from time to time and keep liquids away from the console.
The Pros
- Commercial grade construction, sturdy frame – can support users up to 350 lbs;
- Elegant design;
- Fairly small footprint;
- Adjustable stabilizers on the rear base;
- Transport wheels on the front base;
- Extra-heavy unit, providing superior stability;
- Two sets of grip heart rate sensors within the handlebars;
- Lever-based adjustable seat, offering 14 upright adjustment positions;
- High-comfort saddle, integrating a thick layer of cushioning;
- Automatic, eddy current brake;
- Self-powering, 3-phase generator system;
- Two-stage drive system for an extra-smooth pedaling motion;
- 25 levels of resistance;
- 12 workout programs;
- English and metric units on the console;
- Tablet or reading rack included;
- Accessory tray included;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required;
- Great warranty package.
The Cons
- No front-to-back seat adjustment;
- No sound system;
- No online connectivity.
Summary
The Precor UBK 835 is a commercial-grade upright bike, featuring a self-powered, eddy current resistance system, with 25 tension settings. It has a high-comfort, adjustable seat, and a multi-grip handlebar. It’s equipped with a 12 program console which shows up to 18 readouts. It’s a perfect trainer for light to intense cardio workouts, toning muscles, building stamina, and losing weight. And finally, it’s not exactly one of the most affordable exercise bikes, but its quality and overall sturdiness definitely match the price.