| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Flywheel | Console |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Efitment IC033 Check Discounted Price | L:51" W:21" H:41" | 275 lbs | Manual magnetic | 44 lbs | Speed, Time, Clock, Distance, ODO, RPM, Calories, Pulse, Goals, |
The Efitment IC033 is a fairly new exercise bike, available since the beginning of 2018. It’s an indoor cycling bike designed for spin workouts. It is similar to the Efitment IC031 that we’ve previously reviewed here, but has a heavier flywheel, a slightly different frame construction, and a multi-window exercise meter.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 50.8L x 21.3W x 40.9H inches (129L x 54W x 104H cm)
- Assembled weight: 108 lbs (49 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 44 lbs (20 kg)
- Supported weight: 275 lbs (125 kg)
- Handlebars: 4-way adjustable
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Drive mechanism: Belt
- Resistance: Magnetic
- Fitness meter: Time, speed, distance, odometer, calories, pulse, goals
- Warranty: 3 years
Frame construction
As we’ve mentioned above, the Efitment IC033 is an indoor cycling trainer made for spin workouts. This means it has a heavy-duty
steel frame designed to withstand the most intense cardio workouts. It’s quite a heavy unit; with the frame fully set up, it weighs approx. 108 lbs (49 kg), which is more than twice the weight of most mountain bikes. All this weight delivers superior stability and overall sturdiness. But on the other hand, the bike isn’t too difficult to move and handle especially after it was assembled. It front base features transport wheels.
In terms of stability, the bike is also equipped with four adjustable levelers, two on each base bar. These have large rubberized pads which deliver a superior grip on the floor also preventing the bike to slide forward, backward or sideways when you exercise.
The bike isn’t extremely large compared to other fitness equipment. Its fully assembled footprint is approx. 51″L x 22″W (129 x 54 cm). It is recommended, though, to leave a few feet of clearance all around it for ease of access and to be able to perform even the spin workouts that require you to mount and dismount repeatedly.
The bike is double-coated with a corrosion-resistant and scratch-resistant paint. The main color used is black for most of the frame, while the Efitment logo is painted white/red. The seat and handlebar posts and adjustment sliders, as well as the flywheel, feature a chrome plating.
Seat & handlebars
The Efitment IC033 indoor cycling bike includes a cushioned saddle, similar to the one on the Sunny SF-B1805. It’s a fairly large seat
compared to many other types of spin bike seats which are typically slimmer. It integrates a generous layer of padding and has two springs at the rear which considerably improve its overall shock absorption.
The seat is 4-way adjustable. Its vertical post features 9 adjustment positions, the spacing between the adjustment holes being approx. 1 inch. The total adjustment span offered by the upright seat post is between 28″ and 36″ (71 – 92 cm). Plus, the seat can also be adjusted horizontally, and its horizontal slider offers a few inches as well. So, these being said, the bike can accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’5″ (153 – 196 cm) with no problem.
The handlebar assembly is also 4-way adjustable (up, down, front, back). It doesn’t offer as many adjustment positions as the seat, but this feature can help a lot in obtaining the perfect fit for any user within the aforementioned height range.
The handlebar assembly offers a multi-grip design. It’s urethane-dipped, so it delivers a secure and comfortable grip. It has a large loop aero bar which adds several grip possibilities. Also, there are pulse sensors integrated at the base of the aero bars; therefore, by holding on to them as you exercise, the bike’s console unit can monitor your heart rate.
Resistance system
The Efitment IC033 features a standard manual magnetic resistance system similar to the Sunny SF-B1714. It consists of a magnetic 
brake pad attached to the tension knob on top of the main bar of the frame. By turning the knob clockwise, the magnetic brake comes closer to the flywheel. This increases the intensity of the magnetic field between the brake and the flywheel which leads to a higher pedaling difficulty.
Since the bike’s resistance system is exclusively manual, the bike doesn’t need to be connected to a power source. Also, its console unit doesn’t play any role in the bike’s resistance adjustment. It’s only a fitness meter that tracks your workout stats. We’ll cover all of its functions in the section below.
The bike’s tension knob doesn’t have any levels specified on it. You simply turn it until it generates a satisfying level resistance. As a general idea, with the brake pad at the farthest point from the flywheel, the pedaling motion seems “free”, without too much resistance. Conversely, with the brake pad on the closest point to the flywheel, the pedaling difficulty is considerably increased, generating the feeling of a steep climb, or of cycling through sand dunes.
The bike’s tension knob also acts as an emergency brake. You can press it down to quickly stop the flywheel from spinning. This may be required if pedaling with very little resistance, as the pedals continue to spin for as long as the flywheel is spinning.
Drive system
Most exercise bikes equipped with a magnetic resistance system feature a rubber belt transmission and the Efitment IC033 doesn’t 
make an exception. It’s equipped with a heavy-duty rubber belt. The main advantages of a belt drive are that it doesn’t require lubrication, it generates less vibration than a chain, and the pedaling is whisper-quiet.
The bike is equipped with an extra-heavy, 44 lbs (20 kg), chrome-plated flywheel with a perimeter-weighted design. This perimeter-weighting results in a more aggressive inertia, which is an important aspect of any spin workout. This flywheel generates a steady pedaling motion, also being bi-directional. However, when pedaling in reverse, the resistance remains constant, given by the position of the brake pad. Also, coasting is not possible on it.
Since the Efitment IC033 is a bike made for spin workouts, it’s equipped with a heavy-duty crankset, with solid steel crank arms which can hold users up to 275 lbs (125 kg) in a full standing up pedaling position. The pedals are also highly durable, made of metallic alloy. The pedals are standard, though. They only have toe cages and straps for keeping your fit fixed; they do not have SPD clips for spin shoes. However, their threads are 9/16 so you can easily find replacements for them.
One last aspect to mention here is the bike’s Q-factor (spacing between the pedals). As opposed to other indoor cycling trainers, the Efitment IC033 has a slightly wider Q-factor, which is 190 mm (7.5 inches). Due to this fact, it may add a little bit more lateral stress on your knees, especially if you’re shorter. Now, for a person with perfectly good knees, this shouldn’t be a problem. But for someone who recovers from surgery or has certain articulation problems, it may lead to pain. So, in this case, you may want to have a look at other trainers with a smaller Q-factor, such as the Sunny ASUNA Sprinter 6100 (152.4 mm Q-factor).
Exercise meter
The fitness meter included with the Efitment IC033 offers a few more features than a completely basic unit. First of all, it has a multi-
window LCD display and it shows up to five workout metrics simultaneously. It tracks time, distance, total distance, speed, RPM, calories, and pulse. It also has a clock function.
The unit is not telemetric. This means it cannot track your pulse through a wireless chest strap. In order to benefit from a pulse reading, you have to hold on to the pulse sensors integrated into the handlebar. Also, speed and distance are shown in MPH and miles only (there are no metric settings).
The meter doesn’t have any preset programs. However, you can select a workout goal for time, distance, and calories. When a goal is set, the meter will count down from the selected value until it reaches zero.
The meter is battery-powered; it requires 2 AAA batteries (which are included). It starts up when you begin pedaling or when you press one of the buttons. It also has a sleep mode to which it will enter after four minutes of inactivity on the bike.
Assembly & Maintenance
The flywheel, the belt, the magnetic brake, and the crankset come pre-assembled, already attached to the core frame of the bike. Therefore, in terms of assembly, you only have to attach the base bars, the pedals, the seat post, the seat, the handlebar post, the handlebar, and the exercise meter. This shouldn’t take more than an hour. The manual provides excellent step-by-step assembly instructions and schematics, and all the tools required for it are included.
Maintenance requires lubricating the seat and handlebar posts so they can slide easier. A periodic check for loose bolts and parts is recommended. The transmission does not require any lubrication as it’s a belt, not a chain. Other than this, you should keep the bike clean and liquids away from the console unit.
The Pros
- Sturdy steel frame made to support any spin workout;
- Can support users up to 275 lbs;
- Adjustable stabilizers included;
- Transport wheels included;
- 4-way adjustable seat;
- 4-way adjustable handlebar;
- Thick cushioning and spring suspension on the seat;
- Multi-grip handlebar;
- Pulse sensors integrated into the handlebar;
- Smooth, almost silent belt drive;
- Extra-heavy, 44-lbs flywheel for an aggressive inertia;
- Manual magnetic resistance, with zero friction;
- Exercise meter included – it can track time, distance, total distance, speed, rpm, calories, and pulse;
- Goal settings for time, distance, and calories;
- Clock function on the fitness meter;
- Tablet support (or reading rack);
- Bottle holder included;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- No SPD elements on the pedals;
- No backlight on the exercise meter.
Summary
The Efitment IC033 is an indoor cycling trainer designed for spin workouts. It’s equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system, an extra-heavy (44 lbs) flywheel, and also includes a fitness meter. It includes a thick, cushioned seat and provides superior micro-adjustability. It’s a perfect trainer for light to intense cardio workouts, stamina and leg strength training, interval training, and weight loss. And finally, it’s a bike pretty close to light-commercial quality, but costs few $100s less than a gym-grade cycling trainer.