AFG 7.3AU Upright Bike

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Resistance	Workout programs	Warranty
AFG 7.3AU Check Discounted Price	L:43" W:21" H:57"	300 lbs	Eddy current	23	Frame: 10 years Parts: 1 years Labor: 1 year

Although the AFG 7.3AU isn’t advertised as a commercial grade upright bike, its construction and range of features are pretty close to one. However, it costs half the price of a commercial model. Therefore, if you’re on the lookout for a well-made upright bike trainer, this is definitely one to put on your list.

In this review, we’ll try to address each and every feature and function regarding this AFG exercise bike. So, let’s see what it can offer.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 43L x 21W x 57H inches (109L x 53W x 145H cm)
• Assembled weight: 79 lbs (35.8 kg)
• Flywheel weight: 8.8 lbs (4 kg)
• Weight capacity: 300 lbs (136 kg)
• Seat: 4-way adjustable
• Resistance: Eddy current, 20 levels
• Console: 23 programs
• Amenities: Sound system, tablet holder
• Warranty: Frame 10 years / Parts 1 year / Electronics 1 year / Labor 1 year

Frame construction

To begin with, the AFG 7.3AU upright bike features a frame made of steel tubing. As opposed to other bikes, its main chassis is one piece made, which leads to a sturdier construction. The only frame parts that you will have to attach to the main body of the bike are the console mast, the base tubes and the seat bar, which evidently are also made of steel. In fact, the bike has very few plastic parts. These are the guards of the motor and flywheel, several other covers (i.e caps of the base tubes), and the console. These don’t play an important role in the bike’s overall sturdiness and stability but do contribute to its overall compactness and aspect. In all, this exercise bike is quite good-looking.

This AFG upright exercise bike isn’t extremely large. In other words, it doesn’t require a large usage area. But as a general idea, it’s larger than other models, such as the Universal U10, for example. It has a footprint of 43″L x 21″W (109 x 53 cm) and requires at least 20″ (51 cm) of clearance all around it for safe usage. The highest point of the handlebar reaches 57″ (145 cm), which means it promotes a healthy upright position even for taller users.

When fully assembled, this fitness machine isn’t extremely heavy. It weighs 79 lbs (35.8 kg). However, its transport and handling can be done with ease as its front base bar integrates two large silicone wheels. The bike’s weight offers enough stability, and on top of that, both its bases feature adjustable levelers.

The bike’s frame is covered by a scratch resistant and corrosion resistant powder coating, black in color, just as most of other AFG machines, such as the AFG 7.3AT treadmill or the AFG 2.5AE elliptical. The only part that doesn’t have the black powder coating is the upright bar assembly of the seat. These parts feature a chrome finish.

Seat and handlebars

Since it’s an upright exercise bike, the AFG 7.3AU is equipped with a larger, more comfortable seat than most spin bikes. Its surface is flattened, with a middle groove to promote air flow and a healthy blood circulation. It integrates a layer of padding delivering optimal comfort for all seated workouts. Its overall comfort can be increased by a gel cover.

The seat is 4-way adjustable (forward, backward, up and down). It offers multiple adjustment positions, being able to accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’5″ (153 – 195 cm).

The bike’s handlebars feature a multi-grip design. They have foam grips for optimal comfort. Their lower part integrates metallic EKG sensors so that the console can read your pulse. As opposed to the seat, the handlebar assembly isn’t adjustable. If you’re looking for an upright bike that offers angle adjustability for the handlebar, the Schwinn M717 170 or the Nautilus U616 are two models that offer this feature.

Drive and resistance

The AFG 7.3AU upright exercise bike features a belt drive system, using a heavy-duty belt, supplying a smooth and quiet pedaling motion. It is equipped a steel-made, 8.8 lbs (4 kg) flywheel; even though it’s a mid-range flywheel, it still provides a decent momentum. It has a perimeter-weighted structure, designed for a smooth and steady motion.

Even though the bike is equipped with a solid crank piece, with steel crank arms, it’s not made for spin workouts. It may support the user in standing up pedaling routines, but since it’s an upright bike, it is made for seated workouts. Repeated standing up workouts may lead to damage to the internal parts.

This bike offers a comfortable Q-Factor, which eliminates any lateral stress on the knees and ankles during pedaling. The pedals have a weighted (self-leveling) structure. They’re made of durable PVC material, they are equipped with adjustable straps, and feature standard threads. Therefore, in case you want to replace them, compatible pedals are widely available.

The AFG 7.3AU is equipped with a motor-assisted magnetic resistance system. This means it requires to be connected to a power circuit in order for the resistance on the pedals to become available. A 9V 1A power adapter with cable is included with it. Also, resistance can only be adjusted from the machine’s console.

The main elements of the resistance system are a small servo motor and a metallic sheet with magnets attached to it, in other words, the bike’s resistance pad. As you select a certain resistance level from the bike’s console, the magnetic resistance pad will change its position in relation to the metallic flywheel, increasing or decreasing drag.

The bike offers 20 resistance levels, from very light, adequate for rehab training or warmups, to fairly consistent, promoting an intense cardio training. The resistance can be adjusted as you pedal, or, in case you will be using one of the preset programs, it will be adjusted automatically.

Control unit

The console equipped on the AFG 7.3AU upright bike is identical to the one on the AFG 7.3AR recumbent bike. It is a mid-range console unit equipped with a 5″ LCD display LED backlit, which promotes an excellent readability even in low lighting conditions. 

The unit can track distance, time, speed, calories, pulse, RPMs, Watts, and the current resistance level. It can also display distance as a track, divided into 32 segments, each segment corresponding to a distance of 12.5 m (41 ft).

This console unit can only monitor the user’s heart rate via the sensors integrated into the handlebar. It’s not telemetric, which means it cannot read pulse via an HR chest strap transmitter.

The console unit has 22 pre-set workout programs, plus the Manual mode, which allows you to adjust the resistance freely, as you pedal. The 22 pre-set programs are divided into 3 distinctive categories. These are:

Climb – offers 6 climb workouts, including: Hollywood Sign (1708 ft vertical distance), Empire State Building (1250 ft vertical distance), Gateway Arch (630 ft vertical distance), Space Needle (605 ft vertical distance), Diamond Head Crater (570 ft vertical distance), Washington Monument (555 ft vertical distance).

Distance – includes 10 workouts: 1 mile, 2 miles, 5k, 5 miles, 10k, 8 miles, 15k, 10 miles, 20k, and half marathon.

Calories – including 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 calorie burn workouts. You set up the starting resistance, and calories burned are calculated depending on the selected resistance level.

The bike’s console unit is not Bluetooth enabled. It also does not offer the possibility to transfer your workout data to any online app. But on the other hand, it does integrate a sound system and a tablet holder. The sound system consists of two speakers situated at the bottom of the unit. This sound system is compatible with most MP3 player units, smartphones or tablets. The tablet holder is right above the speakers; it’s large enough to support any tablet.

As we’ve mentioned above, this exercise bike requires being connected to a power circuit in order to provide any resistance and render the console operational. This being said, the console does not require batteries. Its operation is quite straightforward. The resistance can be adjusted gradually from the + / – keys, but there also are quick adjustment keys for the 2,4,6,8,10,12,16,20 resistance settings. Each workout program has its own suggestive button. There are also two Start / Pause buttons, great to have when alternating bike workouts with other workouts. Finally, the unit has a sleep mode in which it will enter after 15 minutes of inactivity on the bike.

Assembly and Maintenance

This AFG exercise bike is not difficult to put together. The whole unboxing and assembly task shouldn’t take longer than 90 minutes. As we’ve mentioned above, the body of the bike (with the internal parts) comes ready-assembled. All you have to do is add the bases, the seat, the console mast, the console with the handlebars, and the pedals. The manual provides clear assembly instructions and all the tools required for it are included.

For maintenance, you should periodically inspect the bike for loose bolts and parts, and re-tighten them if necessary. Also, remove the dust and keep any liquids away from the console as it isn’t waterproof.

The Pros

• Sturdy construction, pretty close to the commercial models, with a weight capacity of 300 lbs;
• Elegant design;
• Small footprint;
• Comfortable seat, 4-way adjustable;
• Automatic resistance system, 20 levels;
• 22 pre-set workout programs plus the manual mode;
• LED backlit display, easy to read;
• Racetrack function for distance;
• EKG pulse sensors in handlebars;
• Sound system included;
• Tablet holder (or reading rack) included;
• Bottle holder included;
• Quiet and smooth drive;
• Very little maintenance required;
• Excellent warranty.

The Cons

• No Bluetooth or online connectivity;
• A tablet placed on the tablet holder may cover some of the controls.

Bottom Line

The AFG 7.3AU is an upright bike with a sturdy construction, similar to commercial models. It has quite an aesthetic design. It’s equipped with an eddy current resistance system which makes available 20 resistance settings. Its console offers 23 workout programs, a sound system, and a table holder.

This exercise bike is perfect for light to intense cardio workouts, muscle toning, intervals, stamina development and weight loss. And finally, it’s not a very expensive exercise bike, available for approx. 50% less than a commercial model.