| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Console | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bladez Echelon GS Check Discounted Price | L: 48.8" W: 19.8" H: 43.3" | 275 lbs | Felt-pad | Basic | Frame: Lifetime Parts: 1 year Labor: 1 year |
The Bladez Fitness Echelon GS is an indoor cycle trainer with the same range of specs as the Exerpeutic LX7 and the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1423. However, this particular bike model features a 4-way adjustable handlebar, which makes it more likely to enable it to fit perfectly to your size. It’s definitely an indoor cycle designed for spin workouts. Even though it’s not labeled as a light commercial model, it’s construction is pretty close to this standard.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 48.8L x 19.8W x 43.3H inches (124L x 50W x 110H cm)
- Assembled weight: 110 lbs (49.8 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 40 lbs (18.1 kg)
- Supported weight: 275 lbs (125 kg)
- Handlebar: 4-way adjustable
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Pedals: With toe cages
- Drive: Belt
- Resistance: Friction, wool felt pad
- Exercise meter: Time, speed, distance, calories
- Bottle holder: Included
- Warranty: Frame lifetime / Parts 1 year
Frame construction
Since it’s an exercise bike designed for spin workouts, it goes without saying that its frame is made of steel tubing. It’s a fairly heavy item of fitness equipment, its net weight being more than 100 lbs. Due to this fact, it offers excellent stability even during the most intense 
workouts. On top of that, its bases are finished with adjustable, rubberized levelers, which allow you to perfectly stabilize it even if you don’t place it on a mat. The rubber caps on the levelers ensure a strict grip onto the floor also preventing the bike from sliding forward or backward, in case your workout involves a lot of movement.
The Echelon GS is not an extremely large fitness machine. It takes approx. 49″L x 20″W (124 x 51 cm) of floor space, which means it’s not a bad choice for a fitness machine if storage or workout space is an issue. Its frame does not have any folding features, but its front base tube does integrate two wheels to facilitate its relocation once you’ve finished with your workout.
Most of the bike’s steel frame features a thick, corrosion-resistant coating, gray in color, with the logos painted white. The seat post and the handlebar post have a chrome finish. However, despite the corrosion resistant finish, the bike is for indoor use only. If stored or used outside, eventually moisture may damage some of its components.
Seat and handlebars
This Bladez Fitness exercise bike is equipped with a 4-way adjustable seat, front, back, up and down. The saddle can also be slightly tilted backward or forward, so technically, the seat has six adjustment positions. The saddle is quite thin, though, similar to the seats in most 
spin bike seats, not designed for comfort. Its connection point to the post is standard, though, and you can always replace it with a more comfortable model. Also, its comfort can be considerably increased if you apply a gel or foam cover on it.
The seat post offers an adjustment span of approx. 7.6″ (20 cm). In its lowest position, it’s approx. 33.5″ (85 cm) above floor level, while at its highest, it stands at 41.1 (105 cm). This being said, the bike can accommodate users between 5’1″ – 6’5″ (155 – 195 cm). Taller users can also use this exercise bike, but they may not benefit from a complete leg extension. The seat and the whole frame are rated for a weight capacity of 275 lbs (125 kg). However, users of 300 lbs (136 kg) have reported having been using it without any problems.
The Bladez Echelon GS features a 4-way adjustable handlebar, just as the Sunny SF-B1110. Its vertical adjustment span is approx. 4″ (10 cm), at its lowest setting being 39″ (99 cm) above floor level. It has a multi-grip design, with integrated aerobars. The whole handlebar assembly is covered by a sheet of synthetic foam material, to provide a safe, non-slip, comfortable grip.
Both upright posts of the seat and handlebar have an ovalized design, which is a plus, as the seat or the handlebar cannot turn sideways during a more intense workout. They’re both equipped with large adjustment knobs, easy to grip, tighten and untighten. Thus, adjusting the bike for your own requirements takes very little time.
Drive and resistance
The Bladez Fitness Echelon GS indoor cycling bike uses a belt drive system, integrating heavy-duty belt, which renders the bike’s operation very smooth and quiet. Another plus for a belt drive system is that it doesn’t require lubrication as a chain transmission.
The bike uses quite a heavy, 40 lbs (18 kg) flywheel. The flywheel is also perimeter-weighted, which means the pedaling motion delivers a consistent momentum and feel.
Its crank assembly is a 3-piece part, featuring solid steel crank arms. The crank arms are finished with standard 9/16″ thread pedals, made of durable aluminum alloy. They don’t integrate clips for spin shoes but do have toe cages for extra thrust during pedaling. However, since they have standard threads, replacement options are widely available.
The bike’s Q-Factor (spacing between the pedals) is 8.3″ (210 mm), which is pretty much similar to most mountain bikes. Therefore, the foot positioning is natural, while the pedaling motion doesn’t generate any extra stress on the knees.
The bike’s resistance system is simple. It consists of a top-to-down felt pad. The pad is attached to the main mid bar of the frame and connected to a turn knob. By turning the knob, you can tighten the pad onto the flywheel, which will increase drag, and evidently, the overall resistance on the pedals. The resistance knob doesn’t have “clicks” or well-determined adjustment levels like magnetic bikes, such as the Marcy NS-40504U upright bike, or the ProGear 555LXT recumbent bike. You simply tighten the brake pad until you find the adequate amount of resistance for your workout.
The resistance knob also fulfills the role of an emergency brake. You can press it down for a full contact of the brake pad with the flywheel, in order to stop the flywheel if it’s necessary.
Last but not least, this exercise bike allows reverse pedaling. Thus you can diversify your workout routines. Also, since it features friction resistance, when pedaling in reverse the tension to the pedals is retained, given by how much drag the pad applies onto the flywheel.
Exercise meter
The fitness meter unit supplied with the Bladez Echelon GS cycle trainer is the same as for the Bladez Fusion GS 2 model. It’s a basic unit, capable of tracking speed, distance, time and calories burned. Evidently, since it doesn’t have functions for inserting your weight, height, 
and age, the calories displayed is only an estimate; it’s not 100% accurate. Distance is calculated in miles only, while speed is calculated in miles per hour. This unit cannot track pulse.
The meter features a SCAN function which rotates the values displaying each one for several seconds.
The console is extremely easy to use. It has 3 buttons, MODE, SET and RESET. The MODE button is used to cycle through the mentioned values, while the SET button is used to choose a goal for any of these values and work towards it. Once the goal is achieved, the console will notify you with a beep.
The meter unit starts up when it detects movement on the pedals and will self-stop after several minutes of inactivity on the bike. It uses two AA-type batteries, which are included.
Assembly and Maintenance
The flywheel, belt, crankset and resistance system come already assembled, attached to the main frame. Therefore, the assembly only requires you to add the base tubes, the seat and handlebar posts, the seat and handlebar, pedals and console. This shouldn’t take longer than an hour. Tools for assembly are included. Also, the included owner’s manual offers clear assembly instructions.
The Echelon GS indoor cycling bike features a belt drive system; thus, it doesn’t require lubrication. However, the brake pad will wear after more than a year of use and will require replacement. Also, in case the felt pad squeaks or emits a burning smell when in contact with the flywheel, adding a bit of silicone lubricant on the flywheel should solve the problem.
The Pros
- Sturdy construction, close to light commercial fitness bikes;
- Multi-grip handlebar, with integrated aerobars;
- 4-way adjustable handlebar;
- Perimeter-weighted, 40 lbs flywheel, for a consistent momentum and smooth pedaling;
- Adjustable foot stabilizers;
- 4-way adjustable seat;
- Solid crankset, designed for spin workouts, able to support users up to 275 lbs;
- Smooth and quiet belt drive, which doesn’t require maintenance;
- Comfortable Q-Factor considerably reducing the impact on the knees;
- Pedals with toe cages, and standard threads, which can easily be replaced, if needed;
- Fitness meter included;
- Bottle holder included;
- Not an extremely heavy bike, easy to transport;
- Really easy to assemble;
- Tool for assembly are included;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- Seat not too comfortable, but since it’s a standard model, there are many options available.
Summary
The Bladez Fitness Echelon GS is an indoor cycle trainer featuring a sturdy construction, similar to light commercial models. It’s equipped with a friction resistance system, a heavy, perimeter weighted flywheel and metallic pedals. It has excellent micro-adjustability and also comes with a fitness meter. It’s an excellent exercise bike for interval training, consistent cardio workouts, stamina and strength building, and of course, for losing weight. Finally, it’s an excellent alternative to an authentic spin bike, as it costs at least a few $100s less, but offers almost the same quality.