| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Apps | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fitness Reality U2500 Check Discounted Price | L:39" W:26.4" H:48.4" | 400 lbs | Magnetic | No | Frame: 1 year Parts: 90 days |
Fitness Reality is a brand under Paradigm Health & Wellness, just as Exerpeutic. Therefore, the Fitness Reality U2500 foldable magnetic upright bike shares many similarities with the Exerpeutic GOLD 500 XLS. In fact, these two bikes are basically the same when it comes to specs. The only difference between them is that the U2500 features a gray paint finish and a blue/black seat rather than a yellow/black seat.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 39L x 26.4W x 48.4H inches (99L x 67W x 123H cm)
- Assembled weight: 50.7 lbs (23 kg)
- Supported weight: 400 lbs (181 kg)
- Seat: Adjustable
- Pedals: With straps
- Resistance: Manual magnetic, 8 levels
- Exercise meter: Included
- Warranty: Frame 1 year / Parts 90 days
Frame construction
As the title suggests, the Fitness Reality U2500 features a frame with a folding design. It’s an “X” type frame which consists of two main pieces, one for the handlebar, and the other that hosts the resistance system, pedals and the seat. As opposed to other exercise bikes with a
similar frame construction, such as the Marcy NS-652 or the FitDesk v2.0, this particular bike has quite an impressive weight capacity of 400 lbs (181 kg).
Along with the folding, space-saving design, the bike doesn’t take too much space when in use either. It takes only 39″L x 26.4″W (99 x 67 cm) of floor space when fully set up, and this being said, it can be a great choice for a cardio machine even if space is a luxury. Conversely, when the frame is folded, the bike’s dimensions are reduced to 24.8″L x 26.4″W (63 x 67 cm).
Even though it has a considerably sturdy steel frame, this Fitness Reality exercise bike isn’t too heavy. It weighs only 50.7 lbs (23 kg), which means that its assembly, handling, and transport aren’t difficult. Plus, its front base features a set of small wheels which facilitate its relocation. The rear base bar is equipped with rotating polygonal stabilizers, which offer the possibility to perfectly level in any flooring. Also, the rear base has a curved design, which considerably enhances the bike’s overall stability.
As we’ve mentioned above, all the steel parts within the frame construction of the Fitness Reality U2500 Super Max upright bike feature a gray powder coating finish, which is resistant to corrosion.
Seat and handlebars
One of the major pluses of this Fitness Reality exercise bike is the seat, which is considerably wide for a bike of this caliber, providing superlative comfort. In fact, this is one of the very few
upright bikes that feature such a large seat. The seat is 14″ (35.5 cm) wide and 9″ (23 cm) long and integrates a generous layer of cushioning.
The seat is 2-way adjustable. Its upright bar features several adjustment holes. The adjusting is done via a large turn-knob on the right side. It can accommodate users between 5’1” to 6’5”.
The bike’s handlebar is non-adjustable; however, it features a multi-grip design. It’s covered by a layer of foam padding in order to deliver a secure and comfortable grip. It also incorporates EKG pulse sensors so that the fitness meter unit can monitor your heart rate.
Drive and resistance
The Fitness Reality U2500 upright exercise bike features a belt drive system, involving a heavy-duty V-belt, resistant to stretching, and basically maintenance free. This is an element that adds to the smoothness of the pedaling, also rendering the use of the bike extremely quiet. It’s equipped with a precision balanced and perimeter weighted flywheel which generates a steady pedaling motion and a fairly decent momentum. 
The bike’s crankset is a 3-piece component, with steel crank arms. It’s pretty solid, but keep in mind that this is an upright bike, for light to medium exercising routines, not a spin bike. Thus, the crankset is not solid enough to hold the whole weight of the user, in a stand up pedaling routine. In fact, due to the bikes folding design, pedaling while standing up would be quite awkward.
The pedals supplied with this fitness machine are weighted, self-adjusting, also featuring straps. The threads on the pedals are standard size, therefore you can easily find replacements for them if you want a different model. Also, the bike’s Q-Factor is narrow, promoting a natural foot placement during pedaling, which eliminates any lateral stress on the knees and ankles.
This Fitness Reality exercise bike features a manual magnetic resistance system, which involves a mobile magnetic brake pad connected via a tension wire to the resistance adjustment dial. As you turn the dial, the magnetic element moves closer of farther from the bike’s flywheel, increasing or decreasing the resistance.
The bike makes available 8 resistance settings. The bike should provide the training setting for a light to medium cardio workout. The first 1-3 settings generate light resistance, ideal for rehab training, or for a gentle warm-up, while the 8th level delivers enough resistance to make you sweat in minutes.
Exercise meter
The exercise meter unit included with the Fitness Reality U2500 upright bike offers a bit more than a basic unit, as it can also monitor your pulse. However, it is not telemetric and can only
read your pulse if you hold on to the metallic EKG sensors into the handlebars.
The meter can track time, speed, distance, total distance, calories burned and pulse. It does not have any preset workout programs, nor it has any target setting functions. It does, however, have SCAN function which rotates the workout metrics, showing each one for several seconds.
The meter unit is quite easy to operate. It starts up automatically when it detects pedal movement, and it will automatically turn off 4 minutes after of inactivity on the bike. It only features one button (MODE) and it can also be turned on by pressing this button. By pressing the button multiple times, the display will cycle between the aforementioned values, and you can choose the one you want to view at any time or select the SCAN function.
Finally, the unit is battery powered and requires 2 AA batteries which are included.
Assembly and Maintenance
The bike’s assembly shouldn’t take more than 30-40 minutes. All the tools required for it are included, and the manual provides pretty clear step-by-step assembly instructions. The two pieces of the frame come attached together, and the resistance/drive system already mounted to the main bar of the frame. You need to attach the front and rear stabilizers, the pedals, the seat, and finally the handlebar with the console, connecting the tension and pulse wires.
Maintenance doesn’t require much. All the internal components are pre-lubricated from the factory, and since the bike has a belt drive system, it doesn’t require any lubrication. Thus, for maintenance, all you have to do is wipe the dust from the frame and periodically check for loose parts and bolts.
The Pros
- Extremely solid frame for a foldable bike, being able to support users up to 400 lbs;
- U-shaped rear base with adjustable levelers, which considerably improve the bike’s stability;
- Transport wheels included;
- Small footprint when fully assembled;
- Foldable, great for a small apartment;
- Highly comfortable, large seat, offering 2-way adjustability;
- Multi-grip handlebar with EKG sensors;
- Large, self-leveling pedals, with adjustable straps and standard threads;
- Smooth and quiet operation;
- Performance monitor included;
- Accessory holder included;
- Easy to assemble;
- Very little maintenance required.
The Cons
- The calories reading isn’t too accurate;
- No tablet holder;
- Console display does not have LED backlight.
Summary
The Fitness Reality U2500 Super Max is one of the sturdiest and most durable foldable upright bikes that you can find at the moment. It’s a great choice for apartment use since it doesn’t take much space when assembled and it’s easy to store. It’s perfect for a light to medium cardio training, to alternate cycling with other types of training, for muscle toning, stamina development, and weight loss. In all, it’s quite an outstanding item of fitness equipment, offering exceptional value for the price.