Unit | Size | Supported weight | Flywheel weight | Resistance | Console |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Goplus Black Check Discounted Price | L:44" W:19" H:44" | 220 lbs | 40 lbs | Friction | Time, Speed, Distance, Calories, SCAN |
The Goplus Fashion indoor cycling bike is one of the newest Goplus models for 2017. It’s not advertised as a commercial grade bike, but does feature a sturdy construction, and on top of that, it includes an exercise meter. It’s also an affordable bike which can support just about any spin workout.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 44L x 19W x 44H inches (112L x 48W x 112H cm)
- Assembled weight: 93 lbs (42 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 40 lbs (18.1 kg)
- Weight capacity: 220 lbs (100 kg)
- Handlebars: 2-way adjustable
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Pedals: With toe cages
- Resistance: Friction, adjustable
- Fitness meter: Time, speed, distance, total distance, calories, SCAN
Frame construction
Like most spin bikes, the Goplus Fashion features a heavy-duty steel frame. It has an extra oblique bar at the rear and a horizontal small bar in the middle, which contribute considerably to the bike’s overall sturdiness. Even more, the middle horizontal bar offers support for various spin workouts which require the rider to dismount.
Most of the frame features a black powder coating which is corrosion resistant. However, the bar and slider of the seat, as well as the handlebar post have a chrome finish.
The Goplus Fashion bike isn’t an extremely large cardio fitness machine. It takes far less usage space than a treadmill or elliptical. Its footprint is 44″L x 19″W (112 x 48 cm), which means it can fit with ease even in smaller rooms or apartments. It is recommended, though, to keep a clearance of at least two feet on each side, and at least one foot of clearance at the rear and front for proper usage.
Although it’s a small bike when fully assembled it is considerably heavy. It weighs 93 lbs (42 lbs), which is more than two times the weight of a road bike, weight that adds to its overall stability. The rear base also has rotating polygonal caps, which serve as adjustable stabilizers. Also, the front base tube has a set of wheels which facilitate the transport of the fully assembled bike.
One last aspect to mention here regards the bike’s weight capacity. Although it is rated for users up to 220 lbs (100 kg), the frame and crank should be able to support even heavier users.
Seat and handlebars
The Goplus Fashion Black indoor cycling bike is equipped with a pretty standard spin seat. It has a contoured design; it incorporates a fairly decent layer of padding, and its upholstery is made of synthetic, heavy-duty material. In terms of comfort, it is not exactly the most comfortable bike saddle. For a user new to cycling, it may cause discomfort. But nonetheless, for a spin bike seat, it does deliver optimal comfort.
The seat is 4-way adjustable. It offers a vertical adjustment span of over 6″ (15.2 cm) and a horizontal adjustment span of approx 4.7″ (12 cm). It also has a standard connection system to the seat slider, so in case you need to replace it, compatible options should be highly available.
The bike’s handlebar features a multi-grip design, with a loop aerobar in the middle which offers the possibility to exercise with a close parallel grip. The side handlebars feature high-density foam grips for extra comfort.
As opposed to the seat, the handlebar is only 2-way adjustable, up and down. Its adjustment span is 2.4″ (6 cm). This being said, the bike can accommodate users between 5’0″ (153 cm) and 6’5″ (195 cm).
Both the seat and handlebar feature large adjustment knobs, which are easy to grip and turn. Therefore, when adjusting the bike to your own size, the task shouldn’t take longer than a minute.
Resistance and drive elements
Like many other spin bikes, this Goplus indoor cycling bike features a friction resistance system. However, it consists of a brake similar to basic bike brakes, with two large felt pads. The brake is attached to the knob on the main tube of the frame via a steel wire. So, when turning the knob clockwise the wire is pulled up enabling the brake pads to apply more friction to the sides of the flywheel.
There is a small lever under the resistance knob which acts as an emergency brake. By pushing this lever down, the knob is automatically pulled all the way up, and the brake will immediately stop the flywheel.
The tension dial doesn’t have any resistance levels engraved on it. But since this is a friction brake, you can basically tighten the knob until the brake delivers the resistance you find adequate for your workout.
When it comes to the drive elements of this Goplus exercise bike, the first to mention is the flywheel. The flywheel equipped on this bike is quite heavy; it weighs 40 lbs (18.1 kg) just like the flywheels of most commercial spin bikes. Due to this weight, it delivers a very consistent momentum, which makes this bike perfect for intense interval workouts. The flywheel is also perimeter-weighted and well-balanced, which results in a very smooth motion.
The bike features a very sturdy crankset, with steel crank arms, which should be able to support users up to 220 lbs (100 kg) without any problem. They’re finished with highly-durable, metallic alloy pedals, designed to support just about any spin workout. The pedals are equipped with toe cages and straps allowing extra thrust during pedaling. However, they do not have SPD elements for spin shoes. Their threads are standard, though, so you can always find replacements for them.
The bike’s Q-Factor, although not specified, is fairly narrow. Therefore, a ride on this bike won’t generate any additional lateral stress on the knees and ankles. The positioning of the feet on the pedals is natural, promoting a healthy foot motion.
Fitness meter
This exercise bike is one of the most affordable models, so it goes without saying that the included exercise meter unit is not exactly an advanced one. It can track time, distance, total distance, speed, and calories burned, which should be enough for most users. It cannot track pulse, though. So, in case you need to monitor your heart rate during your workout, you will have to use your own device.
The unit is battery powered. It’s very easy to use. It has only one (MODE) button which covers all of its functions. It’s powered on when you push the button or when it detects flywheel movement. It also has a sleep mode to which will enter after several minutes of inactivity on the bike, to save battery life.
The unit also has a SCAN function which rotates the time, speed, distance, and calories, showing each one for several seconds. By pressing the button, you can toggle the SCAN function On and Off, and select only one of the values to be shown on screen at all time.
The unit is not programmable. You can’t select targets for time or distance, for example, in order for it to count down to zero. Also, the calorie reading isn’t exactly the most accurate, as you cannot correlate the console reading with the amount of resistance applied onto the flywheel.
Assembly and Maintenance
The bike comes partially assembled. The frame with the drive elements and the brake are already assembled. All you have to add are the base tubes, the seat and handlebar posts, the pedals, the seat and handlebar, and the console. This shouldn’t take more than 30-40 min. The manual provides pretty clear instructions for the assembly and the tools required for it are included.
Maintenance doesn’t require much. It’s only recommended to periodically check for loose bolts and parts, and re-tighten them if it’s the case, to prevent accidents.
The Pros
- Durable frame, sturdy construction for a home use bike;
- Elegant design;
- Small footprint in comparison to other fitness equipment;
- Transport wheels;
- 4-way adjustable seat;
- 2-way adjustable, multi-grip handlebar;
- Smooth and almost silent drive, which makes the bike perfect for apartment use;
- Bi-directional, heavy flywheel for a consistent momentum;
- Friction resistance, which basically offers tension up to the point you can barely pedal;
- Bottle holder with bottle are included;
- Exercise meter included, which tracks speed, time, distance, total distance and calories burned;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- No pulse reading function;
- Meter display doesn’t have backlight;
- Pedals don’t have SPD clips;
- The calorie reading of the meter isn’t too accurate.
Bottom Line
The Goplus Fashion is an indoor cycling trainer designed for spin workouts. It features a sturdy construction, an extra-heavy flywheel, lateral friction resistance, and also includes a fitness meter. It’s an excellent bike for muscle toning, light to intense cardio training, intervals, just about any spin workout that you can find, building stamina and leg muscle strength and, of course, for losing weight. And finally, it’s one of the most affordable indoor cycles with a fitness meter, currently priced under $200.