| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Flywheel weight | Resistance | Console |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HARISON B5 Check Discounted Price | L:38" W:21" H:52" | 300 lbs | 13 lbs | Manual magnetic, 8 levels | Time, Distance, Calories, Speed, Watts, RPM, Pulse, Goals, Scan |
The HARISON B5 upright bike is in the same price range as the HARISON B7 model. It has fewer resistance levels, but on the other hand, it features an adjustable handlebar. It’s a bike made for home use, for light to medium-intensity cardio training and recovery training. It’s also known as the HARISON “Monica” bike.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 38″L x 21″W x 52″H (96L x 52W x 152H cm)
- Assembled weight: 65 lbs (29.5 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 13 lbs (6 kg)
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Resistance: Manual magnetic, 8 levels
- Console: Time, speed, distance, watts, calories, pulse, and recovery
- Extras: Bottle holder, tablet holder
- Warranty: 1 year limited
Frame construction
The HARISON B5 upright exercise bike features a steel frame combining ovalized tubing with 
rectangular tubing for improved aesthetics. However, like most other upright bikes, its drive and resistance elements feature durable ABS covers. All the steel parts are coated with a thick, corrosion-resistant and chip-resistant paint finish. The color used is light gray, and the ABS covers feature matching colors with a floral print. The only exception is the seat post which is chrome-plated.
The bike has a pretty compact design. Its footprint is approx. 38″L x 21″W (96 x 52 cm). However, its full length with the seat extended all the way to the back and the handlebar adjusted forwards, is approx. 43.3″ (110 cm). This being said, the bike can fit pretty well even into a small room, but it still is recommended to leave at least two feet of clearance all around it for safe usage.
The fully assembled bike isn’t extremely heavy but does have a net weight of 65 lbs (29.5 kg) which is more than the average weight of a road bike. This weight provides excellent stability. Plus, the bike has a low center of gravity and adjustable levelers with rubberized pads on both base bars.
Although it’s not a heavy fitness machine, the HARISON B5 has transport wheels integrated into its front stabilizer. Thus, it can be easily relocated once you have finished your workout.
One last important aspect to mention here is the bike’s step-through design. Not all upright bikes offer this feature. This can be quite a plus for users with certain disabilities or elderly users as they don’t have to step over the base frame of the bike; the small gap between the front mast and the drive unit is just enough to provide easy entry and exit.
Seat and handlebars
The HARISON B5 exercise bike is equipped with a standard saddle. Its top is made of polyurethane 
material; it’s not super-cushioned but does offer optimal comfort. It’s also slightly wider and longer than the average race saddle so it offers plenty of contact surface.
It’s important to mention here, that the seat’s attachment system is standard (collar-based). This being said, it can easily be removed from its slider, and you can basically find compatible replacements for it in any bike shop, in case you will ever need to replace it.
The seat is 4-way adjustable (up, down, front, back). Its upright post offers enough adjustment holes in order to accommodate users between 4’7″ and 6’3″ (140 – 190 cm). Its horizontal slider allows several inches of front-to-back adjustment, and since the seat’s connection system is collar-based, you can slightly tilt it forward or backward. Also, the seat assembly is durable enough to support users up to 300 lbs (136 kg).
The HARISON B5 features an adjustable handlebar. Its upright post doesn’t allow any adjustment as it is the case for the seat. However, the handlebar attaches to it via a knob which gives you the possibility to change its angle. It actually has a 360-degree swivel so you can choose the angle that fits you best.
The handlebar has a multi-grip design. It’s fully covered by a layer of PU material for a secure grip. It also integrates pulse sensors and the included console has a pulse reading function.
Drive and resistance
The HARISON B5 upright bike has a mid-range internal flywheel that weighs 13 lbs (6 kg). It has a 
perimeter-weighted structure to add a bit of inertia to the ride. But since this is an upright bike, it doesn’t offer the inertia of a spin bike which usually has a 35-40 lbs (16-18 kg) flywheel.
The flywheel allows reverse pedaling. However, since the bike has a simple drive system, you cannot coast on it. When pedaling in reverse, you will benefit from the same resistance.
The bike’s transmission uses a durable poly-V belt. This type of drive comes with several advantages. First of all, you don’t have to go through the hassle of lubricating it as it is the case of a chain drive. Second of all, it generates less vibration than a chain. And third of all, the pedaling motion is very smooth and quiet.
The bike’s crankset features long steel crank arms similar to road bikes. It’s not made for spin workouts though. So, even if it can hold your entire weight, standing up while pedaling is not recommended as it may lead to internal parts damage. The pedals have a counter-weight so they always turn face up if you remove your feet from them. They don’t have clips for spin shoes but they do have adjustable straps. This feature can be a plus for users with certain disabilities as it can help them secure their feet on the pedals.
The HARISON B5 exercise bike is equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system, similar to the Sunny SF-B2952, or the Reebok ZJET 430. It offers 8 levels of resistance. The first one provides a very light pedaling difficulty which makes the bike a great choice for recovery training. Conversely, the 8th tension level simulates a hill climb, offering the possibility to perform a more intense workout.
The bike’s brake system is magnetic, with manual action. It doesn’t integrate a servo motor, so the console cannot adjust the bike’s resistance automatically. The brake is attached to the tension knob on the front mast through a steel cable. So, when you turn the knob, the brake changes its position in relation to the flywheel, increasing or decreasing the load.
Console
As we’ve mentioned above, the HARISON B5 has a manual magnetic brake system. Therefore, the
console doesn’t have preset programs and cannot adjust the resistance automatically. So, the console unit is basically just a fitness meter. It features an LCD display that tracks time, distance, total distance, speed, calories, RPM, and pulse. It’s important to mention that the pulse feature only works via the sensors integrated into the handlebars. The console unit is not telemetric and cannot communicate with wireless HR chest straps.
The console unit is fairly easy to use. It has 5 buttons – Enter, Start/Stop, Up, Down, and Recovery. The Enter button allows you to access its setup mode to assign goals for time, distance, or calories. The Up/Down buttons give you the possibility to increase or decrease the values, or scroll through the workout metrics and select the one you want to view. The Start/Stop buttons allow you to pause and resume your workout, great to have if you want to alternate cycling workouts with other types of workouts. And finally, the Recovery function counts your pulse at the end of your workout and based on the cooldown recovery, it gives you a fitness rating between F1 (excellent), and F6 (poor).
The bike’s console is battery-powered. It starts up when you begin pedaling or when you press one of the buttons. It also automatically shuts off a few minutes after the last pedal input to save battery life.
Assembly and Maintenance
The main unit of the bike comes pre-assembled. In other words, all the drive and resistance elements are already attached to the base frame and covered by the ABS guards. Therefore, you only have to attach the two base bars, the front mast, the seat post, the seat, the handlebars, the console, and the pedals. The manual provides all the necessary instructions and all the tools you’ll need for it are included. Thus, the task shouldn’t take more than an hour.
Maintenance doesn’t require much. All you have to do is keep the bike clean and periodically check for loose parts and joints. The internal mechanism doesn’t require any lubrication.
The Pros
- Sturdy, steel frame, can support users up to 300 lbs capacity
- Adjustable stabilizers on the rear base;
- Transport wheels on the front base;
- Angle-adjustable handlebar;
- Four-way adjustable, padded and contoured seat;
- Quiet magnetic resistance system;
- 8 levels of resistance available for superior micro-adjustability;
- Weighted pedals with adjustable straps;
- Exercise meter that can track time, distance, total distance, speed, calories, RPM, and pulse;
- Goal setting functions for time, distance, and calories;
- Tablet holder included;
- Bottle holder included;
- Fairly easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- The console display doesn’t have backlight;
- No workout programs.
Summary
The HARISON B5 is an upright exercise bike designed for home use. It has a sturdy construction with a maximum user weight capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg), superior micro-adjustability, magnetic resistance (8 levels), and a console that can track all the important workout metrics, has goal functions and Recovery. It’s an excellent stationary bike for light to medium-intensity cardio, recovery training, muscle toning, weight loss, and stamina development. In all, it offers excellent quality for the price.