| Unit | Size | Weight capacity | Flywheel | Resistance | Fitness meter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Inspire Fitness IC1 Check Discounted Price | L:46" W:22" H:57" | 300 lbs | 45 lbs | Friction | Time, Distance, Speed, RPM, Calories, Pulse, Telemetric |
The Inspire Fitness IC1 indoor cycling trainer is a slightly lighter version of the Inspire IC2 model. It’s not labeled as a commercial exercise bike, but does offer the construction and features of one. It’s a heavy duty trainer, designed to support all kinds of spin workouts.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 46L x 22W x 57H inches (117L x 56W x 145H cm)
- Assembled weight: 145 lbs (65.7 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 45 lbs (20.4 kg)
- Supported weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Handlebars: 4-way adjustable
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Drive mechanism: Belt
- Resistance: Friction
- Fitness meter: Time, speed, distance, RPM, calories, pulse
- Bottle holders: Included
- Warranty: Frame 10 years / Parts 3 years / Labor 1 year
Frame construction
As we’ve mentioned above the Inspire Fitness IC1 is an exercise bike designed for spin workouts. Therefore, it features an all-steel frame with a V-shape structure, similar to the ActionLine A84016 Pro. Its mid-section doesn’t have a step-up pad, but the connection between the main frame tube and the seat tube is extremely sturdy, so in case you want to perform spin workouts that require stepping on/off the frame, it should support you with no problem. Also, the frame is double-coated with a durable powder finish, resistant to scratching and corrosion.
The bike offers exceptional stability. To begin with, both its bases are equipped with adjustable levelers with large rubberized pads. On top of that, the fully assembled trainer weighs approx. 145 lbs (65.7 kg); this weight, plus your own weight, add to the overall stability.
Even though it’s rather heavy, the bike’s transport shouldn’t be a problem, once it is assembled. The front base has a set of wheels which facilitate its relocation. By using these wheels, you won’t have to handle more than 1/2 of the bike’s total weight.
The Inspire Fitness IC1 isn’t a large fitness machine. Its total length is 46″ (117 cm), and its width is approx. 22″ (56 cm). The length of its base is slightly shorter, being approx. 44″. The highest point of the bike is given by the top of the fitness meter, which stands at approx. 57″ (145 cm) above floor level, when the handlebar is set to its highest position.
Seat and handlebars
The Inspire Fitness IC1 indoor cycling bike is equipped with a spin seat. In other words, the seat is not made to provide utmost comfort; since it’s a bike for spin workouts, the user 
shouldn’t be seated all the time. However, the seat does have a layer of padding. Also, it has a standard design, so in case you want to replace it, compatible models are widely available.
The seat can be adjusted up, down, forward, and back. Due to its adjustment span, the bike can accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’5″ (153 – 196 cm). It also has a very durable construction and can support users up to 300 lbs (136 kg) with no problem.
The handlebar features a multi-grip design. It integrates two bottle holders, one on each side. It also has a loop aero bar to promote the racing posture. It’s completely urethane dipped, in order to deliver a sure grip and minimize abrasion during long workouts. Just as the seat, the handlebar is 4-way adjustable. Both the handlebar and seat are equipped with large knobs, so their adjustment is done with ease, without taking more than one minute.
Drive system
The three main elements of a spin bike’s drive system are the flywheel, the crankset, and the transmission. The IC1 exercise bike is equipped with a fairly heavy flywheel; it weighs 45 lbs (20.4 kg), which means that it delivers a very consistent momentum. It’s also balanced so that the pedaling motion feels very smooth. With regards to the flywheel’s weight, many other commercial grade bikes, such as the ASUNA 5150 for example, don’t have one this heavy.
The bike’s flywheel is bi-directional. Differently put, you can pedal backwards if you want. In fact, some spin workouts require the user to alternate reverse pedaling sessions with normal pedaling sessions, for a more consistent burn.
For transmission, this indoor cycling trainer uses a durable poly-v belt. This means you won’t have to worry about lubricating it, or about locked links as in case of a chain drive. It’s also quieter and generates less vibration. So, in terms of noise generated by the operation of the bike, we can safely say that it’s almost completely silent.
The Inspire IC1 bike is equipped with a very solid crankset. It can hold the user in standing up position with no problem, as long as they don’t exceed 300 lbs (136 kg). The pedals are also metallic, highly durable. They feature toe cages. They don’t have SPD clips for spin shoes, but they have standard 9/16 threads, so compatible replacements for them are widely available.
Resistance system
This exercise bike features a friction resistance system. This means you don’t have to connect it to a power source. Its brake consists of a small felt pad connected to the tension dial on top of the main frame tube. By turning the dial clockwise, the pad is tightened onto the flywheel generating friction, and thus, extra resistance on the pedals.
As opposed to exercise bikes with a magnetic tension system, such as the Body-Solid Endurance B2U or FitLeader UF1, this bike doesn’t have any markings on the resistance dial. You simply tighten it until you get the adequate resistance for your training. You can basically tighten the pad onto the flywheel up to the point you can barely pedal.
Exercise meter
Although it’s a small unit, without online connectivity, the fitness meter included with the Inspire Fitness IC1 exercise bike offers quite a bit more than a basic meter. To begin with, it features a large LCD display, divided into three main sections. The top section indicates RPM, the mid-section shows the heart rate and calories burned, while the bottom section shows speed, time, and distance. Thus, you can see multiple workout metrics at one, without the need to use a SCAN function.
The unit has two buttons. The left one serves for alternating between different displays, while the right button allows you to input personal settings, such as weight, or change the units from imperial to metric and vice-versa.
The bike doesn’t have EKG sensors, but the console is telemetric; it can read your pulse via an HR chest strap transmitter which is included.
The meter unit is battery-powered. It starts up when you begin pedaling, or when you press one of the buttons. It also has a sleep mode to which will enter after several minutes of inactivity, to save battery life.
Assembly and Maintenance
The Inspire Fitness IC1 is easy to put together. Most of it comes pre-assembled, actually. You only have to add the base tubes, the seat post, the handlebars post, the seat, the handlebars, the console, and the pedals. This shouldn’t take longer than 30 minutes, and the manual provides clear, step-by-step assembly instructions. Also, all the tools required for the assembly are included.
Maintenance requires keeping the bike clean. The brake pad may require lubrication, and once it’s worn out, it should be replaced. Other than this, you should periodically check the bike’s integrity, look for loose bolts and parts, etc.
The Pros
- Extremely sturdy construction, able to support users up to 300 lbs;
- Aesthetic design;
- Bases with adjustable, rubber levelers;
- Transport wheels;
- 4-way adjustable seat and handlebars;
- Multi-grip handlebar, polyurethane dipped for a secure and non-abrasive grip;
- Standard friction resistance;
- Extra-heavy, 45 lbs flywheel for a consistent momentum and a smooth pedaling motion;
- Heavy-duty crank, able to support any user up to the maximum listed weight, in upright pedaling position;
- Narrow Q-Factor to eliminate lateral stress on the knees and ankles;
- Durable, metallic pedals with toe cages for extra thrust;
- Silent, maintenance-free belt drive;
- Fitness meter included – can track time, speed, RPM, distance, calories and pulse;
- Telemetric console, can read pulse via an HR chest transmitter;
- HR chest belt included;
- Bottle holders included;
- Little assembly required;
- Little maintenance required;
- Excellent warranty.
The Cons
- No SPD clips on the pedals.
Summary
The Inspire Fitness IC1 is a heavy-duty, indoor cycling bike featuring a friction resistance system, an extra-heavy 45 lbs flywheel, and a weight capacity of 300 lbs. It has 4-way adjustable handlebars and seat, and a telemetric fitness meter. It’s a bike made to support any spin workout, being perfect for medium to intense cardio workouts, interval training, stamina and leg strength development, and for weight loss. And finally, even though it’s not one of the most affordable spin bikes, it does offer excellent value for the price.