| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Console | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ironman H-Class 520 Check Discounted Price | L:49" W:24" H:53" | 300 lbs | Manual magnetic | RPM, Speed, Calories, Time, Distance, Pulse, Bluetooth | Frame: lifetime Parts: 3 years Labor: 3 years Electronics: 1 year Wear: 1 years |
The IRONMAN Fitness H-Class 520 is a heavy-duty indoor cycling bike with magnetic resistance, definitely made to support spin workouts. It’s actually a heavier version of the H-Class 510, featuring a higher user weight capacity, thicker frame and a wider footprint. It includes a more advanced fitness computer than the 510, which also offers Bluetooth connectivity.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 49L x 24W x 53H inches (125L x 61W x 135H cm)
- Assembled weight: 136 lbs (61.6 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 44 lbs (20 kg)
- Max. weight capacity: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Handlebars: 4-way adjustable
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Pedals: With toe cages
- Drive mechanism: Belt
- Resistance: Manual magnetic
- Fitness meter: RPM, speed, time, distance, calories, pulse, Bluetooth capable
- Accessories: Waterproof mat, tablet holder, bottle holder, HR chest strap.
- Warranty: Frame lifetime / Parts 3 years / Wear parts 1 year / Electronics 1 year / Labor 3 years
Frame and parts
The IRONMAN H-Class 520 features a heavy frame, made of thick steel tubing, having an overall assembled weight of 136 lbs (61.6 kg). This weight, along with the bike’s 24″ (61 cm) width, offers excellent stability for the bike. Also, the frame’s bases are equipped with large, 
adjustable stabilizers with rubber caps, and on top of that, a rubberized mat is supplied with the bike. Therefore, stability isn’t exactly an issue for it. You can be sure that it won’t tip or rock even if you engage in a more intense workout.
The front base of the frame is equipped with a set of silicone wheels, to ease the transport of the bike for storage. Differently put, by leaning it on its front wheels, you will be handling less than half of its weight, thus transport for storage shouldn’t be a major issue.
The main frame and its bases are double coated with corrosion resistant, silver paint, which is the only color available. However, the seat and handlebar posts have a chrome finish. But despite of its highly durable protective coating, this exercise bike is made for indoor use. If used or stored outside, moisture may eventually rust its bolts, and damage the console.
This IRONMAN Fitness exercise bike is equipped with a wider seat than the ones in most spin bikes, seat that also integrates a bit of cushioning. Differently put, this seat offers superior comfort than your average slim seat found in road bikes or spin bikes, alleviating some of the impact on your lower back. The seat offers 4-way adjustability, meaning that it can be adjusted up, down, forward and backward. Its post features several height adjustment position, being able to accommodate users between 5′ and 6’5″ (153 – 196 cm). Also, the seat is solid enough to support users up to 300 lbs (136 kg).
The bike’s handlebar features a multi-grip design, integrating long aerobars for resting your forearms. Just like the seat, the handlebar is 4-way adjustable. It’s also completely covered by a sheet rubber foam material, providing the adequate comfort for your workouts.
Resistance and drive
Unlike most indoor cycling bikes,The IRONMAN H-Class 520 features a manual magnetic resistance system. However, this resistance system is rather simple. It consists of a magnetic brake pad, connected to the turn-knob on the main tube of the frame. As you turn the knob, the magnetic resistance pad changes its position in relation to the bike’s flywheel, 
increasing and decreasing drag. Since this brake is manually operated, the bike doesn’t have to be connected to a power circuit, in order to provide resistance. Also, the console is battery powered.
The resistance knob doesn’t have any levels or “clicks” specified on it, like most upright bikes with magnetic resistance. Therefore, you will have to “guesstimate” the resistance for your workout. But on the other hand, the resistance pad doesn’t touch the flywheel, so you won’t have to worry about wear and tear, about replacing it, or about any friction generated noise. Also, since there’s no friction, on a highest resistance setting, the pedaling motion is much smoother than for a bike with a felt-pad brake.
This IRONMAN Fitness bike features a belt drive system, which uses a heavy-duty, stretch-resistant v-belt. The flywheel equipped on the bike is one of the heaviest, weighing 44 lbs (20 kg). It’s a perimeter-weighted flywheel, which means it supplies a steady motion and consistent momentum.
Considering that the bike has magnetic resistance and a belt drive system, the pedaling motion is extremely quiet. Also, there aren’t any maintenance requirements for its belt or resistance elements. They don’t need any lubrication, like a bike with a felt-pad brake and chain transmission.
In case you’re wondering, pedaling in reverse is possible for this exercise bike. But since it doesn’t have a derailleur like a road bike, the pedals continue to spin for the duration the flywheel is spinning. So, you basically cannot coast on this bike. Also, when changing the way you pedal, it’s recommended to stop the flywheel first.
Since it’s a indoor training cycle designed for spin workouts, the IRONMAN H-Class 520 is equipped with an extremely solid, 3-piece crankset. The crank arms are made of solid steel, and just like the seat, able to support the full weight of a 300 lbs (136 kg) user.
When it comes to the bike’s pedals, there are several important aspects to know. To begin with, the first H-Class 520 bikes were released with steel pedals with toe cages only. But apparently, beginning with 2016 the pedals supplied with this bike also feature SPD clips. The second aspect regarding them is actually a downside. The pedals’ Q-Factor is a bit wide, 230 mm, actually wider than for the average mountain bike. Thus, for a taller person with wider hips, this might not be an issue. But for a short user, a wide Q-Factor like this can cause additional lateral stress on the knees.
Fitness computer and other accessories
The fitness monitor supplied with this exercise bike, has quite a bit more to offer than your average fitness meter. It can track time, speed, distance, calories burned, pulse and RPM. The display is divided in 5 panels, and can show five of these values simultaneously. 
However speed and RPM are on the same panel, so the display will alternate their reading.
The bike’s handlebars don’t integrate pulse sensors like the X-Class 310. A wireless HR chest strap transmitter is supplied with the bike though, the console being able to read pulse through it.
The fitness computer unit does not have any pre-set workout programs. However, it’s Bluetooth enabled, and you can connect it with your iOS or Android device, in order to access the free IRONMAN fitness app. This app offers a much better interface than the bike’s fitness computer. It also gives you the possibility to track your progress, target a specific HR interval, and setup goals for time, distance, calories or other values.
The computer unit is battery-powered, and also integrates a tablet holder.
In terms of accessories, apart from the wireless HR chest strap supplied, a rubberized mat and a bottle holder are also included. The mat is 79″L x 35.4″W (201 x 90 cm), it’s segmented and easy to fold. The bottle holder is a simple unit, and is to be attached to the handlebar assembly, under the console.
Assembly and Maintenance
Like for most spin bikes, the flywheel, the belt, crankset and resistance system are already attached to the frame. Thus, for assembly you only have to connect the frame to its bases, add the seat and handlebar with their posts, the console and finally the pedals. The supplied manual offers comprehensive instructions for assembly, while the tools required are also supplied. The whole process shouldn’t take more than 30-45 min. But on the other hand, since the bike is rather heavy, two people may be required at least for its transport.
Since the bike features a belt drive system and a magnetic brake, these basically don’t require any maintenance. Therefore, in terms of maintenance you only need to remove the perspiration that may fall onto the frame and console, and periodically check the bike’s joints to make sure they’re still holding tight in their places.
The Pros
- Solid frame, similar in construction with the frames of commercial spin bikes;
- Bases with adjustable, rubberized levelers;
- 4-way adjustable seat (up, down, front, back);
- 4-way adjustable handlebar (up, down, front, back), with a multi-grip design;
- Frictionless, wear free, magnetic resistance;
- 44 lbs heavy, balanced flywheel for a smooth pedaling motion and solid momentum;
- Heavy-duty crank, made for spin workouts;
- Hybrid pedals, with toe cages and SPD clips;
- Bike computer included, being able to track speed, time, distance, calories, pulse and RPM.
- Bluetooth capable computer, compatible with iOS and Android devices;
- Console is telemetry enabled, can read pulse via wireless transmitters;
- Wireless HR chest strap transmitter included;
- Rubberized mat included;
- Bottle holder included;
- Really easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required;
- Smooth and quiet operation, great for apartment use;
- Super warranty plan.
The Cons
- No backlight on the monitor;
- Wide (230 mm) Q Factor.
Summary
The IRONMAN Fitness H-Class 520 is a heavy-duty indoor cycling bike, designed for spin workouts. It features a frictionless, manual magnetic resistance and quiet belt drive, and superior microadjustability for the seat and handlebars. It’s definitely a bike made for intense cardio workouts, stamina and strength development, interval training and of course, weight loss.
As opposed to many other commercial grade spin bikes, this particular model comes with a decent fitness computer, which is also Bluetooth enabled. And despite of this, it’s still a few $100s cheaper than other bikes of this caliber, which don’t include any fitness meter whatsoever. Thus, we can definitely say that it offers excellent value for the price.