| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Workout Apps | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ironman Triathlon X-Class 310 Check Discounted Price | L:41" W:21.5" H:57.5" | 350 lbs | Automatic magnetic, 32 levels | 12 pre-set, 4 custom | Frame: lifetime Wear parts: 2 years Electronics: 2 years Other parts: 5 years Labor: 5 years |
The Ironman Triathlon X-Class 310 is one of the newest released upright bikes, and also one of the best models for 2016. Just like all the other exercise bike models from Ironman Fitness, you can be sure that you will find superior quality in this bike’s construction and design. It has all the qualities of a light commercial bike, offering a pretty high maximum user weight capacity, and an impressive array of features and functions, including online connectivity. On top of that, you will also get a PVC mat as bonus.
Thus, if you’re looking for an inclusive, solid upright exercise cycle, here’s what the Ironman X-Class 310 can do for you.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 41L x 21.5W x 57.5H inches (104L x 54.6W x 146H cm)
- Assembled weight: 63 lbs (28.5 kg)
- Supported weight: 350 lbs (158.7 kg)
- Handlebars: Fixed, with pulse sensors
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Pedals: With adjustable straps
- Resistance: Current-assisted magnetic, 32 levels
- Progress tracking console: 12 workout programs, Bluetooth enabled, compatible with Ironstrong Fitness Pro Apps
- Amenities: Fan, speakers, bottle holder, media holder, waterproof PVC mat
- Warranty: Frame lifetime / Main parts 5 years / Electronics 2 years / Labor 5 years
Frame
There are several similarities in the main frame design of the X-Class 310, and the recumbent version, the Triathlon X-Class 410. The main bar of the frame is ovalized, and 
curved up at the front, where it meets the console mast. These two main parts are secured together via four screws, offering quite some sturdiness. The machine’s bases also have a similar design to the ones of the recumbent model, each base being finished with oversized, adjustable stabilizers, supplying an excellent grip to the floor.
Even though this model is much lighter than the recumbent model, the front base still incorporates silicone caster wheels, making it easier to relocate it when fully assembled.
The X-Class 310 doesn’t have an extremely large footprint. In fact, it only takes 41″L x 21.5″W (104 x 54.6 cm) of floor space, which makes it a good choice for a small apartment or room.
The bike’s frame is made of steel tubing. Most of the steel parts are coated with anti-corrosive silver paint, except for the seat main post, which has a chrome finish. The guards of the motor, flywheel, belt and pulley are made of durable PVC material, mainly black, adding smooth and elegant contour lines to the bike.
Seat and handlebars
Compared to the seats supplied with other upright bikes, such as the Nautilus U614, or Schwinn 130, the seat on the Triathlon X-Class 310 has much more to offer. It simply excels in ergonomics. To begin with, it’s contoured, designed to adapt perfectly to the user’s body. On top of that, it incorporates a layer of air chambers, which act as shock absorbers and help 
disperse the user’s weight, offering pretty much the best comfort that you can get from an upright bike seat.
The seat is 4-way adjustable. In other words, it offers up/down, and fore-to-aft adjustability. It can accommodate users between 5’2″ and 6’4″ (157 – 193 cm). The vertical seat post is ovalized, while the horizontal adjustment bar is square. These being said, you can be sure that the seat won’t slide or turn sideways if you engage in a more demanding workout. Also, since it’s a heavy-duty bike, it can easily hold up to 350 lbs (159 kg) of user capacity.
The bike’s handlebars are non-adjustable, but they do offer a multi-grip design. They’re covered in thick, rubber-foam padding to supply a comfortable and firm grip, and also prevent hands from developing blisters, in case you use the bike for long sessions. Also, the lower parts of the handlebar assembly have integrated pulse sensors, quite an important feature if you really need to monitor your heart rate during workouts.
Drive system
The Ironman X-Class 310 features an extremely quiet and smooth drive system, powered by a heavy-duty, multi-groove belt. It uses a perimeter-weighted flywheel which considerably adds to the smoothness of the ride, as it diminishes the “stair climbing” effect, which may appear in cheaper bikes, when the highest resistance settings are used.
The bike’s crankset is a 3-piece part, using all-steel crank arms, finished with weighted, oversized pedals, with adjustable straps. Even though the crank assembly is lab tested, offering superior durability, and can actually support the user in a stand-up pedaling routine, these types of workouts are not recommeded. The X-Class 310 is a heavy-duty upright bike, but after all it’s not a spin bike. Thus, workouts on this bike pretty much require the user to be seated while pedaling. In case you want to undergo climbing routines, in a full, stand-up position, the Ironman Triathlon X-Class 510 is a much better choice, for example.
The bike’s Q Factor is slightly wider than in your average race bike, but far from being wide enough to put any stress on your knees. Differently put, this bike’s Q Factor is quite comfortable.
In case you’re wondering, it’s possible to pedal backwards. But when pedaling in reverse you will get the same resistance as you would by pedaling normally. You will actually pedal in reverse with the selected resistance setting. While pedaling in reverse, the console will continue to register distance, speed and RPM though. However, keep in mind that the drive system of the bike doesn’t include gears or a derailleur as a road bike, thus you don’t have the possibility to coast.
Resistance system
This upright exercise bike features a current-assisted resistance system. It involves a magnetic pad and a small motor which adjusts the magnet’s pull onto the flywheel, when you increase or decrease resistance. Since it’s a current-assisted brake, the bike requires to be plugged into a power circuit. It comes with a U.S. standard adapter, which connects to the main bar of the frame close to the front base, on the left side.
The bike has 32 levels of resistance, covering users from beginner to pro, and offering high-intensity workout possibilities, as the top resistance levels are pretty tough. Evidently, since it’s a current assisted resistance system, the tension is adjusted exclusively from the bike’s computer. You can adjust resistance freely as you pedal, however if you use one of the pre-set programs of the bike, it will automatically adjust resistance, depending on the current segment of the selected workout.
Console and accessories
The console unit supplied with the Ironman X-Class 310 is angle-adjustable, and features dual monitors with blue, backlit display. The top, wider monitor displays your workout program, also indicating the current segment of the workout. The smaller display indicates 
speed, time, distance, calories, watts, RPM and heart rate.
There are 12 pre-set workout programs in the console’s memory, and 4 target heart rate zones available: 55%, 75%, 90% and custom. It also has 4 custom user profiles which give you the possibility to create your own workouts, save them and re-use them as you like. When creating a user profile, you will need to introduce your gender, age, height and weight, in order for the console to generate a more accurate calorie burning count. Finally, there’s a Fitness Recovery test and of course, the Manual mode, which basically gives you the possibility to ride freely, adjusting resistance as you like.
One of the best parts about this unit is that it’s Bluetooth enabled. It can communicate with your other Bluetooth devices, such as laptops, tablets or phones, to use the free IRONSTRONG Fitness Pro apps. These apps give you the possibility to save your workout data online, keep track of your progress, and setup various goals in your workout. They also offer a neat interface to work with.
There are several other functions offered by the console unit. The lowest part of the unit features a cooling fan, with one speed setting. You can adjust the angle of the fan’s airflow, but you can also adjust the whole angle of the console, in order to direct the air current where you want it. It’s not an extremely powerful fan, far from being able to simulate air resistance of a real bike, but still, it’s a fan that can provide some cooling if it’s necessary.
A sound system featuring two balanced speakers is also integrated in the console. This sound system is compatible with just about any MP3 player and smart device out there. And finally, the middle part of the console integrates a media tray, which can serve as a tablet holder or book holder.
Two other accessories which are not related to the bike’s console are still to be mentioned here. One is the bonus PVC mat that is supplied with the bike. The other is the bottle holder which comes attached to the console mast.
Assembly and Maintenance
The assembly of the bike shouldn’t take more than an hour. The bike’s drive system and resistance mechanism are already connected to the frame, enclosed by the PVC shrouds. Thus, assembly mainly requires you to add the bike’s bases, the seat bar and console mast, the seat itself and the handlebars, pedals, console, and of course, you also need to connect the wires. The manual offers solid instructions, and tools for assembly are supplied.
The machine is basically maintenance free. Its internal parts do not typically require any maintenance. You just have to keep the bike clean, and from time to time make sure that all its parts hold tight in place.
The Pros
- Sturdy construction, elegant design;
- Small footprint;
- High user capacity (350 lbs);
- Thick seat, consistently cushioned, with a layer of air chambers;
- 4-way djustable seat;
- Automatic, current-assisted magnetic resistance, with 32 available levels;
- 12 preset programs, 4 custom user profile;
- 4 heart rate target zones;
- Bluetooth enabled, compatible with the free IRONSTRONG Fitness Pro apps;
- Handlebars with pulse sensors;
- Cooling fan, sound system, media tray included;
- Bottle holder;
- Water resistant PVC mat included;
- Quiet and smooth drive;
- Basically maintenance free;
- Consistent warranty plan.
The Cons
- A tablet placed on the media tray will cover the wider display. The smaller one which indicates values will remain visible though;
- Console cannot read pulse via a chest strap transmitter, just by holding the sensors on the handlebars;
- Fan is not extremely powerful.
Summary
The Ironman Triathlon X-Class 310 is quite an inclusive, heavy-duty upright bike, for users of all levels of fitness. Even though it’s not a spin bike, it has quite a sturdy construction, being able to supply workouts of high-intensity, not just light and medium workouts. It’s an excellent machine for cardio training, stamina building, and evidently for weight loss. You can actually burn up to 5-600 calories per session on this machine, depending on the selected workouts. It offers an impressive array of features and functions, which in conjunction with the 350 lbs max. user capacity, place this bike in the light commercial class. It’s not exactly the most affordable upright bike out there, but it definitely stands up to its price.