| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Fitness meter | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LifeCORE Assault Check Discounted Price | L:50.9" W:23.3" H:48.4" | 300 lbs | Air | RPM, Speed, Time, Distance, Watts, Calories, Pulse, Goals, Intervals | Frame: 5 years Parts: 2 years |
Although the LifeCORE Fitness Assault Air Bike has been around for over 4 years, it still is one of the best, if not the best, air resistance exercise bikes that you can find at the moment. To this day, it continues to benefit from 5-star reviews from most users all over the world. It’s a bike similar in construction to the Schwinn AD6 Airdyne but comes with a 4-way adjustable seat. It’s a bike built to commercial standards, with an extremely sturdy construction, and like most air resistance bikes, it’s perfect for interval training, delivering consistent cardio workouts.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 50.9″L x 23.3″W x 48.4″H (129.4L x 59.3W x 123H cm)
- Assembled weight: 98.1 lbs (44.5 kg)
- Supported weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Handlebars: Mobile
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Resistance: Air
- Drive: Chain
- Fitness meter: 3 workout programs, goal functions, time, speed, distance, RPM, calories, watts, heart rate
- Included accessories: Tablet holder
- Warranty: Frame 5 years / Parts 2 years
Frame construction
The Assault Air Bike features a frame built like a tank, made of 2.0 mm, 14-gauge steel tubing. Due to this fact, the bike is quite heavy, with an assembled net weight of 98.1 lbs (44.5 kg). It actually weighs over three times more than a road bike. This weight, though,
along with the user’s weight, render it extremely stable, even during the most intense workouts. On top of that, the base tubes are equipped with adjustable stabilizers, with large urethane caps, which provide a superior grip on the floor, also preventing scratching. However, the front base tube incorporates a set of wheels which facilitate the transport of the assembled bike, if it’s necessary.
Most of the steel parts within the frame are sealed with a thick layer of industrial powder coating paint, corrosion, and scratch resistant, black in color. The only parts that feature a chrome finish are the upright and horizontal adjustment bars of the seat.
This fitness bike is not extremely large. It takes approx. 51″L x 24″W (130 x 60 cm) of floor space, but in order to operate it safely, it also requires at least two feet of clearance on each side.
Seat and handlebars
Although many users classify the seat of the Assault AirBike as “not too comfortable”, it’s definitely designed to provide much more comfort that the seat of a spin bike. It integrates a thick layer of cushioning, it’s contoured to adapt better to your body, and features a durable
synthetic upholstery. However, it also features a standard attachment system to its bar; therefore, you can easily find a replacement for it. The RavX Cruises saddle, for example, is an excellent choice. However, LifeCORE does offer their own Pillow Seat Cover.
The seat offers 4-way adjustability, up, down, and front to back. Its angle can also be adjusted. The bike can accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’6″ (153 – 198 cm). The seat itself can actually accommodate users shorter than 5′ (153 cm), but someone shorter than this will find it difficult to use the moving handles comfortably. Seat adjustments are done via two large knobs, easy to turn and tighten. Thus, adjusting it takes less than a minute. The adjustment increments on the upright bar are approx. 1″ (2.5 cm).
The seat and the whole bike construction are rated for a maximum user capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg). However, many users have reported having been using the bike with absolutely no issues when they weighed over 340 lbs (154 kg).
This exercise bike features only mobile handlebars. These are non-adjustable and feature simple, rubber foam grips.
Drive and resistance
As opposed to the Schwinn Airdyne, the Assault Air Bike features a chain drive system, powered by a high tensile steel chain, similar to the ones in road bikes or mountain bikes. The pedaling motion is smooth, but not completely silent as for magnetic bikes, like the Nautilus U616 or Diamondback 910UB. The Assault bike uses a 27″ steel fan to generate 
resistance, and when the fan is spinning at high speeds it does generate some noise. However, the amount of noise generated is not extremely loud as the fan is large in diameter. It shouldn’t cover the sound of your TV, nor bother the neighbors.
The bike is equipped with a solid 3-piece crankset, with solid steel crank arms, which can support the user in stand-up pedaling position. However, keep in mind that this is not a spin bike, and does not offer the possibility to perform all spin workouts. The crank arms are finished with standard, 9/16″ thread pedals. The supplied pedals do not integrate clips for spin shoes, not do they have straps. But since they have standard threads, they’re easy to replace.
The bike’s handlebars are connected to the pedals via a set of two side tubes. Therefore, they will continue to move along with the pedals, for as long as the flywheel is in motion. Differently put, you cannot coast on this exercise bike. However, your can rest your muscles between intervals by placing your feet on the side pegs of the bike. Reverse pedaling is also possible.
The main resistance generator for this exercise bike is its large flywheel fan. There aren’t any other additional resistance elements, such as magnets or friction pads. Therefore, you don’t have to connect the bike to a power circuit (the console is battery-powered). Also, just as for any air resistance based fitness machine, the resistance generated is directly proportional to how fast or how hard you pedal. There aren’t any adjustment knobs to increase or decrease the overall resistance.
Console
The LifeCORE Assault Bike is equipped with a mid-range console. We’ve labeled it as “mid-range” as it doesn’t have any online connection capabilities, nor it has an integrated sound system. But on the other hand, it does have a decent array of fitness-related functions.
To begin with, it has two pre-set Interval workouts, 20-10 and 10-20, which offer 8 high-intensity intervals. The 20-10 workout features a work interval of 20 seconds and a rest interval of 10 seconds. Conversely, the 10-20 workout has a 10 sec. work interval, with a 20 sec. rest interval. There is also a Custom Interval function which gives you the possibility to create your own workout interval. The console also offers target setting functions for time, distance, calories, and heart rate. Each program has its own key, situated on the right side of the console.
The console keeps track of the following readings: time, distance, calories, speed, watts, RPM and heart rate. Distance is by default, calculated in miles, while speed is tracked in miles per hour. There is, though, the possibility of calculating distance in km, and speed in KM/h. For heart rate, the bike does not integrate any grip pulse sensors. However, the console unit is compatible with various non-coded HR transmitters such as the Polar T31 Non-Coded or Polar T34. Its display features an 8-panel division, which means all the workout metrics are displayed simultaneously, so you don’t have to scroll through them. Finally, the unit can provide a brief workout summary after your workout session, displaying all the metrics for 2 minutes.
The console unit uses two AA-type batteries. It also has a Sleep Mode to which will enter after 5 minutes of inactivity on the bike. All the previously inserted data will be saved, though, when the unit enters its Sleep Mode, so you can catch up later.
Assembly and Maintenance
The core of the bike comes fully assembled. In other words, the flywheel-fan, the chain, the cranks and most of the ball bearings are already set up. Thus, assembly basically requires you to attach the bike’s stabilizers, the seat bar and the seat, the moving arms, the console mast, the console and the pedals. It’s a straightforward process, the manual provides all the necessary instructions, and shouldn’t take longer than an hour. Also, all required tools are included.
Maintenance requires the lubrication of the chain every two months. Also, the periodic checking of the bike’s bolts and joints for tightness is recommended.
The Pros
- Commercial sturdiness, frame built like a tank, being able to support even more than the specified 300 lbs weight capacity;
- Professional-looking design, aspect that can serve as a good motivation factor;
- Adjustable stabilizers, with urethane caps on the base tubes;
- Transport wheels;
- Ergonomic, contoured seat, with a thick layer of padding;
- Can accommodate users between 5’0 – 6’6″ comfortably;
- Air resistance, perfect for interval workouts;
- 8-panel console display, showing time, speed, distance, watts, calories, RPM, and heart rate simultaneously;
- 3 interval workout programs;
- Solid crankset which can support users in stand-up pedaling routines;
- Pedals with standard 9/16″ threads, easy to find replacements for them;
- Goal setting functions for time, distance, calories, and heart rate;
- HR capable console, compatible with most Polar HR transmitters;
- Little maintenance required;
- Easy to set-up;
- Excellent warranty.
The Cons
- Pedals don’t have straps;
- Tablet or phone placed on the media holder will cover the display of the exercise meter;
- Heart rate chest strap transmitter not included;
- No sound system or online connectivity.
Summary
The LifeCORE Fitness Assault Air Bike is a commercial grade fitness machine, featuring a sturdy frame construction, air resistance, and a multi-panel console that can track all the required fitness metrics, including heart rate. It’s an exercise bike designed for high-intensity interval training, the console actually integrating the standard Tabata program. It’s perfect for users of all levels, great for strength and stamina development, muscle toning, consistent cardio training regimens and, of course, for losing weight. It’s not an affordable exercise bike, but the quality in its components and its overall construction definitely stand up to the price.