| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Flywheel weight | Resistance | Fitness monitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Marcy JX-7038 Check Discounted Price | L:45.5" W:20" H:44" | 300 lbs | 40 lbs | Friction, felt-pad | N/A |
The Marcy JX-7038 is one of the oldest fitness machines from Marcy Fitness. It’s a pretty standard indoor cycling bike made for spin workouts. Although it does not come with a fitness monitor, it does offer several features that other spin bikes don’t have. For example, it is equipped with a set of aero bars and includes a set of elbow rests. Although it’s a club-quality bike, it does not come with a commercial warranty, so it’s an exercise bike made for home use.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 45.5L x 20W x 44H inches (115.5L x 51W x 112H cm)
- Assembled weight: 102 lbs (46 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 40 lbs (18 kg)
- Supported weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Drive mechanism: Belt
- Resistance: Friction
- Extras: Bottle holder, elbow supports
- Warranty: Frame 2 years
Frame construction
The Marcy JX-7038 Club Revolution Cycle features a triangular frame but with the main tube curved for improved 
aesthetics. This also places the bike’s center of gravity lower to the ground which results in superior stability.
Speaking of stability, the bike weighs approx. 102 lbs (46 kg) which is pretty impressive for a home-use bike. The packaged unit weighs a bit more, so its transport may require two people. However, once the bike is assembled, it can easily be moved by only one person as its front base stabilizer integrates a set of wheels. Also, both base bars have adjustable levelers.
The fully assembled bike is not too large. It is approx. 45.5″ (115 cm) long, and 20″ (51 cm) wide. It is recommended, though, to allow at least two feet of clearance all around it, for easy access and safe usage.
The bike’s frame has a reinforcement feature for the base of the seat tube. It’s a small triangular tube welded both to the curved main tube and the seat tube. This can serve as support for mounting and dismounting or stepping on and off the frame as some spin workouts may require. Not all spin bikes have this feature, so it’s a plus.
The bike’s frame is double-coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish. The main color used is black with the “Marcy” logo in white. The seat, handlebars, and flywheel are chrome-plated. Also, the bike integrates several plastic parts. For example, the belt guard, the side panel guards of the flywheel, and several other small covers are all made from a durable thermoplastic material.
Seat and handlebars
The Marcy JX-7038 is equipped with a race-type saddle. It is built on a durable nylon shell with a double-stitched cover combining black and yellow vinyl material. It integrates a layer of padding for extra comfort. It also has a median groove for improved breathability.
The included saddle features a standard collar-type attachment system. This being said, you can easily remove it or you can slightly change its angle if you want. It’s pretty similar to a regular bike seat, so if you will ever want to replace it, compatible options are widely available.
The bike’s seat offers four-way adjustability (up, down, front, back). Its upright post has 10 adjustment holes while its horizontal slider adds a few inches of front-to-back adjustment. This being said, the bike should be able to accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’5″ (153 – 196 cm) with no problem. It is also rated for a maximum user weight limit of 300 lbs (136 kg) which is not bad for a home-use exercise bike.
The Marcy JX-7038 indoor cycling bike is equipped with a multi-grip handlebar. It offers the possibility to adopt a climbing grip, a cruising grip, an off-road grip, a close grip, and an aero grip. The side and aero grips feature PVC foam sleeves for improved contact. Also, two elbow/forearm rests are included with the bike, a feature that many other spin bikes do not have.
Similar to the seat, the bike’s handlebar is four-way adjustable. Its upright post has several adjustment holes while the top slider adds about two inches of horizontal adjustment. The handlebars do not have pulse sensors and a fitness monitor or a phone holder is not included.
Resistance system
The Marcy JX-7038 Club Revolution Cycle is equipped with a standard friction resistance system. This being said, 
you don’t need a power adapter or an external power source for it. However, the bike itself cannot adjust the resistance automatically, as is the case for more expensive bikes, like the NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle S15i.
The bike’s resistance system consists of a felt brake pad connected to the tension knob above the flywheel. The mechanism is pretty simple. When you turn the knob clockwise, the brake pad applies more friction to the flywheel which increases the pedaling difficulty.
It’s important to mention, though, that the bike’s brake pad will eventually wear out and will require replacement. Also, the pedaling motion is not as smooth as for an exercise bike with magnetic resistance, especially if the brake pad is tightened on the flywheel. The brake pad can be lubricated, though, with a few drops of silicone lubricant, so that the flywheel executes a smoother rotation.
Like most other spin bikes with a friction resistance system, the Marcy JX-7038 does not have pre-set tension levels on the resistance adjustment knob. You simply tighten it on the flywheel until you get a resistance level you’re comfortable with. As a general idea, you can tighten it up to the point you can barely pedal which pretty much simulates a steep hill climb.
Drive system
The Marcy JX-7038 Revolution Cycle is equipped with a pretty heavy flywheel. It weighs 40 lbs (18 kg), similar to 
commercial-grade bikes. It is perimeter-weighted in order to provide an aggressive inertia and a consistent pedaling motion. As we’ve mentioned above, the flywheel is chrome-plated and feature protective side panels made of ABS material.
The bike’s flywheel is bi-directional. In other words, the bike permits reverse pedaling. However, you cannot coast on this bike and the pedals will spin for as long as the flywheel is spinning. It is also recommended to press the tension knob all the way down when you need to stop, and avoid stopping the flywheel from spinning with your feet from the pedals as this may lead to injuries.
The bike is equipped with a durable 3-piece crankset. It features crank arms similar to road bikes. The included pedals are made of aluminum alloy. They should be able to support the user with no problem even if they pedal while standing up, as long as they don’t exceed the specified maximum user weight limit. They do not have SPD elements for spinning, but do have toe cages in case you want to perfectly secure your feet on them. Their threads are standard 9/16″, so in case you will ever want to replace them, compatible options are widely available.
The bike’s drive system uses a poly-v belt. This type of transmission comes with several advantages. First of all, it doesn’t require lubrication, and second of all, it generates less vibration than a chain drive while the pedaling motion is smoother and quieter.
As opposed to the Marcy XJ-3220 cycle, the JX-7038 is equipped with a belt drive system. It integrates a poly-v belt highly resistant to stretching. As opposed to a chain drive, the belt drive does not require periodic lubrication. Also, it generates slightly less vibration than a chain drive, so the overall pedaling motion is smoother.
Assembly and Maintenance
The main body of the JX-7038 bike comes pre-assembled. The drivetrain, the crankset, the brake, and the flywheel are already attached. You only need to connect the two base bars, the seat post, the saddle, the pedals, the handlebar post, the handlebars, the elbow rests, and the bottle holder. This shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes of your time. The manual provides step-by-step assembly instructions with attached schematics. Also, all the necessary tools for the assembly are included.
Since the bike has a belt drive system, its drivetrain does not require lubrication. So, in terms of maintenance, only the brake pad may need some silicone lubricant from time to time. Other than this, it is recommended to periodically inspect the bike, to make sure that all the parts function correctly, and also keep the bike clean.
The Pros
- Sturdy construction – can support users up to 300 lbs;
- Low center of gravity and heavy construction for improved stability;
- Aesthetic design;
- Adjustable levelers on both base bars;
- Transport wheels on the front base bar;
- 4-way adjustable seat;
- High-comfort, cushioned saddle with a central groove and suspension springs;
- 4-way adjustable multi-grip handlebar with aero bars;
- Elbow/armrest supports included;
- Device holder included;
- Belt drive system – does not require periodic lubrication;
- Perimeter-weighted, 40 lbs flywheel for improved inertia;
- Friction resistance for a wide variety of tension levels;
- Heavy-duty pedals with toe cages;
- Bottle holder included;
- Easy to assemble;
- Tools for assembly are included;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- No fitness monitor.
Summary
The Marcy JX-7038 Club Revolution Cycle is an indoor cycling bike featuring a 40-lb flywheel, a belt drive system, and a standard friction resistance system. It offers superior micro-adjustability (both the seat and the handlebars are four-way adjustable). It’s a sturdy bike, rated for a maximum user weight limit of 300 lbs. It’s a bike made for spin workouts, high-intensity cardio training, stamina and strength development, muscle toning, and weight loss. Although it does not include a fitness monitor, it definitely offers great value for the price.