| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Apps | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Marcy NS-652 Check Discounted Price | L:34" W:18.25" H:45.25" | 300 lbs | Magnetic, 8 levels | No | Frame: 2 year |
If you’re on the lookout for decently built exercise bike with a folding frame, the Marcy NS-652 should definitely be one to look at. This particular exercise bike has a construction pretty similar to the Exerpeutic XLS 500, but it costs slightly less, as it doesn’t feature pulse sensors, and has a lower maximum user capacity.
This Marcy foldable exercise bike is actually an upright bike model, with magnetic resistance. It’s designed for light to medium cardio training. In case you’re wondering, it’s definitely not for intense spin workouts. But nonetheless, it can provide the daily cardio training that you need.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 34L x 18.25W x 45.25H inches (86.3L x 46.3W x 115H cm)
- Assembled weight: 36 lbs (16.3 kg)
- Supported weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Handlebar: Non-adjustable
- Seat: Adjustable (up/down)
- Pedals: With straps
- Resistance: Magnetic, 8 levels
- Fitness meter: Included
- Warranty: 2 years limited
Frame
As the title suggests, this Marcy exercise bike features a folding frame. It consists of two main pieces, connected at the middle, one integrating the seat and the drive system, the other the handlebar, console and tension adjusting knob. All frame parts are made of steel, and coated with corrosion resistant paint. The bike actually has quite a durable construction, being sturdy enough to support users up to 300 lbs (136 kg), this being the stated maximum user weight capacity.
Along with the foldability, this bike also offers a pretty small footprint compared to other fitness equipment. It takes only 34″L x 18″W (83 x 46 cm) of floor space, aspect that makes it a great choice for smaller rooms or apartments. But despite its small footprint, it’s still a very stable bike. It shouldn’t rock or tip to the side, even if you engage in more demanding workouts, while keeping the correct upright form. When folded, the bike’s height increases slightly, up to approx. 57″ (145 cm), but its depth is reduced to approx. 21″ (55 cm). These being said, the bike can easily fit in the average closet.
The bases of the frame feature a simple, cylindrical design, with plastic caps for a better stability. They don’t integrate wheels for transport, but the bike is pretty light-weight. Fully assembled, it weighs 36 lbs (16.3 kg), and just about anyone should be able to move it, fold it or store it with ease.
Seat and handlebars
This Marcy foldable exercise bike features a simple, standard seat, 10.5″L x 10″W (26.6 x 25.4 cm). It’s not consistently cushioned, but does integrate some padding. Since it’s wider than most spin bike seats, it definitely supplies more comfort. However, in case you feel it’s not comfortable enough, you can add either a gel cover or sheepskin cover on top of it, or replace it with a different model.
The seat is two-way adjustable (up/down). Its post offers enough adjustment length to accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’1″ (152 – 185 cm) comfortably. There are 7 adjustment holes on the seat’s post, the distance between them being slightly more than 1 inch. The seat is locked into the desired position via a pin with a turn-knob.
The bike’s handlebars are non-adjustable, but they feature a multi-grip design. They don’t integrate elbow rests like the ProForm 8.0 for example, but since they’re covered in thick foam padding, you can rest elbows on them with no problem.
Resistance and drive
This Marcy foldable exercise bike features a manual magnetic resistance system, which involves a small flywheel and a C-shaped magnetic pad. The magnetic pad is connected to the bike’s tension knob via a steel wire. As you turn the knob, the position of the pad will be 
adjusted, closer or farther in relation to the flywheel, thus increasing or decreasing resistance.
The bike offers 8 distinctive resistance levels. But as we’ve mentioned above, this is not a spin bike. It’s not made for intensive spin workout routines. It’s a bike for light to medium cardio training, and muscle toning. From 1 to 4, resistance is rather light. But the 7-8 resistance settings can indeed help you break a sweat, even if you have an average fitness level.
The Marcy NS-652 bike features a smooth and quiet drive, which along with the small footprint, makes it a great choice for apartment use. You can be sure the neighbors won’t hear it, because it generates almost no noise whatsoever. It uses a durable v-belt for transmission, while the flywheel has most of its weight in its perimeter, which adds consistence to the pedaling motion.
The pedals supplied with this bike are pretty standard, made of durable polycarbonate material. They’re equipped with adjustable straps, with four adjustment settings. The crank arms are steel-made, the whole crank assembly being quite durable. However, the bike’s design does not promote stand-up workouts. It’s a bike made for seated workouts only.
Last but not least, this Marcy model has a pretty narrow Q factor, of approx. 9″. Pedaling on it is quite comfortable, it won’t put any side pressure on your knees or ankles.
Fitness meter
This Marcy bike features a basic console unit. Its display can track time, speed, calories and distance, also featuring an odometer function to display the total distance traveled on this 
bike. Distance is measured in miles, while speed is measured in MPH. The unit does not track RPM or pulse.
The fitness meter is pretty easy to use. Has only one (MODE) button. It turns on when you push the button, or when it detects flywheel movement. By default, the unit will use a SCAN function to cycle through the values, displaying each one on screen for 4 seconds. However, you can stop the SCAN function and select only one value to be displayed, by pressing and holding the button for a few seconds.
The monitor shuts off after 5 minutes of inactivity on the bike. All the values are kept when it’s in sleep mode. In order to completely reset them, remove the batteries from the unit. It uses 2 AAA-type batteries.
Assembly and Maintenance
Putting this bike together is an easy task. The two main frame parts actually come connected together, and the bike’s mechanism is completely assembled and enclosed onto the seat’s tube. All you have to do is connect the bike’s bases, its seat, pedals, and the handlebar with the console.
Since it’s a belt driven bike, with magnetic resistance, its “insides” don’t really need any maintenance. Basically, maintenance requires you wipe the dust from the frame and console, and from time to time check if the bolts still hold tight in place.
The Pros
- Solid and stable frame design, able to hold 300 lbs of user weight;
- Space saver, folding design;
- Small footprint when fully assembled;
- Multi-grip handlebar;
- Magnetic resistance system, virtually wear free, supplying 8 distinctive levels of tension;
- Smooth belt drive;
- Quiet operation;
- Fitness meter included;
- Easy to assemble;
- Very little maintenance required.
The Cons
- Limited user height range, between 5’0″ and 6’1″ (152 – 185 cm);
- No supports for tablet, book or water bottle.
Final Word
The Marcy NS-652 is one of the most basic and most affordable upright bikes that you can find at the moment. But despite this fact, it still offers a decent frame and drive mechanism construction, being quite durable model. It’s a bike for light to medium cardio training, for muscle toning, stamina building, and it can also help you lose weight if you train with with highest resistance settings for at least 30 minutes per day. All in all, it’s a bike with an excellent price / quality ratio.