Unit | Size | Supported weight | Flywheel weight | Resistance | Fitness monitor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MKHS 001 Check Discounted Price | L:37.5" W:21" H:45.5" | 330 lbs | 35 lbs | Friction | Time, Speed, Distance, Odometer, Calories, Pulse, Scan |
The MKHS 001 is one of the indoor cycling bikes released in 2021. It’s a pretty standard exercise bike designed for home use that should be able to support most spin workouts. In terms of features, it can be compared with the Sovnia exercise bike, but offers a greater weight capacity and has a pulse reading function.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 37.5L x 21W x 45.3H inches (95L x 53W x 115H cm)
- Flywheel weight: 35 lbs (15.8 kg)
- Supported weight: 330 lbs (150 kg)
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Drive mechanism: Belt
- Resistance: Friction, felt pad
- Fitness monitor: Time, speed, distance, total distance, calories, pulse, scan
- Extras: Bottle holder, device holders
- Warranty: 12 months
Frame construction
The MKHS 001 indoor cycle features a triangular frame made of steel tubing with a curved longitudinal base bar for improved sturdiness. It integrates mostly oval tubes in its construction which not only bolster its overall structural strength, they also improve its aesthetics. All the steel tubes of the main frame are coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish, black in color, this being the only main color available for this model. The only exceptions are the seat tube and slider, the handlebar post, and the flywheel which are chrome-plated.
It’s also important to mention that the frame has a step-up bar element. This is the short straight bar that connects the seat tube with the main oblique tube. This not only can serve as support for various exercises or mounting up, but it also improves the structural durability of the bike’s frame.
The bike is not too large. With all the parts assembled, it is only 37.5″ (95 cm) long, and 21″ (53 cm) wide. This being said, it should fit pretty well even into a small room or apartment. It is recommended, though, to allow at least 24″ (61 cm) of clearance all around the bike for ease of access.
The bike is not super heavy either. Its exact net weight is not specified, but considering that its flywheel is 35 lbs, the bike should weigh around 70 lbs (31.7 kg), so it can be carried and assembled by only one person. Once it is assembled, it can easily be moved as its front base integrates transport wheels.
Seat and handlebars
The MKHS 001 indoor cycling bike is equipped with a pretty decent seat. The included saddle is constructed on a durable nylon shell. It integrates a thick layer of foam padding. Its cover is made from a tough faux leather material which is very easy to maintain. It has a set of springs in its rear section so it can easily adapt to your movement during seated cycling sessions. It also has a cutout in the middle for improved breathability.
The seat is four-way adjustable (up, down, front, back). Its upright adjustment span is approx. 4.5″ (11.4 cm), from 33″ (84 cm) above the floor, to 37.5″ (95 cm). The horizontal slider adds approx. three extra inches of front to back adjustment. This being said, the bike should be able to accommodate users between 5’2″ and 6’2″ (157 – 188 cm). It is also rated for a maximum user weight limit of 330 lbs (150 kg) which is not bad for a home-use exercise bike.
The bike’s handlebar has a pretty standard design. It offers four different grips, including a climbing grip, a racing grip, a casual grip, and a close grip. Its long side grips are coated with a layer of PVC material for improved contact. They also integrate pulse sensors that connect to the fitness monitor.
The handlebar only offers two-way adjustability (up, down). Its adjustment span is 4.8″ (12.1 cm), from 40.5″ (102.8 cm) above the floor, to 45.3″ (115 cm). It’s also important to mention that it integrates a device holder while the fitness monitor is also designed with a small shelf that can serve as support for your phone.
Resistance system
The MKHS 001 indoor cycle is equipped with a friction resistance system. This means you don’t need an external power source for the bike or a power adapter. But on the other hand, the bike cannot automatically adjust the resistance and the included fitness monitor does not have pre-set workout programs.
The bike’s resistance system consists of a standard felt pad brake attached under the main oblique tube of the bike and connected to the tension knob. To adjust the resistance, you have to tighten or loosen the knob so that the brake pad applies more or less friction to the flywheel.
The main advantage of the felt pad friction resistance is that you can basically tighten the brake up to the point you can barely pedal for an extremely hard difficulty level. But on the other hand, the brake pad requires a bit of lubrication and will eventually wear out, so you will have to replace it.
There are no pre-determined tension levels on the resistance knob. You simply tighten or loosen the brake until you obtain the desired pedaling difficulty. The tension knob also has an emergency brake function. You can press it down to immediately stop the flywheel from spinning.
Drive system
The MKHS 001 indoor cycling trainer is equipped with a belt drive system. It integrates a poly-v belt which is guarded by a large side cover. Since the bike’s drive system uses a belt, not a chain, you don’t have to worry about its lubrication. It also delivers a smoother pedaling motion.
The bike is equipped with a 35-lbs (15.8 kg) flywheel. It has a perimeter-weighted design for improved inertia which is great for spinning workouts. As we’ve mentioned above, it is chrome-plated and has thermoplastic side covers for improved aesthetics.
The flywheel is bi-directional. Therefore, you can pedal in reverse if you want. This is a plus, as you can focus different muscle groups. However, it is important to mention that coasting is not possible on the bike. When you stop pedaling, the flywheel stops as well, and it’s actually not recommended to try to stop the flywheel with your legs from the pedals. It’s best to press the tension knob down to immediately stop the flywheel from spinning if you want to pause your workout.
The bike is equipped with a fairly sturdy crankset. Also, the included pedals are made from an aluminum alloy so they should support standing up pedaling sessions. They do not have SPD clips but they’re equipped with adjustable toe cages.
Fitness monitor
The MKHS 001 is equipped with a rather basic fitness monitor. It features an LCD display that tracks time, speed, distance, total distance, calories burned, and pulse. It is not telemetric, so the pulse reading function only works if you hold on to the sensors integrated into the side grips of the handlebar.
Needless to say, the monitor unit does not have online connectivity or pre-set workout programs. It only has one button which allows you to scroll through the workout metrics and select the one you want to view. You can also select the Scan Mode which automatically rotates all the metrics showing each one for a few seconds. You can also reset the unit by pressing and holding the button for a few seconds.
The monitor unit is battery-powered and the batteries are included. It starts up when you begin pedaling and also automatically turns off if it does not detect any pedaling activity on the bike for several minutes.
Assembly and Maintenance
The bike’s main body comes pre-assembled. The flywheel, the brake pad, the tension knob, the belt, and the crank are already installed. You only have to connect the two base stabilizers, the seat, the handlebars, the pedals, and the fitness monitor. This shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. All the necessary tools for the task are included, and the manual provides fairly decent assembly instructions.
Since the bike has a belt drive system, its transmission does not require lubrication. The brake pad may require a bit of silicone lubricant in order to provide a smoother flywheel motion. Other than this, you only have to keep the bike clean and periodically check for loose parts.
The Pros
- Sturdy construction – can support users up to 330 lbs;
- Adjustable levelers on the rear stabilizer;
- Transport wheels on the front base;
- 4-way adjustable seat;
- High-comfort cushioned saddle with rear springs and a median groove for extra ventilation;
- Multi-grip handlebar;
- Smooth and quiet belt drive;
- Perimeter-weighted 35-lbs flywheel for a consistent momentum;
- Standard friction resistance;
- Performance monitor included – it can track time, distance, total distance, speed, pulse, and calories;
- Device holders included;
- Bottle holder included;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- No goals function;
- The fitness monitor does not have a backlight.
Summary
The MKHS 001 is an indoor cycling bike designed for home use. It features a triangular steel frame, a 35-lb flywheel, a friction resistance system, and a basic fitness monitor. It also offers a pretty decent, 330 lbs, maximum user weight limit. It’s a great bike for spin workouts, high-intensity cardio training, intervals, weight loss, muscle toning, and muscle strength improvement, in all, a great alternative for a more expensive commercial spin bike.