| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Apps | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nautilus R614 Check Discounted Price | L:65.3" W:28.3" H:49.6" | 300 lbs | Eddy current | 22 | Frame: 10 years Parts: 2 years Electronics: 1 year Labor: 90 days |
Although Nautilus doesn’t directly offer too many recumbent bikes, the two models R616 and R614 under their brand name, are most definitely gym-quality exercise bikes.
Nautilus R614 is a recumbent bike almost identical when it comes to features and capabilities, to the Schwinn 230. There are a few differences between these two models, but nonetheless, both these bikes have a lot to offer in terms of capabilities and comfort. Therefore, here’s what the R614 from Nautilus can do for you.
Technical Details and Specs
- Assembled dimensions: 65.3L x 28.3W x 49.6H inches (166L x 72W x 126H cm)
- Product weight: 84.2 lbs (38.2 kg)
- Supported weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Handlebars: Fixed, with pulse sensors
- Seat: Adjustable
- Pedals: With straps
- Brakes: Eddy current
- Resistance: Adjustable, 20 levels
- Progress tracking console: 22 workout programs, 2 user profiles, goal tracking
- Bottle/Cup holder: Yes
- Speakers: Incorporated in the console
- Fan: 3-speed, incorporated in the console
- Warranty: Frame 10 years / Parts 2 years / Electronics 1 year / Labor 90 days
Frame
The Nautilus 614 features a one-piece, steel-made frame, with a professional and appealing design. Sturdiness and stability are two of the qualities perfectly combined within the frame of this bike. It’s actually made to support users up to 300 lbs (136 kg). The front base of the frame features transport wheels, to facilitate the relocation of the bike. The rear base is equipped with levelers, and a long handle, for easier lifting and balancing on the front wheels, during transportation, while fully assembled. The frame rail also includes a leveler, to maximize stability.
Drive and brake system
The drive mechanism of this recumbent exercise bike features a rather big pulley, actually bigger in diameter than the flywheel. Due to this aspect, pedaling is steadier, and easier on the joints. The crank arms are also steel-made, very solid, finished with standard pedals, with toe straps.
The bike is equipped with a high-inertia, perimeter weighted flywheel, which adds to the smoothness of the pedaling. The pulley is connected to the flywheel via a heavy-duty belt, resulting in a very quiet ride.
The brake system of this bike involves an eddy current brake. This means you have to connect the bike to a power source, in order to adjust the resistance levels. There are 20 resistance levels available, and their adjustment is done strictly via the console. The package includes the power adapter for this bike. It’s an 120V 60Hz AC Input, 9VDC, 1.5A output AC power adapter, designed to fit any American-type power outlet.
Seat
Even though the seat of this bike is made of hard plastic, without any cushioning, the comfort lies within its design. It’s delicately contoured to fit the user’s legs without causing any discomfort. 
The back support also features an ergonomic design, providing a healthy posture. Both the seat bottom and back are vented, reducing the overheating of the seat, which may pose a serious discomfort for some users. The seat bottom is 17″ wide and 12″ in depth, offering plenty of room for a comfortable workout.
The bike’s seat features an adjusting rail system. It can be adjusted horizontally (well, oblically), in order to provide the adequate leg room for the user’s workout. It can accommodate users between 4’11” (150 cm) and 6’4″ (193 cm). Nonetheless, you can also use this bike if you’re taller than that, but in this case, even on the highest seat setting you won’t be able to get a full leg stretch, which may be important in your workout.
Handlebars
Both front and seat handlebars are padded with rubber foam, for a good grip, with an ergonomic design for maximum comfort. The recumbent handlebars are finished with heart rate sensors, data transferred to the bike’s console. Especially in a recumbent bike, which is typically recommended for rehabilitation exercises, heart rate sensors are a must, as the user may be required to remain within a specific heart rate interval at all time. The distance between the recumbent handlebars is 22″ (56 cm), giving plenty of room for a comfortable posture even for bulkier users.
Console
The console of this bike includes quite several other functions along with the progress tracking computer. It has a 3-speed fan, simply great when working out in extreme heat conditions, or during high intensity pedaling.
Two sealed acoustic speakers are another great feature to have on the bike’s console. These eliminate the inconvenience of wearing earphones at all time, if you want to listen to your music when working out. The speakers are pretty powerful for such a small system, and the sound rendered is crystal-clear. They can be connected to just about any device that can support music, such as MP3 players, iPods, smartphones etc.
The console is also equipped with a tablet tray, so you can place your tablet over, and surf the web, view your favorite streams or listen to music online. Needless to say, the tablet tray can 
serve as a book holder, in case you want to read while you exercise. The tablet covers only the top LCD monitor, leaving the lower one still visible, so you can still see your calories, time and distance covered.
When it comes to progress optimizing and tracking, the computer of the Nautilus 614 is quite versatile. It features 22 workout programs, including 9 profile, 8 for heart rate, 2 fitness tests, 2 custom, and 1 quick start. It tracks, distance, time, calories, RPM, speed, pulse and heart rate. It has a goal and achievement function which can also serve as a great motivation factor.
The resistance levels of the bike are controlled through the console. You can change the resistance gradually, but there are also 10 keys for quick resistance adjustment.
The console unit can support two user profiles, with different program settings, feature great to have if two people use the machine, or if you want to quickly alternate between programs and goals.
Finally, the console has a USB port, which allows you to export your workout data, and upload it into Nautilus Connect or MyFitnessPal. These sites give you the possibility to analyze your data in various ways. You can also find there plenty of information regarding diet and exercising, which will help your achieve better results.
Assembly and Maintenance
The seat rail system, and the brake and drive mechanisms are already assembled and attached to the main frame of the bike, so you don’t have to worry about any high-tech assembly process. All you have to attach are frame bases, pedals, seat frame and the bike’s seat, front handlebar post and the console on top of it. The box includes the user’s manual, which guide’s you step by step through the assembly task. Also, the tools for assembly are included with the box.
The maintenance of this bike does not require much. Since it’s an eddy brake system, the pads do not come in contact with the flywheel, therefore their wear and tear is basically zero. You don’t have to worry about replacing them, ever. The transmission belt is far from being a flimsy part, it’s made to last a life time. And since the bike is belt-driven, you don’t have to worry about periodical greasing, specific to chain-driven bikes. In fact, all bike’s parts come pre-lubricated and don’t require any additional greasing.
The only maintenance this bike actually requires, is keeping it clean of dust and dirt, and keeping the console free of any spills.
Comfort and Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, there isn’t much to be said. You simply plug the bike in, seat yourself comfortable, and start pedaling. Operating the console and juggling with the programs is also pretty straightforward, plus the manual covers it in detail.
The seat is designed to offer all the comfort required for a recumbent bike. Seat back favors a healthy posture, supplying a firm and ergonomic support. The comfort of the seat is enriched by the vented design, which prevents the seat from overheating.
Several other features add up to the comfort level of this bike. Not all exercise bikes offer a support for a tablet or a book. The Nautilus 614 does. Fan and sound system are also two elements that increase the level of convenience of this bike. Also, the box includes a cup / bottle holder, to make sure you keep your hydration at hand.
Due to the belt-drive system, this bike is very quiet. Therefore, you can be sure you won’t interfere with the comfort of others either.
What’s Best About This Bike
It goes without saying that one of the best aspects about this bike is its price/quality ratio. The Nautilus 614 is a gym-rated exercise bike, offering quite an array of features and capabilities, for an affordable price.
The multifunctional console of this bike is clearly another plus. It has much more to offer than your average, basic bike computer. Not only tracks distance, speed, RPM, calories, time and pulse, it also offers a nice range of programs to choose from, has a goal tracking function, and 2 user profiles.
There are 20 resistance levels on this bike, and the highest ones are rather tough, allowing high-intensity workouts as well.
The bike offers several accessories that other bikes in this price range do not have, such sound system, 3 speed fan, and of course, the possibility to export your training data to Nautilus Connect or MyFitnessPal.
It’s basically a maintenance-free machine. You don’t have to change brake pads, or lubricate any parts periodically.
Finally, like all Nautilus products, this particular stationary bike comes with a solid warranty
plan.
Drawbacks
Although it’s a great exercise bike, storage space may be a problem when it comes to this bike. It’s quite a lengthy model, over 65″ (165 cm) long, and over 28″ (71 cm) wide, which will take quite a bit of space.
Also, the downside of any bike with an eddy brake system is that it doesn’t give you access to any of the resistance levels, unless the bike it’s plugged in. This shouldn’t be much of a problem though.
Final Conclusion
The Nautilus 614 is one of the most inclusive recumbent bikes that you can find at the moment. It’s a very sturdy, stable and comfortable exercise bike, with a highly capable progress tracking console. Not only it can serve as an excellent exercising machine for rehabilitation exercising, leg muscle toning, or keeping a great cardiovascular shape, it’s also a bike that can help you burn up to 400-450 calories per workout session. It’s a gym-quality piece of equipment, a great investment in your future health.