Octane Fitness AirdyneX Fan Bike

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Resistance	Console programs	Warranty
Octane AirDyneX Check Discounted Price	L:55" W:26" H:53"	350 lbs	Air	3 interval, 3 HR	Frame: 10 years Parts: 2 years Electronics: 2 years Labor: 6 months

The Octane Fitness AirdyneX is an exercise bike almost identical with the Schwinn Airdyne Pro; however, it costs a bit more than the Schwinn model. It’s a commercial grade trainer which offers superior weight capacity, adjustability, comfort and overall sturdiness. It’s one of the newest Octane bikes, available since 2017.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 55L x 26W x 53H inches (140L x 66W x 137H cm)
• Assembled weight: 113 lbs (51.3 kg)
• Supported weight: 350 lbs (159 kg)
• Handlebars: Mobile
• Seat: 4-way adjustable
• Drive: Belt
• Resistance: Air
• Fitness meter: 3 interval workouts, 3 HR workouts, 1 manual
• Included accessories: Bottle holder
• Warranty: Frame 10 years / Parts 3 years / Labor 6 months

Frame construction

As we’ve mentioned above, the Octane Fitness AirdyneX features a commercial grade construction. Its frame is made of heavy-duty steel tubing, and double coated with a rust-resistant and abrasion-resistant paint finish. The colors used are black, except for the perimeter of the drive fan which is orange, and the seat post/slider which have a chrome finish.

Since it’s a fan exercise bike, it’s a trainer between a spin bike and an upright bike which also offers the possibility to exercise your arms, thus providing a more consistent workout.

The Octane AirdyneX is not an extremely large fitness machine. However, it’s assembled footprint is approx. 55″L x 26″W (140 x 66 cm), and on top of that, it is recommended to allow at least two feet of clearance all around it for safe and unhindered operation. Its highest point is given by the top of the console and stands above floor level at approx. 53″ (137 cm).

Since it’s a gym-grade trainer, the Octane Airdyne X also has a fairly heavy construction. When fully assembled, it weighs approx. 113 lbs (51.3 kg). Due to this weight, stability isn’t an issue for the bike even if you’re close to its maximum (350 lbs) weight capacity. On top of that, both its bases integrate adjustable stabilizers with large rubber pads. Thus, you should be able to perfectly level the unit on any type of flooring.

Despite its weight, moving the bike to a storage place after your workout, shouldn’t be a problem. Its front base has two transport wheels, so by using these wheels when relocating it, you won’t be handling its total weight.

Even though it’s not a spin bike, the frame construction of this Octane Fitness exercise bike features a reinforced stepping pad above the crank. This feature gives you the possibility to perform certain exercises that most upright bikes can’t support. Along with the stepping pad, there also are two anti-slip, triple-sided foot resting pegs. Not all fan bikes have this feature. These allow you to rest your legs or keep them fully stretched while you only exercise your arms.

Seat & handlebars

The Octane Fitness AirdyneX fan bike is equipped with a saddle designed to deliver much more comfort than most spin bike seats. It’s a medium-sized seat which integrates a generous layer of padding. Plus, its upholstery is made of an extremely durable vinyl material which can last a lifetime.

The seat not only that offers up/down adjustment, it’s also equipped with a horizontal slider which permits fore/aft adjustment. This being said, the bike provides a biomechanically correct positioning for users between 5’0″ and 6’7″ (153 – 201 cm). Also, as we’ve mentioned above, the seat bar is durable enough to support users up to 350 lbs (159 kg).

Just as any other fan bike, the Octane AirdyneX features only mobile handlebars. They’re connected to the bike’s main pulley via a linkage arm concealed by the belt and pulley guard. This being said, they will continue to move for as long as you pedal, or for as long as the flywheel is moving. They cannot move independently from the pedals, nor they can be locked in place. However, due to the front foot resting pegs, you can exercise only by using the handlebars.

The bike’s mobile arms feature multi-grip handles, a feature that gives you the possibility to add diversity to your workouts. The handgrips are coated with a sheet of high-density foam, in order to provide optimal comfort.

Drive & resistance

The bike’s main drive and resistance element is the 26-blade fan. This is the only element responsible for the unit’s resistance. There aren’t any magnetic brakes or other resistance elements. Also, the console doesn’t have any resistance adjustment controls. It’s purely a training meter. Therefore, the resistance generated depends solely on how hard or fast you pedal or move the arm bars.

An important aspect with regards to the bike’s drive system that we cannot overlook here is the noise generated. Like most air resistance fitness machines, this Octane exercise bike generates a moderate level of noise, especially when you engage in a more intense workout and the fan spins at a higher speed. However, as an example here, no matter how hard you pedal, the sound generated won’t cover the sound of your TV on a pretty low volume setting.

The Octane Fitness AirdyneX fan bike uses a belt drive system. This type of transmission comes with a series of advantages. First of all, it generates less vibration than a chain drive. Second of all, it doesn’t require lubrication, and finally, it delivers a very smooth pedaling motion.

Since it’s a heavy-duty bike, it is equipped with an extremely sturdy crankset. The crank arms can actually support the user in standing up pedaling routines, even if they’re close to the maximum weight capacity. The pedals are replaceable, featuring standard threads; they’re made of a durable metallic alloy, designed to last a lifetime. They don’t integrate SPD elements for spin shoes, however, a set of toe restraints for extra thrust are included.

Console

The Octane AirdyneX includes an advanced console unit. It features two main displays. The top one is a tachometer, while the bottom one reflects the workout programs data.

The Tachometer Display situated at the top is divided into 60 segments to show calories-per-minute and Watts. It also shoes RPMs and speed. The Program Data Display shows the timer for the interval programs, the round of each interval, sprint and recover data, cumulative metrics (calories/kJ or distance in miles or km), heart rate metrics, battery indicator and volume indicator.

The console offers three main interval programs, these being 20/10 interval, 30/90 interval and Custom interval, which basically allows you to create your own desired interval workout. There also are three main target setting programs. You can set up a target for time, calories and distance. Of course, you can also consider the manual mode a workout program, that’s why we’ve specified here that the bike has four programs, not three.

The console also has three preset HR intervals, for 65%, 75%, and 85%. It’s a telemetric unit and can monitor your heart rate via an uncoded HR strap from Polar Electro or an uncoded Polar compatible model. This accessory is not included, though.

The console calibration feature is another important aspect that we need to cover here. The unit has a built-in temperature and pressure sensor which automatically calibrates the resistance output for differences in air pressure (such as altitude). In addition, the console provides a manual calibration procedure. The Calibration procedure adjusts the console’s calculations of resistance for differences in belt tension and bearing friction. Therefore, the unit can provide quite accurate readings for your overall calorie consumption.

The console unit can be powered via an AC adapter, Rated 120V 60Hz Input, 9VDC, 1500mA. However, it can also use 2 D-type batteries which are included.

In case you’re wondering, the bike’s console doesn’t have any online connectivity, nor it is compatible with any online fitness apps. It also doesn’t have a sound system, tablet holder or cooling fan. However, you can opt for an AirDyne Air Diverter accessory which can be attached to the fan case in order to divert the air current generated by the flywheel at you, and thus, provide some cooling during the workout.

Assembly & Maintenance

The main body of the bike, including the fan, the crank assembly, the drive system, and the seat post, comes pre-assembled. The elements that require assembly are the bike’s base bars, the moving arms, the pedals, the seat, and the console. This shouldn’t take more than one hour. The included manual is thoroughly made and provides excellent step-by-step assembly instructions. Also, a set of basic tools required for the assembly is included.

For maintenance, it’s recommended to periodically dust the fan and check for loose bolts/parts. The belt and other internal parts shouldn’t require any lubrication or maintenance for a long time. However, if the joints develop squeaking noises, some lubricant should solve the problem.

The Pros

• Heavy-duty construction – can hold users up to 350 lbs;
• Biomechanically correct design, promoting a natural exercising posture;
• Adjustable stabilizers with rubber caps on both bases;
• Transport wheels;
• Foot step-pad for an easy entry and exit or different workouts;
• Foot resting pegs included;
• Mobile arms with multi-grips for a wide variety of workouts;
• Large padded seat;
• 4-way adjustable seat;
• Can accommodate a wide range of users, between 5’0″ and 6’7″;
• Durable metallic alloy pedals with toe restraints which can support the full weight of the user;
• Air resistance system, great for interval workouts;
• Advanced console with two main displays, one for the tachometer and one for the workout programs data; 
• Telemetric console – can read pulse via an HR Polar transmitter;
• Two preset interval programs and one custom;
• Three preset HR intervals;
• Target setting functions;
• Basically maintenance free;
• Easy to assemble;
• Excellent warranty.

The Cons

• No stationary handlebars;
• No sound system;
• No tablet holder;
• HR chest strap not included;
• No online connectivity.

Bottom Line

The Octane Fitness AirdyneX is a fan exercise bike featuring an extremely sturdy construction, able to hold riders up to 350 lbs. It offers superior micro-adjustability and a well-cushioned seat. It’s equipped with a highly accurate console with calibration possibilities, which keeps track of all your important workout data and offers three interval programs, target value settings, and HR intervals. It’s an exercise bike for users of all levels, perfect for high-intensity interval training, but also for recovery training. It’s also great for endurance building, muscle toning, and weight loss. In terms of price, it’s not the most affordable trainer. However, considering that it’s a commercial grade bike, it definitely offers an excellent value for the price.