| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Fitness meter | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ProForm 350 SPX Check Discounted Price | L:48.8" W:20" H:48.6" | 250 lbs | Friction, Leather-pad | No | Frame: 5 years Parts: 90 days Labor: 90 days |
The ProForm 350 SPX features a similar construction to the Spinner S3 or the Sunny SF-B1509C. Therefore, it’s an exercise bike designed for spinning workouts. It’s also in the same price category as the aforementioned bikes, being an affordable model. It’s not a fitness machine made for commercial use; however, its frame does offer commercial sturdiness.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 48.8L x 20W x 48.6H inches (118L x 51W x 123H cm)
- Assembled weight: 95 lbs (43 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 40 lbs (18.1 kg)
- Supported weight: 250 lbs (113.3 kg)
- Handlebars: 2-way adjustable
- Seat: 2-way adjustable
- Pedals: With with toe cages
- Drive: Chain
- Resistance: Friction, felt-pad
- Performance monitor: Not included
- Bottle holder: Included
- Warranty: Frame 5 years / Parts 90 days / Labor 90 days
Frame construction
As we’ve mentioned above, the ProForm 350 SPX is an indoor cycling trainer designed for spin workouts. Therefore, it features a frame made of thick steel tubing, able to support users up to 250 lbs (113.3 kg). When fully assembled, this exercise bike is more than twice
as heavy as a mountain bike, which means it provides excellent stability. Its overall stability is also enhanced by its adjustable, rubberized leveling feet. This being said, the bike does not require to be placed on a rubber mat, but the use of one is recommended.
Although the fully assembled cycling trainer only weighs 95 lbs, its transport and handling shouldn’t be a problem to almost any user, as its front base stabilizer is equipped with two large silicone transport wheels. By leaning the frame forward on these wheels, you’ll basically handle less than the full weight of the trainer.
When it comes to its dimensions, this ProForm exercise bike is far from being a large fitness machine. In fact, in case storage and/or usage space is an issue, it may be a more appropriate choice for a cardio fitness machine, over a treadmill, such as the AFG Sport 5.5AT, or an elliptical, such as the LifeSpan E2i. When fully set-up the bike is only 48.8″ (118 cm) long, and 20″ (51 cm) wide, requiring a workout surface of approx. 60″L x 50″W (153 x 127 cm).
Most parts in the bike’s frame are metallic (steel), however, its construction does have several plastic parts. Among them, we can count the chain guard, the cover of the resistance pad which also integrates the water bottle holder, the adjustment knobs of the handlebar and seat, and the pedal toe cages. All the steel parts in the frame construction feature a highly durable coating finish, mostly black. The flywheel is chrome-coated though, with a red paint finish in the middle. These are the only colors available for the ProForm 350 SPX model.
Seat and handlebar
This ProForm indoor cycling bike is equipped with a standard spin bike seat which is not designed to deliver extreme comfort. Its top surface does integrate a layer of padding, being also contoured, with a groove in the middle to promote a better blood circulation.
The saddle itself has a classic connection system to the horizontal adjustment bar. Thus, replacement options are highly available. You can basically find a much more comfortable seat in any bike shop. But the overall comfort of this particular saddle can also be increased by a gel cover, sheepskin cover or any other type of cushioned cover.
This seat is 4-way adjustable. Its upright post has several adjustment holes, and along with the similar adjustability of the handlebar, the bike can accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’5″ (152 – 195 cm).
The bike’s handlebar is also 4-way adjustable but has a shorter horizontal adjustment span than the seat. It has a multi-grip design, with integrated aerobars, and soft foam grips to provide optimal comfort for the hands.
The seat and handlebars of this ProForm exercise bike are easy to adjust. They’re equipped with large knobs, easy to grab and turn. Thus, adjusting them to your own required dimensions shouldn’t take more than a minute. This is quite a plus if several other persons in your home use the bike.
One last aspect to mention here regards the shape of the upright seat and handlebar posts. They have an ovalized, flattened design, which means it’s almost impossible for the seat or handlebar to turn sideways, during a more demanding workout. This aspect can happen on bikes with cylindrical handlebar and seat posts.
Resistance and drive
Just as the Exerpeutic LX7 or the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1421, the ProForm 350 SPX indoor cycling bike is equipped with a friction resistance system. Its resistance mechanism consists of a felt pad attached to the resistance knob on top of the main tube of the frame. 
When you turn the knob clockwise, this brake pad will apply more pressure onto the flywheel, this way generating more resistance.
This type of resistance system doesn’t have pre-determined settings or clicks, such as the magnetic resistance in various upright bikes. You simply turn it until the bike provides the resistance you want for your workout. Basically, you can tighten the resistance pad onto the flywheel up to the point you can barely pedal.
The resistance knob offers dual functionality, as it also fulfills the role of an emergency brake. By pressing it down, you can immediately stop the flywheel from spinning.
Speaking of the flywheel, the one equipped on this bike has a mid-range weight. It weighs 40 lbs (18.1 kg), delivering a consistent momentum and a steady pedaling motion. It’s balanced and perimeter-weighted, which means that even if you considerably tighten the resistance knob, its motion should still be steady, without the “stairmaster effect”.
The ProForm 350 SPX indoor cycling bike is equipped with a chain drive system, which comes with two main advantages. One, it is considerably more durable than a belt drive and doesn’t stretch. Two, you can easily find a replacement for it in case it breaks, as it’s basically a standard bike chain. The downside is that you periodically have to lubricate it, usually every 2-3 months.
This exercise bike does offer the possibility of pedaling in reverse, which basically doubles the number of workouts that can be performed on it. When pedaling in reverse resistance won’t change, as for road bikes with derailleurs for example, as the resistance pad will continue to apply pressure on the spinning flywheel. It’s recommended, though, to stop the flywheel from spinning, by using the emergency brake, when you want to change the way of pedaling, in order to avoid any accidents.
The crankset equipped on this exercise bike is extremely solid. In fact, it can support much more than the specified maximum user capacity of 250 lbs (113.3 kg). The element which sets the user capacity of the bike at 250 lbs is actually the seat, which may bend under heavier users. Therefore, the crank elements can definitely withstand the user in full standing up pedaling routines.
The crank arms are finished with metallic alloy pedals, with toe cages for extra thrust. These pedals have standard 9/16 threads, and can easily be replaced with SPD pedals that are similarly threaded.
Assembly and Maintenance
This ProForm exercise bike is easy to assemble. In fact, most of it comes already assembled. The flywheel, the resistance elements, the crank, and chain are already attached to the main frame. So, the assembly task basically requires you to mount the frame on its base stabilizers, add the pedals, the seat and handlebar posts, and finally the seat and the handlebars. This shouldn’t take more than 30-40 min. The package includes two hex wrenches, but you will also need an adjustable wrench which is not supplied. Also, the included manual provides very comprehensive and concise assembly instructions.
As we’ve mentioned above, the primary maintenance aspect regarding this bike is the lubrication of the chain. You can use standard bike chain oil from any bike shop for this. The resistance pad may require lubrication as well, in case it overheats; for this, a few drops of silicone lubricant on the edge of the flywheel should do the trick. And finally, the periodic check for loose bolts and parts is also recommended.
The Pros
- Solid steel frame, sturdy construction;
- Rubberized, adjustable foot stabilizers;
- Multi-grip handlebar, with integrated aerobars and rubberized grips;
- 4-way adjustable handlebar;
- 4-way adjustable seat;
- Durable chain drive;
- Perimeter-weighted, heavy flywheel, for a consistent momentum, and smooth pedaling;
- Solid crankset, durable enough for all-range of spin workouts;
- Comfortable Q-Factor considerably reducing the lateral impact on the knees;
- Heavy-duty, metallic pedals with toe cages;
- Bottle holder included;
- Not an extremely heavy fitness machine, easy to transport;
- Really easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required;
- Excellent warranty.
The Cons
- No fitness meter.
Bottom Line
The ProForm 350 SPX is an indoor cycling trainer designed for spin workouts. It has excellent micro-adjustability, both its seat and handlebar being 4-way adjustable. It’s equipped with a friction resistance system, smooth, quiet and durable chain drive, and a 40 lbs flywheel. It’s not a commercial grade bike but does feature a solid steel frame, similar to the commercial spin models. It offers the possibility to perform a wide array of cycling workouts, including light to intense cardio training, interval training, or in general, workouts that put a lot of focus on all the leg muscles. It’s definitely a bike great for losing weight; you can actually burn 7-800 calories per hour on it, depending on the resistance levels used. And finally, it’s not an expensive bike, delivering excellent value for its price.