| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Fitness meter | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ProGear 100S Check Discounted Price | L: 40" W: 22" H: 46" | 250 lbs | Friction, felt-pad | Time, Speed, Distance, Pulse, Calories, SCAN | 1 year limited |
The ProGear 100S is one of the lightest indoor cycling bikes available at the moment. Although it has a rather low weight capacity, it can still support all kinds of spin workouts. It’s one of the most affordable indoor cycling bike models so far, and it also includes a fitness meter.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 40L x 22W x 46H inches (102L x 56W x 117H cm)
- Assembled weight: 60 lbs (27 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 22 lbs (10 kg)
- Weight limit: 250 lbs (113.3 kg)
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Pedals: With toe cages
- Drive mechanism: Chain
- Resistance: Friction, top-to-down felt pad
- Bottle holder: Yes
- Computer: Basic
- Warranty: 1 year limited
Frame
As we’ve mentioned above, the ProGear 100S is a light indoor cycling bike, featuring a steel 
frame with a total assembled weight of 60 lbs. It also has a small footprint, taking only 40″L x 22″W (102 x 56 cm) of floor space, thus being an excellent choice for a small apartment. However, despite its small footprint, and light weight, it still does offer excellent stability. As long as the user doesn’t exceed the 250 lbs (113.3 kg) weight limit, there shouldn’t be any issues related to the bike’s operation.
The frame’s steel parts are powder coated with gray paint, except for the seat post which is silver painted. These are the only colors available, at least for now.
The front base of the bike integrates a set of small wheels, to ease its transport and handling once you’ve finished your workout. Also, the rear base features adjustable, polygonal plastic caps, which serve as stabilizers.
Seat and handlebars
The ProGear 100S features a seat more similar to the seats found in most upright bikes, than the seats of spin bikes. It’s not a slim seat, featuring a wider surface and a little bit of padding, offering slightly better comfort for upright workouts than a spin bike seat. 
However, the seat does not have a standard connection system to its post. The seat post is finished with a small triangular metallic plate, and the seat connects to it via three bolts. Thus, in case you will need a replacement someday, you’ll have to either order a new one from Paradigm, or adapt one to the bike.
The seat is 4-way adjustable, the bike being able to accommodate users between 5’1″ and 6’2″ (155 – 188 cm). Adjustment of the seat is done via two large knobs, easy to turn and pull.
The bike’s handlebar assembly features a rather simple design, similar to the one supplied with the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1203. In fact, the ProGear 100S bike, it quite similar in specs with this Sunny exercise bike. The handlebar does offer multiple grip possibilities though, also being covered by rubber foam coating for more comfort. It’s not adjustable though, being attached via bolts by its upright post. It does however, integrate stainless steel pulse sensors, so that the meter unit can track your pulse.
Drive and resistance
This ProGear indoor cycle trainer features a chain-drive system. It uses a chain similar to the ones in road bikes, thus in case you will ever need a replacement, it should be easy to find one.
The flywheel supplied with this indoor cycling bike, is a rather light one, with a total weight of 22 lbs (10 kg). It’s perimeter weighted though providing a stable pedaling motion, and 
the consistent momentum required for spin workouts. Overall, the ride is smooth and quiet, the only noise produced is the soft whirring of the chain.
The crankset is extremely sturdy, featuring solid steel crank arms, finished with standard pedals. Needless to say, it can support stand-up pedaling routines, as long as the user doesn’t exceed the specified 250 lbs weight capacity.
The pedals are basic. They don’t incorporate clips for spin shoes. They’re equipped though with toe cages, to offer the required foot stability if necessary, and the extra forward leg thrust required by some spin workouts.
This ProGear exercise bike is equipped with a basic friction system, which consists of a felt pad that comes in contact with the flywheel in a top-down manner. The resistance pad is attached to the resistance knob on top of the main tube of the frame. By turning the knob, the resistance pad will apply more or less friction onto the flywheel, increasing or decreasing the bike’s overall resistance.
Pedaling in reverse is possible. But since it’s not a road bike and the transmission system is simple, you cannot coast. Also, when pedaling in reverse resistance remains constant, depending on how much friction the felt pad applies onto the flywheel.
Fitness meter
The fitness meter supplied with the ProGear 100S indoor training cycle, is a pretty basic unit. Does not offer any preloaded workout apps, but it does supply information regarding 
the most essential data a user would want to know during their workout. It tracks speed, time, distance, calories and pulse
The unit is quite easy to operate. It’s automatically powered on when you begin pedaling on the bike, and it will automatically turn off after several minutes of inactivity on the bike. It only features one button (MODE) and it can also be turned on by pressing this button. By pressing the button multiple times, the display will cycle between the aforementioned values, and you can choose the one you want to view at any time. However, it also has a SCAN function, which allows it to automatically cycle through these values, showing each one for several seconds.
The console requires 2 AAA-type batteries which are supplied with the bike.
Assembly and Maintenance
Some assembly is required for this exercise bike. The flywheel, crank system, chain, and resistance pad come already assembled. Therefore, the assembly requires you to place the main bike frame to its bases, attach the seat and handlebars, the pedals, and finally the fitness meter. The user’s manual supplied covers all the steps for assembly, task that shouldn’t take longer than 30 min. Also, the tools required for assembly are included.
Maintenance requires the periodic lubrication of the chain. The bike’s resistance pad may require lubrication as well, which is done by applying a bit of silicone lubricant on the edge of the flywheel.
The Pros
- Sturdy, lightweight frame;
- Multi-grip handlebar;
- 4-way adjustable seat;
- Balanced, heavy flywheel, for a consistent momentum, and smooth pedaling;
- Chain drive, which can basically last a lifetime;
- Quiet drive system;
- Solid crank system, able to hold the user in stand-up pedaling position;
- Standard pedals with toe cages;
- Fitness meter included;
- Bottle holder included;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- No adjustability on the handlebar.
Summary
The ProGear 100S is a lightweight indoor cycling bike, with felt-pad, friction resistance. It only has a 250 lbs user capacity, however its frame and crank assembly are solid enough to support spin workouts. Even though it’s a basic, affordable bike, it does come with a fitness meter, accessory that some of the most expensive models don’t offer. It’s a bike made for cardio training, stamina building, muscle toning and weight loss. And finally, since it costs less than $200, it definitely offers excellent value for the price.