ProGear 225 Foldable Magnetic Upright Bike

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weight
ResistanceConsoleWarranty
ProGear 225

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L:32"
W:17.5"
H:46"
220 lbsMagnetic,
8 levels
Time,
Speed,
Distance,
ODO,
Calories,
Pulse,
SCAN
1 year
limited

The ProGear 225 upright exercise bike is quite similar to the Marcy NS-652 model. It features a folding frame and adjustable magnetic resistance, but as opposed to the Marcy model, this ProGear bike can also track your pulse. Evidently, it’s a bike for light cardio exercises, for home use only.

Technical Details and Specifications

  • Assembled dimensions: 32L x 17.5W x 46H inches (81L x 44.5W x 117H cm)
  • Assembled weight: 34.8 lbs (15.7 kg)
  • Supported weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
  • Seat: 2-way adjustable
  • Pedals: With straps
  • Resistance: Magnetic, 8 levels
  • Fitness meter: Included
  • Warranty: 1 year limited

Frame construction

Just as many other folding upright bikes, the ProGear 225 is one of the most basic models that you can find at the moment. But nonetheless, it features a frame made of steel tubing, coated with a corrosion resistant paint. The only color available for this exercise bike is white.

Even though the ProGear 225 has a folding frame, it also has a very small fully setup footprint. It only takes 32″L x 17.5″W (81 x 44.5 cm) when in use; therefore, it’s an excellent choice for a small apartment or room. The frame has an “X” structure, with the two main pieces joined in the middle, and with the frame folded, the bike’s footprint is reduced to 19″L x 17.5″W (48 x 44.5 cm), while its height gains approx. 9″.

When it comes to weight, this exercise bike is far from being heavy. It weighs only 34.8 lbs (15.7 kg) when fully assembled, which means almost anyone should be able to handle it or relocate it without any help. Plus, the front base tube is equipped with rotating caps, which fulfill the role of transport wheels. The rear base caps have a polygonal shape; they also rotate and serve as stabilizers.

One last aspect to mention here regards the bike’s weight capacity. As opposed to the Marcy model that we’ve mentioned here, this ProGear model can only support riders up to 220 lbs (100 kg).

Seat and handlebars

The ProGear 225 foldable magnetic upright bike is equipped with a 2-way adjustable seat. Its upright post features several adjustment positions, and can accommodate users between 5’1″ and 6’0″ (155 – 183 cm). The saddle is made of rubber foam material, with a contoured surface. It’s fairly wide, delivering optimal comfort for all upright workouts. The adjustment bar is finished with a triangular plate to which the saddle is attached. It’s a pretty much standard seat, and can easily be replaced if necessary.

The bike’s handlebars are non-adjustable. They have a multi-grip design, each handle featuring a rubber-foam layer in order to deliver optimal comfort and a secure grip. Also, each handle integrates an EKG pulse sensor, while the fitness meter supplied with this bike can track pulse.

Resistance and drive

The ProGear 225 upright bike is equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system. It consists of a small magnetic brake attached to the tension knob under the handlebar through a steel wire. As you turn the knob, you change the position of the magnetic brake in relation to the flywheel, which increases or decreases the resistance on the pedals.

This ProGear exercise bike offers 8 levels of resistance; each level is marked on the tension knob. The first levels deliver a light tension, while the top, 7-8 levels give you the possibility to undergo a more intense cardio training. But as a general idea, this exercise bike is not exactly meant for highly intense cardio workouts.

When it comes to the bike’s drive elements, first of all, we must mention that it is equipped with a balanced, perimeter-weighted flywheel, which delivers a smooth and steady pedaling feel. Evidently, the flywheel is not extremely heavy. Its weight is not specified, but it should be somewhere around 8-10 lbs. Due to this fact, it won’t generate such a consistent momentum as a spin bike, or an upright bike with a heavier flywheel. The flywheel is not bi-directional, which means you won’t benefit from any resistance if you pedal in reverse.

Just like most bikes with magnetic resistance, this ProGear model features a belt drive system. It uses a solid, stretch-resistant belt, which generates almost no noise when pedaling. Also, as opposed to a chain drive, it doesn’t require any lubrication.

The bike is equipped with a 3-piece crank, with steel arms. However, even though this part is quite solid, standing up while pedaling is not recommended. The bike doesn’t offer the stability of a heavy spin bike.

The pedals have standard threads so you can easily find replacements for them if needed. They’re weighted (self-leveling), they feature a surface with lugs for superior adherence and they’re equipped with adjustable straps.

Exercise meter

Evidently, since the ProGear 225 is an inexpensive bike, the fitness meter supplied with it is pretty basic as well, but it can read pulse and has an odometer function, which other similar units don’t have. Thus, we can say it’s a bit more inclusive. It can track speed, distance, total distance (ODO), time, calories burned and pulse. It has a SCAN function that rotates all the fitness metrics, keeping each one on screen for several seconds, but you can also select one of them to view at all time if you want. In order for the unit to track your pulse, you will have to hold onto the pulse sensors integrated into the handlebars. The console is not telemetric.

The exercise meter is pretty easy to use. Has only one button. It turns on when you push the button, or when it detects flywheel movement. By selecting the SCAN function, the console will rotate the values showing each one of them for several minutes. However, you can select any of the values to be shown on screen for several times.

The monitor shuts off after several minutes of inactivity on the bike. In order to completely reset them, remove the batteries from the unit. It uses 2 AAA-type batteries which are included.

Assembly and Maintenance

Most of the bike comes pre-assembled. The internal parts, (flywheel, brake pad, crank, belt) are already attached to the frame and encased by the plastic covers. The two main frame parts are already connected at the middle, so basically you will only need to attach the seat, the handlebars, the console and the pedals.

Since it’s a belt driven bike, with magnetic resistance, its internal parts don’t really need any maintenance. Basically, maintenance requires you wipe the dust from the frame and console, and from time to time check if the bolts still hold tight in place.

The Pros

  • Solid and stable frame design, able to hold 220 lbs of user weight;
  • Space saver, folding design;
  • Small footprint when fully assembled;
  • Multi-grip handlebar;
  • Pulse sensors integrated into the handlebar;
  • Magnetic resistance system, virtually wear free, supplying 8 distinctive levels of tension;
  • Fitness meter included, capable of tracking time, speed, distance, total distance, calories, and pulse;
  • Batteries for the meter are included; 
  • Phone/accessory holder included;
  • Smooth belt drive;
  • Quiet operation;
  • Easy to assemble;
  • Very little maintenance required.

The Cons

  • No tablet holder;
  • No bottle holder;
  • The reading of the calories is not too accurate;
  • The console display doesn’t have backlight.

Summary

The ProGear 225 is a foldable magnetic upright bike, featuring a quiet belt drive, 8 levels of manual magnetic resistance, and a fitness meter that can track time, distance, speed, calories, and pulse. It’s a bike for light to medium cardio training, muscle toning, stamina building, and it can also help you lose weight if you train with highest resistance settings for at least 30 minutes per day. In all, this exercise bike offers excellent value for the price.

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4 thoughts on “ProGear 225 Foldable Magnetic Upright Bike”

  1. we love this bike, but cannot reset the computer after each use. Please tell us if you know. Thanks, MB

  2. Press and hold the button. It resets everything but the odometer, which I like since it details you how long you’ve used the bike in total for.

  3. Used this bike for 2 years. I started at level 2 and at level 6 now. I use it in the morning for one hour and one hour in the evening I was 245lbs a little over capacity for the bike I am 195lbs at the present time I keep a steady pace so I dont get tired or bored no bs honest truth

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