Best Recumbent Bikes for 2022

There are many types of fitness machines for cardio training that you can choose from if you want to exercise at home, and some of the most convenient machines for this purpose are the exercise bikes. But when it comes to comfort, recumbent bikes stand out.  These exercise bikes do not supply an intensive workout setting like spin bikes or other machines, but they focus on offering superior ergonomics and minimizing the negative impact of your workout on your joints and back.

There’s a lot to be said about this type of exercise bike, about its features and functions, and how it can benefit you. This page focuses on pointing out the most important of these benefits, but more importantly, to present the best models on the market and also help you make the right choice. Therefore, as a start-up for this post here’s a comparison table with some of the best recumbent bikes for 2022.

The Best 10 Recumbent Bikes for 2022

Schwinn 230

The Schwinn 230 recumbent exercise bike has been around for quite a while and has received several improvements over the years. It still remains one of the top-rated recumbent bikes, this being the main reason we’ve selected it for our list of best recumbent bikes for 2022. It’s a mid-range, programmable bike which excels in comfort and offers a pretty impressive range of features. So far, it continues to benefit from an impressive amount of positive reviews from users all over the world.

Frame

The Schwinn 230 recumbent exercise bike features a steel frame construction. It combines oval, rectangular, and cylindrical tubing in its construction for improved sturdiness. However, the bike also integrates several parts that are made of durable thermoplastic material (probably polypropylene). The most notable ones are the seat base covers, the drive system covers, the seat, and its backrest.

This recumbent bike isn’t an extremely large unit. However, it does take approx. 64″L x 27″W (162 x 70 cm) of floor space. To these dimensions, it is recommended to add at least two feet of clearance all around it, for safe operation and access.

This Schwinn exercise bike isn’t extremely heavy but does weigh over 81 lbs (37 kg). It’s not difficult to transport, though, especially after it was fully assembled, as its front base features transport wheels.

One last aspect to mention here is the step-through design of the frame. This is quite a plus, as it offers excellent access to the seat and easy entry and exit.

Drive & Resistance

The Schwinn 230 recumbent bike features an automatic eddy current resistance system. This means the resistance can only be adjusted from the console, and the bike needs to be connected to a power source. It offers 20 tension levels, the first few deliver a very light resistance, while the top 18-20 levels add quite a bit of difficulty to the ride, giving you the possibility to achieve a more intense burn.

The internal flywheel weighs approx. 13 lbs (5.8 kg) and is approx. 16″ (40 cm) in diameter. It’s a balanced flywheel, designed to deliver a very smooth motion. It also allows you to pedal in reverse, so you can put some diversity into your workouts.

Since it’s a magnetic exercise bike, it uses a belt for transmission. The connection between the internal pulley and flywheel is made by a heavy-duty poly-v rubber belt. Evidently, it doesn’t need any lubrication and delivers a very quiet pedaling motion.

The bike is equipped with standard pedals. They have an adherent surface and are equipped with adjustable straps. The Q-Factor is comfortable, offering a natural positioning of the feet on the pedals, and eliminating lateral stress on the knees.

Console & Accessories

This Schwinn exercise bike is equipped with a programmable console. It offers 22 workout programs, including, 9 profile programs, 8 heart rate programs, 2 fitness tests, 1 quick start, and 2 custom. These programs can be adjusted in terms of time and resistance. Also, you can select countdown targets for time, distance, and calories.

The console features two LCD displays that track time, distance, pulse, speed, RPM, and calories burned. It also features a heart rate zone indicator and a goal percentage indicator, and of course, it indicates the current resistance setting.

The unit is compatible with SchwinnConnect and MyFitnessPal. Therefore, you can transfer your workout data via USB into your online account in order to keep a better track of your progress. The USB port can also serve as a charging port for your tablet or smartphone.

In terms of amenities, the console is equipped with a sound system, a tablet holder, and a small cooling fan. For the sound system, there is an AUX port which is compatible with most smartphones, tablets, and MP3 players. The cooling fan isn’t extremely powerful but does deliver a bit of cooling if needed. The tablet holder consists of a small rack under the top, larger display of the unit.

A bottle holder is also included; it can be attached to one of the handlebars of the seat.

Comfort & Adjustability

Although the bike’s comfort is not cushioned, its design does provide quite an impressive comfort. Both the top of the seat and the backrest are contoured, providing a very comfortable positioning. They also have a vented (perforated) design, preventing overheating during the more intense workouts. Also, the backrest is designed to provide excellent, firm and healthy lumbar support.

In case you’re wondering, the seat is approx. 17″ (43 cm) wide, and 12″ (30 cm) deep. It provides plenty of contact surface for a comfortable positioning, even for users up to 300 lbs (136 kg).

The seat is adjustable. It can move forward or backward on its slider; it can accommodate users up to 6’6″ (198 cm), promoting a complete leg extension. However, the backrest does not have a reclining function and cannot be adjusted independently from the seat.

This recumbent bike is equipped with two sets of handlebars, one attached to the front mast, the other attached to the seat assembly. They feature rubberized grips for extra comfort, while the seat handlebars also have pulse sensors.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Sturdy frame
• Aesthetic design
• Vented comfortable seat
• Excellent lumbar support
• Great adjustability
• Pulse sensors
• Transport wheels and base stabilizers
• Automatic, eddy current resistance
• 20 tension levels
• 22 workout programs
• Compatible with MyFitnessPal and SchwinnConnect
• Sound system
• Tablet holder
• Cooling fan
• Bottle holder
• Easy to assemble
• Little maintenance required

Cons

• A tablet placed on the tablet holder will cover the top display
• HR chest strap is not included
• The fan is not very powerful

Summary

The Schwinn 230 is a mid-range recumbent bike made for home use. It’s equipped with an automatic eddy current resistance system with 20 tension levels. Its console is programmable and offers 22 workout programs. The seat provides superior comfort and has a vented design to prevent overheating during workouts. In all, it’s a sturdy exercise bike that delivers outstanding value and quality for the price.

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Nautilus R616

Right next to the Schwinn 230, the Nautilus R616 is one of the best recumbent bikes available at the moment. It’s pretty similar to the Schwinn model in terms of features, but it’s one level above it, as it offers several extra features. Nonetheless, it’s an exercise bike that excels in comfort factors and versatility. It has been one of the best bikes in 2018 and continues to be one in 2022.

Frame

The Nautilus R616 features a very sturdy construction; its frame is made of durable steel tubing, with the main chassis consisting of a single piece, which gives the bike superior overall sturdiness. The only exceptions are the front covers of the flywheel, the covers of the seat base, and the backrest. Also, the adjustment rail of the seat is made of extruded aluminum. All the steel parts are coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish, the color used is black, as opposed to light gray which was the color of the older models. The seat adjustment rail has its own natural polish.

The base bars of the bike have a triangular design for improved stability. The rear stabilizer integrates adjustable levelers while the front stabilizer rests on rubber pads to prevent slippage. The front stabilizer also has integrated transport wheels to facilitate the relocation of the bike if necessary.

This Nautilus recumbent bike not an extremely large unit, but with its given footprint of approx. 65″L x 28″W (166 x 72 cm), it may not be suitable for a very small room. It’s also not exactly light, weighing over 90 lbs (41 kg), but does have transport wheels, so its relocation can be done with ease.

Drive & Resistance

The Nautilus R616 recumbent bike is equipped with an automatic magnetic resistance system that consists of a small magnetic brake and a servo motor. This means it requires being connected to a power source in order to make the resistance available. It offers 25 distinct tension levels to keep you motivated, the first few levels being perfect for recovery training, while the top ones are great for weight loss and stamina development.

The internal flywheel is perimeter-weighted, designed to provide a more intense inertia. However, it’s far from having the weight of the flywheels of the most indoor cycling bikes. Its weight is approx. 20 lbs (9 kg). It delivers a very smooth motion and allows pedaling in reverse as well.

The transmission uses a poly-v belt, which delivers a very quiet operation of the machine. It also doesn’t need any lubrication, being made to last for many years of use.

The pedals are fairly large, being able to accommodate athletic shoes of all sizes. They have a rubberized surface for higher adherence. They’re also equipped with adjustable straps and have standard threads, so you can easily find replacements for them if it’s the case.

Console & Accessories

This Nautilus recumbent exercise bike is equipped with a very impressive console. To begin with, it has two LCD displays with LED backlight which indicate and track the most important workout metrics, including speed, time, distance, RPM, calories, and heart rate. It has 29 built-in programs designed for various types of training, such as weight loss, intervals, stamina development, etc.

The console unit is Bluetooth enabled, and compatible with Nautilus Trainer app, MyFitnessPal, RideSocial, and other popular online fitness apps. This being said, you can directly stream your workout data to your online fitness account to keep track of your progress. Or, in case you have a RideSocial account, you can benefit from an immersive workout, following an online virtual track.

The console unit can also read your pulse from a wireless device such as a Polar Electro. This accessory is not included with the bike. However, even without it, it can still read your pulse if you hold on to the sensors integrated into the seat handlebars.

In terms of amenities, the console is equipped with a tablet holder, sound system, and cooling fan. These can also be put under the bike’s comfort factors. The tablet holder is placed under the main display and can accommodate any tablet. The sound system is compatible with most MP3 players or smart devices, while the fan can provide a bit of cooling during a more intense workout.

A bottle holder is also included. It can be attached to the seat’s handlebars and can accommodate most hydration bottles.

Comfort & Adjustability

The Nautilus R616 features a high-comfort seat. Its top integrates a layer of foam padding and is contoured for maximized ergonomics. It’s fairly wide (approx. 17″) and provides plenty of contact surface.

The backrest, on the other hand, is made from a durable thermoplastic material (probably polypropylene). It’s not padded but does have a vented structure and a contoured shape, in order to provide superior lumbar support.

The whole seat assembly can support users up to 300 lbs (136 kg). It’s attached to an aluminum rail and can move closer or farther from the pedals. It can accommodate users up to 6’5″ (196 cm) with no problem. Its position is very easy to adjust while you are actually seated, via the lever on the right side.

The bike integrates two sets of handlebars, one attached to the seat, and one to the front mast. Both have a multi-grip design and rubberized grips. However, only the seat handlebars integrate pulse sensors.

One last aspect to mention here regards the unit’s step-through design; due to this feature, you can easily take a seat or stand up. This can be quite a plus for users with various disabilities or elderly users.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Sturdy frame
• Aesthetic design
• Vented and contoured backrest
• Excellent lumbar support
• Padded and contoured seat
• Great adjustability
• Pulse sensors
• Transport wheels and base stabilizers
• Automatic, eddy current resistance
• 25 tension levels
• 29 workout programs
• Compatible with MyFitnessPal and Nautilus Trainer app
• Compatible with RunSocial
• Sound system
• Tablet holder
• Cooling fan
• Bottle holder
• Easy to assemble
• Little maintenance required

Cons

• A tablet placed on the tablet holder will cover the top display
• An HR chest strap is not included
• The fan is not very powerful

Summary

The Nautilus R616 is a recumbent bike pretty close to light-commercial quality. It features an eddy current resistance system, a high-performance console compatible with various only fitness apps and 29 preset programs, while also providing superior comfort and adjustability. It’s definitely an exercise bike of superior quality and versatility, great for users of all levels and ages. In all, it’s a trainer that offers an outstanding value for the price.

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3G Cardio Elite RB

3G Cardio Fitness offers quite a few top-quality products. Among them, there is 3G Cardio Elite RB. This is a light-commercial bike offering an impressive range of features. Although this particular recumbent bike has been around for quite a few years, it is still available and still stands at an almost clean 5-star rating from users all over the US. This being said, it simply must be on our list of best recumbent exercise bikes for 2022.

Frame

The 3G Cardio Elite RB features a compact, one-piece frame which is sturdy enough to support users up to 350 lbs (159 kg). The only parts that attach to the main frame via screws are the front and rear base bars.

Most of the bike’s frame features durable ABS covers, but the internal frame is made of thick steel tubing. The steel parts are coated with a rust-resistant, and chip-resistant paint finish, the main color being light gray, while the base color is dark gray or black.

Since it’s a light-commercial exercise bike, it has a considerably heavy construction. With the frame fully assembled, it weighs approx. 115 lbs (52 kg). All this weight delivers excellent stability. However, the unit isn’t too difficult to move, as its rear base features a lifting handle while the front base incorporates transport wheels.

Drive & Resistance

The 3G Cardio Elite RB recumbent bike features a drive system with a slightly different construction than most other recumbent bikes. The main pulley with the crankset and pedals are placed at the front, while the flywheel and the magnetic brake are placed at the rear, under the seat.

The bike’s transmission consists of a tough rubber belt, delivering a smooth, vibration-free ride, while also being maintenance-free. The pedals have a weighted structure; they are designed to always turn face-up when you remove your feet from them. They’re also equipped with adjustable straps.

The bike’s resistance system is motorized. It integrates a magnetic brake and a servo motor. It can only be adjusted from the console or the controls built-in the seat handlebars, and the bike needs to be connected to a power source. As you adjust the resistance, the servo motor will move the brake closer or farther from the flywheel, increases or decreases the pedaling difficulty.

This 3G Cardio exercise bike makes available 16 levels of resistance. The first 1-3 difficulty settings offer a light pedaling difficulty, great for warming up or for users who require recovery training. The 15-16 settings, on the other hand, generate the feeling of a steep climb.

Console & Accessories

The 3G Cardio Elite RB is equipped with a programmable console. It has a multi-window LCD display with LED backlight which tracks time, distance, speed, RPM, watts, calories, and pulse. It has 4 user profiles and allows personal data inputs such as age, height, and weight for a more accurate calorie reading. It’s also telemetric; it can read your pulse through a wireless HR chest strap.

The console does not have online connectivity, and its data is not compatible, nor it can be transferred to any online app. It does, however, have 16 programs to keep you motivated. 12 of them are preset, 3 are for heart rate, and 1 is for watts.

The unit also has a recovery function that measures your heart rate at the end of your workout and will provide a recovery status between F1 (best) – F6 (worst), which basically gives you an idea with regards to your fitness level.

In terms of amenities and accessories, we can count the tablet holder, the accessory tray, and the bottle holder. The tablet holder is placed right above the console controls. It’s actually incorporated into the console. The accessory tray is placed at the bottom of the console; it’s large enough to hold your keys, phone, TV remote control, earplugs or other small accessories. And finally, the bottle holder is made of flexible nylon material and attached to the console mast at the front.

Comfort & Adjustability

The 3G Cardio Elite RB recumbent exercise bike features a padded and contoured seat designed for maximum comfort. Its backrest is mesh-based, made of Infinite Airflow Mesh Flex material; it’s constructed on a durable frame, it’s flexible, and provides superior breathability.

The seat is 4-way adjustable. It can slide forward or backward on its monorail, but can also be tilted. It actually has 5 angle positions. The adjustment systems are lever-based. Therefore, you can adjust the seat position while you are actually seated, in order to get the perfect position. Also, the seat offers an adjustment span that can accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’4″ (153 – 193 cm).

The bike is equipped with two sets of handlebars, one at the front, one attached to the seat. The seat handlebars also feature pulse sensors and resistance controls. Both handlebars have rubberized grips for extra comfort.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Durable frame
• Great weight capacity (350 lbs)
• Aesthetic design
• Padded seat
• Flexible mesh backrest
• 4-way seat adjustability
• Pulse sensors
• Transport wheels
• Automatic, eddy current resistance
• 16 tension levels
• 16 workout programs
• Recovery function
• Tablet holder
• Bottle holder
• Easy to assemble
• Little maintenance required

Cons

• No sound system
• No online connectivity
• An HR chest strap is not included

Summary

The 3G Cardio Elite RB is a light-commercial quality recumbent bike. It’s equipped with an automatic magnetic resistance system, offers 16 tension levels, 16 built-in workout programs, and superior micro-adjustability. It’s a tough bike with a great user capacity and offers great comfort. It’s perfect for users of all levels, and finally, even if it’s not exactly the most affordable trainer, it definitely offers excellent value for the price.

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Exerpeutic 5000

The Exerpeutic 5000 is one of the recumbent exercise bikes released in 2020. In terms of features and design, it is similar to the older Exerpeutic 4000. However, it comes with an improved console that is compatible with the MyCloudFitness app. For reference, this is the Exerpeutic bike part number 4158.

Frame

The Exerpeutic 5000 4158 recumbent bike features a two-piece frame made of steel tubing. The rear part that holds the seat connects to the front part that holds the drive system. All the steel parts in the bike’s construction are coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish. The color used is black, this being the only color available for this bike. Also, the covers of the drive system are made of thermoplastic material, gray and black in color.

The bike has a step-through design. There’s a gap of several inches between the seat and the front unit of the bike, in order to allow an easier positioning on the seat. This can be a plus for users with certain disabilities.

The bike is not extremely large, but quite a bit larger than other models. It is approx. 58″ (147 cm) long, and 30″ (76 cm) wide. Plus, it is recommended to leave at least two feet of clearance all around it. It is also pretty heavy; its net weight is approx. 71 lbs (32 kg). It can be moved with ease, though, as its front base stabilizer is equipped with a small set of wheels.

Drive & Resistance

The Exerpeutic 5000 recumbent bike is equipped with a perimeter-weighted flywheel. Its exact weight is not specified but considering that the bike weighs approx. 71 lbs (32 kg), it probably doesn’t weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg). It is bi-directional, which means that you can pedal in reverse if you want.

The bike’s drivetrain is belt-based. It uses a poly-V PJ360 J6 rubber belt. Therefore, lubrication is not necessary and the pedaling motion is very smooth and quiet.

The bike is equipped with a durable crankset featuring cylindrical arms with a black paint finish. The Q-Factor is pretty narrow, approx. 6″ (152 mm) so your feet are not too far apart on the pedals. Therefore, the pedaling motion does not generate extra lateral stress on the knees. The pedals are weighted and with adjustable straps.

This Exerpeutic exercise bike is equipped with a motorized magnetic resistance system. This means that it can adjust the resistance automatically. Its main resistance elements are a servo motor and a magnetic brake integrated into the flywheel system. Therefore, when you adjust the resistance from the console, or when the console adjusts the resistance automatically, the motor changes the magnets’ pull which increases or decreases the pedaling load.

The bike offers 24 levels of resistance. The first 5 levels are great for recovery training, providing minimum impact and drag. Conversely, the 20-24 levels simulate a steep hill climb, offering the possibility to engage in a more intense workout, for stamina building and weight loss.

Console & Accessories

The Exerpeutic 5000 recumbent bike is equipped with a multi-function console. To begin with, it has an LCD display with blue LED backlight. The display is divided into multiple sub-sections in order to show as many workout metrics as possible at once. It indicates time, speed, RPM, distance, total distance, calories, watts, and pulse. Speed and distance are by default set to English units, but they can also be changed to Metric units. The pulse reading function is grip only; the unit can only read your pulse if you hold on to the integrated sensors.

The bike’s console unit has 24 built-in workout programs. If one of these programs is in use, the bike will automatically adjust the resistance according to its difficulty segments. Each program covers a specific type of workout. For example, some of them have an interval layout, others gradually increase the resistance up to a point, then gradually decrease it, while others focus on helping you keep a high and constant heart rate. Of course, there is also the Manual program which allows you to adjust the resistance as you like throughout your workout session. There also are goal settings for time, distance, and calories. And finally, a pulse recovery function is also available.

The console has Bluetooth connectivity and is compatible with the MyCloudFitness app. This app is free, available for iOS and Android. It gives you the possibility to sync your smartphone with the bike and record your workout activity in order to review your workout history and offers several other features as well.

In terms of other accessories, we can mention the device holder which is integrated into the console and the bottle holder which attaches to the front mast of the bike.

Comfort & Adjustability

Compared to other recumbent bikes in this price range, the Exerpeutic 5000 offers quite an impressive range of comfort features. To begin with, it is equipped with a large seat, approx. 13″L x 17″W (33 x 43 cm) that has 3″ (7.6 cm) of foam cushioning and integrates several air cells.

The backrest is mesh-type; its frame is made from a durable thermoplastic material (probably polypropylene). Its synthetic mesh structure is highly flexible and adapts to the shape of your body while also providing superior breathability.

Needless to say, the seat is adjustable. It can move forward and backward on its base rail. Thus, the bike’s applicable user height range is 5’0″ – 6’3″ (153 – 190 cm). Also, the maximum user weight limit is 325 lbs (147 kg). The backrest does not adjust independently from the seat, though. It does not have a reclining feature or an up/down adjustment slider.

This Exerpeutic exercise bike does not have front handlebars. However, it compensates with a set of seat handlebars designed for maximum comfort. These are equipped with cushions made from the same materials as the seat pad. Also, the front grips of the handlebars turn upright. They have ball grips at the top and integrate pulse sensors.

The seat handlebars are non-adjustable. They are also not parallel. At the front, they are approx. 27″ (68.5 cm) apart, while close to the backrest the distance between them is approx. 21″ (53.3 cm). Their height and angle are non-adjustable.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Sturdy construction – 325 lbs weight limit
• Step-through design
• Air Soft 3″ cushioning on the seat
• Flexible and sturdy mesh backrest
• Adjustable seat – applicable inseam length 5’0″ – 6’3″
• Cushioned armrests
• Ball grips
• Pulse reading function;
• Weighted pedals, with straps
• Narrow Q-Factor (152 mm)
• Motor-assisted magnetic resistance
• 24 tension levels
• Quiet belt drive
• Multi-function console
• Multi-window console display
• 24 pre-set workouts
• Target functions for time, distance, and calories
• Recovery function
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Compatible with MyCloudFitness app
• Device holder included
• Bottle holder included
• Little maintenance required
• Easy to assemble

Cons

• No front handlebars
• No USB charging port
• The calorie reading is not too accurate

Summary

The Exerpeutic 5000 is a recumbent bike made for home use. It features a 24-level motorized magnetic resistance system, a high-comfort adjustable seat, and a multi-function console with Bluetooth connectivity and compatibility with the MyCloudFitness app. It also has an impressive weight capacity of 325 lbs.

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Circuit Fitness AMZ-587R

The Circuit Fitness AMZ-587R is a mid-range recumbent bike made for home use. It’s one of the models released in the second part of 2019. So far, it has gathered a fairly decent amount of 5-star reviews from users, this being one of the reasons we’ve selected it for our list of best recumbent bikes for 2022.

Frame

The Circuit Fitness AMZ-587R recumbent exercise bike is constructed on a pretty durable steel frame. It combines rectangular, oval, and cylindrical tubes in its construction, coated with a rust-resistant paint finish. The color of the paint finish is black, this being the only color available for this bike. The drive system and the base of the seat feature covers made from a durable thermoplastic material. It’s also important to mention that the main longitudinal base bar of the machine has a non-slip cover, an element that other recumbent bikes don’t have.

Like most other recumbent bikes that we’ve presented here, the AMZ-587R has a step-through design. This type of frame construction promotes an easy entry and exit.

The bike isn’t extremely large in comparison to other models. Its footprint is approx. 55″L x 24.8″W (140L x 63W cm). Also, its highest point is given by the top of the console; it reaches approx. 48.5″ (123 cm) above floor level.

The fully assembled bike is fairly heavy. It weighs 99.2 lbs (45 kg) which means it provides excellent stability. Plus, its rear base bar is equipped with adjustable levelers. However, despite its weight, the unit is easy to relocate once it was assembled. Its front base features transport wheels.

Drive & Resistance

The Circuit Fitness AMZ-587R is equipped with an eddy current resistance system. This means the bike needs an external power source in order to make available the resistance adjustment. Also, its console can automatically control the resistance adjustment.

The unit’s resistance system consists of a servo motor and a magnetic brake. Thus, when you change the resistance from the console, or when the console automatically changes the resistance, the internal motor increases or decreases the magnets’ pull on the flywheel which leads to more or less pedaling difficulty.

The bike makes available 24 levels of resistance. The first few levels provide light resistance, great for exercising heart and lung function. The 4-6 levels are for advanced aerobic exercise and burning calories, the 7-10 levels are great for toning leg muscles and improving strength and stamina, while the 20-24 levels allow you to achieve a higher calorie burn and an increased cardiovascular rate in a shorter period of time.

The exact weight of the internal flywheel is not specified. However, considering that the unit weighs 99 lbs (45 kg), its flywheel may be close to 30 lbs (13.6 kg), similar to the one on the Diamondback 910SR. The flywheel allows reverse pedaling, and the internal drivetrain uses a belt for a smooth pedaling motion.

The bike is equipped with standard weighted pedals. They have a non-slip surface and adjustable straps. The crankset is a 3-piece part featuring solid steel arms. However, since it’s a recumbent bike, it’s not meant for pedaling while standing up on the pedals.

Console & Accessories

The Circuit Fitness AMZ-587R recumbent exercise bike is equipped with a mid-range console. It features an LCD display with LED backlight that tracks time, distance, RPM, speed, watts, calories, and pulse. It is not telemetric, though. This means it cannot communicate with wireless HR transmitters, so in order to benefit from a pulse reading, you have to use the integrated EKG sensors.

There are 15 workout programs available on the console. The first one is the manual mode which allows you to adjust the resistance as you like during pedaling. The next 12 are preset; each one of the preset programs has its segment layout shown on the top diagram of the console. The 14th is an HRC program, and the 15th is a Watts program. A BMI program and a Recovery function are also available. Both have quick keys on the console.

The console also integrates a sound system, a USB charging port, and a foldable tablet holder. The sound system is compatible with all smartphones, MP3 players, and tablets. It consists of two speakers so you can play your music through it. The tablet holder is integrated at the top of the unit. The USB port serves for charging your device only. You cannot transfer workout data.

The bike also has two bottle holders, one integrated into the console, the other in the front covers of the drive system. The hydration bottle is not included.

Comfort & Adjustability

The Circuit Fitness AMZ-587R includes a seat designed for comfort. Both the seat pad and the backrest pad integrate a generous layer of foam padding. The seat pad is fairly large; it is approx. 17″ (43 cm) wide and 11″ (28 cm) long, offering a bit of extra contact surface compared to other recumbent bikes. It is contoured for extra comfort. The backrest is also contoured featuring extra cushioning in the lumbar area.

The bike’s seat is attached to a heavy-duty rail system; it’s designed to support users up to 300 lbs (136 kg). It offers a fairly decent adjustment span, being able to accommodate users up to 6’5″ (196 cm). Also, the seat adjustment system is lever-based. This means you don’t have to stand up when you want to change the position of the seat.

Like most other recumbent bikes, the AMZ-587R is equipped with two sets of handlebars. One is attached to the seat, the other to the front mast. None of them are adjustable, but since the seat handlebars are directly attached to the seat frame, they will move along with the seat on its rail when you adjust its position. They also integrate pulse sensors.

The front mast of the bike is curved towards the user. Therefore, the front handlebars can easily be reached from the seat without an awkward posture.

Pros & Cons

• Heavy-duty construction
• Can support users up to 300 lbs
• Adjustable stabilizers on the rear base
• Transport wheels on the front base
• Lever-based adjustment system
  for the seat
• Cushioned and contoured
  seat pad and backrest
• Pulse sensors
• Silent belt drive
• Weighted pedals with straps
• Eddy current resistance (24 levels)
• LCD display with backlight
• 15 workout programs
• BMI function
• Recovery function
• Sound system
• USB charging port
• Adjustable tablet holder
• Two bottle holders

Cons

• No online connectivity

Summary

The Circuit Fitness AMZ-587R is a heavy-duty recumbent bike made for home use. It features an eddy current resistance system with 24 levels, excellent comfort and micro-adjustability, a console with multiple workout programs, and various extra features such as sound system, tablet holder, and USB charging port. It’s a great bike for a wide range of users, perfect for recovery training, interval training, muscle toning, and weight loss.

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Efitment RB034

The Efitment RB034 falls under the category of affordable recumbent bikes. It’s equipped with a magnetic resistance system with a manual action. It doesn’t offer the full range of bells and whistles like commercial-grade bikes but does offer a durable construction and excellent comfort.

Frame

The Efitment RB034 features a steel frame with a weight capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg). Its main chassis is a one-piece part, but the base of the seat, the console mast, and the base bars attach to it via bolts. It has a step-through design in order to facilitate entry and exit. The whole frame is coated with rust-resistant paint, gray in color, this being the only color available for this model.

The rear base features rotating polygonal caps which serve as stabilizers. The front base is equipped with transport wheels for easy handling and storage.

The bike isn’t extremely large; on average, it is approx. 10″ shorter than most light-commercial and commercial models. It’s 54″L x 25″W (137 x 63 cm), and weighs approx. 63 lbs (27 kg).

Drive & Resistance

As we’ve mentioned above, this exercise bike is equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system. It integrates a small magnetic brake which is attached to the tension knob on the front mast through a steel wire. By turning the knob clockwise, the brake comes closer to the internal flywheel increasing the pedaling difficulty. The brake has 8 levels of resistance.

The internal flywheel has a perimeter-weighted flywheel. Its exact weight is not specified, but since it’s a pretty light bike, it probably doesn’t weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg). The flywheel is bi-directional, allowing you to pedal in reverse if you want. And when pedaling in reverse, the exercise meter will continue to track your workout stats.

The bike has a belt drive system. It uses a 370 PJ6 leather belt, providing a durable and quiet transmission. The pedals are weighted, featuring a non-slip surface and adjustable straps. They also have standard threads, compatible replacements for them being widely available.

Console & Accessories

The Efitment RB034 is equipped with a basic console. It doesn’t have any preset programs, nor it has online connectivity. It only has a SCAN function and a target value SET function. Its display tracks time, distance, total distance, speed, calories, and pulse. It also gives you the possibility to set up countdown values for distance, time, and calories. It’s battery-powered and has a sleep mode to which will enter after a few minutes of inactivity.

The other two accessories that we can mention here are the bottle holder and the tablet holder. The bottle holder consists of a small compartment molded into the front covers of the flywheel and resistance system. It’s large and deep enough to accommodate most workout bottles. The tablet holder is actually integrated into the exercise meter. It offers a place large and long enough to accommodate any tabler.

Comfort & Adjustability

Although it’s a pretty basic recumbent bike, the RB034 offers decent comfort. Its seat and backrest are padded with a 2″ layer of foam. Their upholstery is made of durable vinyl material. It’s 14.5″ (37 cm) wide, and 11″ (28 cm) deep, offering plenty of contact surface. It’s placed at approx. 17″ (43 cm) above floor level, similar to an office seat.

The backrest does not adjust independently from the seat, but the whole seat assembly can slide forward or backward on its rail. It offers an adjustment span of 5″ (12 cm), and can accommodate users with an inseam between 29″ and 34″ (74 – 86 cm), or as a general idea, it can accommodate users between 5’2″ and 6’4″ (157 – 193 cm).

The seat’s adjustment system is lever-based. As opposed to a pin-based adjustment system, this offers the possibility to adjust the position of the seat while you are seated.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Durable frame
• Padded seat and backrest
• Lever-based seat adjustment system
• Transport wheels
• Pulse sensors
• Silent belt drive
• Frictionless magnetic resistance
• 8 tension levels
• Fitness meter included
• Goal settings on the fitness meter
• Tablet holder
• Bottle holder
• Easy to assemble
• Little maintenance required

Cons

• A tablet placed on the tablet holder will cover the console display
• No backlight on the meter display

Summary

The Efitment RB034 is an entry-level recumbent exercise bike, equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system, an adjustable seat, and a basic fitness meter. Although it’s an affordable bike, it has superior sturdiness being rated for a user capacity of 300 lbs. It offers excellent comfort, durability and overall quality for a basic bike, and so far, it benefits from an overwhelmingly positive feedback from all users.

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pooboo W258

In 2019, pooboo has released several excellent exercise bikes. The pooboo W258 still remains one of the best in 2022. There are actually two versions for the W258 bike, one in blue and black, the other in yellow and black. Both versions offer the same features, though.

Frame

The pooboo W258 has a frame construction similar to the older Marcy ME-709, but has a sturdier construction and a few extra features. Its base chassis is made of two pieces, one with the seat, the other with the drive and resistance elements. The two parts connect in the middle via several screws and the connection point has an additional stabilizer.

The bike is smaller than other models but still is approx. 54″ (137 cm) long and 24″ (61 cm) wide. Its frame has a step-through design in order to promote easier entry and exit. It’s not an extremely heavy unit; its net weight is approx. 60 lbs (27 kg). This being said, it can be assembled by only one person.

Although most of the frame is steel-made, the bike also integrates several ABS parts. The most notable ones are the covers of the drive and resistance elements. Also, all the steel parts in the frame construction are coated with a dark gray paint finish that is resistant to corrosion and chipping.

Drive & Resistance

The pooboo bike W258 has a manual magnetic resistance system. Therefore, you don’t have to connect it to a power source. But on the other hand, its console does not have preset programs, nor it can control the bike’s resistance.

The bike’s resistance system consists of an internal magnetic brake attached to the tension knob on the front mast. By turning this knob clockwise, the brake moves closer to the flywheel which increases the pedaling difficulty.

The bike offers 8 tension levels. This first level provides a very light pedaling difficulty, which is great for users that require recovery training. The 7-8 levels, on the other hand, provide considerably more resistance, great for anyone who wants to burn more calories and improve their stamina.

The weight of the flywheel is not specified. But since it’s a light-capacity bike, it probably weighs between 10-20 lbs (4.5 – 9.0 kg).It has a balanced structure though, designed to provide a steady pedaling motion. It is also bi-directional, so you can pedal in reverse if you want.

The bike’s drive system uses a poly-v belt for transmission. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about its lubrication. The included pedals are weighted, with adjustable straps.

Console & Accessories

Although the bike’s console does not have preset programs or online connectivity, it does offer the possibility to track the main workout metrics. It has a large LCD display that can show two metrics at once. It tracks time, distance, total distance, calories, and pulse. It also has goal functions for time, distance, and calories.

The console unit is not telemetric. In other words, it cannot track your pulse through a wireless transmitter. It’s fairly easy to use. It has three buttons – Mode, Set, and Reset. Mode allows you to scroll through the values, Set if for goal selection, and Reset clears all the values to zero.

The console starts up when you press the Mode button or when you begin pedaling. It has a self shutdown function as well, which is initiated after a few minutes of inactivity on the bike. The unit is battery powered and requires two AAA batteries. And finally, it integrates a tablet holder that is placed above its buttons.

The only other notable accessory included with this exercise bike is the bottle holder. It attaches to the front upright bar that supports the seat and can accommodate most hydration bottles.

Comfort & Adjustability

The pooboo W258 is equipped with a seat made for optimal comfort. Its seat pad and backrest have high-density foam padding providing a firm support. The seat pad is smaller than for other bikes; it is approx. 13″ (33 cm) long, and 12″ (30.5 cm) wide. It’s durable enough to support users up to 220 lbs (100 kg), though.

The seat is adjustable; it can slide on its rail closer or farther from the pedals. There are several adjustment positions for it, so the bike can accommodate users up to 6’2″ (188 cm). The seat adjustment system features a turn knob, not a lever. Therefore, it is recommended to adjust it while you are not seated.

This pooboo exercise bike has two sets of handlebars, one attached to the front mast, the other attached to the seat assembly. The front handlebars have a simple design. They attach directly to the front bar, so they are non-adjustable.

The seat handlebars are placed a little bit higher than the seat pad, not parallel with it, so you can use them as elbow rests as well. They integrate pulse sensors, so by holding on to them, the exercise meter can track your pulse.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Light-weight, easy to move
  and handle
• Adjustable stabilizers on
  the rear base
• Transport wheels on the front base
• Step-through design
• Padded seat and backrest
• Pulse sensors
• Quiet magnetic resistance
• Maintenance-free belt drive system
• Weighted pedals with straps
• Exercise meter included
• Goal settings
• Tablet holder
• Bottle holder

Cons

• No backlight on the
  meter display
• A tablet placed on the tablet
  holder will cover the console
  display

Summary

The pooboo W258 is a recumbent bike made for home use. It features a manual magnetic resistance system, padded seat and backrest, and a console that can track the most important workout metrics. It’s a light-capacity bike, great for light cardio training, muscle toning, and stamina development.

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MaxKare RB-MKE901

The MaxKare RB-MKE901 is a pretty standard recumbent bike made for home use. However, it has quite a few extra features over a basic model. For example, it has a lever-adjustable seat and a console with goal settings.

Frame

This MaxKare recumbent exercise bike features a pretty sturdy frame made of steel tubing. It combines rectangular, oval, and cylindrical tubes in its construction for improved aesthetics. It also integrates several thermoplastic parts; the most notable ones are the large covers of the drive system.

Two important frame features to mention here regard the seat base and the step-thru design. The seat base has two connection points for the adjustment bar, not just one, as it is the case for other models, so the whole seat assembly is pretty solid. The step-thru design can be quite a plus for users with certain disabilities. It considerably improves entry and exit.

Compared to other recumbent bikes, the MaxKare RB-MKE901 is a bit smaller. It is only 45.7″L (116 cm) long, and 18.9″ (48 cm) wide. However, two feet of space all around it should still be allowed for ease of access and unhindered usage.

The bike is rated for a maximum user weight limit of 220 lbs (100 kg). Since it’s not meant to withstand too much user weight, it’s also fairly light. Its net weight is approx. 62 lbs (28 kg). This being said, it can be carried and assembled by only one person. Plus, once the bike is assembled, it can easily be transported via the small front wheels.

Drive & Resistance

The MaxKare RB-MKE901 exercise bike is equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system. This being said, you don’t need an adapter or an external power source for it. Its resistance system consists of a magnetic brake connected to the tension knob on the front mast of the bike. When you turn the knob, the brake moves closer to the internal flywheel which adds resistance to the ride.

There are 8 resistance levels available on this bike. This first level provides a very light pedaling difficulty, which is great for users that require recovery training. Conversely, the 8th level provides considerably more resistance, great for anyone who wants to burn more calories and improve their stamina.

The bike is equipped with a perimeter-weighted internal flywheel. Its exact weight is not specified, but since the whole bike only weighs 62 lbs (28 kg), the flywheel is probably less than 20 lbs (9 kg).

Like most other exercise bikes with a magnetic resistance system, this MaxKare model features a belt drive system. It uses a poly-v belt resistant to stretching. Of course, one of the main advantages of a belt drive system is that you don’t need to lubricate the belt.

The crankset is pretty sturdy as well. It features cylindrical, chrome-plated arms and weighted pedals. The pedals have adjustable straps and a non-slip surface. Their threads are also standard, so in case you will ever want to replace them, compatible options are widely available.

Console & Accessories

The console included with this MaxKare exercise bike does not have pre-set workout programs and cannot adjust the resistance automatically. However, it does have a few more features than a basic model. It tracks time, speed, distance, calories, and pulse. It’s battery-powered and requires two AA batteries. It starts up automatically when you begin pedaling and also turns off after approx. 4 minutes of inactivity on the bike.

The console has three buttons – Set, Mode, and Reset. The Set button is for selecting the workout value that you want to view on the display, or the Scan Mode. The Mode button allows you to select workout goals for time, distance, and calories. And, of course, the Reset button clears all the values to zero.

The unit can also track pulse. However, it is not telemetric. It can only read your pulse if you hold on to the integrated sensors. It cannot communicate with a wireless heart rate chest strap.

The bike doesn’t have a bottle holder, but the console does integrate a device holder. This accessory consists of a small shelf at the bottom of the unit which can hold your tablet or smartphone. It’s important to mention, though, that the console does not have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or any ports to connect your phone or tablet.

Comfort & Adjustability

In terms of comfort, the MaxKare RB-MKE901 bike is pretty standard. Both its seat pad and backrest integrate 2″ (5 cm) of foam padding and have thick vinyl covers. The seat pad is approx. 14.5″ (36.8 cm) wide, and 11″ (27.9 cm) long, so it provides plenty of contact surface.

The seat adjustment system uses a lever which makes its adjustment pretty convenient as you don’t have to stand up to unlock and move the seat. There aren’t any pre-determined adjustment levels for the seat, but as a general idea, the applicable user inseam range for this bike is 27″ – 35″ (68.5 – 89 cm). In other words, the bike should be able to accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’3″ (153 – 190 cm).

The bike has two sets of handlebars, one attached to the seat, one to the front upright bar. The front handlebars feature simple grips, slightly curved towards the user. The seat handlebars have longer grips with integrated pulse sensors. Both handlebar sets feature a layer of high-density foam material for an improved and comfortable grip.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Fairly sturdy construction
• Light and easy to move
• Adjustable stabilizers on the rear base
• Transport wheels on the front base
• Step-through design
• Padded seat and backrest
• Pulse sensors
• Frictionless magnetic resistance
• Maintenance-free belt drive system
• Weighted pedals with straps
• Fitness monitor (or console) included
• Goal settings for time, distance, and calories
• Tablet holder

Cons

• No backlight on the fitness monitor display
• A tablet placed on the tablet holder will cover the monitor display

Summary

The MaxKare RB-MKE901 is a recumbent bike made for home use. It features a manual magnetic resistance system, padded seat and backrest, and a performance monitor that the most important workout metrics and offers the possibility to select goals for time, distance, and calories. It’s a light-capacity bike, great for light cardio training, muscle toning, and stamina development.

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Exerpeutic 900XL

So far, Exerpeutic has released several 900XL recumbent bikes and all of them benefited from an excellent feedback from users. The newest version (4118) was released in 2019 and remains one of the best recumbent bikes for 2022. Also, as opposed to the older versions, this one has a Bluetooth function.

Frame

Although it’s a recumbent bike made for home use, the Exerpeutic 900XL offers an impressive weight capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg). It features a steel frame, coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish, gray in color.

The base chassis of the bike is composed of two main pieces, just as for the pooboo W258. The rear part holds the seat, while the front part supports the drive and resistance elements. Of course, the bike also integrates several ABS parts. The flywheel and belt covers, as well as the seat base covers, are made of ABS plastic.

The fully assembled bike is approx. 10″ (25 cm) smaller than the commercial-grade models. It is a 56″ (137 cm) long, and 22″ (56 cm) wide. It’s also not a very heavy unit. Its net weight is approx. 64 lbs (~29 kg).

The bike’s frame has a step-thru design. This can be quite a plus for users with certain disabilities. There are other recumbent bikes that do not offer this feature and stepping over the drive system unit in order to take a seat may be difficult for certain users.

Drive & Resistance

All the Exerpeutic 900XL models so far were equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system and the 4118 model that we’re addressing here makes no exception. It offers 8 resistance levels. The first difficulty level provides very little resistance, which makes the bike great for recovery training. Conversely, the 8th difficulty level provides considerably more pedal tension, great for anyone who wants to improve stamina, tone muscles, or improve cardiovascular health.

The bike’s resistance system has a pretty simple design. It consists of a magnetic brake connected to the tension knob on the front upright bar of the bike. By turning the knob, the position of the brake in relation to the flywheel changes which results in more or less pedaling difficulty.

The bike’s internal flywheel isn’t too heavy. Its exact weight is not specified, but considering the overall weight of the bike, it shouldn’t weigh more than 20 lbs (9.0 kg). It has a balanced structure, which leads to a very smooth and steady pedaling motion. It’s also bi-directional; however, you cannot coast on the bike, and when pedaling in reverse, the resistance remains constant.

The bike is equipped with a belt drive system. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about transmission lubrication. It also has durable pedals with a weighted design. The pedals also have adjustable straps for extra foot stability.

Console & Accessories

The Exerpeutic 900XL (4118) recumbent bike is equipped with a fairly basic console without preset workout programs. However, it has built-in Bluetooth connectivity which gives you the possibility to sync it with your smartphone or tablet via the free MyCloudFitness app for iOS and Android, in order to track your progress online.

The console unit is equipped with a 3.5″ LCD display that tracks time, distance, calories, speed, and pulse. It also has an odometer function and a Scan Mode. If the Scan Mode is selected, the unit rotates all the workout metrics showing each one for several seconds. It also has target settings for time, distance, calories, and pulse.

All the metrics on the console are shown in English units. Also, even though it has Bluetooth connectivity, it cannot communicate with Bluetooth HR transmitters. Therefore, in order to monitor your pulse, you have to use the sensors integrated into the seat handlebars.

The console is battery-powered. It uses two AA batteries. It also has a sleep mode to which it will enter after a few minutes of inactivity on the bike.

The bike does not include a bottle holder but does have a phone holder. This accessory is integrated into the console so you can place and use your phone while pedaling.

Comfort & Adjustability

This Exerpeutic recumbent exercise bike includes a seat designed for optimal comfort. Its base pad is fairly wide, approx. 16″ (40 cm). Both the seat and the backrest integrate a layer of foam padding and have durable vinyl covers.

The whole seat assembly is adjustable. It is attached to a horizontal sliding rail and can move front and back. It is designed to accommodate users between 5’3″ and 6’5″ (160 – 196 cm). It should also support users up to 300 lbs (136 kg).

The adjustment system uses a knob placed on the right side under the seat. The knob is easy to grip and turn so you can adjust the seat while sitting on it. The backrest, on the other hand, is not adjustable from the rest of the seat. It does not recline, nor it does have an up/down adjustment system like the backrest on the Diamondback 910SR.

The bike is equipped with two sets of handlebars, one attached to the seat, the other to the front mast. The seat handlebars integrate pulse sensors. The front handlebars are set at a slight angle towards the user in order to provide a better posture and hand positioning. Both sets of handlebars have rubberized grips for optimal comfort and hand adherence.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Superior weight capacity – 300 lbs
• Light-weight, easy to move
  and handle
• Adjustable stabilizers on
  the rear base
• Transport wheels on the front base
• Step-through design
• Padded seat and backrest
• Pulse sensors
• Quiet magnetic resistance
• Maintenance-free belt drive system
• Weighted pedals with straps
• Exercise meter included
• Goal settings
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Tablet holder

Cons

• No backlight on the
  meter display
• No bottle holder

Summary

The Exerpeutic 900XL is a recumbent bike designed for home use. It features a manual magnetic resistance system with 8 levels of difficulty, a comfortable seat, excellent micro-adjustability, and a Bluetooth console. It’s a bike made for light to medium intensity cardio workouts, muscle toning, and weight loss.

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Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4806

The Sunny SF-RB4806 is one of the recumbent bikes released by Sunny Health & Fitness in 2019. It’s a light-capacity bike, but does offer several extra features compared to other bikes made for home use, such as a BMI function and a Recovery function. It’s also smaller than other recumbent bikes, therefore it may be more suitable for a small room or apartment.

Frame

The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4806 features a steel frame, coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish. The color used is gray, this being the only color available for this bike. The fully assembled unit isn’t extremely heavy; in fact, it’s one of the lightest recumbent bikes in this feature range. It weighs only 59.4 lbs (27 kg). Therefore, it can be easily carried and assembled by only one person.

As we’ve mentioned above, this recumbent bike is quite a few inches smaller than other models. Its footprint is 47″L x 26″W (119 x 66 cm). But on the other hand, the seat stands a few inches taller than for other models, which can be a plus for users with certain disabilities. Also, the bike has a step-through design, a feature that considerably improves the entry and exit possibilities.

Drive & Resistance

The Sunny SF-RB4806 is equipped with a magnetic resistance system with manual action. Its internal magnetic brake is connected to the tension knob on the front mast via a steel cable. Thus, buy turning the knob, the brake changes its position in relation to the flywheel which increases or decreases the pedaling difficulty. Of course, since the bike’s resistance system is manual, you don’t have to connect it to a power source.

The bike makes available 8 distinct tension levels. The first one offers the possibility to undertake a light workout, while the top, 7-8 settings offer a higher difficulty, great for anyone who wants to burn more calories and achieve a higher cardiovascular rate in a shorter period of time.

The bike’s drive train uses a durable poly-v belt. Like any other belt-drive, it doesn’t require lubrication. It also promotes a very smooth and quiet pedaling motion.

The weight of the bike’s internal flywheel is not specified. But considering that the Sunny SF-RB4806 is a fairly light bike, it shouldn’t be more than 20 lbs (9 kg). It’s also perimeter-weighted which means it provides a bit of extra inertia.

The included pedals are made of durable nylon material with a metallic core. They integrate weight elements that enable them to always turn face-up when you remove your feet from them. They also have adjustable straps

Console & Accessories

Since it’s not an eddy current bike, its console is basically just an exercise meter. It cannot adjust the resistance automatically. It features an LCD display divided into several sub-sections in order to show multiple workout metrics simultaneously. It tracks time, distance, speed, RPM, calories, and pulse. It also has a Scan Mode. If selected, all the workout metrics will rotate on the top panel. Also, in standby mode, the top panel can indicate room temperature, date, or clock.

The exercise meter does not have any preset programs but does offer the possibility to select goals for time, distance, calories, and pulse. It also has a Recovery function that can rate your fitness level and a BMI function that determines your body fat percentage based on your height, weight, gender, and age.

The meter unit is battery-powered. It requires two AA-type batteries. It also integrates a tablet holder and a diagram with the heart rate zones. This is a plus, as many other machines only show this grid in their manuals, so you usually don’t have it at hand when exercising.

Comfort & Adjustability

The bike’s seat is designed for optimal comfort. Both its backrest and seat pad have approx. 1″ of internal foam padding. The seat pad is fairly large; it is approx. 16.5″ (41 cm) wide, and 11″ (28 cm) long. The backrest is narrower but longer, designed to provide a firm lumbar support.

The bike’s seat is adjustable featuring a lever-based adjustment system. This being said, you don’t have to stand up from the bike in order to adjust the position of the seat as it is the case for the bikes that lock their seat with a pin or with a turn knob.

The seat’s adjustment rail provides a fairly decent adjustment span. The applicable user inseam range is 23″ – 32″ (58 – 81 cm). Differently put, the bike should be able to accommodate users up to 6’2″ (190 cm) allowing a complete range of motion. Also, the bike is rated for a maximum user weight limit of 220 lbs (100 kg).

This Sunny exercise bike is equipped with two sets of handlebars. One is attached to the front mast, the other is part of the seat assembly. They are both non-adjustable. The seat handlebars feature pulse sensors, so by holding on to them, the bike’s console can monitor your heart rate.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Light-weight, easy to move
  and handle
• Adjustable stabilizers on
  the rear base
• Transport wheels on the front base
• Step-through design
• Large seat pad
• Cushioned seat and
  backrest
• Pulse sensors
• Lever-based adjustment system
  for the seat
• Quiet magnetic resistance
• Weighted pedals with straps
• Exercise meter with a multi-panel
  LCD display
• Goal settings
• Recovery function
• BMI function
• Tablet holder
• Heart rate diagram

Cons

• No bottle holder
• No backlight on the
  meter display

Summary

The Sunny SF-RB4806 is a recumbent bike made for home use, featuring a manual magnetic resistance system, a comfortable seat, and a console that tracks the most important workout metrics. It also has a BMI and a Recovery function. It’s a light-capacity bike great for recovery training, muscle toning, and weight loss, offering excellent value for the price.

Check Price on Amazon & See User Reviews

Now, all the models presented above offer an excellent price/quality ratio. They also cover a wide range of prices, and you should be able to find one model that fits your budget and your expectations within this selection. However, before we close this page, there still are a few important aspects with regards to recumbent bikes that you should really know. So, in the section below, we’ll try to cover all these points, to make sure you end up with the best recumbent bike that fits your needs and your budget.

Why Should You Buy A Recumbent Bike?

The main reason to invest in a recumbent cycle is comfort. Just like the road recumbent bikes, the indoor versions feature an ergonomic design, which places you in a reclining position. When riding an upright bike, your whole weight rests on a small portion of the sitting bones, feet, and hands. Needless to say, these points are exposed to a certain level of stress. On the other hand, on a fitness bike of this sort, your entire body weight is comfortably distributed over a large area, the upper part of the body being supported by the bike’s backrest. This way, any stress on the lower back, ankles, and knees, wrists, elbows, and shoulders is pretty much eliminated.

These being said, these exercise bikes make a great choice for users who are recovering from injuries. With minimal stress on articulations, and actually the overall bone structure, you can safely put some of your muscles to work.

Recumbent bikes are also an excellent choice for elderly users, who can’t undertake a run on a treadmill anymore, for example. And even more, they offer the perfect workout setting for users who are completely out of shape, and severely lack stamina. Even though they’re made for light exercising, when working out on an exercise bike of this type, you actually put to work some of the biggest muscles in your body, calling your heart to action. After a certain number of pedaling sessions, a user should build just enough stamina and endurance, and become ready to undertake more demanding workouts. In other words, these fitness machines are made to prepare you for some considerable weight loss.

Recumbent exercise bikes are also great for combining various types of training. In case of more intensive workout routines, this type of fitness machines gives you the possibility to rest, while you actually still exercise.

Apart from the physical comfort that recumbent cycles supply, they also offer the possibility to exercise within the comfort and safety of your home. You can watch TV, listen to your own favorite music, read a book, browse the web, or even do some work on a computer while working out on this type of exercising machine. The risks of sustaining an injury, or of an accident are considerably reduced. And finally, when the weather outside isn’t exactly the most favorable, you’ll still have the perfect training setting to benefit from your daily cardio.

Frames: Folding vs Non-Folding

The structure of a bike’s frame says quite a few things about that particular model. First of all, a bike with a foldable frame is made for home use, obviously because only someone that will be using it at home would want to fold it and store it. In general, foldable bikes offer a basic set of features, and the frame is made of 2-3 main pieces. Now, even though the frame of a foldable model is well-designed, if it has 2-3 main joint point, it may feel shaky even if you tighten all the bolts perfectly. Also, in some recumbent bike models, the seat is situated quite high above the floor, resulting in an awkward pedaling feel, and difficulties with mount/dismounting.

On the other hand, a cycle with a non-foldable frame will always feel more solid. Mounting and dismounting are easy to carry out, most of them featuring a pass-thru design.

Seat: Vented vs Cushioned

Even though a cushioned backrest of a seat may seem more comfortable and appealing, it may not always be the right choice. Some users may require hardback support due to various reasons. Also, a cushioned backrest may considerably heat up especially during a prolonged workout, resulting in serious discomfort. Of course, this is not likely in most models out there, but nonetheless, they’re aspects that you should be aware of.

Conversely, a backrest made of hard acrylic or plastic material can still provide superlative comfort. Some of them also feature a vented design to prevent excessive sweating. Also, in case you would still want some cushioning, you can also add a pillow or a gel cushion. In the pictures above, you can see the difference between a cushioned and a vented backrest.

Manual Magnetic vs Automatic Magnetic Resistance

Most recumbent bikes feature a magnetic brake system. Evidently, simpler models are equipped with a simpler brake mechanism, involving a magnetic brake pad which is moved closer or farther from the bike’s flywheel, by tightening an adjustment knob. These usually have 8 resistance levels, or there aren’t any resistance levels mentioned on the adjustment knob; you simply turn the knob until you find a satisfactory amount of resistance.

Models with an automatic brake, or electronically assisted brake, typically offer more resistance levels, and the resistance is adjusted from the bike’s console. These also have more advanced consoles, including at least a few workout routines that will automatically adjust resistance.

Commercial Grade vs Home-Use Recumbent Bikes

Nowadays there are many recumbent exercise bike models out there, with various frame designs and more or fewer workout apps, and other options. Evidently, some are made only for home use, and others are made to withstand 24/7 use, within the premises of a gym or fitness club. When it comes to cheaper models, it’s pretty obvious that these are made for home users, as they offer just the basic array of features. But some of the more expensive models may still not be fit for commercial use. There are several distinct differences between commercial grade recumbent bikes and home-use recumbent bikes, and we’ll point them out here.

In general, models fit for commercial use feature a wider seat, and a user capacity beginning at 300 lbs., and over 400 lbs. They offer a wider array of workout apps, some models even up to 40, or more. Most commercial-grade bikes have an eddy current, electronically assisted resistance system, offering a minimum of 16 resistance levels. Amenities such as sound system, cooling fan, tablet tray, or online connectivity are also factors that you’ll find in these bikes. Finally, their prices begin somewhere at $700.

As we’ve mentioned, models for home use are much cheaper. You can find decent models for under $200. They feature a basic design, don’t offer a wide array of amenities and don’t have workout programs, while the progress tracking console a simpler unit. In general, they all have a manual resistance system.

There are, however, cycles made for home use, but with an array of features pretty close to the ones meant for gym use. These are some of the models with an excellent price/quality ratio, some of the best that you can find and invest in. You’ll find a few in the recommendations below.

Final Word

Recumbent bikes are great exercising machines for light aerobic training, stamina building, and muscle toning. You can also lose some weight by using one, provided that you also control your calorie intake. The models recommended on this page are some of the best that you can find on the market at the moment, and we’ve tried to recommend a quality one for just about any budget. Therefore, in case you need a low-impact fitness machine, this post should inform you whether a recumbent bike is precisely the fitness machine that you need or not.