| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Workout Apps | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sole Fitness LCB Check Discounted Price | L:44" W:23" H:55" | 300 lbs | Eddy current, Self-powered | 10 | Frame: lifetime Parts: 3 years Electronics: 3 years Labor: 1 year |
One of the most solid and durable upright exercise bikes that you can find at the moment, and actually for a fair price as well, is the Sole LCB. Even though it’s not quite a bike with all the belts and whistles as they say, its overall compactness and quality within the components, simply take this model far ahead others. As its name suggests, it’s a commercial grade bike, made to withstand 24/7 use within a gym. However, any home user who would like to invest in a long-lasting bike can have it in their own home.
There are many aspects to be outlined and explained regarding this upright bike. Therefore, within this post we aim to put them all into view.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 44L x 23W x 55H inches (111.7L x 58.4W x 139.7H cm)
- Assembled weight: 132 lbs (60 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 30 lbs (13.6 kg)
- Supported weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Handlebar: Non-adjustable
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Pedals: 2° angle inward incline, with straps
- Brakes: Eddy current
- Resistance: Adjustable, 40 levels
- Performance computer: 10 workout apps
- Bottle/accessory holder: Yes
- Speakers: built-in console
- Fan: built-in console
- Warranty: Frame lifetime / Parts 3 years / Electronics 3 years / Labor 1 year
Handlebar
Although it may seem a bit awkward to begin by describing the handlebars on the Sole LCB, there’s an important aspect that needs to be clarified. The handlebar assembly on this upright exercise bike does not offer any adjustability. Despite this fact, quite several websites specify that the handlebar on this bike is adjustable. The handlebar consists of three main pieces. The transversal bar is attached to the console post by two bolts and cannot be moved. The lateral handlebars are connected to the transversal bar and also fixed by bolts.
On the good side though, the handlebar on this bike features a multi-grip design, promoting several workout postures. Rubber foam material completerly covers it, supplying a stable and ergonomic grip. The lateral bars feature pulse sensors on their lower part, so that the console can also read pulse.
Seat
As opposed to the handlebars, the seat on the Sole LCB features 4-way adjustability, up/down and fore to aft. The seat post offers 10 height settings, with increments of 1″ in-between. On its 
minimum setting, it stands above the ground at cca 44″. In all, the bike can accommodate users between 5′ and 6’5″ (152.4 – 195.5 cm). Even though the seat post features adjustment holes and a knob that secures it in the desired position, it also has an ovalized shape, to prevent any sideways turning of the seat that may occur.
The saddle on this upright bike is quite comfortable, featuring a contoured, thick-looking design, with gel cushioning. It’s considerably larger than the average saddle found in spin bikes or road bikes. It is indeed made to accommodate users riding in an upright position, eliminating a lot from the stress on the lower back.
The adjustment knobs are pretty sizeable as well, easy to grip and turn.
Frame
The frame of the Sole LCB is made of heavy steel tubing. In fact, the machine is pretty heavy, weighing 132 lbs (60 kg). Weight adds to its stability and overall sturdiness, this bike being able to hold users up to 300 lbs (136 kg). All the steel tubing is powder coated with anti-corrosive paint, rendering the bike’s frame virtually rust-free. Some of the parts, such as the bases for example, also feature protective plastic covers, which also improve the overall aspect of the bike.
The shroud covers of the “insides” of the machine are aluminum made, providing a durable shielding for the components, and adding a lot of compactness to the frame.
Compared to other upright bikes, such as Marcy ME708 for example, this model has a slightly larger footprint. It takes a 44″L x 23″W (cca 112 x 58 cm) of floor space. But despite this fact, it’s not exactly a large exercising machine, such as the Sole E95 elliptical, for example. It can fit pretty well in a small apartment.
The bike’s bases feature adjustable leveling feet with rubber caps, to maximize the unit’s stability, and of course, to prevent floor damage. The front base is equipped with transport wheels, while the rear base features a small handle for tilting the bike onto the wheels, for easier relocation.
Drive system
Like most upright bikes, this Sole model features a belt-drive system, powered by a stretch-resistant, heavy-duty belt. The flywheel is slightly heavier than the one on the Sole B94, weighing
30 lbs. It’s a pretty heavy flywheel for an upright bike, but does supply a consistent momentum and a smooth ride.
The crankset is not as solid as the ones equipped on spin bikes, and like most upright bikes this particular model isn’t made for stand-up climb pedaling. However, the crankset is a pretty solid piece, with steel-made arms. The pedals feature a slight incline of 2° towards the frame of the bike, to eliminate as much stress as possible from the ankles and knees. On top of that, the bike has one of the narrowest Q factors possible for upright bikes, pretty similar to a road bike. The pedals are weighted, and also feature straps to prevent feet from slipping during your workouts.
Resistance system
The Sole Fitness LCB features an eddy current brake system. This means it’s equipped with a set of magnetic brake pads, which never come in contact with the flywheel, thus being free from any wear and tear. The resistance is also smooth and quiet, since no friction is involved. The bike features 40 levels of resistance, 20 more than the lighter model Sole B94.
Since it’s an automatic eddy current brake bike, resistance is exclusively controlled from the console. The bike is self-powered though, meaning that it has its own generator that creates the required power for the console and resistance control as you pedal.
Console
The console supplied with this Sole upright exercise bike is quite a multifunctional unit. Apart from the fitness functions, it incorporates several comfort factors. First of all, it incorporates a sound system consisting in two speakers, situated at the top part of the console. Therefore, if you find earplugs uncomfortable, you can listen to your own music through the console. This sound system is compatible to most MP3 devices, smartphones and tablets. The sound rendered, although not the highest quality, it still is quite superior to the sound rendered by your average phone or tablet speakers. The lower part of the console hosts the ports for earplugs and MP3 player devices.
Also at the top part of the console, between the two speakers, there’s a cooling fan. The mid part of the console has a tablet tray, pretty long in order to accommodate even bigger tablets. The console also incorporates a small compartment to hold your phone or water bottle.
The workout display on the console consists of a 9″ diagonal display, with blue backlight, which considerably improves readability. This performance monitor can track all the values required by an exercise bike, such as time, distance, speed, calories, watts, RPM, and pulse. Evidently, it also indicates the current resistance setting of the bike.
In order for the console to calculate properly your calorie burning, data such as age and weight must be inserted. There are 10 programs on the console, including the 6 standard ones (HILL, FATBURN,CARDIO,STRENGTH,INTERVAL and FIT-TEST), 2 heart rate programs and 2 custom programs. Each program has a direct key on the dashboard, for quick selection. Of course, there’s also the Manual mode, which gives you the possibility to manually change resistance as you pedal. There are 12 quick keys for the levels 1,4,8,12,16,20,21,24,28,32,36,40. Resistance can be increased or decreased in increments of 1 level, by using the Up/Down arrow keys.
The console is telemetry enabled. In other words it can read pulse via a Polar HR chest strap. The strap is not supplied with the bike, though.
Assembly and Maintenance
This upright exercise trainer is quite easy and straightforward to assemble. In fact, most of it is put together. All you have to add are the bases and their protective covers, the handlebar post, handlebar, attach the wires and connect the console, then screw in the pedals. Connecting the wires of the console is pretty simple; each one fits only in its specific slot. Tools and manual for the assembly come with the box.
The Sole Fitness LCB Commercial is basically maintenance free. You only need to remove the dust from it, from time to time.
The Pros
- Tough construction, durable bike;
- Compact, professional-looking design;
- Foot levelers for maximum stability and floor protection, and wheels for easy transport;
- 4-way adjustable seat;
- Heavy flywheel, almost similar to the ones in spin bikes;
- Quiet belt drive system;
- Small Q factor for minimum impact on knees;
- Self-powered bike, doesn’t require a power circuit;
- Eddy current brake, for smooth resistance and zero wear and tear;
- 40 resistance levels;
- Multi-grip handlebars with incorporated pulse sensors;
- Multifunctional console, incorporating speakers, tablet tray, cooling fan, and bottle support;
- 10 workout apps;
- Basically maintenance free;
- Consistent warranty.
The Cons
- Tablet tray is right under the console LCD display, and a tablet placed into it will cover the display;
- No online connectivity;
- No polar strap included.
Final Conclusion
Despite the fact that it doesn’t offer a plethora of workout apps, every other aspect about this bike puts it into the commercial category of upright bikes. The Sole Fitness LCB Commercial bike is one of the best upright exercise trainers that you can get at the moment. It’s far from being one of the flimsy models, being a bike built to last. It provides a great aerobic training setting, it’s excellent for muscle toning and burning calories. It’s not exactly an affordable model, but its quality stands up to the final penny in its price.