| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Flywheel weight | Resistance | Console |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spirit XBU55 Check Discounted Price | L:43" W:22" H:54" | 355 lbs | 30 lbs | Eddy current, 20 levels | 10 programs, Bluetooth, Spirit FIT app compatible |
The Spirit Fitness XBU55 is one of the upright bikes released in 2019. It is similar to the Spirit Fitness XBR55 recumbent bike that we’ve already reviewed here, in terms of console and resistance system. It’s a commercial-grade upright bike that offers a pretty impressive range of features and a heavy-duty construction.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 43L x 22W x 54H inches (110L x 56W x 137H cm)
- Assembled weight: 100 lbs (45.3 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 30 lbs (13.6 kg)
- Supported weight: 355 lbs (161 kg)
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Resistance: Eddy current, 20 levels
- Console: 10 programs, Bluetooth, Spirit Fit App
- Extras: Sound system, cooling fan, tablet holder, bottle holder
- Warranty: Frame lifetime / Brake lifetime / Parts 10 years / Labor 1 year
Frame construction
The Spirit Fitness XBU55 features a heavy-duty steel frame offering an impressive weight capacity of 355 lbs
(161 kg). It’s built with heavy-gauge, ovalized steel tubing for improved sturdiness and aesthetics. All the steel parts in its construction are double-coated with a corrosion-resistant and abrasion-resistant paint finish. The color used is light gray, this being the only color available for this model. The base of the bike along with the drivetrain and the main resistance elements are covered by durable ABS panels.
The XBU55 bike has a pretty heavy construction. With all the parts assembled, it weighs 100 lbs (45.3 kg). This weight, along with a low center of gravity, provides superior stability. You can be sure that the bike won’t rock or move even if you engage in the most demanding workouts.
Despite its weight, the bike is fairly easy to move. Its front base bar is equipped with two large silicone wheels. Therefore, by using these wheels, you won’t be handling more than 30% of the bike’s total weight when relocating it. Also, both base bars are equipped with adjustable stabilizers featuring rubber pads which considerably improve the unit’s grip on the floor and allow you to perfectly level your bike.
Like most other upright bikes, the Spirit Fitness XBU55 is not extremely large. With all the parts assembled, it is approx. 43″ (110 cm) long, and 22″ (56 cm) wide. Also, its highest points are given by its handgrips which reach approx. 54″ (137 cm) above floor level. It is recommended, though, to assign at least 24″ (61 cm) of clearance on each side of the bike, and at least 12″ (30.4 cm) of clearance at its front and rear, for ease of access and unhindered usage.
Seat and handlebars
The Spirit Fitness XBU55 upright exercise bike includes a pretty standard saddle. Its top is made of 
polyurethane material featuring a layer of foam padding and a durable vinyl cover. It is considerably larger than a race seat so it provides extra contact surface and extra comfort.
The saddle features a standard, collar-based attachment system. This means you can easily disconnect it, if necessary. It also means that compatible options are widely available. You can basically find a compatible seat with the bike in any bike shop.
The seat offers four-way adjustability (up, down, forward, backward). Its upright post features multiple adjustment positions with increments of approx. 1″ (2.5 cm), while its horizontal slider adds several inches of fore/aft adjustment. This being said, the bike can accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’5″ (153 – 196 cm) with no problem. Also, as we’ve mentioned above, the seat assembly is designed to support users up to 355 lbs (161 kg).
The bike is equipped with a multi-grip handlebar. It offers the possibility to adopt a standard grip, a race grip, a climbing grip, and a parallel grip. Its sidebars feature a layer of rubber foam material for improved comfort. Also, its lower grips integrate metallic pulse sensors.
The bike’s handlebar assembly is non-adjustable. It attaches to the front mast of the bike via bolts so you cannot adjust its angle. Also, the front upright bar doesn’t offer any adjustability.
Resistance and drive
The Spirit Fitness XBU55 upright bike is equipped with an eddy current resistance system. This means
you can only adjust the resistance from the console, and the console must be powered-up by connecting the bike to an electrical outlet (110v). A power cord is included with the bike. It also means that the bike can automatically adjust the resistance.
The bike’s resistance system consists of a magnetic brake and a servo motor. As you adjust the resistance from the console, or as the console automatically adjusts the resistance during a program, the motor changes magnets’ pull in order to increase or decrease the pedaling load.
The bike offers 20 resistance levels. Its first few levels provide a fairly light pedaling difficulty and can serve for recovery training. Conversely, the 20th tension level is considerably higher, offering the possibility to improve strength, build muscle and stamina.
The Spirit XBU55 is equipped with a fairly heavy internal flywheel for an upright bike. It weighs 30 lbs and has a perimeter-weighted structure for improved inertia. The flywheel is bi-directional, but it also permits coasting; in other words, you can stop pedaling while it will continue to spin, so you won’t lose all the momentum.
The bike features a heavy-duty 3-piece crankset featuring arms similar to spin bikes. However, since this is an upright bike, standing up on the pedals is not recommended. The pedals are weighted and equipped with adjustable straps for improved foot stability. They also have 2° of inversion for a correct and more comfortable foot positioning.
Last but not least, the bike’s drivetrain uses a belt, not a chain. This means the pedaling motion is very smooth, also considering that it has a magnetic resistance system. The belt produces less vibration than a chain. Also, a belt drive system does not require periodic lubrication.
Console
The Spirit XBU55 upright bike is equipped with an advanced console. To begin with, it has a 7.5″ LCD
display with LED backlight and large digits for superior readability. It tracks time, distance, calories, pace, speed, pulse, and watts. Distance is also shown as a 1/4-mile track and the console indicates the number of laps that you have completed.
The console unit is telemetric. It can read your pulse from a Polar T34 transmitter or other types of HR chest straps. An HR chest strap is not included, but even without one, you can still benefit from a pulse reading if you hold on to the pulse sensors integrated into the handlebars.
The console makes available 10 workout programs. These are 1 Manual Program, 5 Preset Programs (Hill, Fat Burn, Cardio, Strength, and Interval), 2 User Defined Programs, and 2 Heart Rate Programs. Each program has its own quick selection button on the console.
The Manual Program allows free pedaling and manual resistance adjustment during the session. Each one of the preset programs covers a specific type of workout (as their name suggests). The workout load for each one can be adjusted.
The Heart Rate programs are set for a maximum HR of 60% and 80%. Just like the other programs, they can also be customized. And finally, the User Defined Programs allow you to design, save, and re-use your own custom workouts.
The console has Bluetooth connectivity and is compatible with the Spirit Fit App for Android and iOS. Therefore, you can sync your smartphone or tablet with the bike’s console in order to stream your workout data into your online Spirit Fit account for better monitoring.
Among other console features, we can count a sound system, a cooling fan, and a tablet holder. The sound system consists of two speakers and an AUX port on the bottom-right corner of the unit. Thus, you can connect your smartphone or tablet to the console and play your music through the integrated speakers. The cooling fan is not a large one; it is integrated into the middle of the unit. The tablet holder consists of a small shelf placed above the speakers and fan system. It is large enough to support any tablet.
Assembly and Maintenance
The base body of the bike comes pre-assembled. Therefore, you only need to attach the two front and rear base bars, the front mast, the handlebars, the console, the seat post, the saddle, and the pedals. This shouldn’t take more than one hour of your time. The manual offers pretty clear assembly instructions and schematics, and a basic toolkit is included as well.
The bike’s internal parts don’t need periodic lubrication. Therefore, once the bike is assembled, you only have to keep it clean, and periodically check for loose bolts or parts.
The Pros
- Heavy-duty construction – can support users up to 355 lbs (161 kg);
- Aesthetic and compact design;
- Transport wheels on the front base;
- Adjustable stabilizers on both base bars;
- Multi-grip handlebar;
- Pulse reading function;
- 4-way adjustable, padded seat;
- Heavy (30 lbs) internal flywheel for a consistent momentum and improved stability;
- Weighted, ergonomic pedals with 2° tilt for a natural foot positioning;
- Quiet belt drive;
- 20-level eddy current resistance;
- 7.5″ console display with LED backlight;
- 10 workout programs;
- Each workout program has its own quick-access key on the console;
- Bluetooth connectivity;
- Compatible with the Spirit Fit app;
- Can read pulse from a wireless HR chest strap;
- Sound system included;
- Cooling fan included;
- Tablet holder included;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required;
- Excellent warranty.
The Cons
- A tablet placed on the tablet support will cover the console display;
- The cooling fan is not too powerful;
- A wireless HR chest strap is not included.
Summary
The Spirit Fitness XBU55 is a heavy-duty, commercial-grade upright bike. It features a 20-level eddy current resistance system, a heavy internal flywheel, and a console with 10 workout programs. The console is also compatible with the Spirit Fit app for online progress tracking. It’s a great exercise bike for light to intense cardio training, intervals, stamina and strength development, recovery training, and weight loss. It’s not exactly an affordable bike but definitely offers excellent value for the price.