| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Flywheel weight | Resistance | Fitness meter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spirit Fitness XIC600 Check Discounted Price | L:41" W:21" H:40.5" | 300 lbs | 48.5 lbs | Friction | Time, RPM, Speed, Distance, Calories, Pulse, Goals |
The Spirit Fitness XIC600 is an indoor cycling bike designed for spin workouts. In terms of features and construction, it can be compared with the Fuel Fitness FB7 or the SOLE SB700. It’s an exercise bike made for residential use, but it definitely has the sturdiness and feature range of at least a light-commercial trainer.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 41L x 21W x 40.5H inches (104L x 53W x 103H cm)
- Assembled weight: 141 lbs (64 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 48.5 lbs (22 kg)
- Supported weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Drive system: Belt
- Resistance: Friction, leather pad
- Fitness monitor: Time, speed, RPM, distance, calories, pulse, clock, goals
- Extras: Device holders, bottle holders
- Warranty: Frame lifetime / Parts 3 years / Labor 1 year
Frame construction
The Spirit Fitness XIC600 indoor cycle features a one-piece X-type frame made of steel tubing. It combines
cylindrical, oval, and rectangular bars in its construction for improved sturdiness and aesthetics. The main frame section and the base stabilizers are coated with a corrosion-resistant and chip-resistant paint finish. The seat post, the handlebar post, and the flywheel feature a chrome finish.
The fully assembled bike is not too bulky, so it can fit pretty well even in a small room or apartment. It is approx. 41″ (104 cm) long, and 21″ (53 cm) wide. It is recommended, though, to leave at least two feet of clearance all around it for ease of access and safe usage.
In terms of weight, the Spirit Fitness XIC600 is one of the heaviest indoor cycling bikes for home use available at the moment. Its net weight is 141 lbs (64 kg). This being said, it requires at least to people for carrying it while it is packaged. However, once it is assembled, it can easily be relocated by the wheels integrated into its front stabilizer.
Due to the impressive weight and low center of gravity, the bike provides superior stability. You can be sure that it won’t wobble or move even if you engage in a high-intensity spin workout. Plus, both its base bars feature adjustable levelers so you can perfectly stabilize it on any type of floor. However, due to its weight, it is recommended to place and use this exercise bike on a rubber mat or carpet.
Seat and handlebars
The Spirit Fitness XIC600 indoor cycling bike is equipped with a four-way (up, down, front, back) adjustable
seat. Its upright post has multiple adjustment positions, while its horizontal slider adds several extra inches of front-to-back adjustment. This being said, the bike should be able to accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’5″ (153 – 196 cm) with no problem, allowing a complete leg extension. It is also rated for a maximum user weight limit of 300 lbs (136 kg).
The included saddle is a bit larger than the slim racing saddle and has extra padding. Its rear part integrates approx. 2″ (5 cm) of foam cushioning, so it definitely provides more comfort during seated workouts than the slim seats. It also has a median cutout for improved breathability.
The saddle has a standard collar-type attachment system. Therefore, it is easy to remove and compatible replacements are widely available. You should be able to find a saddle with a similar collar attachment system in basically any bike shop.
The bike is equipped with a multi-grip handlebar. It offers the possibility to adopt a climbing grip, a close grip, and a racing grip. It also has a small loop bar in the middle that allows a close parallel grip. It is fully covered by a layer of PVC foam material to provide a comfortable grip. It also integrates a dual bottle holder.
Just like the seat, the handlebar is 4-way adjustable. Its upright post has several adjustment positions, and its horizontal slider provides a few inches of front-to-back adjustment. Both the seat and the handlebar have a lever-based adjustment system, which means it takes only a few seconds to adjust them to fit your size perfectly.
Drive system
The Spirit XIC600 indoor cycle features one of the heaviest flywheels available. It weighs 48.5 lbs (22 kg) which
means that the bike provides a very steady and consistent pedaling motion. It’s precision-balanced, made of several steel alloy discs welded together.
The flywheel is bi-directional. This means that you can pedal in reverse if you want. But just as for most other spin bikes, coasting is not possible on this exercise bike. When pedaling in reverse, the resistance remains constant, given by the amount of friction generated by the bike’s brake pad.
The bike’s drive system uses a heavy-duty poly-v belt. There are several advantages to this type of drive system. For example, a belt does not require lubrication and generates less vibration than a chain.
The bike is equipped with a solid 3-piece crankset featuring long steel arms, similar to road bikes. The pedals are made of aluminum alloy. They don’t have SPD clips for spin shoes but do have adjustable toe cages. They are durable enough to support users up to 300 lbs (136 kg) for any spin workout. They also have standard 9/16 threads, so if you will ever want to replace them, compatible options are widely available.
The exact pedal Q-Factor (spacing between the pedals) is not specified, but it is quite narrow. This being said, your feet position is natural, without being too far apart. Therefore, you won’t have to deal with extra lateral stress on the knees or ankles.
Resistance system
The Spirit Fitness XIC600 indoor cycling bike features a friction resistance system with manual action. This 
being said, you don’t need to connect the bike to an external power source, and you don’t need an adapter for it. But on the other hand, the bike cannot adjust the resistance automatically.
The bike’s resistance system consists of a large leather brake pad connected to the tension knob that goes through the main frame tube. By twisting the knob clockwise, the brake pad applies more friction to the flywheel which increases the pedaling motion.
The bike’s brake system is stepless. It does not have pre-determined levels (or clicks). Therefore, you can basically tighten the pad on the flywheel up to the point you can barely pedal. The knob also has an emergency brake function; you can press it down to immediately stop the flywheel from spinning.
It’s important to mention that the brake pad will eventually wear out and will require replacement. However, this is pretty much the case with any fitness exercise bike with a friction resistance system. Also, in order to benefit from a smooth and quiet pedaling motion, it is recommended to periodically apply some lubricant (3-in-1 oil or 10W oil) on the flywheel.
Fitness monitor
The Spirit Fitness XIC600 indoor cycle is equipped with a fairly decent fitness monitor. To begin with, it 
features an LCD display divided into four sections. The top section indicates RPM, the two middle sections show pulse and calories burned, while the lower section indicates speed, distance, time, and clock. Speed and distance can be set either to metric or English units. The pulse reading function is telemetric only. Therefore, you will have to wear a wireless HR chest strap (not included) for it to read your pulse. The handlebar does not integrate pulse sensors.
The monitor unit is fairly easy to use. It has only two buttons Mode/Reset and Start. The Mode/Reset button allows you to change between speed, distance, time, and clock on the lower display. It also covers the unit’s reset function; you can press and hold it for a few seconds to clear all the values on the unit. The Start button initiates the workout and allows you to confirm input data.
The monitor unit does not have pre-set workout programs but does have two goal settings, for time and BPM. If you select a time goal, the console will count down from the selected value until it reaches zero. For the BPM set-up, you can select a maximum BPM and a minimum BPM, in case you want to exercise within a certain heart rate interval. You can also input your weight and gender so that the unit can calculate your calories burned more accurately.
Both the fitness monitor and the included speed sensor require AAA batteries, which are included. The monitor should wake up when it detects flywheel movement or when you press the mode button. It also automatically turns off after a few minutes of inactivity on the bike.
Assembly and Maintenance
The main body of the bike comes pre-assembled, with the flywheel, resistance system, crankset, and belt already attached. You only have to add the two base bars, the handlebar, the bottle holder, the fitness monitor, and the pedals. This shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes of your time. The manual provides clear assembly instructions and all the necessary tools are included.
For maintenance, the periodic lubrication of the brake pad is required. This can easily be done by applying a bit of 3-in-1 oil on the edge of the flywheel. Other than this, it is only recommended to wipe the dust from the frame, keep liquids away from the fitness monitor, and periodically check for loose parts.
The Pros
- Sturdy frame, similar to light-commercial bikes;
- Can support users up to 300 lbs;
- Aesthetic design;
- Transport wheels on the front base;
- Adjustable stabilizers on both bases;
- Superior micro-adjustability – 4-way adjustable seat and handlebars;
- Lever-based adjustment system for both the seat and the handlebars;
- Foam-padded seat with a middle groove for optimal comfort and breathability;
- Multi-grip handlebar covered PVC foam for optimal comfort;
- Dual bottle holder included;
- Standard friction resistance;
- Extra-heavy, 48.5 lbs flywheel for a consistent momentum;
- Heavy-duty crank, able to support any user up to the maximum listed weight, in upright pedaling position;
- Durable metallic pedals with toe cages;
- Smooth and quiet belt drive;
- Fitness monitor included – it can track time, speed, RPM, distance, pulse, clock, and calories;
- Goal settings for time and heart rate;
- Easy to assemble;
- Assembly tools are included;
- Little maintenance required;
- Excellent warranty.
The Cons
- No pulse sensors;
- HR chest strap is not included;
- No backlight on the monitor display.
Summary
The Spirit Fitness XIC600 is an indoor cycling bike made for residential use. It is built to support almost any spin workout. It features a friction resistance system, a 48.5 lbs flywheel, belt drive, superior micro-adjustability, and also includes a fitness monitor that tracks RPM, pulse, calories, time, speed, distance, and clock. It’s an excellent trainer for intense cardio workouts, interval training, strength and stamina development, muscle toning, and weight loss.