Star Trac E-UB Upright Exercise Bike

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Resistance	Workout Apps	Warranty
Star Trac E-UB Check Discounted Price	L:48" W:25" H:58"	350 lbs	Magnetic, Self-powered	10	Frame: Lifetime Parts: 10 years Wear items: 10 years Labor: 3 years

The Star Trac E-UB is one of the biggest, baddest upright bikes that you can find at the moment! Even though it’s an older model, released in 2011, to this day this day it still is one of the best (if not the best) model available. It’s a commercial grade bike, featuring a very sturdy construction, designed for 24/7 use within the premises of a gym facility. It’s a self-powered magnetic bike so it doesn’t require a power circuit. It doesn’t have online connectivity like most of the newer models, but its console provides a range of programs that should cover most of the needs of all users.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 48L x 25W x 58H inches (122L x 63.5W x 147H cm)
• Assembled weight: 91 lbs (41.4 kg)
• Weight capacity: 350 lbs (159 kg)
• Seat: 2-way adjustable
• Resistance: Eddy current, self-powered, 20 levels
• Console: 10 programs
• Extras: Cooling fan, bottle/accessory holders
• Warranty: Frame lifetime / Parts 10 years / Wear items 10 years / Labor 3 year

Frame construction

The Star Trac E-UB upright bike features a heavy-duty aluminum frame, made of fairly large and thick tubing. Since aluminum is very resistant to corrosion, the frame doesn’t have a paint finish, just its natural silver polish. However, the upright bar of the seat has a chrome finish.

Unlike many other upright exercise bikes, this Star Trac model features a one-piece frame, with both front and rear base tubes directly welded to the main frame. This results in a superior sturdiness and integrity for the whole construction of the bike. You can be sure that the bike won’t wobble or rock even if you engage in a more demanding workout. Also, since it has a one-piece frame, it cannot fold.

The bike is fairly heavy; when fully assembled, it weighs ~91 lbs (41.4 kg), weight that also improves its stability. Plus, both its bases are equipped with adjustable, rubberized stabilizers which provide an excellent grip on any type of flooring, so the bike won’t slide over. Despite its weight, the bike’s relocation isn’t a difficult task, though; its front base integrates two wheels which facilitate its transport once you have finished your workout.

Although it’s not an extremely large fitness machine, the Star Trac E-UB is quite a bit larger than other models. It takes 48″L x 25″W (122L x 63.5W cm) of floor space, and to operate it safely it is recommended to keep at least two feet of clearance around it.

Seat and handlebars

The Star Trac E-UB upright exercise bike features a 2-way adjustable seat. It may be considered a minus the fact that the seat doesn’t also have a horizontal slider, such as the seats from the Schwinn M717 170 or Nautilus U618. However, the upright bar of the seat is set at an optimal angle, so the higher you adjust the seat, the far it will stand from the front part of the bike.

The upright bar of the seat offers several adjustment positions; this being said, the bike can accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’7″ (153 – 201 cm). The seat assembly, as well as the whole frame of the bike, can hold users up to 350 lbs (159 kg), which is quite an impressive weight capacity for an upright bike. The seat adjustment is easy to carry out; the bar slider is equipped with a pull-pin which easily locks and unlocks the upright seat bar.

The saddle itself is larger than for other exercise bikes. Its top is made of high-density foam, features a contoured design, and provides optimal comfort.

The bike’s handlebars are non-adjustable. However, the whole handlebar assembly features a multiple grip design. It’s equipped with rubber foam handles for a secure grip, elbow rests for a comfortable leaned forward positi , and metallic pulse sensors to hold on to in order to benefit from heart rate monitoring in case you’re not using an HR chest strap transmitter.

Resistance and drive

This Star Trac exercise bike features a self-powered magnetic resistance system. This means you don’t have to connect it to a power circuit as it features an internal power generator which fuels the console and offers the possibility to adjust pedal resistance. Since the resistance system involves magnets, the resistance elements don’t touch, therefore the operation of the bike generates almost no noise. Also, the internal wear and tear is minimal.

The bike offers 20 levels of resistance. The 1-5 levels make available light workouts, perfect for beginners, users who require recovery training or warm-ups. Conversely, the final 17-20 resistance levels deliver quite some pedal tension, simulating a steep climb, and offering the possibility to undertake intense workouts.

Although it’s a fairly large bike, the integrated flywheel is not extremely heavy. Its weight is not specified, but it should be somewhere between 8-12 lbs. It is perimeter-weighted, though, which enables it to deliver a very smooth motion and a fairly consistent momentum.

Like most bikes with magnetic resistance, the Star Trac E-UB uses a belt drive, powered by a heavy-duty poly V belt, resistant to stretching. The crank is a one-piece part, made of solid steel. Although the crank may support the user in standing up pedaling routines, workouts of this sort are not recommended as they may lead to pedal damage or internal damage.

The pedals have a metallic core encased by a PVC shell. They have a special connection system to the crank arms (they’re not standard), and they won’t come off that easily. So, if internal maintenance is required, you simply have to align them with the Star Trac logo on the outer casing of the drive system which allows the side guard to come off. Each pedal features an adjustable strap in order to provide maximum foot stability. However, if you don’t want to use the straps, you can turn the pedals on the opposite side.

Last but not least, this Star Trac upright exercise bike offers a narrow Q-Factor. This means that your feet are naturally positioned on the pedals which eliminated any side stress on the ankles and knees. Evidently, this can lead to longer workouts and less post-workout joint pain.

Console

The Star Trac E-UB is equipped with an LED console; it shows several workout metrics including distance, speed, time, RPM, METS, calories, calories/hr, WATTS and heart rate. Distance and speed can be calculated in both metric or imperial units. There’s also a motivational race track display for distance; each lap has 0.25 miles (400 m).

The unit can measure your heart rate if you hold on to the pulse sensors into the handlebars. However, it is also telemetric and can read your pulse via an HR chest strap. This accessory is not included, though.

The console has 10 preset programs, including Manual, Warm Up, Auto Pilot, Random Hill, Alpine Pass, and Training Tools. The profile matrix of each program is shown on the small panel on the left side of the console. In short, this is what each program can offer:

Manual – allows you to exercise freely, adjusting resistance during your workout. You can also pre-program a time goal.

Warm-up – is a seven-minute program with three intensity levels, designed for a proper, complete warm-up of the muscles;

Auto Pilot – allows you to positively increase the level of resistance by increasing pedaling speed (RPMs); if you use this program, you won’t need to press any keys to adjust resistance;

Random Hill – offers 200 varied hill programs which allow you to pre-program your time goal, weight, and program level;

Alpine Pass – is an intense 3-peak ride which also allows you to set up a time goal, input your weight and pre-program its overall level;

Training Tools – it’s a program category which includes five distinctive programs, for watts, heart rate, and a fitness test.

The console incorporates a cooling fan situated at its top section. Its airflow is adjustable. It also has a small magazine of tablet shelf and two accessory holders.

The console unit is very easy to operate. Each program has its own key. The resistance is adjusted from the + / – keys, but there’s also a 0-9 keypad on the bottom right which gives you the possibility to quickly select the desired tension level. The keypad is also used when you input your workout data or create a random program. And finally, the Quick Start activates the Manual mode, which is the most preferred workout by most users.

The unit doesn’t need batteries; it is completely powered by the internal generator of the bike.

Assembly and Maintenance

Most of the bike comes pre-assembled. The main frame, the internal parts, the crank and the pedals are already attached. The parts that you need to attach are the seat post, the seat, the console mast and the console with its wires. This shouldn’t take more than 20-30 min. The included manual provides all the necessary instructions for the task. However, the tools required for assembly are not included. You will need a set of hex wrenches, adjustable wrenches, ratchet socket wrenches and a Phillips screwdriver.

Maintenance doesn’t require much. All you have to do is keep the bike clean and periodically check the integrity of its outer parts.

The Pros

• Extremely sturdy construction, with large aluminum tubing, and welded bases;
• Can support users up to 350 lbs (159 kg);
• Elegant, motivating design;
• Adjustable stabilizers on both its bases;
• Transport wheels on the front base;
• Adjustable, ergonomic seat;
• EKG pulse sensors integrated into the handlebars;
• Multi-grip handlebar with large elbow rests;
• Smooth and quiet drive;
• Self-generating power – doesn’t need to be connected to a power circuit;
• 20 levels of resistance;
• 10 workout programs – some of them with multiple levels and customization possibilities;
• Goal tracking;
• The console is telemetry enabled;
• Cooling fan included;
• Accessory trays included;
• Media shelf included;
• Easy to assemble;
• Basically maintenance free;
• Excellent warranty.

The Cons

• No online connectivity;
• HR chest strap not included;
• Tools for assembly are not included.

Summary

The Star Trac E-UB is a heavy-duty, commercial grade, self-powered upright bike, featuring an automatic magnetic resistance system, and an advanced console. It has an impressive 350 lbs user capacity and can accommodate a wide range of users, regardless of their level of fitness. It’s perfect for interval training, light to intense cardio, endurance building and weight loss. Like most gym-grade bikes it’s not an affordable one. However, its overall quality and versatility definitely match the price.