Sunny Health & Fitness Evolution Pro II SF-B1986

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Flywheel weight	Resistance	Fitness monitor
Sunny SF-B1986 Check Discounted Price	L:49" W:24" H:50.5"	330 lbs	40 lbs	Manual magnetic	Time, Speed, Avg. Speed, Max. Speed, RPM, Avg. RPM, Max. RPM, Watts, Calories, Pulse, Goals, Race program

The Evolution Pro II SF-B1986 is one of the exercise bikes released by Sunny Health & Fitness in 2020. Even though it’s not advertised and sold as a commercial-grade fitness machine, it definitely offers the sturdiness and construction of at least a light-commercial spin bike. Also, as opposed to the older model, the Pro II bike includes a performance monitor and has a few other extra features.

Key Features and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 49L x 24W x 50.5H inches (124L x 61W x 128H cm)
• Assembled weight: 136 lbs (61.6 kg)
• Flywheel weight: 40 lbs (18 kg)
• Supported weight: 330 lbs (150 kg)
• Handlebars: 4-way adjustable
• Seat: 4-way adjustable
• Drive: Belt
• Resistance: Manual magnetic
• Fitness meter: Time, speed, distance, cadence, watts, pulse, goals, race program
• Extras: Bottle holder, dumbbell holder, device holder
• Warranty: Frame 3 years / Parts 180 days

Frame construction

The Sunny Health & Fitness Evolution Pro II features a heavy-duty steel frame designed to support any spin workout. It combines oval and rectangular bars in its construction for improved sturdiness and aesthetics. The main section of the frame is double-coated with a corrosion-resistant and chip-resistant paint finish, with the exception of the seat and handlebar posts; these are chrome plated.

The bike also has a few plastic parts in its construction. For example, the cover of the drivetrain and the side panels of the flywheel are made of durable thermoplastic material.

The fully assembled bike is quite heavy, similar to a commercial bike. Its net weight is approx. 136 lbs (61.6 kg). Therefore, the packaged unit should be transported by two people. However, once the bike is assembled, it can easily be moved by only one person as its front stabilizer integrates two large silicone wheels. Also, both base stabilizers are equipped with large, adjustable levelers.

The Sunny Evolution Pro II SF-B1986 is not an extremely large fitness machine, but it is a bit larger than most spin bikes made for home use. It is approx. 49″ (124 cm) long, and 24″ (61 cm) wide. Plus, it has a low center of gravity and due to its impressive weight, it provides superior stability. You can be sure that it won’t rock or move even if you engage in a high-intensity spin workout.

The bike’s frame also has a step-up bar feature. This is the small bar that connects the seat tube with the main oblique tube of the frame. This can facilitate the mounting/dismounting for a shorter person, serve as stretch support, or simply to step up and down from the frame as some spin workouts require. It also improves the overall sturdiness of the frame.

Seat and handlebars

The bike comes with a saddle similar to the one included with the Evolution Pro I SF-B1714. It’s a bike seat designed for superior comfort. It is approx. 10.5″ (26.6) long, and 7.75″ (19.6 cm) wide so it provides plenty of contact surface. It integrates a thick layer of foam padding and has a longitudinal groove for improved breathability.

Another important aspect to mention about the seat regards its attachment system. This saddle features a standard collar-type attachment system which means you can easily remove it if necessary, or adjust its angle. It also means that you should be able to find a replacement for it in basically any bike shop, in case you will ever need to replace it.

The seat is four-way adjustable (front, back, up, down). Its upright post has 9 adjustment positions and offers an adjustment span of approx. 10″ (25.4 cm). Its horizontal slider also offers approx. 3″ (7.6 cm) of front-to-back adjustment. Therefore, the applicable inseam length for this bike is 29″ – 39″ (73.6 – 99 cm). Differently put, the bike should be able to accommodate users between 5’1″ and 6’6″ (155 – 198 cm). It is also rated for a maximum user weight limit of 330 lbs (150 kg).

The bike is equipped with a multi-grip handlebar. It offers the possibility to adopt a climbing grip, an aero grip, a close grip, a standard grip, and a racing grip. It is fully covered by a layer of high-density foam material for an improved grip. Its side grips integrate metallic pulse sensors and the included fitness monitor has a pulse reading function. This feature is not available with the Evolution Pro I model. Also, the handlebar incorporates a tablet holder.

Just like the seat, the bike’s handlebar is four-way adjustable (up, down, front, back). Its upright post offers 5 adjustment positions while its front-to-back slider offers approx. 2 extra inches of horizontal adjustment.

Resistance and drive

The Sunny Health & Fitness Evolution Pro II SF-B1986 indoor cycling bike is equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system. This means that you don’t need an adapter, power cord, or an external power source for it. But on the other hand, the included fitness monitor cannot adjust the resistance automatically.

The bike’s resistance system consists of a magnetic brake attached to the main inclined bar of the frame above the flywheel. The brake is connected to the tension knob on top of the frame. Therefore, by turning the knob clockwise, the magnets move closer to the flywheel which increases the pedaling difficulty. The main advantage of a magnetic brake is that the resistance elements do not touch, so there is no friction and the pedaling motion is very smooth and quiet.

The bike’s brake is stepless. It does not have any pre-determined tension levels. You simply turn it left or right until you get the pedaling difficulty that you feel comfortable with. But as a general idea, with the brake pad on the closest position to the flywheel, the bike provides quite a high difficulty, simulating a steep climb.

The bike is equipped with a 40 lbs (18.1 kg) flywheel which has a perimeter-weighted design. This type of flywheel construction is meant to improve inertia and leads to a very smooth and consistent pedaling motion. The flywheel is bi-directional; it allows pedaling in reverse. However, coasting is not possible on this bike. That’s because the pedals continue to spin for as long as the flywheel is spinning.

Since it’s an indoor cycling bike designed for spin workouts, the Evolution Pro II SF-B1986 features a heavy-duty 3-piece crankset with solid steel arms and metallic alloy pedals. This being said, the crankset and pedals should be able to support users up to 330 lbs (150 kg) with no problem.

The included pedals are dual-sided. They have adjustable toe cages on one side and SPD elements for spin shoes on the other. They also have 9/16 standard threads, so in case you will ever need to replace them, compatible options are widely available.

The bike is equipped with a belt drive system. It uses a 5PK1590 poly-v belt resistant to stretching and abrasion. The main advantage of this belt drive is that you don’t have to ever lubricate it. Also, it delivers a vibration-free pedaling motion which contributes to the overall smoothness of the ride.

Performance monitor

The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1986 indoor cycling bike includes a mid-range fitness monitor. It is battery-powered and requires two AAA batteries which are included. It does not have online connectivity but does offer quite a few more features than the average basic bike meter. To begin with, its display is divided into four sub-sections so you can view up to four workout metrics simultaneously. It shows speed, average speed, maximum speed, cadence (RPM), average cadence, maximum cadence, distance, calories, time, and pulse.

Speed and distance are by default set to English units (mph and miles), but the monitor unit offers the possibility to set them to metric units. The pulse reading function is grip contact only. The monitor unit cannot communicate with a wireless heart rate chest strap, so in order for it to read your pulse, you have to hold on to the sensors integrated into the handlebars.

The performance monitor offers target functions for time, distance, calories, and cadence. If a target is selected for time, distance or calories, the display will count down from the selected target until it reaches zero. If a target is selected for cadence, the monitor will prompt you to increase your pedaling rhythm if your cadence falls below the selected target and slow down if your cadence exceeds the RPM.

A Race Mode is also available. If using the Race Mode, you can only select a target for distance and time. The cadence is variable. Therefore, you will have to beat the computer to the selected distance while basically keeping a higher cadence than it does.

Assembly and Maintenance

The bike’s frame comes pre-assembled. The flywheel, the brake, the crankset, and the belt are already installed. You only need to attach the two base stabilizers, the pedals, the seat tube, the saddle, the handlebar tube, the handlebar, the performance monitor, the dumbbell holder, and the bottle holder. The task is pretty simple and shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. All the tools for the assembly are included and the manual provides very clear assembly instructions.

For maintenance, you only have to keep the bike clean, wipe off the sweat from the frame at the end of the workout, and periodically check for loose bolts and parts. The belt and brake do not require lubrication.

The Pros

• Heavy-duty commercial-grade frame;
• Superior weight limit – 330 lbs;
• Professional-looking design;
• Transport wheels on the front base;
• Adjustable levelers on both base bars;
• Four-way adjustable seat;
• High-comfort cushioned saddle with a large groove in the middle for improved breathability;
• Four-way adjustable, multi-grip handlebar;
• Pulse sensors integrated into the handlebar;
• Device holder integrated into the handlebar;
• Smooth belt drive system;
• Perimeter-weighted 40 lbs flywheel for improved momentum;
• Frictionless magnetic resistance;
• Dual-sided pedals (SPD clipless on one side, toe cage on the other);
• Performance monitor included;
• Goal settings for time, distance, calories, and cadence;
• Race program;
• Dumbbell support included;
• Bottle holder included;
• Batteries for the performance monitor are included;
• Little maintenance required;
• Really easy to assemble;
• All the tools required for the assembly are included;
• Excellent warranty.

The Cons

• No backlight on the performance monitor;
• No online connectivity.

Summary

The Sunny Health & Fitness Evolution Pro II SF-B1986 is a heavy-duty indoor cycling bike designed to support any spin workout. It is equipped with a magnetic resistance system, a 40-lbs flywheel, dual-sided pedals, and a fitness monitor with target settings and a race program. It also offers superior micro-adjustability for the seat and handlebar, and an impressive maximum user weight limit of 330 lbs. It’s an excellent bike for users of all levels, for medium to high-intensity cardio workouts, interval training, muscle toning, stamina and strength development, and weight loss.