| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Apps | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunny SF-B1203 Check Discounted Price | L:30.7" W:24.8" H:48.4" | 240 lbs | Felt-pad | No | Frame: 1 year Mechanical: 90 days |
Sunny Health and Fitness are known for providing quality exercising equipment, at extremely affordable prices, for quite a while now. The Sunny SF-B1203 indoor cycling bike is one of their models which is not just very inexpensive, it actually has an excellent price/quality ratio. Even though this indoor exercise bike was released about two years ago, out of all models made since then (by different manufacturers), it’s still one of the bikes pretty high on most listings, due to its affordability, sturdiness, and effectiveness.
Sunny SF-B1203 is one of those bikes on the edge between a spin bike and a recumbent bike. It’s actually an indoor cycle made for higher intensity training. However, due to the design of the handlebar, frame and seat positioning, it can be used in workouts similar to an upright bike.
There’s a lot to be said about this particular Sunny Health & Fitness bike model. Therefore, the following sections of this post will provide you with every bit of information about this bike that you need to know.
Specs and Features
- Assembled dimensions: 30.7L x 24.8W x 48.43H inches (78L x 63W x 123H cm)
- Assembled weight: 61 lbs (27.6 kg)
- Flywheel weight 22 lbs (10 kg)
- Supported weight: 240 lbs (109 kg)
- Handlebars: Fixed
- Seat: Adjustable
- Pedals: With straps
- Drive mechanism: Chain
- Brakes: Direct-contact, one wool-felt pad
- Resistance: Adjustable
- Bottle holder: No
- Performance console: Yes
As you can see, this is not an extremely heavy exercise bike, such as the Sunny Pro SF-B901, for example. It’s actually a hybrid bike between a spin cycle and an upright bike. The frame of the bike is steel-made, pretty sturdy, offering all the stability a user would need. It’s design though, is narrower and less lengthy than for your average spin bike. This is actually a space savvy bike, measuring only 30 inches (78 cm) in length, and about 25 inches (63 cm) in width. Therefore, if you’re short on space, this model might be just the right one for you.
The handlebar design is similar to the one commonly seen in upright bikes. That’s why many would say that this is an upright bike. It’s actually a drawback that the handlebars aren’t adjustable, horizontally or vertically. However, their position is just right for the bikes design, and user targeted height. They offer a variety of working out postures, from upright, to pretty steeply leaned forward. Needless to say, this can result in a good workout for your shoulders and abdominal muscles as well, along with your leg workout.
The seat also has a design similar to the ones present in upright bikes. It’s more comfortable than the seats most indoor cycles are equipped with. It’s front to back, and vertically adjustable. The bike can accommodate users beginning with 4’10” (147 cm), and up to 6 (183 cm). You can work out on this bike even if you’re up to 6’2″ tall, but in this case you won’t benefit from a full leg stretch, and some of the leg muscles may be left out. If you’re taller, you might want to go for a different exercise bike model. The distance between the seat at its highest setting, and the lowest pedal to the floor, is 2’10” (86 cm).
Pedals and crank are heavy-duty, similar to the ones present in most spin bikes. The indicated maximum weight for this bike is 240 lbs. But even at this weight, you can workout in standing position if you want, placing all your weight on the pedals, without fearing they would snap. Pedals are anti-slip, equipped with straps, but losing contact with the pedals shouldn’t be much of an issue, since it’s a stationary bike. You won’t be mountainbiking with it.
Flywheel isn’t very heavy, only 22 lbs (10 kg), considerably heavier than for most upright bikes, but also considerably lighter than the heaviest flywheels common in indoor cycles. It’s perimeter weighted, for higher inertia, and to eliminate the “stair climbing” effect. The bike has a chain drive mechanism, which is pretty quiet. It produces a soft, whirring sound which shouldn’t interfere with the music you’re listening to, or the shows you watch on your TV, even at a lower sound setting.
The brake system is contact-type, not magnetic, consisting of a big pad on top of the flywheel. Resistance is adjustable via the brake knob. However, there are no specified levels on it. Resistance is meant to be adjusted while you pedal, by rotating the knob clockwise to increase resistance, until you reach the appropriate level you want. The maximum resistance level is near the point where you can’t actually pedal.
Last but not least, this Sunny bike comes with a progress tracking device, or bike computer. This accessory is quite easy to use. It can track time spent working out, speed, distance and calories burned.
Comfort and Ease of Use
The SF-B1203 exercise bike from Sunny Health and Fitness, offers the comfort of an upright bike, and the workout possibilities of a spin bike, up to a certain point. In other words, the seat is designed to provide more comfort than the standard seat of a spin bike, but it’s less comfortable than the average seat of an upright. However, in case you don’t find the seat of this bike comfortable enough, the problem can easily be corrected with a gel seat, such as a Velo GelTech, for example.
Like most exercise bikes, it’s extremely easy to use, the adjusting of resistance levels and seat levels are pretty much straightforward.
The progress tracking computer is also a pretty simple device. It has auto on/off, and will automatically shut down if no signal is coming from the flywheel. Also, it auto-powers on when you start your exercising routine on the bike. To reset all functions, all you need to do is keep it pressed for 4 seconds. The functions of the device are numbered as: 1-Time, 2-Speed, 3-Distance, 4-Calories, 5-Scan. The last one will scan through all the functions between 1 and 4. The console is powered by 2 AA batteries.
Assembly, Maintenance and Troubleshooting
This Sunny indoor cycling bike comes with the instructions manual, and the tools to do the task, two wrenches for four dimensions. Assembly shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. The flywheel, crank, chain and chain protection are actually already attached to the frame. All you need to do is install the handlebar, seat, pedals, and the front and back bases.
The frame is initially mounted on transportation bases. You will need to remove those, and install the standard bases for exercise. These are equipped with adjustable “feet” for leveling the bike, in case the floor is not level.
When it comes to maintenance, from time to time you must check if everything is tightly secured in place, and if any part is loose, re-tighten. It’s specified that the chain should be lubricated monthly. For this you can use any lubricant available in a bike shop, or even the usual WD-40. Even with heavy, daily use though, several months can pass until the chain really requires greasing. The wool-felt brake pad also requires periodic lubrication with a silicon based lubricant.
In terms of troubleshooting regarding the progress tracking computer, if there is no signal, check if the sensor wires are connected properly. Also, blurry screen suggests low batteries. The device does not have a battery power indicator.
What We Like About This Indoor Cycling Bike
Sturdy, stable and long-lasting exercising equipment. With proper maintenance and use, it can last a lifetime. Adjustable resistance levels from no resistance whatsoever, to very high resistance. It’s a quiet exercising equipment and can be used with no problem even in an apartment building. Medium comfort levels and different posture possibilities for working out.
It’s also equipped with a progress tracker, which will allow you to quantify your workouts properly, tracking time spent exercising, virtual distance covered, calories burned and pedaling speed.
Evidently, one of the main things to like about this bike, is it’s greatly affordable price.
Drawbacks
Handlebar is not adjustable, which can be considered a downside. However, the height and design of the handles are fit for specific types of workouts, and to users in the required 
height for this bike. In other words, if you’re between 4’10” (147 cm) and 6′ (183 cm), this bike should fit you just right.
There’s no bottle holder, and for some this may be a necessity. But in case you really need one, there’s a plethora of them for sale, which can be attached to the frame of this bike, without drilling holes in it.
Final Conclusion
If you’re looking for a highly inexpensive home exercise bike, for daily use, the Sunny SF-B1203 might just be the exact one to put on your list. It offers almost everything a user would want from an indoor cycle. It’s the exercising equipment that will help you shed off the unwanted pounds or tone your abdominal, leg and shoulder muscles. It can help you burn up to 7-800 calories daily, and also track your progress. It’s a low maintenance, long-lasting, solid piece of equipment, an investment you won’t regret.