| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Bike computer | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunny SF-B1423 Check Discounted Price | L:47" W:20" H:44" | 250 lbs | Felt-pad | Basic | Frame: 1 year Mechanical: 90 days |
If you’re looking for affordable fitness equipment, Sunny Health & Fitness is a brand name that you should definitely put on your list. Especially when it comes to exercise bikes, they offer several well-constructed models, for less than $300. One of their newest models is the SF-B1423.
This exercise bike has quite a bit more to offer than the older SF-B901 model. It’s also a belt-drive bike, which means it’s quieter, and requires less maintenance. It includes a fitness meter, and still costs less than $300, which is not bad at all.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 47L x 20W x 44H inches (119L x 51W x 112H cm)
- Assembled weight: 94 lbs (42.6 kg)
- Flywheel weight 40 lbs (18 kg)
- Supported weight: 250 lbs (113.3 kg)
- Handlebars: 2-way adjustable
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Pedals: With toe cages
- Drive mechanism: Belt
- Brakes: Direct-contact, top-to-down felt pad
- Resistance: Adjustable
- Bottle holder: Yes
- Computer: Basic
- Warranty: Frame 1 year / Parts 90 days
Frame construction
Although the Sunny SF-B1423 is not a genuine spin bike, similar to the Spinner models, it’s still designed to support spinning workouts. In fact, as long as the user doesn’t exceed the maximum specified weight capacity, which is 250 lbs (113.3 kg), this Sunny exercise bike should be able to support just about any spin workout.
Evidently, its frame is made of steel tubing, with the main tube ovalized, and the handlebar / seat tubes square. This shape offers superior stability to the seat post and handlebar post, as it’s less likely for them to turn to the side even if they’re not tightened properly. The frame is double coated with corrosion resistant, gray enamel, while the seat and handlebar posts are dyed black, with the same type of paint.
This Sunny bike doesn’t have a wide footprint, like other fitness machines, such as treadmills or elliptical machines in general. It takes 47″L x 20″W (119 x 51 cm) of floor space, being pretty similar to the Bladez Fusion GS II bike. Its bases are equipped with rubberized, adjustable stabilizers, while the front base integrates small transport wheels. Even though the fully assembled bike isn’t extremely heavy, it still does weigh 94 lbs (approx. 42 kg), and the wheels ease its movement for storage. However, just as for most indoor cycling bikes, its frame is not foldable.
Seat and handlebars
Most indoor cycling bikes don’t offer an extremely comfortable seat. In most cases, they come with a slim seat, slightly padded, designed for spin workouts. This Sunny bike doesn’t make an exception. Its seat is pretty basic, with a little padding, but it’s not
extremely slim like in race bikes. It’s pretty much a generic bicycle seat. Thus, in case you find it too hard, you can either apply a sheepskin or gel cover, or replace it, as you should easily find a replacement.
The seat is 4-way adjustable. It can be move forth and back, and up / down, the bike being actually able to accommodate users between 4’8″ – 6’5″ (142 – 196 cm). The lowest seat-to-pedal setting is 28″ (71 cm), while the longest is 36″ (91 cm). Both adjustment posts of the seat feature extra large knobs, quite easy to grip and turn, thus you can quickly adjust it to your own height. This is actually a great feature to have, if the bike will be used by multiple family members, of different heights.
The bike’s handlebar is only 2-way adjustable. It can only be adjusted up / down, and not horizontally, such as the handlebar on the ASUNA 4100 model, for example. The distance adjustment span for the handlebar post is approx. 4″ (10 cm).
The handlebar features a multi-grip design, with unified, built-in aerobars. The whole handlebar assembly is padded with rubber foam material, to supply a comfortable grip.
Drive and resistance
This Sunny Health and Fitness bike features a belt drive system, using a heavy-duty, no-stretch belt, which renders the bike’s operation very smooth and quiet. Also, since it’s not chain operated, it doesn’t require any lubrication for its transmission.
The bike uses quite a heavy, 40 lbs (18 kg) flywheel. The flywheel is also perimeter-
weighted, which means the pedaling motion features a consistent momentum and steadiness.
Its crank assembly is a 3-piece part, featuring solid steel crank arms, being able to support users up to 250 lbs, in full stand-up cycling routines. The crankshaft integrated sealed ball bearings for prolonged use. The crank arms are finished with standard pedals, with toe cages. The pedals don’t have clips for spin shoes, but you should be able to find replacements for them.
The bike’s Q-Factor is approx. 8″ (203 mm), offering optimal comfort for pedaling, minimizing lateral stress on the knees.
Pedaling in reverse is possible on this exercise bike, and when pedaling in reverse you will benefit from the same resistance, depending on how tight you’ve set the brake on the flywheel. The pedals do continue to spin for the duration the flywheel is spinning, therefore it’s recommended to use the emergency brake before changing the way you pedal.
The bike’s resistance system is simple. It consists of a top-to-down felt pad. The pad is attached to the main tube of the frame, and connected to a turn knob. By turning the knob, you can tighten the pad onto the flywheel, generating resistance. There are no resistance levels specified as in bikes with magnetic resistance. You simply tighten the brake pad until you find the adequate amount of resistance for your workout.
The resistance knob doubles as an emergency brake. You can press it down for a full contact of the brake pad with the flywheel, in order to stop the flywheel if it’s necessary.
Fitness meter
The fitness meter (or bike computer) supplied with this Sunny exercise bike is a basic one. But still, it can track your speed, time, distance and calories burned. Distance is 
measured only in miles, while speed is in MPH. The unit also features a SCAN function, which cycles through the four values, displaying each one on screen for a few seconds. However, you can select any of the values to be displayed on screen all the time.
The console is easy to operate. It features one button with two press functions: Mode and Clear. Mode is used to select a certain value to be displayed on screen, or the SCAN function, while Clear is obviously used to reset all the values to zero.
Assembly and Maintenance
Most of the bike comes already assembled. The flywheel, crankset, belt and resistance pad are already attached to the frame. All you have to do is attach the frame to its bases, add the seat and handlebar, pedals, and the fitness meter. The hex keys required for assembly are supplied, and the box also includes a manual that provides clear step-by-step instructions. The whole assembly part shouldn’t take more than 30 min.
As we’ve mentioned above, this bike features a belt drive system, so you don’t have to lubricate its transmission. However, the brake pad will wear after more than a year of use and will require replacement. Also, in case the felt pad squeaks or emits a burning smell when in contact with the flywheel, adding a bit of silicone lubricant on the flywheel should solve the problem.
The Pros
- Solid steel frame, sturdy construction;
- Multi-grip handlebar, with angled aerobars;
- Perimeter-weighted, heavy flywheel, for a consistent momentum, and smooth pedaling;
- 4-way adjustable seat;
- 2-way adjustable handlebar;
- Smooth and quiet belt drive, which doesn’t require maintenance;
- Solid crankset, solid enough for all-range of spin
workouts; - Comfortable Q-Factor considerably reducing the impact on the knees;
- Pedals with toe cages, and standard threads, which can easily be replaced, if needed;
- Fitness meter included;
- Bottle holder included;
- Not an extremely heavy bike, easy to transport;
- Really easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- Not a very comfortable seat, but it can be replaced or padded with a sheepskin or gel cover.
Summary
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1423 is an exercise bike designed for spin workouts, for users up to 250 lbs. It’s an excellent fitness machine for losing weight, alternating cardio workouts with strength workouts, and toning muscles. It features a sturdy construction, great adjustability, and also comes with a fitness meter. And finally, since it costs less than $300, while other, less inclusive models cost more, we can safely say that it offers excellent value for the price.