| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Fitness meter | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunny SF-B1516 Check Discounted Price | L:46" W:23" H:43" | 300 lbs | Friction, Leather-pad | No | Frame: 3 years Parts: 90 days |
Sunny Health & Fitness offers a wide array of indoor exercise bikes and most of them are quite affordable compared to other models. For example, you can find a Sunny exercise bike in the same range of specs as a Star Trac or Spinning model, but for at least a couple of hundred dollars less.
In this post, we’ll address the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1516 commercial indoor cycling bike. As its name suggests, this exercise bike model is designed for 24/7 gym usage. It has a durable construction, similar to the ASUNA 5100, only this model features a friction resistance system, not a magnetic one.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 46L x 23W x 43H inches (117L x 58W x 109H cm)
- Assembled weight: 135 lbs (61.2 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 48.5 lbs (22 kg)
- Supported weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Handlebar: 2-way adjustable
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Pedals: Dual-action SPD/Cages
- Drive: Chain
- Resistance: Friction, leather pad
- Fitness meter: Not included
- Warranty: Frame 3 years / Parts 90 days
Frame construction
As we’ve mentioned above, the Sunny SF-B1516 is a heavy-duty indoor cycling trainer, designed to support all spin workouts. Its frame is made of durable steel tubing. In fact most of the frame components are steel-made, with the exception of the chain guard. The
brake pad guard is also steel-made, being directly welded to the front fork and the main tube of the frame.
The bike’s frame features a corrosion resistant, industrial powder coating. The finish is gray in color, this being the only color available for this model, at least for now. However, the seat and handlebar posts, as well as the crank arms and the perimeter of the flywheel, feature a chrome finish.
Although this Sunny Health & Fitness exercise bike is not a large fitness machine compared to an elliptical trainer or a treadmill, it’s still slightly bulkier than other bikes, such as the Spinner S1, for example. Its footprint is 46″L x 23″W (117 x 58 cm), but it is recommended to leave at least two feet of clearance all around it for safe operation.
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1516 is considerably heavy compared with other models. When fully assembled, it weighs 135 lbs (~62 kg), which is approx. three times more than the average road bike. This being said, it provides excellent stability even for the workouts that require a lot of movement or the continuous changing of your position. Its stability is also enhanced by two sets of adjustable levelers with rubber caps, placed on each one of the base tubes.
Due to the bike’s weight, its transport, unboxing, and assembly may require two people. However, once it is fully assembled its relocation can be done easily by using the two transport wheels integrated into the front base. By leaning the bike onto its front wheels, you will basically have to handle only half of its total weight.
Seat and handlebars
The saddle supplied with the Sunny SF-B1516 is a standard model, similar to the ones on most spin bikes. It integrates a thin layer of padding and features a contoured surface. It measures 7″ (~18 cm) at its widest point, its front-to-back length being 10 3/4″ (~27 cm). As a general idea, it’s not a seat made for comfort. After all, this is an indoor cycling bike, made for spin exercising routines. However, the saddle attaches to the adjustment bar via a standard system, so you can easily find a compatible replacement for it, in case you want a more comfortable seat. Its comfort can be considerably increased by a gel seat cover as well.
The bike’s seat is 4-way adjustable. You can also slightly tilt it forward or backward. Its upright post offers 14 adjustment positions and a total adjustment span of approx. 11″ (28 cm). At its lowest setting, the seat-to-pedal distance is 29.5″ (75 cm), while at its highest setting, the distance is 40″ (102 cm).
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1516 commercial indoor cycling bike features a multi-grip handlebar, which integrates aero bars, as well as handles for a drop down training position. It’s completely padded with rubber foam material for a sure grip and optimal comfort. It’s only 2-way adjustable, with an upright adjustment span of 3.5″ (9 cm).
These being said, the bike can accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’5″ (153 – 196 cm). However, users shorter than 5’5″ (160 cm) may find it difficult to exercise with both forearms on the aero bars, even with the seat adjusted all the way forward.
Last but not least, both the handlebar and the seat are really easy to adjust. They’re equipped with large knobs, which you can easily grip and turn, the whole adjustment process not taking more than one minute.
Drive and resistance
The Sunny SF-B1516 indoor cycling trainer features a chain drive system, which has several pluses and minuses. For example, a chain is much more durable than a belt and with proper care can last a lifetime. It’s pretty much a standard bike chain; therefore, in case it breaks, you can easily find a replacement for it. Plus, it’s stretch free. On the other 
hand, it requires periodic lubrication to prevent rust. It also generates more noise than a belt drive. However, the noise generated by the chain is fairly soft, negligible.
This Sunny exercise bike is equipped with one of the heaviest flywheels that you can find in a spin bike. The flywheel weighs 48.5 lbs (22 kg) and delivers a very consistent momentum. It’s also perimeter-weighted, aspect that adds stability and smoothness to the pedaling motion.
The bike is equipped with a heavy-duty crankset, with solid steel crank arms, which can easily support up to 300 lbs (136 kg) of user weight. In other words, the bike offers the possibility to exercise while completely standing up on the pedals. The crank arms are finished with metallic alloy, dual-action pedals; they feature SPD clips on one side and toe cages on the other. Thus, you can use various types of athletic shoes, as well as SPD footwear.
Since it doesn’t have a gear system like most road bikes, pedaling in reverse is possible. However, when changing the pedaling direction it is recommended to use the emergency brake in order to stop the flywheel. Also, keep in mind that pedaling in reverse repeatedly may unscrew the pedals from their sockets.
When it comes to resistance, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1516 features a classic friction resistance system, which consists of a leather and felt pad attached to the main tube of the frame, and the resistance knob that goes through it. By turning the knob clockwise, the pad applies more pressure and drag onto the flywheel increasing the overall pedaling resistance.
There aren’t any resistance levels, or “clicks”, specified on the resistance knob of the bike. You simply tighten the brake until you obtain the suitable resistance for your workout. Keep in mind, though, that the bike comes with a heavy flywheel, and even if you don’t tighten the brake at all, pedaling isn’t exactly light. Therefore, this exercise bike may not be a good choice if you require recovery training due to surgery.
Assembly and Maintenance
The bike’s assembly is simple and doesn’t take long. Anyone should be able to finish it in less than 30 min. The main body of the bike, including the flywheel, crankset, chain, chain guard and resistance elements, comes ready-assembled. So, basically, all you have to add are the base tubes, the seat, the handlebar and the pedals. All the tools required are included. Also, the manual supplied offers clear and concise assembly instructions.
For maintenance, the chain requires periodic lubrication. The brake pad may also require lubrication, in case it emits a squeaky noise when in contact with the spinning flywheel. For this, a silicone-based lubricant is recommended.
The Pros
- Heavy-duty, commercial construction;
- Adjustable, rubberized stabilizers on both bases;
- Transport wheels;
- 300 lbs weight capacity;
- Accommodates users between 5’0″ – 6’5″;
- Extra-heavy, perimeter-weighted flywheel, delivering a consistent momentum;
- Solid crank assembly, which can support all kinds of spin workouts;
- Dual-action, metallic pedals with SPD clips and toe cages;
- 4-way adjustable seat;
- Multi-grip handlebar with low handles and aero bars;
- Quiet, smooth and durable chain drive;
- Basically limitless resistance settings;
- Bottle holder included;
- Little maintenance required;
- Really easy to assemble.
The Cons
- No exercise meter;
- The handlebar is only 2-way adjustable.
Summary
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1516 is a commercial grade indoor cycling bike, featuring an extra-heavy flywheel, classic friction resistance, and excellent micro-adjustability. It has a heavy, durable and stable construction, designed to support any spin workout. It’s perfect for daily cardio training, interval training, strength and stamina development, and of course, for weight loss. And finally, even though it’s a gym-quality exercise trainer, it’s still a few $100s cheaper than other similar models, which results in an outstanding price/value/quality ratio.