Unit | Size | Supported weight | Drive | Resistance | Console |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunny SF-B2952 Check Discounted Price | L:40.5" W:21" H:51" | 275 lbs | Belt | Manual magnetic, 8 levels | Time, Distance, Calories, Speed, RPM, Pulse, Goals, Recovery, BMI |
The Sunny SF-B2952 is one of the upright exercise bikes released by Sunny Health & Fitness in 2019. In terms of features, it’s a pretty standard bike with manual resistance, similar to the Reebok ZJET 430. It has a slightly bulkier frame than other upright bikes, so it offers superior stability.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 40.5L x 21W x 51H inches (103L x 53W x 126H cm)
- Assembled weight: 56 lbs (25.4 kg)
- Supported weight: 275 lbs (125 kg)
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Resistance: Manual magnetic, 8 levels
- Console: Time, distance, speed, RPM, calories, pulse, goals, Recovery
- Extras: Tablet holder, HR zone sticker
- Warranty: Frame 3 years / Parts 180 days
Frame construction
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B2952 upright bike features a steel frame with large ABS plastic guards that cover all the drive and resistance elements and most of the unit’s base frame. All the steel parts in the bike’s construction are coated with a rust-resistant and chip-resistant paint finish. The color used is gray, this being the only color available for the SF-B2952. The ABS covers are also gray, with the “Sunny” logo written in red.
As we’ve mentioned above, the Sunny SF-B2952 is slightly bulkier than other upright bikes with a similar range of features, such as the TechFit B400. However, it’s still a pretty compact fitness machine. With the frame fully assembled, it is only 40.5″ (103 cm) long, and 21″ (53 cm) wide. Also, its highest point is given by the top of the handlebars; they reach approx. 51″ (126 cm) above floor level.
The bike isn’t extremely heavy. It weighs approx. 56 lbs (25.4 kg). Therefore, it can be carried and assembled by only one person. Plus, once it is assembled, it is very easy to relocate as its front base incorporates transport wheels.
Although the bike doesn’t offer the 100+ lbs weight of the commercial-grade upright bikes, it does offer excellent stability. That’s because it has a very low center of gravity. Plus, its rear base is equipped with adjustable levelers so you can perfectly stabilize your bike on any type of floor.
Seat and handlebars
The Sunny SF-B2952 is equipped with a four-way adjustable seat. Its upright post features several adjustment notches, allowing the bike’s adjustment for users with an inseam between 24″ (61 cm) and 36.5″ (92 cm). Plus, the horizontal slider of the seat adds a few extra inches of front-to-back adjustment. Therefore, the bike should be able to accommodate users between 5’2″ (157 cm) and 6’5″ (196 cm).
The included saddle has a pretty standard design. It has a PU top with a longitudinal groove for extra breathability. It is slightly larger than the race saddles included with most spin bikes, so it provides extra contact surface.
The seat slider is finished with a triangular plate to which the saddle attaches via three screws. Also, the adjustment system is pretty standard. The upright post and the horizontal slider feature large knobs, easy to grip and turn. Thus, you can adjust the bike to your own dimensions in less than a minute and go on with your workout.
The bike’s handlebar is non-adjustable. Its upright post is fixed, and the handlebar attaches to it via two bolts. It does not have the angle-adjustment feature like the Schwinn 170, for example.
The handlebar features a multi-grip design. It’s fully covered by a layer of rubber foam material in order to provide a comfortable grip. Also, its side grips integrate stainless steel pulse sensors, and the console can track your heart rate, so you won’t have to use a separate HRC device during your workouts.
Drive and resistance
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B2952 upright exercise bike is equipped with a mechanical magnetic brake system, with manual action. Therefore, the bike doesn’t require an external power source. But on the other hand, its console cannot automatically adjust the resistance and does not have preset workout programs like the upright bikes with a motorized resistance system.
The bike’s resistance system consists of a magnetic brake attached to the flywheel assembly and connected to the tension knob on the front mast of the bike through a steel wire. By turning this knob left or right, the brake changes its position in relation to the internal flywheel, which increases or decreases the pedaling difficulty.
Like many other upright bikes with a manual magnetic resistance system, the Sunny SF-B2952 offers 8 difficulty levels. The first one delivers a fairly light resistance, great for recovery training or muscle toning. The 8th tension level provides considerably more pedal resistance allowing you to reach a higher cardiovascular rate in a shorter period of time and benefit from a more consistent workout.
The bike’s flywheel has most of its weight placed in its perimeter. Therefore, it provides extra inertia. Its exact weight is not specified, but considering that the net weight of the bike is only 56 lbs (25.4 kg), the internal flywheel shouldn’t weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg).
The flywheel and the resistance system allow reverse pedaling. However, coasting on the bike is not possible; so, when pedaling in reverse, the bike provides the same resistance as when pedaling forward. Also, when pedaling in reverse, the bike’s console should continue to track your distance traveled, calories burned, and all the other metrics.
The bike’s internal drivetrain uses a belt. Therefore, internal lubrication is not necessary. Plus, another advantage of a belt drive system is the whisper-quiet pedaling motion.
Finally, the bike is equipped with a durable crankset featuring steel arms. However, since it is not a spin bike, it is not meant for standing up pedaling exercises. The pedals are also mostly made of plastic, so standing up on the bike may damage them.
The pedals have a weighted design. Therefore, they turn face-up whenever you remove your feet from them. They also have adjustable straps.
Console
The bike includes the same console as the Sunny SF-E3804 elliptical trainer. As we’ve mentioned above, it doesn’t have preset programs, and also doesn’t have online connectivity. It features a large LCD display divided into 6 sub-sections. The bottom smaller sections show speed, RPM, time, distance, calories, and pulse. Speed and RPM share the same section; they’re shown alternatively. The top, larger section gives you the possibility to either select one of these metrics to be shown at all times, or select the Scan mode and each one will be shown for 6 seconds.
The speed and distance values can only be displayed in imperial units (MPH and miles) on the console. There is no setting for metric units. Also, the console doesn’t have a built-in HR receiver and cannot communicate with wireless HR armbands, chest straps, or smart watches.
Although the console doesn’t have any preset programs, it does offer goal settings for time, distance, calories, and pulse. So, if a goal is selected for any of these workout metrics, the console will show the remaining amount until you reach your goal. If a goal is selected for heart rate, the console will beep when you achieve the selected pulse rate.
A Recovery function and a BMI function are also available. The Recovery function requires you to use the pulse sensors. It measures the amount of time your heart takes to return to a normal BPM after the workout, and based on the result, it will give you a fitness rating between F1 (best) and F6 (poor). The BMI (Body Mass Index) function calculates your percentage of body fat based on the personal data that you input, such as height, weight, age, and gender. Therefore, these two applications give you the possibility to keep track of your fitness level and weight loss.
Two other notable features of the bike’s console are the tablet holder and the HRC sticker. The tablet holder consists of a small tray placed above the console display; this tray is large enough to accommodate any tablet. The HRC sticker is placed on the top section of the console and shows a grid with the heart rate zones that you should aim for depending on your age, in order to benefit from a better aerobic output, fat burn, etc.
Assembly and Maintenance
The main body of the bike comes pre-assembled. Therefore, you only have to attach the two base bars of the bike, the front upright bar, the seat post, the seat, the handlebar, the console, and the pedals. This shouldn’t take more than an hour. The task is fairly simple and the manual provides step-by-step instructions. A set of basic tools is also included.
The bike’s internal components don’t need any maintenance (at least not for a long period of time). Therefore, in terms of maintenance, it’s only recommended to wipe off the sweat that may drop on the frame at the end of the workout, and periodically check for loose bolts or parts.
The Pros
- Sturdy construction – can support users up to 275 lbs;
- Compact design;
- Adjustable stabilizers on the rear base;
- Transport wheels;
- Pulse sensors integrated into the handlebar;
- Bi-directional flywheel;
- Smooth, frictionless magnetic resistance;
- Whisper-quiet belt drive;
- Weighted pedals with straps;
- Multi-window display console;
- Goal settings on the console;
- Recovery function;
- BMI function;
- Date, clock, and room temperature readings;
- HRC sticker;
- Tablet holder;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required;
- Decent warranty.
The Cons
- No bottle holder;
- No online connectivity;
- No handlebar adjustability.
Summary
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B2952 is an upright exercise bike made for home use, equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system. It offers 8 levels of difficulty, a decent user capacity of 275 lbs, and a console that tracks all the important workout metrics. It’s an excellent machine for light to medium cardio workouts, muscle toning, stamina development, and weight loss. It’s also an affordable bike compared to most light-commercial models, offering great value for the price.