Tunturi B35 Cardio Fit Upright Bike

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Resistance	Console	Warranty
Tunturi B35 Check Discounted Price	L:34" W:20" H:51"	242 lbs	Magnetic, 8 levels	Time, Speed, Distance, Calories, ODO, SCAN, Goals	2 years limited

The Tunturi B35 upright exercise bike is part of the Cardio Fit series made for home use. It’s a light-capacity trainer which offers the same range of features as the Marcy NS-40504U. However, it also has a pulse reading function, which the Marcy model does not have.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 34.3L x 20.1W x 51.6H inches (87L x 51W x 131H cm)
• Flywheel weight: 15.4 lbs (7 kg)
• Assembled weight: 48.5 lbs (22 kg)
• Weight capacity: 242.5 lbs (110 kg)
• Seat: 2-way adjustable
• Pedals: Weighted, with straps
• Drive: Belt
• Resistance: Manual magnetic, 8 levels
• Fitness meter: Time, distance, speed, calories, ODO, pulse, SCAN, goal setting
• Amenities: Tablet holder
• Warranty: 2 years limited

Frame construction

Since it’s a light-capacity upright exercise bike, the Tunturi B35 Cardio Fit is not a heavy-structure fitness machine. Its fully assembled frame weighs only 48.5 lbs (22 kg), which means it is easy to transport and assemble by one person. But on the other hand, its center of gravity is situated fairly low, which results in a greater stability. Plus, its stability is improved by the adjustable levelers which are equipped on its rear base bar.

The bike’s frame is made of steel tubing; the only non-steel parts in its construction are the side covers of the flywheel and resistance elements, the tablet holder and the protective caps of the base bars. These are made of durable ABS material.

Like most other upright exercise bikes in this price and feature range, the Tunturi B35 does not take too much usage space. It has a rather small footprint. It is approx. 34.3″ (87 cm) long, and 20.1″ (51 cm) wide. However, it is recommended to leave at least two feet of clearance on each side, and at least one foot of clearance at its rear and front, for safe operation and access.

All the steel tubes within the frame composition are coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish. The bike is made exclusively for indoor use, though. By using or storing it outside, moisture may eventually corrode certain parts or bolts which are not rust-proof. The color of the paint finish is dark gray, this being the only color available for it at the moment. The only exceptions are the crank arms which are chrome plated.

Even though the fully assembled bike isn’t too heavy, its front base bar features transport wheels. Therefore, you can easily roll it away to its assigned storage place, once you have finished your workout.

Seat and handlebars

The saddle included with the Tunturi B35 is designed for optimal comfort. It has a standard design without air-cell cushioning, but its top does integrate a layer of padding. Its upright post features a triangular plate at the top to which the saddle attaches via three bolts. If you’re new to cycling, this type of saddle may not be too comfortable for you. But its comfort can always be improved with a gel seat cover.

The seat only offers two-way adjustability (up-down). It doesn’t have a horizontal slider like the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B2511H bike. However, its post does have several adjustment notches, and the bike should be able to accommodate users between 5’2″ (157 cm) and 6’2″ (188 cm) with no problem, allowing a complete leg extension and range of motion. It’s also durable enough to support users up to 242.5 lbs (110 kg).

The bike’s handlebar features a multi-grip design. It’s fully covered by a layer of rubber-foam material in order to provide a secure grip. Its integrates stainless steel pulse sensors. It’s also adjustable; it attaches to the front mast via a collar and a knob, which allow you to adjust its angle in case you want to change your cycling posture.

Drive and resistance

The bike’s internal flywheel features a perimeter-weighted design; this leads to a more intense inertia and a more stable pedaling motion. It’s fairly heavy for an exercise bike of this caliber. It weighs 15.4 lbs (7 kg); however, its weight shouldn’t matter that much since the bike’s resistance system is magnetic, and not friction-based.

The internal pulley is fairly large; it’s actually slightly large in diameter than the flywheel. It’s equipped with solid steel crank arms. However, this is not a spin bike, and therefore, it does not support spinning workouts or standing up on the pedals. It’s made for seated workouts only.

The included pedals are made of durable nylon material and have a metallic core. They integrate weight elements in order to self-level when you remove your feet from them. They are also equipped with adjustable straps, offering the possibility to perfectly secure your feet on them.

The internal drivetrain of the bike uses a standard transmission belt. Since it uses a belt and not a chain, it delivers a smoother pedaling motion. It also doesn’t need any lubrication.

As we’ve already mentioned, this Tunturi exercise bike is equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system. This means that the unit does not require a power source, while the console does not play any role in the resistance adjustments. Also, since the brake is magnetic, there is no internal friction between it and the flywheel, which results in a very smooth and quiet cycling experience.

The bike’s resistance system consists of an internal magnetic brake. The magnetic bracket is fairly large, covering approx. 1/3 of the flywheel’s perimeter. Therefore, it generates a fairly decent resistance. The brake element is connected to the tension knob on the right side of the front mast of the bike through a steel wire. As you turn the knob forward, the steel wire tightens and enables the brake to move closer to the flywheel, which increases the magnets’ pull. Evidently, this leads to a higher pedaling difficulty.

The resistance system offers 8 distinct tension levels. The first one is fairly light, great for recovery training. The 8th one, on the other hand, simulates a steep climb and allows you to achieve a higher cardio output and a higher calorie burn.

Exercise meter

The Tunturi B35 console is very similar to the one included with the Efitment RB034 recumbent bike. It features an LCD display which tracks time, distance, total distance, speed, calories burned, and pulse. It also has a SCAN mode which rotates all the workout metrics, showing each one for 4 seconds.

The console unit does not have any preset programs like the bikes with an automatic resistance system. However, it does offer the possibility to set up goals for each one of the workout metrics. When a goal is selected, the display will show the remaining value for reaching the selected goal.

For the pulse reading function, you have to use the sensors integrated into the handlebars. The console is not telemetric; it cannot read your pulse through a wireless HR transmitter.

There are three buttons on the console: Mode, Set and Reset. The Mode button allows you to select any of the workout values you want to view or select the SCAN mode to rotate them. Via the Set button, you can enter the set-up mode in order to select goals for your workouts. And finally, the Reset button clears all the values to zero, except the odometer, which can only be reset by removing the batteries from the unit.

The meter unit requires 2 AA batteries. It starts when you press the Mode button or when you begin pedaling. It also automatically shuts down if there is no input for more than 4 minutes.

Finally, the console unit integrates a tablet holder; this element is placed at the bottom of the unit. It’s fairly large, so it can accommodate any smartphone or tablet. However, the console does not have any connection ports for your tablet or smartphone, and cannot communicate with your device in any way.

Assembly and Maintenance

The base frame with all the internal parts is already in one piece. All you have to do is add the two base bars, the seat post, the saddle, connect the brake cable and the console mast, and finally add the console and the pedals. This shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. A basic toolkit is included and the manual provides very clear assembly tips.

For maintenance, it is recommended to wipe any sweat that may drop on the frame or console, at the end of your workout. It’s also recommended to periodically check for loose bolts and part. Internal maintenance is not needed; at least not for a very long period of time.

The Pros

• Fairly sturdy frame for a light exercise bike;
• Transport wheels on the front base;
• Adjustable stabilizers on the rear base;
• Multi-grip and angle adjustable handlebar;
• Pulse reading function;
• 2-way adjustable seat;
• Perimeter-weighted flywheel for a steady pedaling motion; 
• Quiet belt drive;
• Zero friction magnetic resistance;
• 8 resistance settings;
• Weighted pedals with adjustable straps;
• Exercise meter included;
• ODO, SCAN, and goal setting functions on the meter;
• Little maintenance required;
• Easy to assemble.

The Cons

• A tablet placed on the media holder will cover the display of the console;
• No bottle holder;
• The calorie reading is not too accurate.

Summary

The Tunturi B35 Cardio Fit is a basic upright exercise bike made for home use. It features a manual magnetic resistance system with 8 levels, and a fitness meter that can track the main workout metrics and also offers goal settings. It’s a fairly small and light trainer, easy to assemble and handle. It’s a trainer for light to medium intensity workouts, muscle toning, calorie burning, stamina development and recovery training. And finally, it’s an affordable exercise bike, offering a fairly decent value for the price.