| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Drive | Exercise meter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
URSTAR Ultra-Silence Check Discounted Price | L: 50" W: 19" H: 40" | 250 lbs | Friction | Belt | Time, Speed, Distance, ODO, Calories, Pulse, SCAN |
If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to an authentic spin bike such as the Spinner S3 for example, the URSTAR Ultra-Silence Crystal is definitely one to put on your list. It’s an excellent trainer for home use, and also comes with several accessories that other spin bikes in this price range don’t have, such as an exercise meter, elbow pads and more.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 50L x 19W x 40H inches (127L x 48W x 102H cm)
- Assembled weight: 97 lbs (44 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 29 lbs (13 kg)
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs (113.3 kg)
- Handlebars: 2-way adjustable
- Seat: 4-way adjustable
- Pedals: With toe cages
- Drive: Belt
- Resistance: Friction
- Fitness meter: Speed, time, distance, odometer, calories, pulse, SCAN
- Extras: Bottle holder with bottle, non-slip mat
Frame & accessories
The URSTAR Ultra-Silence Crystal indoor cycling trainer features a durable frame, made to support spin workouts. Most of its frame is made of steel tubing. The only non-steel parts are the belt cover and several other small covers which do not play any role in its overall sturdiness.
The bike features a scratch-resistant and corrosion-resistant paint finish. There are actually two versions of this bike. There is a white/blue model and a black/red model. In this review, we’re going to address the white/blue model, but the two versions are very similar, basically offering the same features. Also, for both bikes, the seat post with its slider, and the handlebar upright post feature a chrome finish.
This URSTAR exercise bike is not an extremely large model. Its footprint takes 50″L x 19″W (127 x 48 cm) of floor space. However, the rear of the seat may extend backward for a few more inches, thus, it is recommended to assign a workout area of at least two feet all around it, for safe operation. Also, the bike’s height is approx. 40″ (102 cm), but extending the handlebar all the way up it will add a few inches to the bike’s height.
This indoor cycling bike is fairly heavy. With all the parts assembled, it weighs more than 90 lbs (~41 kg). However, this weight plays an important role in its overall stability. Plus, both bases of the bike are equipped with adjustable stabilizers and a rubberized mat is included with the box, so, in terms of stability, there shouldn’t be any issues with it.
Despite its weight, the bike is easy to move. Its front base integrates two transport wheels which considerably ease its relocation once you have finished your training.
One of the features that we must mention here is the stepping pad. The bike’s frame is equipped with a durable ABS pad placed over the connection point between the seat post and the main tube of the frame. This not only helps with mounting and dismounting, it can also serve as a stretching point or step-up/step-down point for certain spin workouts.
Last but not least, this exercise bike includes a bottle holder with a bottle that matches the colors of the bike. For example, for the white/blue version, the bottle is silver, while for the black/red version it is red.
Seat & handlebars
The URSTAR Ultra-Silence Crystal indoor cycling bike features a standard spring seat. Its top integrates a thin layer of padding and is contoured in order to provide optimal comfort. It’s not the
most comfortable seat, but since it’s a standard model, compatible and more comfortable seats are widely available.
The seat is 4-way adjustable (up, down, forward, backward). Its upright post features several adjustment positions, while its horizontal slider also offers several inches of front-back travel. These being said, the bike can accommodate users between 4’10” and 6’1″ (147 – 185 cm). Also, since it’s a standard seat, it can also be slightly tilted forward or backward with the use of a screwdriver and a wrench.
The bike’s handlebar is only 2-way adjustable (up, down). It features a multi-grip design with a loop aero bar in the middle, to which the fitness meter attaches. It’s fully covered by a layer of rubber foam in order to provide a secure and comfortable grip. Also, one of the features that many other bikes don’t have is the set of two plush elbow rests.
The handlebar also integrates a set of metallic pulse sensors. By holding on to them as you exercise, the fitness meter can monitor your pulse.
Both the seat and the handlebar assembly are easy to adjust. They’re equipped with large knobs, which are easy to grip, turn, and pull. Therefore, you will be able to adjust the bike to your own dimensions in less than one minute.
Drive & resistance
The URSTAR Ultra-Silence Crystal features a belt drive system. It integrates a heavy-duty belt which is resistant to stretching. As opposed to a chain drive, the belt doesn’t require lubrication. It
also generates less vibration in comparison to a chain drive, and as the title suggests, it’s an ultra-silence drive system; the bike generates almost no noise during pedaling.
The second element from the bike’s drive system that we’re going to focus on here is the flywheel. The URSTAR Ultra-Silence Crystal features a mid-range steel flywheel which weighs 29 lbs (13 kg). The flywheel is perimeter-weighted and bi-directional. This means you can pedal in reverse if you want, while the perimeter-weighting delivers more inertia.
The bike is equipped with a heavy-duty crankset with solid steel crank arms and metallic pedals. The unit’s weight capacity is 250 lbs (113 kg) which also stands for the crank and pedals. In other words, even if you’re close to this weight limit, you can stand up while pedaling without any problem.
The pedals don’t have SPD clips for spin shoes but do have toe clips and straps, providing superior foot stability and an extra pedal thrust during pedaling. They have standard threads, though, so in case you want to replace them with SPD pedals, compatible options are widely available.
Like many other spin bikes, this URSTAR model features a standard friction resistance system. It consists of a felt pad which is attached to the tension knob on top of the main frame tube. As you tighten the knob, the brake pads will apply more contact and friction to the flywheel generating more resistance.
There aren’t any resistance level specified on the tension knob. Therefore, you can basically tighten the pad on the flywheel up to the point you can barely pedal.
The tension knob also fulfills the function of an emergency brake. Since the flywheel is inertia-enhanced and the drive system is simple, without any derailleurs as for road bikes, the pedals continue to spin for as long as the flywheel is spinning. Therefore, it is recommended to use the emergency brake when you need to dismount or when you want to begin pedaling in reverse.
Exercise meter
The included fitness meter offers a bit more than the average basic model, as it can also read your pulse. Along with the pulse reading, it also tracks speed, distance, total distance, and calories.
The meter unit is easy to operate. It only has one button which allows you to toggle On and Off its SCAN function. When the SCAN function is On, the unit puts all the metrics in a sequence showing each one for several seconds. By disabling the SCAN function you can lock on any of the metrics that you desire to see on the display at all time.
The unit’s button also covers its RESET function. By pressing and holding it down for several seconds all the values will be cleared to zero.
Like any other basic bike computer, this unit is not telemetric. It can only read the pulse via the sensor integrated into the handlebars. Also, speed and distance can only be shown in metric units.
Last but not least, the meter unit is battery powered. It uses two AA batteries. To start it up, you can either press its button or begin pedaling. It also has an auto shutdown function which will be initiated after a few minutes of inactivity on the bike.
Assembly & Maintenance
Most of the bike comes assembled. The flywheel, the belt, the crankset, and the brake system are already in their places, attached to the main frame of the bike. Therefore, you only need to attach the seat, the handlebars, the pedals, and the console. This shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. The included manual provides all the necessary assembly instructions, and a basic toolkit for assembly is also included.
For maintenance, it is recommended to periodically lubricate the brake pad, especially if it generates squeaky noises when in contact with the flywheel. Other than that, you should check for loose bolts and parts from time to time.
The Pros
- Durable construction – can hold users up to 250 lbs;
- Small footprint in comparison to other fitness equipment;
- Adjustable stabilizers;
- Transport wheels;
- 4-way adjustable seat;
- 2-way adjustable handlebar;
- Multi-grip handlebar;
- Elbow pads included;
- EKG sensors incorporated into the handlebar;
- Smooth, almost silent belt drive;
- Bi-directional flywheel with a perimeter-weighted structure for a consistent momentum and steady motion;
- Friction resistance, which basically offers tension up to the point you can barely pedal;
- Bottle holder with bottle included;
- Rubberized, anti-slip mat included;
- Fitness meter which tracks speed, time, distance, total distance, calories, and pulse;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- The meter unit doesn’t have backlight;
- There are only metric units for speed and distance.
Summary
The URSTAR Ultra-Silence Crystal is an indoor cycling bike made for home use. It’s equipped with a friction resistance system, a 29 lbs perimeter-weighted flywheel, and also has an exercise meter which can track time, distance, total distance, speed, calories, and pulse. It’s an excellent trainer for all kinds of spin workouts, light to intense cardio training, muscle toning, stamina development, and weight loss. It’s a great alternative to the more expensive spin bikes, offering a great value for the price.