| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Fitness meter | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCP SKY2380 Check Discounted Price | L:26' W:21' H:50' | 220 lbs | Magnetic | Speed, distance, time, pulse, calories, SCAN | Frame: 1 year Parts: 90 days |
Best Choice Products offers a wide array of home fitness equipment, including several exercise bike models. One of their most affordable and highest rated product in this category is the SKY2380 folding adjustable upright bike.
This exercise bike is actually a hybrid bike, as it offers both upright and recumbent workout possibilities. It’s pretty similar to the Sunny SF-RB1117, but as opposed to the Sunny model, it offers 3 adjustment positions on the frame, and adjustable handlebars.
Manuals and User Guides for Exerpeutic Folding Upright Bike. We have 1 Exerpeutic Folding Upright Bike manual available for free PDF download: Owner's Manual Exerpeutic Folding Upright Bike Owner's Manual (20 pages). If you are looking for an affordable bike for low impact workouts, then the Best Choice Products Folding Adjustable Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike needs to be on your narrowed down list. It comes in a compact size and can be folded for storage while not in use making it perfect for small to large homes. The best folding exercise bike can help you to lose weight, maintain a healthy lifestyle and save space in your home. To choose the bike that is suitable for you, you should take into consideration the style, safety, comfort, height, resistance, and ease of assembly. Best Choice Products Upright Exercise Bike 8 Resistance Levels, 3 Seat Positions, Folding and Adjustable - Red.
Even though it’s a pretty basic and affordable bike, we’re pretty sure you would like to know as much as possible about it. Therefore, in this review we’ll cover in detail, each and every one of its features.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 26L x 21W x 50H inches (66L x 54W x 127H cm)
- Product weight: 40.35 lbs (18.3 kg)
- Seat: 2-way adjustable
- Handlebars: 2-way adjustable
- Supported weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
- Pedals: With straps
- Resistance: Magnetic, 8 levels
- Fitness meter: Included
- Warranty: Frame 1 year / Parts 90 days
Frame construction
This Best Choice Products exercise bike features an “X” type frame, which folds at the middle, offering better storage possibilities. It locks in folded or in use position via a bar that connects the seat tube to the rear base tubing. This locking bar actually features 3 adjustment holes. One is for locking the bike in its storage position, the 2nd offers an upright position, while the 3rd supplies a recumbent position. However, the recumbent position supplied by this bike is not exactly perfect. The seat will remain a bit higher in relation to the pedals, and your legs during a recumbent workout won’t be in a completely horizontal position.
The bike’s frame is made of steel, coated with corrosion resistant paint. It’s pretty light, the assembled bike weighing only 40.35 lbs (cca 18 kg), thus almost anyone should be able to lift it, fold or unfold it, and carry it around without much trouble. Also, due to this fact the front base does not integrate transport wheels. The base bars feature plastic caps and rubberized stabilizers, offering decent stability.
Overall, the assembled bike isn’t very large. It takes only 26″L x 21″W (66 x 54 cm) of floor space, but the handlebar and seat extend a bit further, when the frame is locked in the 3d position. Thus, you’ll need a space with a depth of approx. 50″ (127 cm) to use the bike properly.
Seat and handlebars
This BCP folding exercise bike is equipped with a pretty large, contoured seat. Its padding is quite thick, but does not integrate air cell cushioning, such as the seat on the Ironman 410 X-Class, for example. The seat has a small backrest, also thickly padded, which offers and excellent lumbar support. The backrest can be folded forward over the seat, in case you need to.
The seat offers 2-way adjustability. Its post has several adjustment holes, the bike being able to accommodate comfortably users between 5’2″ and 6’2″ (157 – 188 cm).
The bike features two sets of handlebars. One is attached to the seat assembly, meant to be used when the frame is locked in its recumbent position. These handlebars are non-adjustable. On the other hand, the front handlebars of the bike are attached to the main tubing of the bike with a knob, and their angle is adjustable. They feature a multi-grip design, and integrate stainless steel pulse sensors. Both sets of handlebars are coated with rubber foam material, to offer a comfortable grip.
Resistance and drive
As the title of this post suggests, this bike features magnetic resistance. It’s a manual-magnetic resistance system though, featuring a magnetic pad, connected to the bike’s tension knob, via a steel cable. By turning the knob, the magnet changes its position in relation to the flywheel, providing more or less resistance. There are 8 distinctive resistance settings marked on the tension knob. The lowest ones are rather light, but the top ones do offer quite a bit of a challenge, even for a user with a medium level of fitness.
The integrated flywheel is balanced, offering a steady pedaling motion, and since there isn’t any friction involved between it and the resistance pad, pedaling is really smooth and quiet.
Pedaling in reverse is possible. And since the bike features a magnetic sensor that counts the rotations of the flywheel, the fitness meter will continue to track distance even if you pedal backwards. Resistance doesn’t change when you pedal in reverse. If, for example, you choose the 5th resistance setting, regardless the way you pedal, you will be using the same resistance.
Finally, a set of weighted pedals with standard 9/16 threads, is supplied with the bike. They’re weighted, and feature adjustable straps.
Fitness meter
Evidently, since it’s an inexpensive bike, the fitness meter supplied with it is pretty basic as well. But nonetheless, it can track speed, distance, time, calories burned and pulse. It has a SCAN function that rotated between these values, keeping each one on screen for several seconds, but you can also select one of them to view at all time, if you want. In order for the unit to track your pulse, you will have to hold onto the pulse sensors integrated in the front handlebars. The recumbent handlebars do not integrate pulse sensors such as in fully dedicated recumbent bikes.
The fitness meter is easy to use. It features 3 buttons (SET, RESET and MODE) which cover all of its functions. It starts up when it detects flywheel movement, and automatically turns off after several minutes of inactivity on the bike. The values from the previous workout are kept though. The unit uses 2 AA batteries.
Assembly and Maintenance
This exercise bike if quite easy to assemble. The two main parts of the frame come already attached together, and the mechanism case fully assembled. You basically have to add the bike’s bases, handlebars, seat, pedals and the fitness meter. The whole task shouldn’t take more than 30-45 minutes. Tools for assembly are supplied, along with a manual.
Since the bike features a magnetic resistance system, the brake pad isn’t a wear part, so it doesn’t require replacement. The bike uses a belt drive, therefore transmission doesn’t require lubrication. So, basically the whole maintenance requires you to wipe the dust off the bike, and occasionally check and re-tighten the bolts and screws if it’s the case.
The Pros
- Sturdy and stable frame for its given, 220 lbs user capacity;
- Folding design, with 3 positions: storage, upright and recumbent;
- Comfortable, padded and contoured seat, with backrest;
- Recumbent handlebars included;
- Angle-adjustable front handlebars ;
- Pulse sensors integrated in the front handlebar;
- Adjustable, magnetic resistance, with 8 settings;
- Weighted pedals, with adjustable straps;
- Fitness meter included;
- Quiet operation, great for apartment use;
- Easy to setup;
- Almost no maintenance required.
The Cons
- Limited user height range, between 5’2″ and 6’2″;
- No tablet or water bottle support.
Summary
This Best Choice Products folding exercise bike is one of the most affordable models that you can find at the moment. It offers several features over other similar models, such as adjustable front handlebar, and 3 position settings on the frame. It also includes a fitness meter. It’s great for anyone who doesn’t have the luxury of space, as it has a small footprint, also being foldable. It’s a bike made for light to medium cardio training, for building stamina, toning muscles and of course, for losing weight. Thus, it’s pretty safe to say that this exercise bike offers excellent value for the price.
| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Exercise meter | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcy NS-653 Check Discounted Price | L:39' W:22.25' H:48' | 220 lbs | Magnetic | Time, Speed, Calories, Distance, ODO, SCAN | 2 years limited |
If you’re looking for an affordable recumbent exercise bike, the Marcy NS-653 is definitely one model to put on your list. Evidently, it’s not a fitness machine designed for commercial use or spin workouts, but it still offers you the possibility to perform light to medium intensity cardio workouts. And on the plus side, it features a foldable frame.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 39L x 22.25W x 48H inches (99L x 56.5W x 122H cm)
- Product weight: 52 lbs (23.5 kg)
- Seat: 2-way adjustable
- Supported weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
- Pedals: With straps
- Resistance: Manual, magnetic
- Fitness meter: Included
- Warranty: 2 years limited
Magnetic Bike Trainer
Frame construction
Although the Marcy NS-653 recumbent bike is similar to the Best Choice SKY2380, its frame has a different construction. It consists of three main pieces rather than two, which are the main seat tube, the console mast, and the double-bar rear support. Of course, the seat assembly has its own bar and can be considered the fourth frame in the bike’s construction.
Nonetheless, most of the bike frame is made of steel tubing; it features a fairly sturdy construction being able to withstand riders up to 220 lbs (100 kg), as its rear support consists of a double bar.
The bike’s bases are simple, cylindrical tubes with plastic caps; they don’t have adjustable stabilizers, so it’s recommended to place the bike on a rubber mat for additional stability. However, its gravity center it pretty close to the floor level, so it offers excellent stability.
This Marcy exercise bike is far from being a large item of fitness equipment. When fully assembled it is 39″ (99 cm) long, and 22 1/4 (56.5 cm) wide, while the top if its front handlebar assembly reaches approx. 48″ (122 cm) above floor level. On top of that, the frame has a folding design, and with the frame folded, its dimensions become 25″L x 22.25″W x 47″H (63.5 x 56.5 x 119 cm). However, for the safe and unhindered usage of the bike, Marcy Pro recommends a clearance of at least 20″ (51 cm) all around it.
Since it’s a small bike, it’s not extremely heavy. When fully assembled, it weighs only 52 lbs (23.5 kg). Due to this fact, it’s easy to handle and assemble by one person. Plus, the rear base features two small rollers which facilitate the bike’s relocation.
Seat and handlebars
First of all, even though the Marcy NS-653 features a seat with a comfortable backrest, due to its folding design, the user’s positioning on the seat is somewhat between a conventional recumbent bike and an upright bike. But nonetheless, the seat offers excellent comfort. It integrates a thick layer of padding, being approx. 14″ wide.
The backrest is also generously padded, offering great lumbar support. It does not recline backward, but can be folded forward to save some space when the bike is not in use. The upholstery on both the backrest and seat is made of durable vinyl material.
The seat is adjustable, but its adjustment span isn’t very long. It only offers 4 adjustment positions, between 30 1/2″ and 32 1/2″ (77.4 – 82.5 cm) above floor level, with increments of 1/2″ (1.27 cm). This being said, the bike is made to accommodate users between 4’10” 5’7″ (147 – 170 cm).
This Marcy recumbent bike is equipped with two sets of handlebars, one attached to the console mast and one to the seat assembly. None of them are adjustable; both feature rubberized grips for optimal comfort. The console mast is nicely curved towards the user, and therefore using the front handlebars when seated your position isn’t awkward as for other, larger recumbent bikes.
Resistance and drive
The Marcy NS-653 exercise bike features a manual magnetic resistance system. This means you don’t have to connect it to a power source in order to operate it or to benefit from resistance. The whole resistance mechanism consists of a magnetic brake pad placed close to the bike’s flywheel, and connected to the turn-knob on the middle frame tube via a steel wire. The turn of the knob will change the placement of the magnetic brake pad in relation to the flywheel, which increases or decreases the resistance on the pedals.
There aren’t any resistance levels specified on the resistance knob, as for the ProGear 190, for example. You simply turn the knob until you find the resistance setting that suits your training needs. But as a general idea, this bike does not offer the possibility to undertake highly intense workouts, and by no means can it support spin workouts. It is intended for light to medium exercising routines.
The weight of the bike’s flywheel isn’t specified (anywhere), but since the bike itself weighs only 52 lbs (23.5 kg), the flywheel can’t be too heavy. It’s probably somewhere between 4-8 lbs. It’s perimeter weighted, though, delivering a steady pedaling motion and feel.
Needless to say, since the bike features a magnetic resistance system, it uses a belt drive. Due to this fact, the pedaling motion generates almost no sound whatsoever. Also, since it’s a belt, it does not require any lubrication.
The bike is equipped with a durable crankset, with steel crank arms; but evidently, it’s not made for standing up pedaling routines. The crank arms feature weighted pedals with adjustable straps. And finally, the bike’s Q-Factor is quite narrow. Due to this fact, there is no lateral stress on the knees and ankles during pedaling, which is quite a plus especially for users who must undergo recovery training.
Exercise meter
Since it’s a basic exercise bike, the Marcy NS-653 is also equipped with a basic exercise meter. This unit can track time, speed, distance, total distance (odometer), and calories. The bike is not equipped with pulse sensors of any type and the meter is not telemetric. Therefore, you cannot benefit from a pulse reading. So, in case you want to keep an eye on your heart rate interval you will have to use a separate heart rate monitor. Also, distance and speed can only be tracked in miles and respectively miles per hour.
The meter unit is extremely easy to operate. It features only one (MODE) button. It’s somewhat similar to the unit of the Exerpeutic 1200 (only without the pulse reading). By pressing the button you can activate the meter’s SCAN function which will rotate your workout metrics, showing each one for 4 seconds. Or, you can select only one of the workout metrics to be shown on screen at all times. The unit does not have any programs, nor it is programmable in any way.
Best Choice Products Folding Magnetic Bike User Manual Instructions
Finally, the meter requires two AA (1.5V) batteries which are not included. It’s powered on when it detects pedal movement or if you press the button. It also has a “sleep mode” function to which will enter after 5 minutes of inactivity on the bike.
Assembly and Maintenance
This Marcy exercise bike is quite easy to assemble. The three main parts of the frame (i.e. console mast, rear support, and mid tube with the resistance mechanism) are already assembled. Therefore, you will only need to add the base stabilizers, the seat assembly, the front handlebar, the console and the pedals. This shouldn’t take longer than one hour. The manual provides all the necessary instructions for the assembly, and all the tools required for it are included.
Since the bike features a magnetic resistance system, the brake pad isn’t a wear part, so it doesn’t require replacement. The bike uses a belt drive, therefore transmission doesn’t require lubrication. So, basically, the whole maintenance requires you to wipe the dust off the bike, and periodically inspect the frame for loose bolts and parts.
The Pros
- Sturdy frame for a folding bike, able to support users up to 220 lbs;
- Folding, space-saving design;
- Generously padded seat and backrest;
- Four height adjustment positions for the seat;
- Smooth, adjustable magnetic resistance;
- Weighted pedals, with adjustable straps;
- Fitness meter which can track time, speed, distance, total distance and calories burned;
- Quiet operation, great for apartment use;
- Easy to setup;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- No EKG sensors and no pulse reading;
- No tablet holder;
- Fitness meter doesn’t have backlight.
Summary
The Marcy NS-653 is a folding exercise bike, featuring manual magnetic resistance, and a comfortable, generously padded seat with backrest. Even though it’s a small bike, meant for home use, it can support users up to 220 lbs. It’s equipped with a basic fitness meter which can track time, speed, distance, and calories. It’s a great fitness machine for light to medium cardio training, rehab training, muscle toning and weight loss. And finally, it’s an affordable bike, offering excellent value for the price.