Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsBuilt from recycled military tanks, I think.
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2015
Let me start by saying, if you plan to buy this bike, buy it from the manufacturer and not Amazon. Amazon had it dropped off in front of my garage door without even a knock on the door to tell me it's here. This bike is heavy and trying to get a 160lb bike upstairs by yourself isn't easy. Okay enough venting.
The only spin bikes I've used are the ones in the gym, so that's all I have to compare to. The Sole SB900 is every bit as solid as those bikes. The bikes at the gym use pads for resistance and this bike uses magnets, so it always feels like there is a bit of resistance even at the lowest setting, whereas the ones that use pads don't. I'm fine with that, I'm using it for a workout not to chill out. The lowest resistance isn't bad, it actually feels like the resistance you'd get from riding a bike on a smooth level road.
Set up is actually quite easy, since the bike is mostly put together you really only need to put on the stabilizing bars, handlebars, pedals and computer console. The computer console has just about everything you could need. The console synced with my heart rate monitor as soon as I put it on, no syncing or anything was required. I have one of those chest strap monitors from Walmart so it's not one of those really high end Garmin or Polars, so if it works with this one it should work with most others.
Since the bike uses a belt rather than a chain it's pretty quiet. That's a really nice feature. The handlebars are very solid. The seat is actually more comfortable than the gym bikes, but it's still a bike seat so some people may want a gel pad. I'm good without it.
Now some of the not as good points, there is a slight clicking sound as the wheel spins, it's not that loud and when the TV is on I can't hear it. The wheel speed transmitter is wireless, so it requires batteries. Thats fine except that you have to unscrew the side panel to get to it. It'd be nice if there was a small door to get to it so that I don't have to dismantle anything to change the batteries. There are 6 screws and it comes right off and goes right back on, no major hassle, so as long as the batteries last a while.
If I had it to do over and was about to buy a spin cycle, I would most definitely purchase this one again. I think I'm going to be really happy with this cycle.
** Update **
I think something may have gotten shifted during shipment. I pulled the side panel off and did a minor adjustment to the emergency brake pads. The clicking sound is gone and the resistance has been lighten, considerably. Still a 5 star bike.
