The Sole LCR Recumbent Bike – Commercial Grade Without The Cost [A Review]

If you’re trying to find the feeling of a commercial grade recumbent bike without the cost of one, Sole’s LCR may just be the solution.

Designed to be made use of for light commercial usage (for this reason the “LCR” name), this recumbent features a rock solid framework, a hefty flywheel, and a fantastic warranty.

It also just so takes place to be produced by among the very best brands in house fitness.

And as a moderately priced exercise bike, it will not obliterate your budget plan either.

This evaluation will take you on a comprehensive trip of everything the Sole LCR has to use. In doing so, we’ll cover all the key specs and also functions that make this bike what it is.

We’ll likewise review the locations where this bike could be improved.

But prior to we reach the review, I ‘d like to begin with a few words on just how to choose a recumbent bike to begin with.

Choosing A Recumbent Bike

I think it’s always a great idea to understand what you’re seeking before you start looking. It additionally offers us a nice blueprint to make sure we’re contrasting the very same points between bikes.

You recognize, contrasting apples to apples and all that jazz.

When contrasting recumbent bikes, here are my leading 3 specifications to take into consideration:

Frame

Residence recumbent bikes come in numerous shapes and sizes, however quality ones must constantly begin with a solid frame. Just how can you inform a durable framework from a lemon?

Well, in some cases you can kinda tell just by taking a look at it. If the frame looks also skinny or lightweight, probabilities are it is. The more robust and also thick a structure looks, the much better.

An even more objective way is to check out the weight ability. Sturdier frameworks will certainly have higher weight limits.

I suggest you go for a bike with at least a 300 lb individual weight capacity. Even if you evaluate 120 lb, getting a bike with a high weight limit like this will certainly mean it will have a more powerful, extra sturdy framework (and will certainly be less likely to shake and feel flimsy throughout usage).

Seat

The point of obtaining a recumbent bike is to be able to exercise in an extra comfortable position. Maybe I’m wrong, however I believe many people that are seeking a recumbent bike are doing so because they want a more comfortable means to exercise.

As well as by comfortable, I imply you’re sitting in a placement that places less anxiety or discomfort with your back, hips, and knees.

If you’re recumbent bike does not have a comfortable seat, it type of defeats the objective.

Recumbent bike seats ought to be big, cushioned, as well as ideally have a flexible back rest. And also remember, when it concerns seats, bigger is much better.

Warranty

A bike’s service warranty tells you a lot about it. Particularly, poor quality bikes come with short warranties and vice versa. Manufacturers are clever- they aren’t going to put a long guarantee on a product they doubt will certainly last.

Recumbent bike warranties are normally divided into 3 parts: structure, parts, as well as labor.

The structure guarantee must be the longest and also preferably will be lifetime. The components guarantee can differ, however high quality bikes should offer someplace between 3-5 years.

Labor service warranties are always the fastest. One year is common for nice bikes. Every once in a blue moon you’ll see a 2 year labor guarantee, however they’re few and far between.

The LCR is among two recumbent bikes Sole currently uses, with the other being the R92. The LCR is their highest-end version and also is made to deal with light business use, although it’s priced as and also would certainly make a fantastic choice for a residence health club.

Light industrial usage is specified as having the ability to deal with 5 hrs or less of use a day. These setups can include Physical Therapy centers, home gyms, or station house.

Frame

Sole starts things off right by providing the LCR a heavy-duty steel framework with a light weight aluminum surface. Checking out the structure on this bike, you can inform it just looks challenging. It does resemble a bike you ‘d see in a health club or therapy facility.

The step-thru frame makes accessing the seat very easy from either direction- a terrific attribute if you or any member of the family have flexibility problems.

Much more objectively, the LCR has a max weight capacity of 350 pound, which is impressive for any type of residence bike. I pointed out above that 300 pound is my cutoff for excellent quality. Well, this bike conveniently exceeds that.

Sole also gave this bike a 30 lb flywheel, which is quite rare for home recumbents.

We listen to a whole lot regarding flywheel weights with regards to ellipticals as well as rotate bikes, but no as much when it pertains to recumbents. My concept is that this is due to the fact that a lot of individuals searching for a recumbent aren’t as concerned with high-intensity training, which is what we generally connect to much heavier flywheels.

Regardless, most home recumbent bikes are loading 13-15 lb flywheels.

Much heavier flywheels are normally preferred since they should give a smoother feel as well as even more total resistance. At 30 pound, this is among the heaviest flywheels I have actually discovered.

Integrated with Sole’s magnetic resistance system, this hefty flywheel will certainly provide smooth as well as virtually silent procedure.

On the whole, the LCR ratings extremely with it’s durable structure, high weight capability, and also heavy flywheel.

Seat

The seat on this bike is large and well padded. Take a look at the thickness of the seat as well as back-rest. Once more, it does look like an industrial bike.

The backrest on the LCR isn’t adjustable, but I such as that it has back support built-in. I additionally such as exactly how tall the backrest is.

You may likewise observe that the backrest is put in a couple of degrees of recline. This positioning enables you to rest a bit extra conveniently while you pedal.

Finally, both fixed manages by the seat are where the grip heart rate screens have been put.

This is smart suggestion because it keeps you in a more comfy placement during your heart rate surveillance (even more all-natural than needing to reach ahead to the handlebar in front of the console).

On the whole, the LCR has a big, comfortable seat.

Features

The Sole LCR includes the complying with functions:

40 resistance degrees- having this many levels of resistance gives you a great deal of control over your exercise intensity. The magnetic resistance as well as 30 pound flywheel produce a worthless combo. This bike has sufficient muscular tissue to test even one of the most sophisticated bicyclists.

10 exercise programs- this isn’t a lots of exercise alternatives, however it suffices to keep you functioning. Workouts consist of 6 standard programs, 2 custom-made, and 2 heart rate based.

10 ″ LCD screen- this bike includes a huge display screen, making it very easy to see all your statistics without having to wait for the food selections to scroll via.

Bluetooth audio speakers- make use of the bluetooth technology to listen to your favorite songs wirelessly through the integrated audio speakers.

Wireless heart rate tracking- this bike works with cordless heart rate screens, nevertheless one isn’t consisted of.

USB billing port- the USB charging port will certainly keep your mobile phone or tablet totally charged during your workouts.

Integrated tablet owner- the tablet owner is easily located above the 10 ″ display, so you don’t need to block your exercise information while watching your tablet.

Cooling fan- absolutely nothing also expensive right here, but it’ll help maintain you comfy during your even more strenuous workouts.

Assembly

Sole did a terrific job with their owner’s manual. I such as that they not just define which hardware is used for every action, yet additionally consist of a to scale photo of each bolt and screw.

One of the most laborious part of assembling this equipment is generally trying to discern which screw or screw should be used for each and every step. Sole’s guidelines do a wonderful task of eliminating this confusion by organizing the hardware for each and every step with each other.

Setting up on the LCR is extremely straightforward. There are only 4 steps, yet the last action involves several components. All of the essential tools are consisted of.

In general, most users shouldn’t have any type of issue putting the LCR together by themselves. I would certainly estimate most folks who are remotely useful might have this bike up and running within an hour.

Warranty

Sole backs their LCR with the complying with guarantee:

• Lifetime frame
• 5 year components (consisting of electronic devices).
• 2 year labor.

This is, without exaggeration, one of the most effective guarantees you’re mosting likely to locate on a recumbent bike (or any other exercise bike for that way).

Lifetime is as good as it jumps on the frame and also 5 years is amazing for components as well as electronic devices.

If you remember from the introductory, I stated that you rarely see longer than a year on labor warranties. Well, the LCR takes place to be among the exemptions to the guideline. 2 years on labor can’t be defeated either.

Generally, an outstanding warranty on this bike by Sole.

Final Thoughts

If we recall to the specs I mentioned at the start, you can see why the Sole LCR Recumbent Bike is typically thought about among the best recumbents on the marketplace.

This bike has a strong frame with a 350 lb weight capacity as well as is showing off an oversized, comfortable seat. It’s also backed by among the very best guarantees around.

Exceeding those first specifications, this bike also comes with a heavy flywheel as well as 40 levels of resistance to offer you complete control over your exercises.

As well as even though Sole isn’t understood for their modern attributes, I assume the bluetooth audio speakers as well as USB port are an excellent touch.

In general, I think the LCR is a wonderful recumbent bike. If you’re seeking a budget friendly choice to a business quality maker, there’s no better selection. Highly recommended.