Is The Sole SB900 Exercise Bike The Indoor Cycle We’ve Been Waiting For? [A Review]

With remarkable specifications and a more than fair cost, the Sole SB900 Exercise Bike has gained a great deal of respect in the indoor cycle globe.

This respect may be well earned, however in a market where elite cycles can easily cost $2000, is it feasible that a bike costing fifty percent that can actually hold its own?

Usually, I ‘d err on the side of hesitation and say possibly not, but this is Sole Health and fitness we’re taking around here.

Let’s take a detailed check out what the SB900 needs to provide and also see exactly how it measures up. I likewise intend to assist you address one of the most essential question you’re probably asking: “is it worth purchasing?”.

I intend to begin with a fast discussion on the Sole brand due to the fact that I believe it’s a great suggestion to be accustomed to the company before making any purchasing decisions.

Sole Fitness 101

If you recognize with the Sole name, it’s probably from their treadmills. Sole is most well-known for their high quality treadmills, although they do offer bikes (obviously), ellipticals, as well as rowing devices as well.

Sole Fitness started out as a maker of resort fitness equipment. Resort usage counts as “light industrial”, which is someplace between property and also commercial quality (the grade of tools you would certainly find in a Gold’s Health club as an example).

I find it quite intriguing that they started as a carrier for resorts. To me, this implies they began with the way of thinking of developing tools that is suggested to last under the stress of numerous customers. From the first day, they were developing equipment that was a little bit greater quality than totally household devices.

As they shifted into creating home fitness equipment, it doesn’t seem as though much has altered. As a brand, they have the credibility of making property treadmills and also bikes that are developed to last. And a lot of their “household” equipment is actually backed with light industrial grade warranties.

Sole equipments are almost always found on lists of one of the most dependable treadmills, because of the top quality of their construction and size of their warranties.

Sole is likewise understood for using terrific service warranties, which states a great deal concerning the trust fund they have in their products.

Sole only supplies 2 interior cycles: the SB900 and also the SB700. The SB700 is a fantastic bike in it’s own right, but the SB900 is their highest-end model as well as has a couple of crucial upgrades. I’ll point them out as we go along for contrast.

Flywheel

When examining a spin bike, I constantly such as to start at the flywheel. Most individuals consider this the heart of the bike as well as possibly one of the most crucial feature. In case you’re brand-new to interior biking, the flywheel is the part of the bike that rotates as you pedal.

Flywheel weight is a much debated subject, however the majority of people possibly still believe that larger flywheels are favored to lighter ones (although the good folks behind the Keiser M3i would certainly disagree). The basic suggestion being that the added weight provides you a smoother pedal activity as well as ride as the momentum builds up.

If you buy into the “larger is much better” school of thought, you will certainly appreciate the truth that the SB900 comes with a 48 pound chrome layered flywheel.

At 48 lb, this bike has among the heaviest flywheels you’re going to discover. Most bikes in this price range are packing flywheels in the 30-40 lb range, which is respectable truthfully.

Combine this massively heavy flywheel with a magnetic resistance system and you have the makings for an extremely smooth flight.

Users all agree that the procedure of the bike is almost remarkable. The ride is smooth and also quiet. A number of customers report they can quickly see tv while riding.

The absence of sound is due to the magnetic resistance system as well as belt drive train. A belt produces less sound than your common chain drive due to the fact that you do not need to hear the little clanking noise the equipment teeth develop when they hold the chain.

Magnetic resistance systems transcend to friction resistance systems (which the SB700 utilizes) since they are quieter and require much less upkeep.

I wish to mention there numerous customers had concerns with the resistance system not functioning appropriately- more specifically, turning the resistance knob really did not change the resistance. Often during delivery, the cord connecting from the knob to the magnets becomes loosened or detached. Reconnecting this cord quickly fixed this trouble.

Seat

The seat on the SB900 is fully flexible, suggesting it can be readjusted up and down and also horizontally (fore/aft). Having the fore/aft modification is essential for discovering one of the most comfy fit.

Speaking of comfort, everyone must know that indoor cycle seats (much like roadway bike seats) are normally uneasy for novices. You typically obtain made use of to it with time, but if you aren’t an enthusiastic bicyclist you’ll possibly locate the seat a little less than comfortable.

This is true for all spin bikes- it’s simply the method they’re created: slim to resemble the feeling of riding a road bike.

If you want to upgrade to an extra comfortable seat, or if you already possess a road bike seat you choose, you can easily switch over out the seat on the SB900.

Handlebars

The handlebars on this bike aren’t anything particularly elegant. They are multi-grip, so they do offer the criterion, slim, and vast grasps made use of for various riding positions. The most remarkable function right here is that the handlebars are additionally fully adjustable, providing you the capacity to change them flat in addition to up and down (something the costly Peloton really doesn’t even provide).

There’s likewise 2 canteen owners connected to the handles, that’s a nice touch. Makes it hassle-free to get to as you ride.

Frame

The SB900 is constructed with a sturdy steel and also light weight aluminum structure. Considering it’s developed for light industrial usage, Sole had to built this bike with a durable framework to stand up to the tension of suiting customers of all dimensions.

Mentioning which, this bike has a max weight capacity of 300 lbs. This is quite standard for interior cycles, specifically ones in this cost array. That stated, as sturdy and durable as this bike is, it’s a little unexpected it can not deal with a little bit even more weight than that.

Totally constructed this bike occupies the complying with dimensions: 40 ″ (L) x 21 ″ (W) x 42 ″ (H).

I wish to explain that this bike is really hefty once it’s fully set up- it evaluates concerning 160 pound. This is excellent from a stability point of view, yet relocate can be hard (even with the built-in transportation wheels). You might intend to make certain you have it positioned in it’s permanent house before putting it together.

Mentioning setting up, the SB900 is very easy to build. The guidelines are straightforward and all the necessary devices are included. You’re truly just connecting the stabilizers, the pedals, the seat, as well as the console. Most individuals can have it out of the box and ready to roll within regarding half a hr.

Pedals

When reviewing spin bike pedals, it’s excellent to know whether it has cages or a clip in system. Cages are discovered on many spending plan as well as mid-ranged bikes and can be used with any kind of kind of footwear or sneaker. Clip in systems require cleats that work with that said brand name (SPD for example).

This bike easily uses both systems. You can ride with sneakers as well as the cages if you do not have cleats. Or if you do have them (or are willing to buy them) you can capitalize on the SPD clipless pedals.

This is another location the SB900 has the SB700 beat. The SB700 isn’t compatible with cleats, it just provides the cage alternative.

Monitor

Indoor cycles aren’t known for their innovative monitors (well, unless you’re Peloton). A lot of are straightforward and pretty bare-bone, doing not have the innovative attributes and also preprogrammed workouts.

Sadly, the screen on the SB900 isn’t any different. It’s tiny, simple, and much from advanced.

It displays the usual metrics you would certainly anticipate: time, distance, calories, rate, and also RPM. It will certainly likewise show your heart price if you are utilizing an upper body band display (one not included).

Although the display is very fundamental, it’s nice that one is consisted of. A lot more expensive indoor cycles do not featured any monitor.

Warranty

Sole Health and fitness provides the following service warranty on the SB900:

• Lifetime framework
• 3 year electronics
• 3 year parts
• 1 year labor

This is a remarkable service warranty despite cost ranges. It’s unusual to see a life time frame service warranty on an indoor cycle and 3 years on components is better than many in this price array.

For comparison’s sake: the Schwinn AC Efficiency And also is considered among the most effective indoor cycles around and has one of the best service warranties- as well as think what, the warranty provided on the SB900 blows it away! (Schwinn just offers 10 years on their framework and 2 years on parts).

Final Thoughts

The SB900 is Sole’s highest-end spin bike and also has quietly gained a credibility for being one of the best indoor cycles in its course.

With a 48 lb flywheel, magnetic resistance system, belt drive train, as well as completely flexible seat/handlebars, it’s easy to see why this bike has actually become so prominent.

Add in the reality that Sole backs it with an amazing service warranty as well as you have actually obtained a real home run here.

With specifications that can easily compete with the highest-end cycles on the marketplace (and also an asking rate that’s $1000 less), the Sole SB900 is worth every cent. It additionally earned its way onto my checklist of ideal spin bikes for the year.

If you’re looking for an elite interior cycle that is much more spending plan friendly than a lot of, this is a very wise buy.