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Elite RB X Exercise Bike, Recumbent - Commercial Grade - Compact Footprint - Ultra Comfortable Seat - Magnetic Resistance - 350 LB User Capacity

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 276 ratings

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  • 3G Cardio, an Arizona-based company with a combined 50 years of experience in the fitness industry, provides commercial-level quality and superior value. We offer an unmatched lifetime frame warranty, 7-year parts, and 1-year in-home labor (scroll down for commercial warranty) and you are only a phone call away from 5-star customer service 9-5 weekdays PST.
  • Our oversized, highly adjustable cushioned seat provides incredible comfort and will fit most users between 5’ and 6’5”. The Airflow Mesh Flex backrest tilts & adjusts to conform to your body shape and size (up to 350 lbs.) and will keep your back cool.
  • With an overall small compact size (49" L x 27" W x 43" H), our bike can easily roll through a standard doorway (metal handle and wheels built into the bike frame).
  • Handheld Heart Rate Sensors and a wireless Heart Rate Strap (included) keep you informed while challenging yourself to 16 levels of magnetic resistance. 12 pre-programmed and 3 heart rate interactive workouts are also included. Preset calorie, time, watt, and distance goals as desired.
  • Narrow Q factor distance between pedals makes for an extremely ergonomically correct ride.
  • NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED with our equipment! BYOS = Bring your own screen with FTMS Bluetooth. Tablet shelf included.

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From the manufacturer

Elite RB Recumbent Bike
3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Bike

Elite RB Recumbent Bike

Get Comfortably Fit

The 3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Bike features an incredibly comfortable, adjustable seat and back rest which will conform to your body shape and size. Extremely well built and with a small compact overall length of 49”, the Elite RB Recumbent Bike will fit into spaces other bikes won’t. Easy roll transport wheels and a smaller, easy to see over upper console will make working out a breeze! With a user weight capacity of 350 lbs. and a 7-year parts coverage, the Elite RB Bike will feel like you brought the health club home.

Infinite Airflow Meshflex Adjustable Seat Back

The 3G Cardio Elite RB is the most comfortable recumbent bike you will ever use! Elite RB comes with a Infinite Airflow Mesh Flex adjustable back rest reclining feature. Easily adjust this seat back to a comfortable position during your workout.

Quick Specifications

  • FreeSync FTMS Connectivity from 3G Cardio
  • Compact Size: 49” Length / 27” Width
  • Low height step thru center frame for easy access
  • Narrow Q Factor distance between pedals for an ergonomically correct ride
  • Easy lift rear handle / front transport wheels
  • Hand held heart rate contact sensors and included wireless Heart Rate strap
  • Scroll to view more

3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Bike

3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Bike Infinite Airflow Mesh Flex Adjustable Seat Back and Rest

3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Bike

3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Bike

Simple & Effective Console

FreeSync with FTMS Connectivity from 3G Cardio. Highly Programmable Electronics Display Combined With A Simple, Easy To Use Dial Interface. You get 12 Built In Pre-Programmed Workouts.

Adjustable Seat Back

Infinite Airflow Mesh Flex adjustable back rest reclining feature is easily adjusted to a comfortable position during your workout.

Ergonomic Pedals & Frame

Elite RB has a low height step thru center frame for easy access with ergonomicly narrow Q Factor distance between pedals.

Easy Handle Controls

Remote handle electronic buttons for easy programming also provide hand held heart rate contact sensors with a wireless Heart Rate strap.

3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Bike 3G Cardio Elite UB Upright Bike
Elite RB Recumbent Bike Elite UB Upright Bike
Customer Reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
276
4.7 out of 5 stars
70
Manual / Quick Start Programs
Pre-Set Programs 12 12
Heart Rate Programs 3 3
Watt 1 Built In Program 1 Built In Program
User Profiles 4 Users 4 Users
Heart Rate Control Hand Held Grips & Wireless HR Strap (included) Hand Held Grips & Wireless HR Strap (included)
Magnetic Resistance 16 Levels 16 Levels
Console Display Time, RPM, Watt, Distance, Calories, and Heart Rate Time, RPM, Watt, Distance, Calories, and Heart Rate
Seat 3 Way Multi-Position Adjustable Seat, 25 Forward/Back positions, 5 Seat tilt positions, multi position Reclining mesh seat back 2 Way Multi-Position Adjustable Seat, 10 Up/Down height positions, multi position Forward/Back adjustment
Max User Weight 350 LBS 350 LBS
3G Cardio Elite RB Recumbent Bike 3G Cardio Elite UB Upright Bike
Elite RB Recumbent Bike Elite UB Upright Bike
Customer Reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
276
4.7 out of 5 stars
70
Assembled Size 49" L x 27" W x 43" H 41″ L x 22 1⁄2 " W x 55″ H
Bike Weight 115 LBS 91 LBS
Residential Coverage Lifetime Frame, 7 Yrs. Parts, 1 Yr. In-Home Labor Lifetime Frame, 7 Yrs. Parts, 1 Yr. In-Home Labor
Commercial Coverage 3 Yrs. Parts, 1 Yr. Labor 3 Yrs. Parts, 1 Yr. Labor

Product Description

The 3G Cardio elite RB recumbent bike features an incredibly comfortable, adjustable seat and back rest which will conform to your body shape and size. Extremely well built and with a small compact overall length of 49-inch, the elite RB recumbent bike will fit into spaces other bikes won't. Easy roll transport wheels and a smaller, easy to see over upper console will make working out a breeze! With a user weight capacity of 350 lbs. and a 7-year parts warranty, the Elite RB Bike will feel like you brought the health club home.

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3G Cardio Elite RB Exercise Bike, Recumbent - Commercial Grade - Compact Footprint - Ultra Comfortable Seat - Magnetic Resistance - 350 LB User Capacity


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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
276 global ratings

Customers say

Customers like the quality, ease of assembly, noise and comfort of the stationary bicycle. They mention that it's very quiet, the instructions are easy to follow and that it operates quietly for maximum enjoyment. They appreciate the ergonomics and the smooth sensation when they pedal. They also like the size, smooth pedals and that the back rest is adjustable. Customers also like that it has a sturdy construction and that its relatively simplistic.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

116 customers mention111 positive5 negative

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the exercise bike. They mention it's a great product, with top-quality materials and engineering. Some say that it'll last a long time. Overall, customers are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.

"...I am delighted to report that the 3G Elite bike has performed absolutely flawlessly. Not a single glitch or hint of any problem anywhere...." Read more

"tl;dr-----Pros:- High quality- Easy assembly- Super smooth and quiet- Excellent range of resistance levels-..." Read more

"...is enjoyable to use, seamlessly fit into our home gym and is unbeatable, in terms of comfort. The clincher has been the company's customer service...." Read more

"Awesome machine. I had my bike professionally assembled by one gym-equipment-handyman ($125) in my home in 1 hour...." Read more

87 customers mention79 positive8 negative

Customers find the instructions for assembling the stationary bicycle to be easy to follow and a breeze to set up. They also appreciate the relatively simplistic design and the clear diagrams for each step in the manual. Customers also say the layout, function, and design are extremely user friendly. They mention that it's comfortable and intuitive to operate the tension adjustments at your fingertips. They say the backlight makes it easy to see how you are doing in daylight or during.

"...in preprogrammed resistance levels, which demonstrated the seamless and precise control of the Elite RB by the Zwift® program...." Read more

"tl;dr-----Pros:- High quality- Easy assembly- Super smooth and quiet- Excellent range of resistance levels-..." Read more

"...It is so comfortable and intuitive to operate the tension adjustments at your fingertips, you can focus on exercise instead of fumbling with..." Read more

"...It's a breeze to set up (with a little help), operates quietly for maximum enjoyment, and offers unparalleled comfort to keep you riding longer...." Read more

84 customers mention76 positive8 negative

Customers are satisfied with the noise level of the stationary bicycle. They mention that it is very quiet and operates quietly for maximum enjoyment.

"...As noted in the other reviews, the bike is exceptionally stable, quiet, and comfortable – rock solid in every respect...." Read more

"...Pros:- High quality- Easy assembly- Super smooth and quiet- Excellent range of resistance levels-..." Read more

"...The unit is extremely quiet, even at high RPM and heavy tension...." Read more

"...It's a breeze to set up (with a little help), operates quietly for maximum enjoyment, and offers unparalleled comfort to keep you riding longer...." Read more

81 customers mention77 positive4 negative

Customers find the comfort of the stationary bicycle to be incredibly comfortable. They say the tilt adjustments make it incredibly easy to adjust for optimal posture and comfort. They also appreciate the ergonomics, saying the sensation when they pedal is very smooth, very silent, and the pedals are wide and comfortable.

"...I am also tall (6'4") and heavy (~125 kg) and am entirely comfortable on the bike, with much adjustment still remaining to accommodate a larger..." Read more

"...Back recline and seat tilt adjustments make this incredibly comfortable if you have lower back or hip pain-..." Read more

"...It comes with a chest strap that monitors heart rate. It is so comfortable and intuitive to operate the tension adjustments at your fingertips, you..." Read more

"...But the real star of the show is undoubtedly the seat. It's the epitome of comfort, and the reclining feature puts the bike in a class by itself...." Read more

47 customers mention47 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the adjustability of the bicycle. For example, they say the seat is adjustable, and the back rest is adjustable. They mention that the bike is easy to adjust for any height, and that the seat has a lot of options for adjusting to a comfortable position. Customers also appreciate the sturdy construction, and easy access to the adjustment paddles.

"...noted and as documented in the 3G manual, the bike controls allow custom-tailored exercise sessions by varying preset calories, time, watts, heart..." Read more

"...The adjustable back recline and seat tilt are fantastic. After last night's session I had zero lower-back or hip pain...." Read more

"...Quiet. Ultra comfortable seat with multiple adjustments...." Read more

"...The seat adjustment is very easy to use. Since the two of us need different settings, this is very important...." Read more

39 customers mention39 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the size of the stationary bicycle. They mention that it has a small enough footprint that makes it easy to use, it easily fits into their living room, and it has large, well-padded seat that moves up and down, tilts, and is over sized. Some say that the bike accommodates their wife (5'1") to their son (6'2") with much room to spare. Overall, most are happy with the product's size.

"...were super smooth and much better "spaced" than on the old, cheap recumbent I'd been using before...." Read more

"...This bike was easy to assemble, is enjoyable to use, seamlessly fit into our home gym and is unbeatable, in terms of comfort...." Read more

"...Small footprint perfect for studio Apartment. Solid and easily supports my 240lbs...." Read more

"...Btw I am 6'1" 290lbs and I fit just fine. Zero issues. Seat is wide and comfy, zero wobble, nothing really plasticky (sp) about it...." Read more

37 customers mention33 positive4 negative

Customers like the smoothness of the stationary bicycle. They say the resistance makes for a perfectly smooth ride, the machine is exceptionally smooth, and quiet. They also say the pedal operation is smooth, the flywheel is smooth and the chair is adjustable to make it comfortable. Customers also appreciate the smooth transition of resistance and the instantaneous transitions in preprogrammed resistance levels.

"...Most impressive (to me) were the instantaneous transitions in preprogrammed resistance levels, which demonstrated the seamless and precise control..." Read more

"...Pros:- High quality- Easy assembly- Super smooth and quiet- Excellent range of resistance levels-..." Read more

"...It's so quiet, and smooth. This product reminds me of an Apple product. Very clean looking bike without all the gadgets...." Read more

"...The bike is silent and smooth. The programming options are extensive...." Read more

36 customers mention29 positive7 negative

Customers like the value of the stationary bicycle. They mention it's worth the price, a great buy, and adds value to their life. Some say that it'll be an excellent rehab tool.

"...for, but in the case of the Elite RB, I feel that the actual value far exceeds the price...." Read more

"...I'm sure that this bike is an excellent rehab tool, but it is so much more. And again, it does not cause any knee pain for me...." Read more

"...Heavenly ride. Excellent Customer Service. Worth every penny knowing I could have paid less for less and more for less." Read more

"...This bike is worth the price tag! Also, I did have an issue after assembly and I was able to reach out to their customer service and they..." Read more

Fantastic home recumbent bike
5 Stars
Fantastic home recumbent bike
tl;dr-----Pros:- High quality- Easy assembly- Super smooth and quiet- Excellent range of resistance levels- Buttons to change resistance on the hand grips are a game-changer- Back recline and seat tilt adjustments make this incredibly comfortable if you have lower back or hip pain- Large pedals are great for folks with big feet or big shoesCons:- Heart rate monitor in hand grips isn't very accurate unless you're really precise with your grip- Weight is in the back, makes lifting it to maneuver difficult if you need to put it up against a wall- Foot straps aren't large enough for my custom orthotic shoesOther:- A high density mat is definitely a good idea if you're putting it on a hard floor-------------------------------------Going to preface this by saying this is the most expensive piece of home fitness gear I have ever purchased. But I can tell after just one exercise session that it's also easily the best.I'm 54 years old, 6' 3" tall, 210 lbs, and have multiple foot issues and lower back arthritis that makes using a recumbent bike the most comfortable form of exercise that I can do. Prior to buying this, I was using a cheap foldable bike my wife had bought several years prior. It was a few inches too short at max seat length, with a rigid straight back that also did me no favors. And it only had 8 resistance levels, with the transitions too extreme at the high end for effective interval sessions. While I haven't worked out regularly in years, I used to be a long-distance road cyclist and I quickly regained a lot of my old leg strength. So not being able to use those highest resistance levels was frustrating.I found this bike after combing through about a dozen fitness sites, and despite its cost I decided to buy it based on the compact sizing (it needs to fit in the back half of the family room in our semi-finished basement), ability to fit people even taller than me despite that compact sizing, and the many glowing reviews from customers and the fitness sites.The bike was delivered yesterday. Between the included instructions and a couple of assembly videos I watched / followed along with, I was able to assemble this myself and get everything cleaned up in exactly 3 hours. The only issue I had during assembly was getting the front stem's plastic cover on, as there was an extra bit of plastic on the inside of the left-side piece that was stopping it from mounting correctly; probably a bit of flanging left over from the mold they used. Easily popped that off without damaging anything, and then it went right into place.Compared to my old cheap bike, this one is great quality, solidly built and has nothing that feels like they cut costs or corners. Yes, the console is "basic" in terms of not having a video screen or speakers or any kind of service integrations besides Zwift, but that is exactly what I wanted. I use Apple's Fitness+ service and have the bike in a room with my big screen connected to an AppleTV, so I'm watching / listening to that and not the bike's screen (except for checking my cadence and current resistance level).I tried it out later in the day, after I had a chance to let my feet and lower back recover from so much standing. I did a 30-minute workout, which had a series of rapid changes from easy intensity to hard, with short all-out bursts in between. The transitions (done using the incredibly convenient and helpful hand grip controls) were super smooth and much better "spaced" than on the old, cheap recumbent I'd been using before. I was going from level 5 for easy to 10 for hard, and 12 with faster cadence for the all-outs, which is the sort of variation that should be there. And I have four levels above that still available as I continue to improve.The adjustable back recline and seat tilt are fantastic. After last night's session I had zero lower-back or hip pain. I need to tweak both settings a bit, as having them where they were left me tilting my head forward a bit uncomfortably to keep my eyes on the TV during the session. But this really is a huge improvement, and will make doing my daily cycling workouts even more enjoyable.One issue I've always had with exercise bikes is their foot straps. None of them fit the custom orthotic shoes that I've had to wear since my late 40s, and unfortunately the Elite RB is no exception. It came close -- with the straps on the first "click", I was able to get the larger of the two shoes onto the pedal up to about the ball of the foot. But that's not far enough for me, due to the problems I have in my feet, so I had to get my scissors, sharpen them up, and cut off the straps. But because the bike's pedals are nice and large, this wasn't an issue. My feet fit on them very easily after that, and I never had a problem keeping them in place even at high cadence.My main complaint after that one session would be with the heart rate sensors in the hand grips. If I was holding them towards the front, so I had easy access to the resistance change buttons with my thumbs, the heart rate sensors were not at all accurate vs what my watch was showing. I had to move my hands further back on the hand grips and hold more tightly to get a pulse reading that matched my watch. Obviously, this is less of an issue for me since I'm not depending on that sensor during the workout, but for folks who want to use the bike as-is with its built-in programs, you'll need to keep this in mind.The only other "issue" I had with the bike was how they chose to position the handle and roller wheels relative to where the bike is heaviest. All the bike's weight is in the back, where they have the flywheel and most of the mechanicals. Yet that's also where they have the lift handle mounted as part of the rear support, while the wheels are at the front. I found while moving the bike post-assembly to its final position (seen in the picture) that it started losing balance if I turned it too quickly. And getting it up against the wall ended up requiring me to set it down on its mat and then push it the rest of the way, because otherwise I'd be straining my back and shoulder trying to hold it up. Having the handle on the front with the wheels in the back would have been better for both ease of lifting and maneuvering stability. But let's be honest, you're most likely moving it into place once and never touching it again, so this is ultimately a small ding against it.And yes, I do recommend having a high-density rubber mat for this if you plan to have it sitting on a hard floor like I do. It's mainly to make sure the bike's feet don't cause any damage when riding hard and fast, where it might start shimmying a bit without a mat to hold it in place. It will also help keep the bike quiet, since vibrations will be dampened.Going to end this saying the same thing I said when I started: This is the most expensive piece of home fitness gear I have ever purchased. But I can tell after just one exercise session that it's also easily the best. I'm looking forward to years of use with this.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2024
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5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Value and Quality
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2024
I am a retired 74-year-old cardiovascular safety pharmacologist and have exercised daily for 35 years. My daily exercise typically incorporated a treadmill, road bike, and weight training. Still, with advancing years and a lower back injury, I had to change my bike routine to a recumbent model. After researching and reading countless reviews, I settled on the 3G Cardio Elite RB. I purchased the bike in October 2023 and put it into service on October 16, 2023. I perform 60-90 min of continuous cardio 5 days per week. As of this writing (January 5, 2024), I have logged 67 hours over 43 sessions on the bike. This amount of usage positions me to write a reasonably authoritative review. I am delighted to report that the 3G Elite bike has performed absolutely flawlessly. Not a single glitch or hint of any problem anywhere. As noted in the other reviews, the bike is exceptionally stable, quiet, and comfortable – rock solid in every respect. Similar to one other reviewer, I am also tall (6'4") and heavy (~125 kg) and am entirely comfortable on the bike, with much adjustment still remaining to accommodate a larger frame than mine.

The bike arrives very well-packed, and I strongly encourage any buyer to carefully follow the excellent video instructions for unpacking and assembly available on the distributors' website. The distributor website also has additional videos to guide hardware adjustment of the startup resistance.

As others have noted and as documented in the 3G manual, the bike controls allow custom-tailored exercise sessions by varying preset calories, time, watts, heart rate, and distance goals as desired. As these controls are clearly described in the 3G manual and other reviews, I will not repeat them here but use this space to discuss features not presented elsewhere.
In an otherwise well-written manual, 3G only briefly and casually mentions the Bluetooth compatibility of the Elite RB. To me, this is a serious omission. In fact, I found the Elite RB to be fully compatible with every Bluetooth device (heart rate monitor) and program I had to use. Most importantly (to me), the Elite RB fully and seamlessly implements every aspect of Zwift®. This online cycling training platform enables users to design custom programs and ride, train, and compete in a virtual world. The features of Zwift® bring the cycling experience to an entirely different level, adding virtually unlimited variation to daily cycling routines. Zwift® is best known for replicating the elevation grades and difficulties of real-world cycling courses. It can also implement an ergometer (ERG) mode, which implements a user-defined series of intervals of varying resistance, regardless of the terrain. Zwift® is primarily designed for road bikes, allowing riders to change gears while navigating hilly terrain. By design, a recumbent bike only has 1 gear, so realistically, navigating a hilly course is not feasible. However, in ERG (ergometer) mode, where the resistance varies over user-designed time intervals, Zwift® creates an ideal environment for the recumbent bike. An ERG program also allows us to look very carefully at the actual performance of the Elite RB.

Picture 1 depicts a typical Zwift® ERG program that I created (upper panel), which includes a ramped warmup, 60 minutes of varying resistance, and a ramped cooldown. The lower panel in Picture 1 presents the actual results recorded during one of my daily exercise sessions under the control of the Zwift® ERG program.

Without going into too much detail, my results clearly show that the Elite RB precisely followed the ERG program instructions. Most impressive (to me) were the instantaneous transitions in preprogrammed resistance levels, which demonstrated the seamless and precise control of the Elite RB by the Zwift® program. The control evident during the ramped warmup and cooldown further highlights the accurate responses of the Elite RB, where the resistance level changed every few seconds. These results also show that the resistance of the Elite RB remained absolutely constant during each fixed interval, demonstrating very stable performance for the Elite RB over time. Impressive!
While the design of the Elite recumbent bike is well thought out, I found that there was inadequate storage for multiple bottles (required for long rides) and an eye-level platform for an iPad or similar display for a control program. This issue is readily addressed by adding a RAD Cycle Products Adjustable Bike Trainer Fitness Desk available through Amazon. This desk is also well-built and very stable. It has adequate height adjustment to readily be positioned over the 3G Elite control panel. The combined equipment arrangement is shown in Picture 2.

Incorporating Zwift® or some other companion control program (Rouvy®, etc.) will significantly enhance your experience with the Elite RB or any stationary bike. However, while the 3G Elite fully implements the Zwift® controls, it is not 3G's responsibility to provide operational support for the use of Zwift® or any 3rd party program. The user will always be responsible for gaining expertise in add-on programs. However, extensive online communities support these very popular companion products.

After several months of intense use, the Elite RB has proven to be a durable, professional-grade piece of equipment. Typically, we get what we pay for, but in the case of the Elite RB, I feel that the actual value far exceeds the price. The Elite RB is a genuine bargain when you factor in very responsive customer support and exceptional build quality.

Regardless of the price, I don't think you will find better (or comparable) performance in a recumbent bike.
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10 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2024
Customer image
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic home recumbent bike
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2024
tl;dr
-----
Pros:
- High quality
- Easy assembly
- Super smooth and quiet
- Excellent range of resistance levels
- Buttons to change resistance on the hand grips are a game-changer
- Back recline and seat tilt adjustments make this incredibly comfortable if you have lower back or hip pain
- Large pedals are great for folks with big feet or big shoes

Cons:
- Heart rate monitor in hand grips isn't very accurate unless you're really precise with your grip
- Weight is in the back, makes lifting it to maneuver difficult if you need to put it up against a wall
- Foot straps aren't large enough for my custom orthotic shoes

Other:
- A high density mat is definitely a good idea if you're putting it on a hard floor

-------------------------------------

Going to preface this by saying this is the most expensive piece of home fitness gear I have ever purchased. But I can tell after just one exercise session that it's also easily the best.

I'm 54 years old, 6' 3" tall, 210 lbs, and have multiple foot issues and lower back arthritis that makes using a recumbent bike the most comfortable form of exercise that I can do. Prior to buying this, I was using a cheap foldable bike my wife had bought several years prior. It was a few inches too short at max seat length, with a rigid straight back that also did me no favors. And it only had 8 resistance levels, with the transitions too extreme at the high end for effective interval sessions. While I haven't worked out regularly in years, I used to be a long-distance road cyclist and I quickly regained a lot of my old leg strength. So not being able to use those highest resistance levels was frustrating.

I found this bike after combing through about a dozen fitness sites, and despite its cost I decided to buy it based on the compact sizing (it needs to fit in the back half of the family room in our semi-finished basement), ability to fit people even taller than me despite that compact sizing, and the many glowing reviews from customers and the fitness sites.

The bike was delivered yesterday. Between the included instructions and a couple of assembly videos I watched / followed along with, I was able to assemble this myself and get everything cleaned up in exactly 3 hours. The only issue I had during assembly was getting the front stem's plastic cover on, as there was an extra bit of plastic on the inside of the left-side piece that was stopping it from mounting correctly; probably a bit of flanging left over from the mold they used. Easily popped that off without damaging anything, and then it went right into place.

Compared to my old cheap bike, this one is great quality, solidly built and has nothing that feels like they cut costs or corners. Yes, the console is "basic" in terms of not having a video screen or speakers or any kind of service integrations besides Zwift, but that is exactly what I wanted. I use Apple's Fitness+ service and have the bike in a room with my big screen connected to an AppleTV, so I'm watching / listening to that and not the bike's screen (except for checking my cadence and current resistance level).

I tried it out later in the day, after I had a chance to let my feet and lower back recover from so much standing. I did a 30-minute workout, which had a series of rapid changes from easy intensity to hard, with short all-out bursts in between. The transitions (done using the incredibly convenient and helpful hand grip controls) were super smooth and much better "spaced" than on the old, cheap recumbent I'd been using before. I was going from level 5 for easy to 10 for hard, and 12 with faster cadence for the all-outs, which is the sort of variation that should be there. And I have four levels above that still available as I continue to improve.

The adjustable back recline and seat tilt are fantastic. After last night's session I had zero lower-back or hip pain. I need to tweak both settings a bit, as having them where they were left me tilting my head forward a bit uncomfortably to keep my eyes on the TV during the session. But this really is a huge improvement, and will make doing my daily cycling workouts even more enjoyable.

One issue I've always had with exercise bikes is their foot straps. None of them fit the custom orthotic shoes that I've had to wear since my late 40s, and unfortunately the Elite RB is no exception. It came close -- with the straps on the first "click", I was able to get the larger of the two shoes onto the pedal up to about the ball of the foot. But that's not far enough for me, due to the problems I have in my feet, so I had to get my scissors, sharpen them up, and cut off the straps. But because the bike's pedals are nice and large, this wasn't an issue. My feet fit on them very easily after that, and I never had a problem keeping them in place even at high cadence.

My main complaint after that one session would be with the heart rate sensors in the hand grips. If I was holding them towards the front, so I had easy access to the resistance change buttons with my thumbs, the heart rate sensors were not at all accurate vs what my watch was showing. I had to move my hands further back on the hand grips and hold more tightly to get a pulse reading that matched my watch. Obviously, this is less of an issue for me since I'm not depending on that sensor during the workout, but for folks who want to use the bike as-is with its built-in programs, you'll need to keep this in mind.

The only other "issue" I had with the bike was how they chose to position the handle and roller wheels relative to where the bike is heaviest. All the bike's weight is in the back, where they have the flywheel and most of the mechanicals. Yet that's also where they have the lift handle mounted as part of the rear support, while the wheels are at the front. I found while moving the bike post-assembly to its final position (seen in the picture) that it started losing balance if I turned it too quickly. And getting it up against the wall ended up requiring me to set it down on its mat and then push it the rest of the way, because otherwise I'd be straining my back and shoulder trying to hold it up. Having the handle on the front with the wheels in the back would have been better for both ease of lifting and maneuvering stability. But let's be honest, you're most likely moving it into place once and never touching it again, so this is ultimately a small ding against it.

And yes, I do recommend having a high-density rubber mat for this if you plan to have it sitting on a hard floor like I do. It's mainly to make sure the bike's feet don't cause any damage when riding hard and fast, where it might start shimmying a bit without a mat to hold it in place. It will also help keep the bike quiet, since vibrations will be dampened.

Going to end this saying the same thing I said when I started: This is the most expensive piece of home fitness gear I have ever purchased. But I can tell after just one exercise session that it's also easily the best. I'm looking forward to years of use with this.
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