Optimum Fitness Fitness News and equipment reviews
For the latest price click here >>>
Spinning, a form of indoor cycling pioneered by the people at Spinner.com is my favourite form of Cardio workout. There are very few sessions in the gym that have me nearly on my knees with exhaustion. If you want to do this challenging form of workout at home then the Spinner S1 Indoor Cycle is the stripped down version of the expensive commercial machines found in thousands of gyms across the world.
This spin bike is not designed to replicate road cycling, or is it like other upright bikes that you often find in the cardio halls of the gym. Normally you will find a room of spin bikes used in a class, lead by an instructor – the best of who can push you to your limits. The main difference with a spinner bike is the fixed wheel system, as long as the fly wheel is turning so are the pedals. This can be a little unnerving for beginners, especially when the speeds increase, but you soon get used to it.
Spinner S1 Spin Bike Full Review:
Sitting at the entry level for Spinner bikes the Spinner S1 Indoor Cycle is designed primarily for home use, you could get away with light commercial use as it is still well built and can stand up to the rigours of use.
Frame
The solid frame is made up of box rectangular steel. This gives a very solid base that flexes very little even under the heavy loads that can be applied. This is essential, as you get stronger you can be exerting a force near double your weight onto the pedals and pulling the handle bars at the same time.
Flywheel
This is the beating heart of the Spinner S1 bike. Weighing in at 31 lbs this is the wheel that your legs are going to be turning at speeds up to 300 rpm! Designed to have the weight on the rim of the wheel to maximise its momentum and ensure a smooth pedal stroke.
Features
Spinner Bikes are not packed with features, things like distance, watts, rpm none of these are measured. To keep time I use the music and listen to what my body is saying. If I feel I can give a little more I do. Usually I would wear a heart rate monitor and keep my pulse up in the training zone. The one I use attaches to the bikes handlebars for easy reading.
The water bottle is a small cage mounted on the frame, this is OK, but I prefer the bottle rests on the handle bars found on the higher end (more expensive) model.
Pedals
For the Spinner S1 entry level bike the pedals are metal, with a toe strap on one side. Unfortunately the other side is flat, and I would prefer to wear my cleated pedals when spinning. Personally I would swap out the pedals for cleated set.
Resistance
Resistance is delivered by turning the resistance knob at the top of the frame. This forces a felt pad down onto the fly wheel making it harder and harder to turn the wheels. Eventually you will get to a stage that the wheel will no longer turn and you will really have to force the pedals round to keep moving.
What are other reviews saying about the Spinner S1 Indoor Cycle?
This bike scores a reasonable 3.5 out of 5 from users on Amazon.
The biggest issue is the expectation that this is the same quality as the commercial versions from the same brand. It isn’t. This bike costs less than $600, and is a great bike for the money.
Anything else you should know?
This ships with 4 dvds, they are interesting for showing good technique and giving some inspiration. You may prefer to listen to your own music though!
Dimensions & Specifications
- Maximum user weight: 250 pounds
- Weight: 90 pounds
- Dimensions: 44 x 18 x 38 inches (L x W x H)
- Warranty: one year parts
Spinning Spinner S1 Indoor Cycling Bike Review Summary:
This is one of the best solutions to exercising at home. If you are looking for a solid well built machine from a company that only makes spin bikes this a great choice.