Introduction
Every time that Keiser develop a new top-of-the-range exercise bike, there is always a great deal of excitement, and that was certainly the case when the new Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle was officially launched back in 2014.
This new model, which has recently been updated, has all the style and functionality of many of the previous Keiser exercise bikes, such as the M3 Plus, for example, but the key difference is that this one is a lot more technologically advanced than the previous models because it has bluetooth and wireless capabilities, and has a few cool new features.
Therefore it is ideal for a group exercise class, for example, but it also appears to be a top quality bike that should last you many years if you choose to buy one of these bikes for your home.
Key Features
24 magnetic resistance levels- backlit Bluetooth-enabled wireless display
- sync data to your phone or tablet device
- communicate with group class projection systems
- track time, distance, power, RPM, calories and pulse
- 4-way adjustable seat
- 4-way adjustable handlebars
- water bottle holder and transport wheels
- media tray for phone or tablet device
- smooth and quiet in operation
- ideal for home users, gyms and group cycling classes
- rust-resistant frame
- easy to assemble
- includes assembly and maintenance kit
- accommodates users up to 350 pounds
- suitable for anyone between 4’10 and 7’0
Product Dimensions / Weight
This exercise bike weighs approximately 92 lbs when it is fully assembled, and its exact dimensions (in inches) are 49 x 26 x 51 (H x W x L).
Positives
As with all Keiser exercise bikes, this is designed to be a top-end gym-standard bike, so there are obviously a lot of positives.
For a start, the latest Keiser M3i model guarantees a varied and challenging workout that will satisfy people of all fitness levels because there are 24 geared magnetic resistance levels that are quick and easy to adjust using the red resistance lever.
This machine uses the same Poly-V belt that is commonly used to run the accessories on the front of car engines because it is so quiet, durable and reliable. So you know that you are going to get a really smooth and quiet workout every time you use this bike. Plus this belt drive doesn’t require any ongoing maintenance either, which is an added bonus.
In addition to offering a really smooth workout, the bike itself is also comfortable to use because there is a four-way adjustable seat, which is a lot easier to adjust than it was on previous models, as well as fully adjustable handlebars that can now be adjusted upwards, downwards, forwards and backwards (unlike older models) to help you find the most comfortable riding position.
These handlebars have a continuous design so that riders can choose from multiple hand grip positions, and the multitude of adjustments that can be made to both the seat and handlebars ensures that it can be used by anyone between 4’10 and 7′.
The pedals have also been improved upon to offer superior comfort, safety and durability, and can accommodate various different shapes of cycling shoes and sneakers because of the curved crank arms. These pedals do have toe cages, but they are also compatible with SPD cleats as well.
With regards to some of the other features, there is a water bottle holder built into the frame that can hold large and small bottles, as well as transport wheels at the front that make it easy to move around, if required.
Plus just like previous models, it has a backlit LCD display with clear, easy-to-read numbers so that you can monitor time, distance, RPM, watts and pulse during your workout, but the key difference here is that this display unit now has bluetooth and wireless capabilities.
Therefore each bike can communicate with a projection system to show users’ performance data on a large screen in group cycling classes, and individual users can connect it up to an app on their tablet or phone, for instance, to monitor every single aspect of their workouts.
In addition, the very latest 2023 model now includes a media tray for your phone or tablet device that is conveniently located just above the display unit.
Therefore you can watch TV shows or movies whilst you are working out, for example, or you can connect some headphones and listen to some of your favorite music in order to make your workouts less boring.
The key selling point, however, is the smoothness of the workout because having tested this bike out in the gym, I can assure you that your workout is guaranteed to be silky smooth and extremely quiet, regardless of how hard you work out or how high you set the resistance.
Negatives
As I mentioned above, the key benefit of this latest model is the wireless and bluetooth functionality, but this is also one of the main drawbacks as well because from an individual user’s point of view, there are still very few apps that actually support this feature at the time of writing.
Whilst the makers of this product claim that an app for the bluetooth function will be available very shortly, this app should have been available as soon as this product was launched.
So you may have to wait for this app if you buy this bike now, but other than this, there are very few faults with this bike because it looks absolutely amazing, is smooth and comfortable to operate, offers a varied and challenging workout and feels just like you are riding a road bike.
Keiser M3i Compatible Apps (2023 Update)
According to the Keiser website, some of the apps that ARE now supported include the Keiser M3 Series app, as well as the M3 Series Group and Instructor apps, all of which are available on iOS and Android.
It also supports certain third-party apps, such as GOInd (iOS), Bkool, Heart Zones Training, Ride Buddy Buckets, Spivi, Zwift, Paceline, Impowered BeTested and Impowered BeTrained.
User Feedback
This Keiser M3i bike has been on sale for a few years now, and as it is one of the most popular models for home users, gyms, and indoor cycling classes, many people have had a chance to use this bike and post their opinions online. As you might expect, the general feedback has been very positive on the whole.
One person described it as the most perfect riding machine they had ever ridden, whilst another user described it as the best investment in their health that they had ever made.
People don’t seem to have any complaints with the actual look and feel of this bike because many people agree that it offers a really smooth, quiet workout and is very strong and sturdy.
The only real issue, as I alluded to above, is the bluetooth functionality and the lack of an iPhone app to support this facility, but I understand that it is now compatible with various iOS and Android apps, as well as Keiser’s own apps. So this is hopefully no longer an issue.
Video Overview
This video demonstrates some of the main benefits of this new indoor cycle, and shows you how easy it is to use:
Where To Buy The Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle
If you would like to buy the new Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle, it is available from this page at Amazon.com, where you can also find out more about this particular machine, and read some of the latest customer reviews.
(It currently comes with a free bundle that includes a media tray and stretch pads, as well as a floor mat that you can place underneath the bike to protect your floor and an assembly and maintenance kit).
You will discover that it is certainly not a cheap bike by any means, but it really is a stunning-looking machine that will give you an exceptionally smooth and quite workout with as much resistance as you could possibly want, and is strong enough to be used every day either at home or in a commercial setting.
Alternative Exercise Bikes From Keiser
If you don’t really require a bluetooth-enabled computer, and are not particularly worried about having a tablet holder, you can save yourself a few hundred dollars by investing in the standard model, ie the Keiser M3 (pictured right) instead.
This particular model doesn’t have a forwards and backwards handlebar adjustment like the M3i, and doesn’t have the two extra features that I have just mentioned, but otherwise it is pretty much the same in terms of looks, strength and performance.