Introduction
Concept 2 are a name that many people in the rowing world will be familiar with because their premium Model D and Model E rowing machines are two of the most popular indoor rowing machines on the market.
So with the news that they have recently developed their own indoor cycling bike – the Concept 2 BikeErg – using much of the same design ideas and technology, many people will be interested to know if this particular bike can deliver the same kind of performance as the Schwinn and Keiser bikes, for example.
Concept 2 are synonymous with quality, and the price certainly reflects this because it is approximately the same price as their rowing machines, but when you consider that this stationary exercise bike is said to be suitable for both home and commercial use, it could still represent excellent value for money.
Features and Benefits
- smooth, quiet and responsive air resistance system
- adjustable damper provides wide range of resistance options
- freewheeling clutch
- suitable for HIIT workouts, training and conditioning
- includes PM5 monitor with ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity
- track pace, watts, cadence and calories
- adjustable seat and handlebars
- built-in caster wheels for easy movement
- strong welded aluminium frame
- accommodates users up to 300 pounds
- includes 2-year parts and 5-year frame warranty
- easy to assemble and store
Product Dimensions / Weight
This Concept2 BikeErg has a strong but lightweight 58-pound (26 kg) frame, and will take up relatively little space in your home or gym because it has a length of 48 inches and a width of 24 inches.
Positives
It is fair to say that this Concept 2 BikeErg machine is very much like a conventional spin bike / indoor cycling bike, but it could be argued that the flywheel air resistance system provides an even more responsive and challenging workout experience.
That’s because the resistance will automatically increase as you increase the cadence and pedal at a higher intensity, and reduce when you reduce your pace.
Furthermore, it includes a damper that controls the air flow to the flywheel and acts as a kind of gearing system because it can be used to adjust how the resistance feels at different levels of intensity.
Therefore people of all fitness levels can benefit from using this highly responsive and customizable air resistance stationary bike.
Some exercise bikes that use air resistance can be a little noisy, but this machine is relatively quiet in operation, particularly as it has a chain-free drive system that uses high-strength self-tensioning polygroove belts instead of a chain.
The footprint is relatively small because it is just 48 inches long and 24 inches wide, making it ideal for relatively small spaces, and if there are any aspects of this BikeErg machine that you don’t like, it is fully customizable.
The handlebars can be adjusted forwards, backwards, upwards and downwards and provide three different riding options, and the saddle can also be adjusted upwards or downwards really easily. However you do also have the option of replacing the seat and the handlebars, and even the pedals if you prefer to use different ones.
Another benefit of this Concept 2 BikeErg is that it includes the same PM5 Performance Monitor that you get with their popular rowing machine. Therefore you can easily monitor key performance metrics, such as pace, watts, cadence and calories, for instance.
These stats can be stored on a USB stick, and if you want to monitor your heart rate and utilise other fitness apps, you will be pleased to know that this monitor is ANT+ and Bluetooth compatible.
One other point worth mentioning is that this stationary bike is very easy to assemble and shouldn’t take longer than about 30-45 minutes because it includes all of the tools that you will need. It is also relatively easy to move around once it is fully assembled because it has quite a lightweight frame and comes with built-in caster wheels.
It comes with a 2-year parts warranty and a 5-year frame warranty, but this bike has been built to last, just like their rowing and skiing machines, and should therefore be able to withstand regular use in a home or commercial setting, providing that it isn’t used by any person who exceeds the maximum weight limit of 300 pounds.
Negatives
One of the most obvious drawbacks of this Concept 2 BikeErg is that it is not exactly the most aesthetically pleasing exercise bike on the market. With a large encased flywheel and a very basic black and white frame, it is never going to win any awards for its looks.
Another slight drawback is that the PM5 Performance Monitor is the same one that has been used on the rowing machine for several years now. Therefore it is now quite old and is in need of updating, which would enable it to have a lot more features than it does right now.
Apart from this, the only other minor fault with this Concept 2 BikeErg is that the seat cannot be adjusted forwards and backwards. It can be adjusted upwards and downwards between 30.75 and 41 inches, and does angle back slightly as you increase the height, but I think really tall people would prefer to have the option to move the seat back as well.
Final Thoughts
Overall, it would appear that Concept 2 have utilized their tried and tested rowing machine technology to produce a top quality air resistance exercise bike.
This particular bike is exceptionally strong and has obviously been built to last, making it ideal for home users, as well as hotels, health clubs and gyms, for example.
In addition, the air resistance mechanism and damper ensures that users can get a ‘geared’ workout that is as intense and as challenging as they want it to be because the resistance can be adjusted really easily by pedalling faster (or slower) and adjusting the damper if required.
So if you are a serious cyclist who enjoys training indoors, or if you want to perform HIIT workouts that will help you achieve your fitness and weight loss goals, for example, this air resistance bike is a reasonably priced model that is definitely worth considering.
→ Click here to buy the Concept 2 BikeErg Exercise Bike