Introduction
Joroto is not a name that many people will be familiar with, despite having quite a long history, but this ambitious company has just created some very impressive indoor cycling bikes for the US market that could be set to rival those offered by some of the more established brands.
The X5 model in particular appears to be a very impressive machine, but in this article I want to review the Joroto X1S Indoor Cycling Bike because this is a more affordable model that appears to be strong and sturdy, with some useful features.
This bike looks just like many of the professional indoor cycling trainers that you might have seen in your local gym, so it is worth taking a closer look at this low-cost machine to see if it provides the same kind of workout experience as these commercial-grade models.
Features And Benefits
- chain drive mechanism
- strong AV-type frame
- 35-pound flywheel
- adjustable resistance knob
- four-way adjustable leather padded seat
- height adjustable handlebars
- multi-functional digital monitor
- track time, speed, distance and calories
- multimedia tray for phone, iPad, etc
- caged foot pedals
- dual transportation wheels
- floor levelers
- accommodates users up to 280 pounds
Product Dimensions / Weight
This Joroto indoor cycle has exact dimensions (in inches) of 42.9 (L) x 19.7 (W) x 42.5 (H) when it is fully assembled, and has a total weight of around 64 pounds.
Positives
The first thing to say about this Joroto X1S bike is that it is a seriously cool looking machine that will look good in anybody’s home. The stylish combination of red, black and silver ensures that it looks a lot more modern than many of the other indoor cycling bikes in this price range.
However apart from its stylish looks, there are many reasons why this machine is worth considering.
First of all, this is a very strong and durable machine that can easily support anyone up to 280 pounds, thanks to its AV-type frame. Therefore it can easily be used by multiple members of your family (provided they weigh less than 280 pounds), and should hopefully last a long time.
In addition, its heavy weight and its built-in floor levelers help to ensure that it remains really stable when you are pedalling at a high intensity in either a seated or standing position.
Indeed it is worth emphasizing that this is an indoor cycling bike similar to the ones you might find in a group cycling class, so unlike a traditional upright bike, it has been designed to be used in both a seated and standing position, and has continuous resistance rather than fixed resistance levels.
This X1S has a large 35-pound flywheel and a chain drive mechanism that helps to provide a smooth and fairly quiet workout, and if you want to adjust the resistance during your workout, there is an adjustable resistance knob that is really easy to use.
The leather padded seat is said to be comfortable to sit on (although you do have the option of exchanging it for a wider seat if required), and you can adjust this seat forwards, backwards, upwards and downwards to help find the best riding position.
You can also adjust the handlebars upwards and downwards if you are not satisfied with the default position.
The handlebars have multiple grips that you can use and there is a complimentary display monitor that indicates time, speed, distance and calories, as well as a multimedia tray for your phone or tablet device. Therefore you can easily listen to music or watch a movie while you perform your workouts in order to prevent boredom.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that this machine has dual transportation wheels that will help you to move it around, if necessary, and is backed by a 1-year guarantee in case it develops any faults during this time.
Negatives
It could be argued that Joroto are not exactly a household name in the United States. So because they don’t yet have a reputation for building good quality products that are made to last, it is hard to predict how reliable this X1S exercise bike will prove to be in the long run.
Apart from this, there are a handful of minor drawbacks that are worth bringing to your attention.
Firstly, there is no water bottle holder built into the frame, which isn’t a huge issue, but is a feature that many people expect to have as standard nowadays.
Secondly, the handlebars cannot be adjusted forwards or backwards, unlike some other models, and the bike itself is quite bulky and heavy to move around, although it does at least have transportation wheels to make it easier.
Finally, this indoor cycling bike has a chain drive rather than a belt drive, which means that it does generate a little bit of noise when you are performing your workouts.
Final Thoughts
Chain-driven indoor cycling bikes feel just like an outdoor road bike and are ideal for HIIT workouts and spinning-type workouts, as well as cycling training during the winter, and this Joroto offering appears to be a fairly good option in terms of value for money.
It provides a smooth, stable and fluid workout thanks to the combination of the heavy duty flywheel, the chain drive system and the solid frame, and has a four-way adjustable leather padded seat and height adjustable handlebars to accommodate users of all heights.
It also has a basic display unit to help you track your performance, and comes with a multimedia tray for your phone or tablet to help keep you entertained.
The lack of brand recognition may put some people off, but some of the customer comments that have been posted online have been very positive so far.
So if you are looking for a good quality entry-level indoor cycle that you and your family can use to burn fat, lose weight and improve your fitness, this could be a good investment.
→ Click here to buy the Joroto X1S Indoor Cycling Bike Trainer
Also Available – Joroto X2, X2 Pro and X4S
The model featured above was one of the earlier models from Joroto, and subsequently it is not always available in stock whenever you see it being sold online.
However the good news is that you can now buy the new and improved X2, X2 Pro and X4S models, which are said to be even better.
For example, the X2 (pictured right) is a slightly stronger machine with a weight capacity of 300 lbs, but it’s the X2 Pro and X4S models that really stand out because these have a much improved display console that not only has Bluetooth connectivity, but also tells you precisely what level of resistance you are cycling at, from 1 to 100%.
The X4S model in particular is also exceptionally strong and stable with a weight capacity of 330 lbs, and has a smooth and quiet belt drive instead of a chain drive, which is partly why it costs a lot more than the X1S featured above.
The X2 and X2 Pro models haven’t yet been reviewed on this site, but here is a review of the X4S model if you would like to read more about Joroto’s top-of-the-range indoor cycling bike.