BH Fitness Spada Dual Indoor Cycle Review

How Easy is the Indoor Cycle to Build?
The BH Fitness Spada Dual is very simple to build. All of the components fitted together very well with all holes perfectly aligned to accept the fixing bolts. You might need a helper, simply because of the weight of this cycle.

What are the first impressions?
The Spada looks like a great bike - stylish looks, water bottle holder and SPD pedals make for a superb looking bike.

What's it like to ride?
The BH Fitness Spada Dual is very smooth, largely due to the 20kg flywheel and belt drive. The programmes on the standard console keep training interesting and will change the resistance for you depending on the training profile that you choose. You can also just select manual mode and change the resistance when you want to. We'll discuss the SmartPhone/Tablet connectivity elsewhere in this review. When pedalling quickly the Spada Dual remains very stable which is a really good sign of a high quality bike.

Any niggles?
Because of the design of the handlebars you don't get as many hand grip positions as with other bikes. Also, when you're out of your seat and really gripping the handlebars they do move a little more than we'd have liked.

Anything else to add?
A nice feature of this bike is the pedals which can be used with cycling shoes or normal training shoes.

Using Your SmartPhone/Tablet as a Console
The feature on this indoor cycle that really differentiates it from other indoor cycles is that you can use your SmartPhone or Tablet as a console (check the compatabiliy of your device to ensure that it will work with the bike). It's really easy to connect your device (we used an iPhone with Bluetooth V4) and once connected you have the power of whatever apps you've downloaded to training with. At the time of writing this review there are a number of apps already available with the promise of more to come - again check details of the current apps and devices that are supported. We chose one of the simpler apps to test out the bike (called Pedal Monitor) and it worked really well - it's easy to think of this as a bit of a gimmick but it really does help to keep training interesting. Depending on the app that you've chosen the resistance level on the bike will change automatically, as it would with a traditional programmable console.

It's worth noting that a number of the apps that are compatable with this indoor cycle require a monthly subscription - prices do vary but it's still cheaper than monthly gym membership. (Please note that the pricing of apps and any subsequent subscription charges are nothing to do with us!!)

Overall Impression?
Superb indoor cycle. The Spada Dual is packed with great features and the build quality is excellent.

Cycle-Fit Indoor Cycling (Tenby)

Indoor Cycling classes (aka spin bike classes) are alive and well in the UK. A case in point is Cycle-Fit indoor cycling in Tenby, South Wales. They've recently opened their doors to the local population and are offering a range of indoor cycling classes to suit all fitness levels and abilities.

They've chosen the Gym Gear M Sport indoor cycles as the class bikes, which by the way is a fantastic choice, and by all accounts the bikes and classes are being really well received by the class members.

The combination of qualified, enthusiastic spin class instructors and great spin bikes makes for great classes and Cycle-Fit in Tenby certainly ticks these boxes.

The Gym Gear M Sport indoor cycles were chosen for the magnetic resistance and braking; low maintenance requirements and adjustability to suit a good range of user heights.

So, if you're based in or around the Tenby area in South Wales then why not get in touch with Cycle-Fit Indoor Cycling to give your fitness a real boost.

Sprint GB-Mag Indoor Cycle...the latest addition to the Sprint range

If you're looking for a high quality indoor cycle that requires very little maintenance, is well made, has a great specification and is built to last then this could be the bike for you...

How Easy is the Indoor Cycle to Build?
Extremely simple to build. Attach the front and rear stabilisers, seat, handlebars and console and you're ready to ride.

What are the first impressions?
This is a really nice bike that a look and feel of high quality. Here are some of the things that we like:
- Console is wireless, so there are no trailing cables or connectors
- Large sweat guard over the flywheel
- Water bottle holder included
- Both seat and handlebars can be adjusted horizontally and vertically so that you can achieve your perfect cycling position
- It's a magnetic resistance bike so there's virtually no maintenance
- Pedals can take cycling shoes or normal training shoes
- Paintwork is finished to a very high standard which gives a great first impression

What's it like to ride?
It's a super smooth, super quiet bike to ride. Here are our findings:
- It's easy to control the resistance by turning the control knob through a series of clicks (there are over 30 resistance levels). You can then always work to the same resistance settings throughout your training session
- Because it has magnetic resistance there is no wear, so your training sessions can be repeated time and again without having to compensate for bike wear
- Incredibly quiet and smooth
- Can withstand really hard training sessions. At high resistance and high speeds the bike is very stable
- The bike has a maximum resistance of about 400w. If you're triathlon training or already super-fit then this might not be enough for you (in which case look at the Gym Gear M Sport indoor cycle). For the majority of people who are wanting to improve their fitness levels then 400w is usually more than enough.
- Emergency stop is a great feature if you need to stop pedalling in a hurry. It's also very accessable and easy to use

Any niggles?
No. A good bike, well made and very easy to live with.

Anything else to add?
We did wonder whether the maximum resistance level would be high enough, so our tester set the bike to the maximum resistance level; got out of his seat and pedalled hard. A few minutes later, with our tester's sweat dripping (on the bikes's sweat guard we might add) and out of breath we concluded that 400 watts of resistance is probably enough for most people(!).

See more at: Indoor Cycles

Inspire Fitness IC1 Indoor Cycle Review

An indoor cycle that we recently came across was the Inspire Fitness IC1 indoor cycle. It's a really impressive indoor cycle that has a unique resistance control mechanism - instead of a level or knob on the frame to adjust the resistance, the IC1 has a twist grip on the handlebars. It's handily placed (no pun intended) and gives a good level of control.

The thing that is lacking from the IC1 is a console - it's possible to fit an aftermarket console but this can be tricky. Therefore we were taken with the idea of fitting an "X-Kit" to the bike that will allow you to use your smartphone or tablet as the console - it's so easy to fit and a really great idea. We'll add a blog entry on the X-Kit later this year, but for now here is our summary review of the Inspire Fitness IC1 indoor cycle.

How Easy is the Indoor Cycle to Build?
A simple bike to assembled - all of the components are high quality and slot together with the minimum of fuss.

What are the first impressions?
A very good indoor cycle with a sturdy feel. Here are some of the things that we especially like:
- Has a gym quality feel - very stable when on high resistance
- Unique resistance control mechanism. The resistance control is via a handlebar mounted twist dial that let's you choose different resistance settings (gears). Very easy to use - Both seat and handlebars can be adjusted horizontally and vertically so that you can achieve your perfect cycling position
- The adjusters on the seat and handlebar are very heavy duty
- The 22kg flywheel gives a really smooth ride
- Very quiet as you'd expect for a belt drive bike

What's it like to ride?
The Inspire Fitness IC1 indoor cycle is a very nice bike to ride. Here's why:
- It feels just like a full commercial bike with very little frame flex at high speed
- The resistance control and braking mechanism is unique to this bike and it's a revelation - very well positioned and easy to use
- Incredibly quiet and smooth

Any niggles?
It would have been nice to have had SPD pedals as standard but these can be added as an optional extra.

Anything else to add?
We've added the x-Kit to this bike which means you can connect your tablet or smartphone and use as a console - by downloading apps it keeps training interesting and makes you want to come back for more.

Overall Impression?
A really good indoor cycle with a great resistance control mechanism. Very good build quality and the addition of the x-Kit console makes this indoor cycle both unique and fantasic value for money. - See more at: http://www.indoor-cycles.co.uk/acatalog/inspire_fitness_ic1_indoor_cycle.html