Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike NS-40502R with 8 Resistance Levels Review

Although Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike NS-40502R doesn’t offer an eye-popping array of features, it does offer what it should, viz. a durable construction and a potential for the user to perform light to medium cardio exercises.

It’s actually the recumbent version of Marcy’s NS-40504U exercise bike and is a budget bike.

Published: March 22, 2021.

Marcy NS-40502R Specifications

- Dimensions when assembled: 56.7 x 24.8 x 43.3 inches (144 x 63 x 110 cm) (L x W x H)

- Weight when assembled: 69 lbs. (31.2 kg)

- Maximum user weight capacity: 300 lbs. (136 kg)

- Resistance: Magnetic, 8 levels

- Warranty: 2 years limited

Features of Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike NS-40502R

Assembly

Assembly of the Marcy NS-40502R is quite easy, as the drive elements, as well as internal brake, come already assembled, connected to the front side of the frame, and sealed in the ABS covers, and what users have to do is to attach the two main parts of the frame together, then add the seat, backrest, base bars, console mast, console, pedals, and handlebars. The assembly shouldn’t take more than an hour. There are detailed and clear instructions in the included manual and the tools required are also included.

Frame

As mentioned earlier, the Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike NS-40502R has a sturdy and durable frame and is made of rectangular and oval steel tubing, which improves the overall stability and sturdiness of the unit.

The front part of the frame comprises of the drive system and flywheel, while the backside consists of the seat. Many screws connect these two in the middle. There is also a small stabilizer at the connection point.

All the steel parts are painted in scratch-resistant and rust-resistant colors. Right now, only gray color is available. But there are many ABS parts within the construction like the covers of the seat base frame and covers of the flywheel. But they don’t come into the way of the overall sturdiness of the unit.

Size

The Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike NS-40502R is not exactly a small machine, but actually, its width is small at the base, but the seat handlebars have the maximum width. Also, it’s recommended to keep a clearance of at least two feet on the backside and sides and at least one foot on the front side of the bike.

Step-thru Design

The step-thru design of the bike makes it easy for the users to step in and out of the bike. This is especially useful for users with mobility issues and elderly users.

Stability

The Marcy NS-40502R offers great stability. Moreover, its backside base has adjustable levelers.

Portability

Since the Marcy NS-40502R is not very heavy, i.e. it weighs around 69 lbs. and has got small wheels attached to its front base, it can be easily relocated.

Console

The console on the Marcy NS-40502R is basically the same as that of the Marcy NS-40504U. It has an LCD display that shows data like distance, time, speed, and calories burned. Digits are extra-large for easy readability.

Distance and speed are shown in imperial units (miles and mph). Metric settings are not available. It also features an odometer function with which users can know how many miles they have traveled on the bike. But the monitor is not backlit, so it can be difficult to read in poor light conditions.

The bike doesn’t feature a pulse reading function. There are no pulse sensors integrated in the handlebars and the console too is not telemetric. Therefore if users need to monitor their pulse during exercise, they’d have to get a separate device for that purpose.

Although the console doesn’t have any preset programs, it offers goal settings for time, distance and calories. Users can select a value for these metrics and it will start the countdown from the selected value till it reaches zero.

The console is pretty easy to operate. It has three main buttons: MODE, SET, and RESET. With the MODE button, users can toggle the SCAN function ON/OFF. Thus when the SCAN function is ON, each workout metric is displayed for 4 seconds. With the SET button, users can set up goals for distance, time, and calories. The RESET button clears all the values to zero.

Two 1.5V (AA) batteries power up the unit but are not included. It starts when users start pedaling or press a button. If the unit remains idle for 4 minutes, it enters a SLEEP mode.

Seat and Backrest

The Marcy NS-40502R comes with an adjustable seat. The seat assembly is connected to an oblique bar on which it slides and users can secure the seat in their desired position with a pop-pin located at the bottom. With five different adjustment positions, the bike can accommodate users from 5’0” to 6’2” (153 – 188 cm).

The seat is around 16” wide and is padded with a 2” thick foam material and is finished with durable vinyl upholstery.

The backrest too has the same cushioning. However, the backrest has no adjustment features for its own. It’s quite sturdy and offers good lumbar support.

Handlebars

There are two sets of handlebars on the Marcy NS-40502R, one of which is attached to the console mast, whereas the other is attached to the seat assembly. Both sets of covered by a coating of rubber foam material to ensure a secure grip.

To compare the handlebars with that on other recumbent bike models, it should be noted that as the console mast is inclined towards the user, using the front handlebars should not be awkward as it happens normally with other recumbent bike models. However, the seat handlebars have no pulse sensors integrated in them like they are in other models.

Drive

The flywheel of the Marcy NS-40502R is quite light and perimeter-weighted and offers a smooth pedaling motion.

A sturdy rubber belt makes the bike’s transmission available. As compared to a chain drive, this kind of belt drive generates less vibration during pedaling, which causes a smoother pedaling experience with virtually no noise. Also, unlike a chain drive, a belt drive doesn’t need lubrication.

Resistance

The Marcy NS-40502R comes with a manual magnetic resistance system with 8 levels. It is fitted with a small magnetic brake that is attached to the knob on the console mast via a steel wire. The brake’s position can be adjusted nearer or farther from the flywheel by turning the wire, increasing or reducing the resistance.

Since the resistance is exclusively manual, the machine doesn’t have to be connected to a power source. Even the console has no role in adjusting the resistance.

Since this bike has been designed for light to medium workouts, the resistance offered is not very extreme. The lower levels deliver a very light tension which is excellent for recovery training. However, the 8th i.e. the highest resistance level offers more intense training.

Pedals

Pedals on the Marcy NS-40502R are weighted and have a non-slip surface. They also have adjustable straps to ensure no slipping of users’ feet. The crank arms are made from solid steel, although it’s not recommended to stand upon them. As such, standing up while pedaling on a recumbent bike like this one would cause an unhealthy and awkward posture.

Add-ons

Although the Marcy NS-40502R is a budget bike, it comes with a tablet holder that is large enough to accommodate any kind of tablet. However, the console doesn’t feature any USB or connection port for the tablet.

Maintenance

Because of having a belt drive system, the Marcy NS-40502R doesn’t need the lubrication of internal parts. The only maintenance needed is checking joints, nuts, and bolts if they are loosened and tighten them if required.

Pros of Marcy NS-40502R

- Sturdy, solid steel frame

- Step-thru design for easy access and exit

- Supports users up to 300 and even 350 lbs.

- Easy relocation due to transport wheels

- Front as well as seat handlebars (many other recumbent bikes don’t have front handlebars)

- Comfortable padded seat and backrest

- 8 levels of resistance

- Weighted pedals with adjustable straps

- Console has a goal-setting function

- Tablet holder

- Easy assembly

- Very quiet

- Almost no maintenance

Cons of Marcy NS-40502R

- No pulse rate monitoring

- No other add-ons like sound system, fan or water bottle-holder

- Batteries for the console not included

- Monitor not backlit

- A tablet placed on the tablet holder will come in the way of console controls and display

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Bottom Line

The Marcy NS-40502R is a basic budget recumbent bike designed for home use providing light to medium workout.

With its sturdy construction, 8 levels of resistance, basic console, and comfortably padded adjustable seat and backrest, this bike offers what it’s meant to, i.e. cardio, recovery training, stamina building, and weight loss. Since it’s one of the most reasonably priced recumbent bikes, it offers a great price-to-quality ratio.

For more reviews and recommendations feel free to check Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike with 8 Resistance Levels NS-40502R Amazon link (link opens in the new window).