MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike Indoor Cycling Stationary Bike Review
Being a recumbent bike, the MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike offers the benefits of having a small footprint, allowing exercising without affecting joints, and being ideal for recovery training and physical therapy.
Thus it’s one of the best exercise machines for home use and light cardio workouts, and for those who live in smaller spaces.
Published: February 26, 2021.
Specifications of MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike
- Dimensions when assembled: 45.7 x 18.9 x 41.7 inches (116 x 48 x 106 cm) (L x W x H)
- Weight when assembled: 62 lbs. (28 kg)
- Maximum user weight capacity: 300 lbs. (136 kg)
- Resistance: Manual, 8 levels
- Warranty: 2 years limited
Features of MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike
Assembly
Assembly of the MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike is extremely easy, as the main body of the bike with all its resistance and drive elements comes pre-assembled. Thus users just need to connect the base bars, front upright bar, seat, handlebars, console, and pedals.
The assembly should not take more than an hour. The manual contains thorough assembly instructions and all basic tools are included.
Frame
The frame of the MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike is made of premium steel tubing. However, several parts are not made of steel but of strong ABS plastic e.g. covers of the drive, resistance elements, and several other parts.
The chassis being one-piece remarkably improves the overall sturdiness. The combination of cylindrical and square shapes of tubing creates a pretty attractive-looking design. All the steel parts are powder coated with a gray corrosion-resistant paint finish.
Step-thru Design
The MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike has a convenient step-thru design which makes mounting and dismounting from the bike easy, especially for the elderly and disabled users.
Footprint
The MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike measures 45.7″L x 18.9″W (116 x 48 cm) and thus have a small footprint, something useful for those who live in small apartments.
When the seat is adjusted towards the backside to the maximum extent, the bike gains a few inches of length. Plus, like any other recumbent bike, this bike too needs to have a clearance of at least 2 feet on all its sides for safe and easy access and operation.
Stability
The MaxKare Recumbent Bike is not very heavy and weighs only 62 lbs. But still, it’s considerably heavier than an average road bike. This heaviness makes it pretty stable. Plus, its rear base features two polygonal caps that can rotate and act as levelers.
Portable
The MaxKare Recumbent Bike has small transportation wheels on its front base with which the bike can be easily relocated.
Console
The LCD display of the bike tracks all-important workout metrics including time, distance, speed, calories, and heart rate. It also has goal-setting functions for time, distance and calories. If users select a goal for any of these stats, it will keep showing the remaining value until the goal is completed.
The console is quite simple to use. It has three buttons, viz. Mode, Set, and Reset. The Mode button enables users to select any of the workout metrics to be viewed on the display or select the Scan Mode which makes all the stats to rotate with each of them showing on the display for a few seconds. The next Set button enables users to select workout goals. The last Reset button helps users clear all the values and bring them to a zero.
The unit is powered by two AA batteries. It starts when users start pedaling and turns off automatically if it remains inactive for a few minutes.
Seat and Backrest
The seat of the MaxKare Bike is quite comfortable. It measures 11” (27.9 cm) x 14.5” (36.8 cm) and thus offers a lot of contact surface. The backrest is around 2” (5 cm) narrower than the seat but is longer to provide optimum lumbar support. Both are furnished with high-density sponge padding of 1.5” (3.8 cm) thickness covered by durable vinyl upholstery.
The seat is attached to an oblique rail and can be adjusted nearer or farther from the pedals, and can be locked in place. It can be adjusted simply by pulling a lever on the right side which is very beneficial because users can adjust it while being seated and obtain an exact position they need.
The adjustment span of the seat is from 27” (68.5 cm) to 35” (89 cm). Thus, the bike can accommodate users of height from 4’8” (142 cm), to 6’5” (195.6 cm), providing a complete leg extension.
Handlebars
The MaxKare Indoor Cycling Stationary Bike has two sets of handlebars, one attached to the front mast and the second one to the seat assembly. Those attached to the seat assembly have pulse sensors integrated in them. The distance between them is around 22” (56 cm). They don’t adjust independently of the seat.
The front handlebars are slightly bent towards the user so as to offer more natural and comfortable hand positioning and reduce the impact on wrists. They are non-adjustable.
Since the bike is small, the position of these handlebars is not awkward i.e. it’s not too far from the user, as it is in many other bikes. Therefore, holding them while pedaling is quite comfortable for the users. Also, all the handlebars have vinyl foam padding to provide a firm grip to make the workout comfortable.
Maximum User Weight Capacity
The maximum user weight capacity of the MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike is 300 lbs.
Drive and Resistance
The MaxKare Bike too, like most other recumbent bikes, integrates a flywheel. Although its weight may not exceed 10-15 lbs. (4.5 – 6.8 kg) (exact weight has not been mentioned), it’s balanced and provides a steady and smooth pedaling motion. Users can do reverse pealing too.
This bike has a magnetic resistance system with manual operation. Thus it doesn’t need to be connected to an external power source, neither does it need a power adapter.
The resistance system comprises an internal magnetic brake which is connected to the tension knob placed on the front upright bar of the bike via a steel wire. When users turn the knob, the brake changes its position in relation to the flywheel, moving nearer or farther, and thus increasing or reducing the pedaling difficulty.
There are 8 levels of resistance:
- Levels 1 and 2: Gentle workout, warm-up, improved blood circulation
- Levels 3 to 5: Medium intensity workout, improved cardiopulmonary function
- Levels 6 to 8: High-intensity workout, strength building, muscle building, calorie-burning, weight loss. It also helps prevent osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease
The drivetrain of the bike, like most other bikes that have a magnetic resistance system, features a belt transmission. This saves the users from the hassle of periodic lubrication and provides a smooth, no-vibration traction.
Pedals
The MaxKare Bike features a durable crankset. However, since it’s not a spin bike, standing on the pedals is not recommended. The bike is designed for seated workouts only. Pedals are made of heavy-duty nylon material and have a weighted design which makes them turn always face-up when users remove their feet from them. They also come with adjustable straps which improve foot stability during pedaling.
Add-on
The MaxKare Recumbent Bike comes with only one add-on and it’s a phone/tablet holder positioned just below the main controls.
Maintenance
The MaxKare Bike doesn’t require much maintenance. Its internal parts don’t require any care for a long period of time. Thus, users only have to keep the bike clean, avoid spilling any liquid on the console, and regularly check if there are any loosened or broken parts and tighten or repair or replace them if required.
Pros of MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike
- Strong steel frame
- 300 lbs. maximum user weight capacity
- Convenient step-thru design useful especially for the elderly and disabled users who can mount or dismount from the seat easily
- Great stability
- Easy relocation with transportation wheels
- Seat handlebars have pulse sensors integrated in them
- Front handlebars conveniently curved so that users can hold them easily
- Large seat and backrest with thick high-density sponge padding for great comfort and lumbar support
- Seat can be adjusted nearer or farther from pedals with a lever
- Quiet magnetic resistance system
- 8 levels of magnetic resistance
- Weighted pedals with adjustable straps
- LCD display that tracks all important metrics
- Goal setting for time, distance and calories
- Tablet/phone holder included
- Smooth and whisper-quiet operation
- Easy assembly
- Very little maintenance
Cons of MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike
- Console not telemetric
- Display is not backlit
- No preset workout programs
- No add-ons like bottle holder, workout fan or sound system included
- A tablet placed on the tablet holder will block the display and controls
Bottom Line
The MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike is an exercise machine that provides a great workout without impacting the joints. It doesn’t have any astounding features but does have all the necessary qualities that a fitness enthusiast needs, such as a strong sturdy frame, step-thru design, 300 lbs. of maximum user weight capacity, stability, heart rate monitoring, large, comfortable, padded seat and backrest and 8 levels of magnetic resistance. It can be easily assembled and requires very little maintenance.
Thus for anyone who wants to build stamina, improve cardiac strength, build and tone muscles, burn calories and lose weight, this is a bike worth considering.
Also, those who are elderly or have undergone an illness or injury and want something for recovery training or physiotherapy should consider buying this bike.
For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to follow the MaxKare Recumbent Exercise Bike Indoor Cycling Stationary Bike Amazon link (link opens in the new window).
