The Marcy NS-908R Recumbent Bike features a premium steel frame that combines design and performance and supports users up to 300 lbs. In addition, the powder-coated finish ensures that this exercise bike has maximum durability, making it an ideal investment that will last a lifetime.
Designed for fitness enthusiasts of all skill levels, the Marcy NS-908R comes with a manual magnetic resistance mechanism with eight preset levels that allow you to tailor your workouts according to your training needs.
The Marcy NS-908R Recumbent Bike has a simple fitness monitor that acts as an odometer to monitor distance traveled, the time elapsed, current speed, and calories burned, and to measure your heartbeat through integrated HR pulse sensors in the seat handlebars.
Designed to let you experience comfortable and efficient workout sessions, the Marcy NS-908R boasts a padded seat with a backrest that helps reduce strain on your back during exhausting exercises. The seat and backrest integrate a thick, high-density foam covered by a durable vinyl sheet.
Learn more in my complete review below!
Product: Marcy NS-908R Recumbent Bike
Price: For a great deal on this bike, merely go here on Amazon
Warranty: 2 years limited
My rating: is 8/10
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Affiliate Program participant, I earn commissions on purchases made through links in this post. Full disclosure
Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 47.6L x 24.8W x 37H inches (121L x 63W x 94H cm)
- Assembled weight: 53.5 lbs (24.2 kg)
- Max. user weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Seat: Adjustable
- Pedals: With adjustable straps
- Resistance: Magnetic, eight levels
- Fitness Monitor: Time, distance, speed, calories, odometer, SCAN
- Warranty: 2 years limited
NS-908R Frame Construction
This Marcy NS-908R recumbent bike features a light frame with an assembled weight of 53.5 lbs (24.2 kg), making it easy to assemble, transport, and handle.
Nonetheless, it’s a sturdy steel tubing frame and can support users up to 300 lbs (136 kg). The only major non-metallic parts in its frame construction are the flywheel guards made from durable ABS material.
The frame comprises two main pieces: the rear part with the seat assembly and the front with the resistance elements, monitor mast, and fitness monitor.
The two parts join in the middle; the rear part’s main bar features six adjustment holes. The two parts attach via a turn knob. The frame does not fold. It has a step-through design, a plus for users with disabilities or the elderly.
The Marcy NS-908R recumbent bike isn’t significant. The bike features an assembled footprint of 47.6″L x 24.8″W. However, it does require at least two feet of clearance on each side and at least one foot of room at the rear and front for safe operation.
The bike offers excellent stability. Its front base comes equipped with rotating caps that serve as wheels to facilitate its relocation. Its rear base features polygonal stabilizer caps, allowing you to level it flawlessly on any flooring. A mat is advisable.
The frame’s midsection integrates a small rubberized foot, which adds to this fitness machine’s overall stability.
The frame has a white, corrosion-resistant powder coating finish, the only color available for this Marcy recumbent bike model.
Seat and handlebars
Even though it’s a pretty inexpensive exercise bike, the Marcy NS-908R recumbent bike has a very comfortable seat. The seat and backrest integrate a thick, high-density foam covered by a durable vinyl sheet.
Unfortunately, the backrest does not adjust independently from the seat and offers no reclining possibilities. However, it’s considerably wide, providing excellent lumbar support.
The seat itself doesn’t have an adjusting mechanism. Instead, it’s completely attached to the rear part of the frame. But the bike does offer adjustment; the back part of the frame with the seat can be locked closer or farther to the pedals.
Therefore, the bike offers an adjustment span of 23″ – 28″ (58.4 – 71.1 cm), being able to accommodate users between 4’10” – 6’0″ (147 – 183 cm). The seat can also support riders with up to 300 lbs (136 kg).
This exercise bike has two handlebar sets, one on the monitor mast and one attached to the seat assembly. A rubber foam covers both handlebar sets to provide a secure and comfortable grip.
NS-908R Resistance and drive
The Marcy NS-908R recumbent bike features a manual magnetic resistance system. It consists of a magnetic pad connected via a steel wire to the knob on the bike’s monitor mast. When you turn the knob, the resistance pad will change its position to the metallic flywheel, increasing or decreasing the pedals’ tension.
There are eight resistance settings available. However, the highest resistance levels (7-8) are not too hard. This exercise bike delivers a light workout, a good choice for users who require recovery training or elderly users.
When it comes to the bike’s drive system, like most other models with a manual magnetic resistance system, this particular feature features a belt drive. It uses a stretch-resistant, heavy-duty belt designed to last for many years of use. Since it’s a belt-drive, it doesn’t require any lubrication. The bike’s operation is also very smooth and quiet.
Since it’s a recumbent bike, the Marcy NS-908R is not for spin workouts. However, it has a sturdy crankset featuring solid steel crank arms.
The pedals supplied with the bike are made of durable PVC material; they feature a weighted design and integrate adjustable straps for maximum foot stability. They also have standard threads, so it’s easy to find replacements for them if needed.
This recumbent bike features a narrow Q-Factor, which means the foot positioning onto the pedals is comfortable, without any lateral stress on your knees. Also, if you’re wondering, pedaling in reverse is possible on this bike.
Fitness monitor
The Marcy NS-908R recumbent bike is a simple model; therefore, its fitness monitor is also fundamental. It can track speed, distance, total distance (ODO), time, calories burned, and pulse.
It would be best to use the integrated HR pulse sensors on the seat handlebars for pulse reading. Unfortunately, the monitor is not telemetric and cannot read the pulse via a wireless HR chest strap.
Since it’s a simple monitor with no functions that allow you to personal input data such as age, weight, or height, the calorie reading is only an estimate.
The monitor has a “SCAN” function to rotate the workout stats, displaying each for 4 seconds. It turns on when it detects pedal movement or when you press its button, and it also shuts down automatically after several minutes of inactivity on the bike.
The monitor is battery-operated and uses two AAA batteries, which, unfortunately, do not come with the cycle.
NS-908R Assembly and Maintenance
This exercise bike is straightforward. For assembly, you will have to connect the two main frame parts: the base tubes, the seat, the monitor mast, the fitness monitor, and the pedals. Consequently, the whole assembly process shouldn’t take more than an hour of your time. The included manual provides clear assembly instructions, and the tools come with the bike.
Since the bike features a magnetic resistance system, there isn’t any maintenance required for the internal parts. So, the only thing to do in this matter is to periodically check for loose bolts and parts and retighten them as needed.
Pros
- Robust frame for a light recumbent bike, with a maximum user capacity of 300 lbs;
- Adjustable frame; can accommodate users between 4’10” – 6’0″;
- Step-thru frame design;
- Cushioned seat and backrest for maximum comfort;
- Quiet magnetic resistance system;
- Adjustable resistance (8 levels);
- Weighted pedals with adjustable straps and standard threads;
- The fitness monitor included;
- Easy to assemble and operate;
- Lightweight, easy to handle;
- Transport wheels and rear stabilizers;
- Little to no maintenance is required.
Cons
- The fitness monitor does not have a tablet holder;
- The is no bottle holder;
- The fitness monitor LCD does not have a backlight.
Marcy NS-908R Recumbent Bike Summary
The Marcy NS-908R is a recumbent exercise bike made for home use. It features a solid steel frame with a weight capacity of 300 lbs and manual magnetic resistance. In addition, it has an adjustable frame, padded seat, broad backrest, and a fitness monitor.
The Marcy NS-908R recumbent bike is excellent for light cardio workouts, stamina, recovery, and weight loss. Depending on the resistance levels, you can burn up to 4-500 calories per hour. In addition, it’s one of the most affordable recumbent bikes and does offer excellent value for the price.
I hope you found this article helpful and informative. Would you please speak up if you have anything you’d like to share or any opinions about my website? I look forward to your comments, questions, and the sharing of ideas.
Please remember that you should consult your physician to determine if you have any medical or physical conditions that could risk your health and safety or prevent you from using the equipment properly. In addition, your physician’s advice is essential if you are taking medication that affects your heart rate, blood pressure, or cholesterol level.
I remember borrowing a friend’s recumbent bike after having had an injury and couldn’t jog to keep fit. It was great fun and really helped with my slow progress back to full fitness. The Marcy looks like an excellent recovery or light workout bike. I particularly like that it has a solid supportive back and can take up to 300 kgs.
I am disappointed that you can’t use a tablet on it and that there isn’t a water bottle holder, but this is still a great bike.
Hello Lily, thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. I know what you mean about a water holder and device holder. However, since it’s easy to move, you could always set it closer to an HDTV for streaming, and I’ve used the floor to put my water jug before. Just a thought anyway.
Warmest Regards, Robert
Hi there,
Thanks for sharing this review. I found it really useful!
I used to walk a lot, but since my knees got injured, I can’t walk like I used to once. My doctor recommended buying a recumbent bike as there is no impact on the knees, and it tones leg muscles. I see many great functionalities on this bike, and the fact that it’s lightweight and easy to maneuver is a big plus for me:). I do have a question, do we get a guaranty on the pieces or the whole bike?
Thank you very much!
Hello Daniella, thanks for your interest in the Marcy NS-908R recumbent bike. The warranty is 2 years limited on parts. So, if you have a defective part, you will fill out a replacement part order form and upload a copy of your receipt and any relevant photos. Marcy will then send you the needed part.
Warmest regards, Robert
Thanks for the informative article,
I have been looking to buy a new exercise bike for my mother. She is not confident enough on a real bike anymore, but she wants to get the exercise that she was used to when she was younger, and this bike may fit the bill nicely. The seat looks much comfier than her old exercise bike which is on its last legs really,
Thanks again,
Bren
Hi Bren, thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with us. Would you please let me know if I may further assist you with exercise equipment? I’m always happy to help.
Kind regards, Robert